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TRAVEL
Hinsdale Magazine | Travel Drivable Destinations
BY VALERIE HARDY Looking for a getaway this summer or fall that doesn’t break the bank? Don’t have a week of vacation time to spare? Not quite ready to get back on an airplane? Whether it’s north, east, south, or west that your compass is pointing you, just hop in the car and head to one of these travel spots. If you do, check out Hinsdale Magazine readers’ recommendations on where to STAY, where to PLAY, where to DINE, and how to UNWIND while away.
Lake Geneva, WI (72 miles from DG) STAY: Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark; The Grand Geneva Resort; The Abbey Resort PLAY: Lake Geneva Public Beach; Fontana Beach; Williams Bay Beach; Lake Geneva Mailboat Tour; Safari Lake Generva; Walk the shore path around Lake Geneva (the full path is 26 miles around but it can be walked in smaller segments); Visit the Riviera DINE: Breakfast at Simple Café; Brunch at The Baker House; Lunch or Dinner at Pier 290 or Oakfire UNWIND*: Gordy’s Boat House; Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn Courtesy of Corinne Potter Delavan, WI (87 miles from DG) STAY: Lake Lawn Resort PLAY: Boating on Delavan Lake; The Dancing Horses Theatre DINE: Fire2Fork (farm-to-table dining); Village Supper Club (Friday fish fry); Mars Resort (ribs and outdoor entertainment); The Frontier Restaurant; Hernandez Mexican Restaurant UNWIND*: The Lookout Bar & Eatery; The Inn Between Courtesy of Amy Cable & Paula Schultz
Harbor Country/Southwest Region of MI near Indiana border
(82 miles from DG) STAY: Marina Grand Resort; Harbor Grand Hotel; Four Winds Casino Hotel; Beachwalk Vacation Rentals PLAY: New Buffalo Beach; Weko Beach; Captain Mike’s (bumper boats, go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, & more); Galien River State Park (canopy walk); Red Arrow Stables (horseback riding); Warren Dunes State Park (climb the dunes); Billy Boy’s Blueberry Barn (blueberry picking); Radke’s Orchards (apple picking); Dinges Fall Harvest (pumpkin picking); Blue Moon Vintage Market (antiquing); Four Winds Casino (gambling and shows/concerts)* DINE: Brunch at Bentwood Tavern; Coffee & Reuben sandwich at David’s Coffee House; Lunch or Dinner at Staymaker; Haymarket Brew Pub & Pizza; The Stray Dog Bar & Grill; Redamak’s; Sweet Treats from Oink’s Dutch Treat; Harbert Swedish Bakery; Black Currant Bakehouse UNWIND*: Journeyman Distillery; Dablon Winery; Roundbarn (Baroda location); Beer Church Brewing Co.; Greenbush Brewing Co.; Ghost Isle Brewery; The Stray Dog Rooftop; Grape & Grain Wine Tours Courtesy of Sarah Bogaczyk
Harbor Springs, MI (380 miles from DG) STAY: Boyne Highlands Resort; Stafford’s Hotels; Trout Creek Vacation Condominium Resort PLAY: Petoskey State Park; Zorn Park Beach; Pond Hill Farm; Tunnel of Trees-M119; The Pointer Boat Tour; Farmer’s Market (Wednesday & Saturdays Memorial Day – Labor Day); Day Trip to Mackinac Island; Harbor Springs Festival of the Book (September) DINE: Lunch at Pond Hill Farm; Lunch or Dinner at Pierson’s Grille & Spirits; Dinner at Stafford’s Pier Restaurant; The Paper Station Bistro; Willow; The New York Restaurant; Pizza Delivery from Piper’s Mighty Good Pizza; Sweet Treats from Tom’s Mom’s Cookies UNWIND*: Stafford’s Pier; Pond Hill Farm Winery Courtesy of Valerie Hardy French Lick, IN (285 miles from DG) STAY: French Lick Springs Hotel; West Baden Springs Hotel; Big Splash Adventure PLAY: French Lick Scenic Railway; Indoor Water Park at Big Splash Adventure; Golf The Pete Dye, Donald Ross, or Valley Links Courses; The Stables at French Lick Resort (guided horseback trail rides and pony rides); Strassenfest (authentic German Festival in nearby Jasper, IN Aug. 5-8, 2021); Spa Mineral Baths; Casino at French Lick Springs Hotel* DINE: German Café; 33 Brick Street; Schnitzelbank Restaurant (Jasper, IN) UNWIND*: Ballard’s Bar in the Atrium of the West Baden Hotel; Power Plant Bar & Grill Courtesy of Diana Benoist & Stacey Williams
NOTE: A free shuttle runs between French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel. In the winter, guests come to see the Christmas décor at the French Lick Resort and to ski Paoli Peaks.
Louisville, KY (305 miles from DG) STAY: Residence Inn (kitchenette; indoor pool) PLAY: Waterfront Park (walk the Big Four Bridge over the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, KY and Jeffersonville, IN); Louisville Zoo; Louisville Slugger Factory Tour; Churchill Downs Racetrack Tour; Belle of Louisville Riverboat Tour; Louisville Bats Minor League Baseball Game at Louisville Slugger Field; Louisville Mega Cavern DINE: Breakfast at Wild Eggs; Lunch or Dinner at Mussel & Burger Bar; Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen; Feast BBQ; Royals Hot Chicken; Dessert from Ehrler’s Ice Cream UNWIND*: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tours; Bourbon Slushies from Feast BBQ Courtesy of Kate Jungers
St. Louis, MO (280 miles from DG) STAY: St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton PLAY: The Gateway Arch; Riverboat Cruise on the Mighty Mississippi; The City Museum; The Magic House; Old St. Louis County Courthouse (where the “Dred Scott decision” was made); Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium; Saint Louis Science Center; Visit the Budweiser Clydesdales at Grant’s Farm; Forest Park: Saint Louis Zoo; Muny (outdoor musical theatre) DINE: Imo’s Pizza; Fitz’s (old-time diner); “The Hill” for Italian food at restaurants including Rigazzi’s and Charlie Gitto’s (be sure to order toasted ravioli) UNWIND*: Anheuser-Busch Tour; Ballpark Village Courtesy of Chris Walsh
Ridgedale, MO/The Ozarks
(540 miles from DG) STAY: Big Cedar Lodge (hotel or rent a timeshare) PLAY: Fun Mountain (arcade, bumper cars, underwater-themed bowling, climbing wall, & more); Resort scavenger hunt; Paddle boats; Boating; Waterskiing; Golf-cart excursion; Heated outdoor pool and indoor pool; Hiking; Day trip to Branson, MO DINE: Osage Restaurant; Mountain Top Grill; Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill UNWIND*: The Bat Bar; End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar Courtesy of Natalie Weber
One-Of-A-Kind Gifts Handwovens/Chainmaille Jewelry
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