Five Unexpected Places to Stop on a Drive from Chester, Vermont to Chicago, Illinois

Driving allows travelers to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the United States. For those planning to embark on a road trip from Chester, Vermont to Chicago, Illinois, expect to cover approximately 920 miles of scenic views, changing landscapes, and different cultures. The journey takes roughly 14 hours by car, and along the way, there are several unique and unexpected places to stop. Here are five of them:

1. The Cabot Creamery Annex, Cabot, Vermont

Located approximately 25 miles from Chester and three hours into the drive, the Cabot Creamery Annex attracts visitors with a passion for organic farming and cheese production. It is home to an exclusive array of cheese samples, a viewing area to see how cheese is made, and a store to purchase organic cheese. Apart from cheese, the store also sells organic butter and yogurt, which are all sourced from local farmers.

Favorite Food to Eat: Cheese Platter and Vermont Cheddar Pops

2. Flamingo Restaurant, Route 5, Connecticut

As the journey continues and you make your way through Connecticut, the Flamingo Restaurant is an excellent place to stop for lunch. Located around four hours from Chester, the restaurant has been serving up classic American diner dishes for over thirty years. With friendly staff, generous portions, and affordable prices, customers will feel right at home.

Favorite Food to Eat: Classic Cheeseburger and Milkshake

3. Letchworth State Park, New York

Considered by many as the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park boasts beautiful waterfalls, cliffs, and gorges spread over 17 miles of hiking trails. After about nine hours of driving and about 600 miles from Chester, visitors can take a nature break and enjoy scenic views of the Genesee River, which flows through the park. There is a range of activities for nature lovers, including hiking, camping, hot air ballooning, and bird watching.

Favorite Food to Eat: Picnic-style sandwiches, fruits, and crisp apple cider from the park store

4. Grotto Pizzeria, Niagara Falls, Canada

Crossing the border from the US into Canada and driving through the city of Niagara Falls brings us to our fourth unexpected stop. Grotto Pizzeria is located just five miles from the Falls and is renowned for its classic Italian pizza cooked in a wood fire oven. The restaurant is small, but the quality of the food and service more than make up for it.

Favorite Food to Eat: Margherita Pizza, Garlic Bread, and Ice-cold Beer

5. Lake Huron, Michigan

As the drive comes to an end, and with Chicago on the horizon, there's one last stop to make. Lake Huron is the second-largest of the Great Lakes, and with its clear blue waters, sandy beaches and dunes, it's an ideal spot to relax after a long drive. Located in Michigan, it's a great way to see the diversity of America's natural beauty.

Favorite Food to Eat: Grilled Steak Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries from a local cafe

Taking a road trip from Chester to Chicago offers one of the best ways to see America's beauty firsthand. With Erie, PA being the halfway point, a stop to refuel and rest is essential before continuing to these unexpected places. Although each of these five places offers something different, they all share a common thread in that they represent America's good heartland, great food, and breathtaking beauty that no pictures or words can describe. Packing for the journey and hitting the road is all that's left to do, and with each stop along the way, memories will be created that will last a lifetime.