Weekend Getaways Near Chicago (Geneva, Washington: home, living in, restaurants)

[pooholla]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone's got some recommendations on a weekend getaway not too far from Chicago. My boyfriend and I aren't going to be able to get home to our families (in Pennsylvania) for the holidays, so we're looking to take a mini vacation somewhere around here and we've only been living in the city for about eight months, so we're not too familiar with our options.

I think our driving limit would be around 4hrs, because we've only got a 3 1/2 day window to work with so I don't want to waste an entire day driving. I'd love to go somewhere on the lake, but I'm not opposed to somewhere that's not. It doesn't have to be super romantic, but hopefully not too touristy. We like seclusion and the woods and quaint little towns.

I should note that we'll be doing this trip the 27th through the 29th and not on Christmas.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[knitgirl]

Really close would be Geneva which is a lovely town with a fair amount a shopping and several good restaurants. Further but very nice are Galena or Madison, WI.

[Chicago76]

I like knitgirl's suggestions. Personally, I like the Madison route. Plenty to do in the city itself: shopping, restaurants, bars, etc and it will feel more quaint than it typically is with all of the students gone. You also get the benefit of being near two nice likes with some parkland, trails, etc.

Cedarburg and Mineral Point are towns in WI that are kind of similar in size and feel to Galena. Cedarburg is also fairly close to the lake at around Port Washington.

[gomexico]

A B&B in Galena, or in the other direction, in Michigan, at Saugatuck. Small town, picturesque and with services you'd need or want, both.

[Vlajos]

I love Madison, but I wouldn't recommend it for a weekend getaway. Go with Galena, IL, Door County, WI and SW MI.

[MassVt]

I love Madison, but how about Cedarburg, WI, just north of Milwaukee?

[brewcrew1000]

The Amana Colonies are kind of cool, it's outside Cedar Rapids Iowa, Mt Vernon, and Iowa City are also some other cool cities around that area.

[jdiddy]

I go with SW Michigan, Saugatuck area.

[Payne222]

Wisconsin sucks. I'd say head over to Starved Rock.

[SJaye]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

I go with SW Michigan, Saugatuck area.

Just one word of caution about going to SW Michigan.... Late December is right in the middle of the season for Lake Effect Snow, and anytime an cooler than seasonal airmass tracks over Lake Michigan, it will snow there. For the time period you are considering, it is quite possible that it will snow the entire time, making it harder to get to and from, as well as making it somewhat unpleasant while you are there.