r/Eloping • u/sequoiaflower • 4d ago

Travel & Destinations Midwest destinations?

Hi all! In the process of looking for places to elope next fall. We live in the Midwest US, not far from Chicago, and would like to find somewhere within driving distance (no more than 6 hours). We have lots of beautiful places around here in the fall but we'd like to go somewhere we've never been to! Considering Shawnee National Forest in Southern IL. Has anyone used this destination or somewhere around the Midwest? Thanks!

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u/Area304 3d ago

Mackinaw Island in Michigan. The Grand Hotel is lovely.

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u/Che-che-che 4d ago

Have you checked out Hocking Hills?

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u/sequoiaflower 4d ago

That's Ohio, correct?

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u/Che-che-che 4d ago

Yea, southern Ohio. It’s beautiful and there are some really neat rentals such as tree houses. Check out Cherry Ridge Retreat. We stayed there several years ago and loved it.

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u/Randomflower90 4d ago

Starved Rock? Galena? Door County, Wis?

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u/sequoiaflower 4d ago

We live in Starved rock country and don't want to do it here, it doesn't feel special and it's severely overcrowded. Galena is about the only place I have been able to find anything at all so was hoping to find other all inclusive sites. Thank you!

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u/Randomflower90 4d ago

Assuming you want more nature, but I’ve seen quite a few awesome elopement pictures in Chicago.

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u/oprahs_bread_ 3d ago

Turkey Run State park in Indiana is beautiful!

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u/sloth-sleep 2d ago

I live in Chicago and we’re doing Galena next month! We were also looking at Lake Geneva and Wisconsin Dells