Chicago

Reasons to Drive

Visit these small and growing cities across the country just hours from major local markets. You may be surprised to find the best restaurants, hikes, beaches, and more are found here.

Reasons to Drive: Travel Guides to Local Cities in the U.S.

Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Travel

Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

The aroma of warm Glühwein, sizzling bratwursts, and crisp potato pancakes mingling with the sounds of festive Christmas music and beautiful twinkling lights is what draws millions of travelers to Germany’s Christmas markets each year.

The Midwest City with a Shockingly Authentic German Christmas Market

In Chicago there’s no better time to prioritize (or upgrade) your wellness routine than when winter is around the corner.

The Ultimate Wellness Guide to Chicago

Thrillist Event Guides

Thrillist’s city guide to everything you can do this year—from festivals to art exhibits to outdoor activities.

Thrillist Annual Event Guides: Every Event Happening in Your City This Year

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Events

Summers in Chicago are what people flock to the city for.

23 Things You Have to Do in Chicago This Year

Flickr/Michael Kappel

Chicago’s history is reflected in its architecture.

The 10 Most Awe-Inspiring Abandoned Places Near Chicago

Works by Chad Kouri and POSE (Jordan Nickel)

Waiting for the train in the endless din of loud conversations, footsteps running to catch a closing door, and perhaps a crying child or two isn’t exactly pleasant.

The Prettiest Place for Public Art? Your Local Amtrak Station

Photo by Elsie Stormberg, stormbergstorytelling.com

Paul Stormberg was standing in the basement of 330 Center Street, the nominal “birthplace of Dungeons & Dragons,” giving his 19th tour of the day, when his flip phone rang.

The 'Hamptons of the Midwest' Is Finally Embracing Its Dungeons & Dragons Legacy

Two Days Away

Thrillist shares itineraries to some of the best towns and small cities across the United States. Everything you need to know to make the most of your weekend away.

Two Days Away: Small Town Weekend Getaways in the U.S.

 Photo by Julie Kahlbaugh

To the untrained eye, or casual passerby, Pittsburgh has largely been regarded for its French fry sandwiches, its bridge-strewn rivers, its swing-state influence, and its ironclad Steelers fans (and, ya know, the industry that earned Pittsburgh the nickname “Steel City”).

The Midwest City that Boasts Some of the Quirkiest Museums in the U.S.

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Iowa, in many ways, typifies the idea of “flyover country.”

Let’s All Stop Underestimating Iowa

Los Angeles

San Francisco

Nation

Thrillist Itineraries

Thrillist destination guides with local expertise to help with everything you need to know before embarking on your next adventure.

Thrillist Itineraries Destination Guides: Things to Do and Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling

Photo by Ben Mesirow for Thrillist

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Over the last few years, it has become clear that people will get excited for anything coastal, from Coastal Mediterranean restaurants to Modern Coastal decor, so California’s Central Coast is well positioned to be the vacation destination of the moment.

How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days on California's Central Coast

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I’m always surprised when an L.A. or San Francisco friend mentions that they haven’t been to Yosemite Valley: We Californians live within less than a half day’s drive to one of the most spectacular natural sites in the world.

How to Spend a Weekend in Yosemite With Kids

Photo by Whitney James

Three Family-Friendly Days in Northern California’s Shasta Cascades

Photo by Steph Rodriguez for Thrillist

California’s Northern Coast is my family’s go-to destination when we need a little reset from the weekly grind.

How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days in Sonoma and Mendocino

Three Perfect Days in Chicago—Without the Crowds

Photo by Jaclyn Rivas for Thrillist

The third biggest city in the US, Chicago is a world-class metropolis where the pizza soars nearly as high as the architecture, where celebrity chefs are as vaunted as Cubs players, and where the snowy serenity of extended winter plows the way for summers spent outside at lakefront beaches, rooftop bars, and street festivals.

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Chicago is a blue-collar city built by dreamers willing to roll up their sleeves and make magic happen (ahem, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama…).

How to Spend Two Fancy but Affordable Days in Chicago

Sound Trip

From the best underground venues in each city to travel guides to the festival scene, Thrillist helps fans get the most out of their live music experience.

Sound Trip - Guides to Live Music Experiences, Concerts, and Festivals

For someone who frequently covers festivals, there is something immensely refreshing about attending one that actually centers Latine culture, community, and music.

Everything You Need to Know to Go to Sueños, El Festival Latino

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If you think of Wisconsin as a land of cheese and beer, you’re right.

Three Perfect Days in Chicago—Without the Crowds

Want to see a different side of Chicago? There are countless under-the-radar things to eat, see, and show the kids—and these itineraries can show you the way.

How to Spend Two Fancy but Affordable Days in Chicago

Eat like a Top Chef, sweat with a sauna master, access rare art, and more tips to living large without going broke in the Windy City

Everything You Need to Know to Go to Sueños, El Festival Latino

In its fourth year, the Latine-centered music fest promises a second stage, a smooth entry, and a LATAM-spanning food menu

A Pet-Friendly Getaway to a Midwest Haven for Craft Beer and Cheese

Also very popular: bratwursts, badgers, and the wiener mobile.

Things to Do

The Midwest City with a Shockingly Authentic German Christmas Market

Carmel is just 30 minutes north of downtown Indianapolis, but at Christmas it feels a world away.

The Ultimate Wellness Guide to Chicago

Here’s how to unwind in the Windy City.

23 Things You Have to Do in Chicago This Year

These are the must-hit festivals, concerts, events, and most fun things to do in Chicago this year.

The 10 Most Awe-Inspiring Abandoned Places Near Chicago

From one of the most haunted locations in the U.S. to the long-forgotten Chicago Freight Tunnels.

Get Out of Town

How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days on California's Central Coast

Explore tide pools, feed farm animals, watch elephant seals, and make time for local wine and coffee for the adults

How to Spend a Weekend in Yosemite With Kids

Hike, bike, and explore one of the most beautiful places in the world with the whole family

Three Family-Friendly Days in Northern California’s Shasta Cascades

Big water, big sky, and big family adventures

How to Spend Two Family-Friendly Days in Sonoma and Mendocino

California's northern coast has whale watching hikes, kayaking, and lots of local wine and cheese

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