Two of my favorite places to visit in the springtime are Chicago, Illinois, and Hunting Island, South Carolina.
Chicago, one of most accessible cities to visit culturally, is fabulous in the springtime, especially April and May. By April, the weather has warmed to mid-60s and 70s, and the trees are blooming. Chicago, unlike many large cities, has a beautiful downtown area, the loop, which is lined by miles of walkway and park along Lake Michigan. The Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium are right on the lake and within walking distance of each other. A city pass will get you entrance into all three as well as the John Hancock Building and the Museum of Science and Industry (a short bus ride down away). And if art is your thing, you can’t miss the Art Institute of Chicago whose gallery houses some of the most famous paintings in United States.
Food in the city is always good, and a trip to Chicago would not be complete without a visit to Geno’s or The Oven Grinder’s Cafe. If you prefer shopping, the Water Tower Place is where you’ll find some of the nicest stores in the city. If you like jazz and blues, there are plenty of places to stop for music in the evening. If you like animals, the oldest zoo in the world is the Lincoln Park Zoo located on the city’s north side.
An inexpensive way to spend the night in Chicago is to book a hotel in the suburbs and take the train into the city. Union Station is a short walk from the loop, and you’ll cross the Chicago River and come face to face with the Sears Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world.
If you would rather see the countryside and spend a night in a cabin or a tent, Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina is the place to go. A barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, Hunting Island State Park is a 4-mile long island located near Beaufort, South Carolina. Hunting Island boasts some of the most beautiful RV and tent sites in the state many of which are right up to the beach. All sites except the primitive campsites have water and electric hook ups, and clean, well-kept bath houses are within short walking distance. Cabins also available for rental are located on the south end of the island.
The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse is in the center of the island. A small fee will give you access to the top of the lighthouse where on a clear day you can see Beaufort and many of the surrounding barrier islands as well as an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean. If nature interests you, a nature education center is located on the south end of the island where you can learn about the animals and plants living on and around the island. Classes are available for all ages throughout the week. A fishing pier and marsh boardwalk, also located on the island, are great places for fishing and crabbing. Hunting Island is a bird sanctuary, so if bird-watching is your your thing, bring your binoculars and see how many of the over 100 species of birds located on the island you can find. Reservations to stay on Hunting Island can be made through the South Carolina State Park System, and a night’s stay is fairly inexpensive.
Have a great vacation!
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