Just before Hurricane season, catch a cheap flight to Cancun, Mexico from Chicago for $259.

Flights are one-stop with most carriers, often stopping in Memphis, Houston, or Dallas.

Look for flights with Northwest, Delta, or AirTran.

From Cancun, you can head straight for the bars and clubs, or rent a car, and drive slightly inland to the many Mayan artifacts scattered around the area.

My suggestion would be to head south to Tulum, where there are many under water caves and coastal Mayan cities to investigate.