Dear all,
I've got a convention trip to Chicago coming up in mid-September, and fortunately I can take a few days leave before the meeting. So I'm looking for some inspiration about where to go to hike and take photographs. The main aim is hiking, but I'd like to to be in beautiful/interesting surroundings. I'm up for 12-15 miles hiking per day, but I don't want anything too tough or remote since I'll be on my own (and I'm no longer 25!!!).

I'm landing at O'Hare at 2.15pm on 12th September and picking up a hire car, and I have to be back at O'Hare to drop off the car on the late afternoon of the 15th. So I've got 2 full days plus 2 part days.

I've been to Chicago several times before so I know the city already quite well, and I had a couple of days some years ago hiking with colleagues around and near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin which was great, but I'd like to go somewhere different this time.

I've done some research: I'd really like to go to the Door County peninsula some time (near Sturgeon Bay) but that looks around 5 hours drive each way which might be pushing my tolerance of US highways & driving... Would it be worth it this time?
What about the Mississippi Palisades state park near Savannah, Illinois? That looks like under 3 hours drive.
Or I could maybe travel less far and hike in and near Starved Rock state park near the junction of I80 and I39.

Other suggestions and comments are very much appreciated: I'd also be keen to hear of accommodation suggestions near these areas (preferred style = comfortable and interesting rather than luxurious).

Many thanks, Mark