Combine fun adventures and relaxing times for a good weekend.
Illinois is called "the land of Lincoln" so a weekend getaway might include Springfield and neighboring New Salem. Illinois also stretches from the rolling hills on the Wisconsin border, down to the Ozark landforms at the state's tip between southern Missouri and eastern Kentucky.
Farms and small towns dot its countryside, between bustling Chicago on Lake Michigan and the former mining town of Galena, a boutique shop destination on the Mississippi River. The variety that is Illinois means planning specific activities before booking a reservation.
Chicago Weekend Getaway
An architecture boat tour on the Chicago River is a popular weekend activity.
There are enough shows, music venues, museums and restaurants around downtown Chicago to keep a visitor happy sightseeing and dining for a week. When Limited to a weekend, the best plan is one that balances activities and relaxation at a centrally located base.
The Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers sits between Michigan Avenue's famed "Magnificent Mile" shopping street and the carnival style atmosphere of Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel, tourist shops and weekend fireworks. The hotel is also within walking distance of Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, a concert venue designed by Frank Gehry, and the park's skybridge to the Art Institute's Modern Wing.
The hotel's location also means easy access to an architecture boat tour on the Chicago River, a favorite activity of visitors and residents. All the boat tours are led by knowledgeable guides including one given by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Back at the hotel, guests can spend some down time at the indoor pool, with its Lake Michigan views or in the many-screened Chi Bar, with Chicago River views. The hotel has several restaurant and bar choices, but guests in the mood for casual Tuscan dining at a neighborhood place should try to snag a reservation at Coco Pazzo Cafe on St. Claire. Its parent, west of Michigan Avenue, Coco Pazzo, is a more expensive, upscale restaurant known for gourmet dining.
As of February, 2010, the hotel has a $109 per night package that includes two tickets to Navy Pier's Ferris Wheel and coupons for the Pier's shops and activities.
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers
301 East North Water St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 464-1000
Sheraton.com/Chicago
Galena Weekend Getaway
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa is a popular golf getaway.
Postcard perfect hills sprinkled with church steeples and bed and breakfasts pull weekend visitors to Galena throughout the year, but particularly during summer and fall. Coming here for a getaway means making a reservation well in advance or staying nearby at the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa. Golfers and spa fans would opt for the latter.
Indeed, if looking for a relaxing weekend, Eagle Ridge has championship golf and expert spa treatments in a scenic rolling hill setting. The shops and eateries of Galena, a historic town dating back to the lead mining era of 1826, are a mere six miles away.
A weekend is barely enough time for golfers to play the resort's four courses. If limited to one, then choose The General. The 6,000-square foot Stonedrift Spa also has more choices than would fit a weekend, ranging from Holistic wellness and rain-shower treatments to couples' massages.
This is a place to take advantage of fresh air and scenery, even if not a golfer. The resort has canoes and paddle-boats to use on Galena Lake and access to 20 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Accommodations include a room in the Inn or a villa with one to eight bedrooms. Golf Packages of two rounds ($30 added to play The General), two breakfasts for three days and two weekend nights range from $250 to $450 per person depending on time of year. Spa packages are about $200 a person for two days, one night and include a 50-minute spa treatment and breakfast.
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa
444 Eagle Ridge Dr.
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-5000 and (800) 892-2269
eagleridge.com
Springfield and New Salem Vacation
Lincoln's Tomb is an impressive monument north of Springfield's downtown.
For a historic weekend getaway, head to Springfield, the state's capital. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is worth the trip, but there are enough other sites to fill a weekend. The downtown's historical destinations are clustered around the State Capitol and the Old Capitol so look for accommodations in walking distance.
Fit in car time to take in a double feature at the Route 66 drive-in theater at 1700 Recreation Drive. Springfield is a must stop for Route 66 fans. Also schedule time during the weekend to drive north to Lincoln's Tomb, then over to New Salem, about 15 minutes outside of town. New Salem is an 1800's village that was recreated to look the way it did when Lincoln worked there as a young man.
Also try the Inn at 835. A former small apartment building constructed in the early 1900's, the Inn is near three places to put on the to-do list: Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana Thomas House, the State Capitol and Lincoln's former home. Guests like to return to the Inn for a glass of wine after a day of exploring. Rooms may have a fireplace, veranda, double whirlpool, jacuzzi, claw foot tub or shower. They are all furnished with antiques. Rates range from $140 to $200 (less if a corporate rate).
The Inn at 835
835 South 2nd Street
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 523-4466
Shawnee National Forest and Shawnee Wine Trail Getaway
Hiking the canyons and checking out overlooks are popular activities.
Hiking 12,000-year-old canyons and bluffs, climbing rock formations in Giant City State Park and sipping Vignoles and Chardonel along an extensive wine trail may not sound much like Illinois, but those are popular things to do down in the southern part of the state. The area is part of the Shawnee National Forest, which also borders the Shawnee Wine Trail.
Visitors can drive there or take an Amtrak train down to Carbondale then rent a car; the area begs to be explored along back roads. Giant City State Park in the Shawnee National Forest and the forest's bluffs are close to the wine trail. Visitors who come in spring may catch fruit trees in bloom or can hike dry trails in the summer. Autumn visits mean fall color and wine festival weekends.
The Makanda Inn near Giant City makes sense as a weekend getaway and jumping off point to check out scenic overlooks and wine samples on the trail. The inn is a contemporary, environment-friendly bed and breakfast where views of fields and forest make it easy to relax. Rooms have balconies, mini-refrigerators, flat screen LCD TVs, bathrobes and complimentary WiFi. Rates are approximately $100 a night.
Makanda Inn
855 Old Lower Cobden Road
Makanda, IL 62958
(618) 697-7929
makandainn.com
Tags: Eagle Ridge, Chicago River, Eagle Ridge Resort, Giant City, National Forest