There is a beautiful campground/park right on Lake Erie in Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH. I have stayed there twice and it’s stunning.

Tons of beautiful beaches in Chicago area. I live in Evanston and the Evanston beaches are beautiful as is Gillson Park in Wilmette.

That should of course read amusement park, not theme park. No theme there

Lots of places to stop on Lake Erie along the way - consider taking your teens to Cedar Point, it's the best theme park in the country.

Since it’s a week I wouldn’t try to do too much else. If you did really want to see more the western side of Michigan is a great stop. There are great beaches, you can take a beach dunes jeep tour, sculpture garden, lots of cute little towns to visit. However, I think just seeing the greater Chicago area would be enough.

You can explore the suburbs. There is the Morton Arboretum which I think your kids would enjoy. Cantigny park as well. A day trip to Starved Rock State Park to see waterfalls and interesting rock formations.

Anonymous wrote:The Henry Ford museum in Detroit is really cool. We also have done Cleveland and Milwaukee. Cleveland is a good midway point to stay overnight

Henry Ford museum with the associated truck plant is really the best single day "Detroit" experience for tourists.

I live in Detroit. There are plenty of fun things to do here but our downtown is basically just a business district. A major league game or concert would be the most common reasons to go downtown, followed by festivals. There is a river cruise but it's not lovely like Chicago or DC. There are a couple of mansion districts if it interests you - a drive through Grosse Pointe, etc.

We should be coming up on the Woodward Dream Cruise. Possibly of interest if you like cars.

Detroit's most notable cuisines are: Middle Eastern, coneys (chili dogs), and pizza variants: Domino's HQ, Little Caesar's HQ, Jet's HQ, and indies.

i’m not too familiar with driving to Chicago from Cleveland other than they are 6 hours apart, but what about stopping in Sandusky and Cedar Point? Beach and amusement park in one.

Agree with stopping in Cleveland on your way but with only a week total, I would otherwise just stay in Chicago. Enjoy the city. Many different to explore-Oak St, Montrose, 31st St, North Ave. Air & Water Show is August 10-11 this year.

The Henry Ford museum in Detroit is really cool. We also have done Cleveland and Milwaukee. Cleveland is a good midway point to stay overnight

NP. I'd probably stay in Cleveland or Akron-Canton depending on interest. Those are both about halfway. You can see Lake Erie in Cleveland. Also Rock-'n'-roll Hall of fame. If you prefer football, Akron-Canton has the Pro Football HOF. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is nice.

However, I haven't been to Detroit or Grand Rapids and would like to, so if other posters have good suggestions for those, they may be better. Or you can do OH going and MI on the way back.

Anonymous wrote:Want to leave home and arrive back within 7 days.

Okay, it's a full day of driving in each direction (11 hours with no traffic and no stops), so that's 5 days actual activities time. I'd recommend you stay in and around Chicago and not stop on the way- you just don't have enough time. Plenty of fun things to do in 5 days in and around the city, especially in the summer. Where are you staying?

Want to leave home and arrive back within 7 days.

How many days do you want in Chicago and how many days can you be away from home?

Both Michigan cities you mention are out of the way but not terribly so.

OP here.
I should add that I have seen many posts about things to do in Chicago with kids (thanks DCUM!) but I am looking for extending this stay with travel around Chicago (Grand Rapids? Detroit?). I am full unfamiliar with this part of the country and would like to visit any cool places while we're out there (with a car).
This is early August.

Lakes, plural? In and around the city and metro area, there is only one, Lake Michigan. Plenty of beaches, both in the city and outside. Just go to the one closest to where you are staying.

There are a number of inland lakes, especially near the Wisconsin border, over an hour inland.

How many days will you be there, and what time of year?

We want to visit Chicago, so we plan to pack the minivan with our 3 tweens and drive.
Can you recommend things to do and see both while there and also nearby?
We want to visit the lakes (or at least one) and there must be a beach somewhere.
This is the planning stages so please give me your suggestions!
TIA.