Midwest Destinations: Summer Edition

Midwest Destinations: Summer Edition. Summer vacation season is in full swing and as Chicagoans, most of us have a more local spot that we have been frequenting for years or just recently discovered. It’s easy to forget that even though we live in or around one of the greatest, most dynamic cities in the world, we are also surrounded by stellar beauty and summer is the time to highlight some of the most gorgeous spots around. And if you are anything like us, every time you hear Tim Allen’s voice urging you to check out the many tourist spots in Pure Michigan, you almost can’t believe someplace so close could be so incredibly beautiful. So we’ve singled out some of our favorite spots for girl’s getaways, local destination wedding locales, and daytrips!
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New Buffalo Michigan:  Just about an hour and a half outside of Chicago, this is the go-to vacation spot for so many life-long Chicagoans. Perfectly perched on a grand strip of Lake Michigan, this harbor town in known for its gorgeous waterside properties, quintessential shops, and delicious hotspots for everything from ice cream to burgers and high-end seafood fare. And for those of you who are full-time city dwellers, when we say Lake Michigan, you might as well forget everything you know about our idea of the “Lakefront.”  Although we love our city water feature, this water is much more beach friendly and seemingly more accessible. This could be THE spot for a scenic semi-destination wedding or a perfect firl’s getaway bachelorette party weekend! Our friends over at Glossed and Found recently feature New Buffalo in their annual vacation issue and listed the following as must-see, must-try and must-stay picks!

Stay: Grand Marina Resort (wow!)

Eat: Redamak’s, Bentwood Tavern, Oink’s
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Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Ahh, The Hamptons of the Midwest, right? Well, maybe not quite as pretentious, but all the same this place is gorgeous! So what’s new in LG, since this spot has long been touted as the place just north of the border and again, about an hour and a half from the city? How about the amazing Livingsocial deals from the iconic Abbey Inn and Spa? A steal for those of us who know how ideal the setting of the Inn is located right on the water and full of charm and a top notch spa. They also are no stranger to hosting super chic weddings. This is a perennial go-to for wedding venue shopping and we must say, we wouldn’t mind being a guest and forcing ourselves to take a nice long weekend vacation!

Stay: Grand Geneva or The Abbey

Eat: Fontana Grill, Ristorante Brissago, Hunt Club
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