Let's face it, taking a vacation is tough these days. Everyone's tightening their belts these days, and airfare alone to get far from Wisconsin might be more than you've budgeted for a getaway. But the time-honored road trip may be just what you need this summer -- a fun escape on just a tank or two of gas. Fortunately, we've come up with a few car trips that won't break the bank. Pack a lunch and get going.

Chicago (approximate round-trip mileage from Milwaukee: 180)

Don't let the big buildings fool you, Chicago is a perfect day-out vacation. The key is to make your outing a surgical strike. Don't try to do too much in a single day and do some basic planning before you go.

Since parking is a pain, the most cost-effective and easy way to approach a central Chicago summer day visit is to park once and get around on foot, in cabs and on public transportation.

If you plan wisely, you can likely get around on foot power alone.

Recently, we did a family day out in the Windy City with a pre-schooler and an infant and we walked everywhere, taking one cab at the end of a long day.

Here is a suggested itinerary for a sunny summer Chicago trip on a tank. Of course, the options are nearly limitless in a city the size of Chicago, so this is just one recommended route.

7:30 a.m. -- leave Milwaukee. Remember that work I-94 south to the Illinois border has begun, so allow some extra time.

9:15 a.m. -- arrive in downtown Chicago and park anywhere in the Loop area. Most lots will run you around $25 for the day. An especially convenient option for this itinerary are the four "Millennium Garages" beneath Millennium and Grant Parks.

9:45 a.m. -- breakfast at The Artists' Café, 412 S. Michigan Ave., across and a couple blocks south from the Art Institute. This traditional diner has been around for nearly 50 years and you can dine for around $10 per person, which is a great deal in the area. On nice days, you can sit outside and watch the passersby on Michigan Avenue.

11 a.m. -- Check out the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.

The $294 million expansion not only created some much needed space for the Art Institute's world class collection of modern art, the bright, airy Renzo Piano-designed building reclaims some prime real estate. While the area north of the Art Institute, along Monroe Street, was once deserted and home only to a stretch of railroad tracks, that block is now home to an attractive building that serves as a second major entrance to the Art Institute and successfully links the museum to the teeming parade of visitors at Millennium Park across the street.

The 264,000-sq. ft. wing -- the seventh (and largest) expansion of the museum in 116 years -- is home to the museum's modern art, contemporary art, photography and architecture and design collections -- and adds 33% to the museum's total area.

The restaurant and terrace on the roof offer great views of the lake, Millennium Park and the skyline and the sleek Nichols Bridgeway connects the museum to the park.

Inside, Piano's soaring skylight and warm oak floors and birch and cherry accents -- especially on the alluring staircase.

What is especially exciting about the expansion is the light that streams in. Some parts of the Art Institute -- like many museum buildings of its age - can seem dark and disconnected from the world outside, but Piano pulls Chicago in via the skylight, the third floor sculpture terrace, the rooftop restaurant and a main floor deck and patio.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by ozricale on July 18, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (report)

We are taking the train to Chicago the first week of August. I really appreciate the tip about The Plaza at The Park Grill! I will definitely be going there for lunch! We are also taking the Architecture River Cruise and going to the Sears/Willis Tower.

Posted by 300bowler on June 18, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. (report)

For Breakfast in Chicago you gotta do Lou Mitchell's. For lunch definitely a sub at Fontanno's on Jackson.

Posted by jeffjay60 on June 17, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. (report)

I agree with the Daycation in Chicago agenda, except I would take the Amtrak and get rid of the highway frustration and parking problems. I would also stop at the Apple Store on Michigan, but that's just me.

Posted by MilwaukeeMichele on June 16, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. (report)

TAKE THE MEGABUS! I planned a road trip to Chicago in May three months in advance and it cost me $1 each way, but even if you can't plan that far in advance, the Megabus is great. No worries about driving, parking, etc., and the bus itself is always clean and comfortable. If you're going to walk everywhere anyway you may as well. Side note, the Modern Wing at the Art Institute (the reason for my road trip) really is gorgeous.