I don't know if anyone will care, but I saw Grand Rapids, MI mentioned so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I like taking Amtrak to Chicago from Battle Creek, MI. Usually about 3 hours, and that's my preferred way to go to Chicago for the weekend or longer.
Day trips are more interesting because of the South Shore Line.
It's a electric rail that runs from South Bend, IN to Millennium Station in Chicago. Take something like a Cubs game. I drive 2 hours to the Dune Park station
From there I park for free and ride the train to Chicago and then hop the Red Line to Wrigley. Even if it's a night game I can still make it back to Millennium Station for the last train out at 12:45AM.
The South Shore Line is also great for conventions on the weekend because it stops right at McCormick Place.
Day trips are more interesting because of the South Shore Line.
http://www.mysouthshoreline.com/tickets/maps-stations
It's a electric rail that runs from South Bend, IN to Millennium Station in Chicago. Take something like a Cubs game. I drive 2 hours to the Dune Park station
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Marshall,+Michigan+49068/Dun...
From there I park for free and ride the train to Chicago and then hop the Red Line to Wrigley. Even if it's a night game I can still make it back to Millennium Station for the last train out at 12:45AM.
The South Shore Line is also great for conventions on the weekend because it stops right at McCormick Place.