Chicago: GORP's kind of town

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Who would have guessed that such a cosmopolitan city could have such a bounty of rustic, natural beauty surrounding it? If your Windy City kids are itching to experience nature beyond the front yard, fortunately, you don't have far to go.

Many rich and diverse landscapes — sand dunes, limestone bluffs, glacial lakes, meadows, canyons and wetlands among them — can all be found within a 90-minute drive of downtown Chicago. From short hiking trails to scenic biking to a multi-day canoe trip on the Fox River, northern Illinois' natural areas offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

So dust off your gear, pump up those tires and head outdoors for some summer fun around Chicago!