Things to do at Starved Rock and Galena

Starved Rock State Park and Galena are two separate day trips in opposite directions from Chicago, and neither has direct L or Metra service, so both require a car or a booked tour. 5 to 2 hours by road, with canyons and seasonal waterfalls best after spring rain or winter thaw.

Galena lies to the northwest, near the Wisconsin and Iowa borders, a similar drive time, known for preserved 19th-century architecture and small shops rather than hiking. This page does not cover Milwaukee, which has its own day-trip page.

Expect a full day out, a thin bookable-tour catalog compared with downtown, and little use for anyone staying carless in the Loop.