GRILS TRIP ITINERARY
Experience a Visit Full of Wine, Shopping, and Dessert
PLAN A
Girls Trip! DAY 1: One of the best ways to start out a ladies trip is to catch up and unwind with a glass of wine...right? Head to Crooked Creek Winery Downtown in Centralia and get a bottle of anything from traditional white wine to rosé. Of course, make sure to get a bottle or two for the road! From there, head a few blocks away to the Centralia Carillon, one of the largest bell towers in the world. There are concerts here each weekend complete with food vendors and of course, great music! After the concert is finished, take a drive west to Carlyle and wrap up the night at your own lakeside cottage. Hazlet Cottages at Carlyle Lake provides amazing views of the largest manmade lake in the state, and they offer many of the same amenities that you would have at home!
DAY 2: Begin the day with a plethora of options at Carlyle Lake! You can take some time out to go to the beach, or gather the ladies and take a beautiful walk around the lake. There are plenty of walking, biking, and hiking trails to explore the outdoors at Carlyle Lake.
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DAY 3: Once you’ve freshened up, it’s time to hit the Carlyle Lake Wine Trail! Begin at Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery - just a stones throw from the lake. There are nearly 20 wines to choose from, including fruit wines; and if some food is necessary - they have a GREAT menu.
Start the day off with a little shopping in Lebanon! Whether you’re looking for jewelry or antiques, there are several boutiques full of goods to catch your eye.
From there, head northeast to Highland - home of some AMAZING food. Head downtown and check Continuing to our next stop along the wine trail - out Patty Cake’s - a winner of Food Network’s some fantastic vino awaits your palate at Twelve Cupcake Wars. Also downtown you will find The Oaks Winery. Located not far outside of Carlyle, Chocolate Affair, which is full of everything Twelve Oaks boasts award-winning wines that from truffles to hand-dipped chocolate covered took home 13 medals in the 2020 Illinois State Oreos. You can take a seat at the pavilion on the Fair Wine Competition! They were also just one square and enjoy your goodies near Highland’s of nine total Governors Cup winners in the entire beautiful water fountain. state for their Chambourcin Rosé. Definitely plan Travel east on Interstate 70 to Pocahontas (Home to take a bottle (or four) home with you! of country music singer Gretchen Wilson), for For an amazing dinner after the wineries, look no some amazing antique shopping. There are a further than Popeye’s Chop House in St. Rose. handful of antique shops scattered throughout Indulge in everything from skillet mushrooms town, so there’s a high likelihood that you to seafood and prime rib at this hidden gem in won’t leave empty handed! Once you’re all Clinton County. shopped out, head to Copper Dock Winery in Pocahontas for a drink or two on their lovely To wrap up the night, head to Hidden Lake double-decker patio that overlooks a lake. Winery in Aviston for a wonderful experience in your own cabin! Each cabin comes with A short drive on I-70 from Pocahontas will lead complimentary breakfast, and if you’re not ready you to Greenville, which has several hotels to rest to call it a night quite yet - their tasting room is your head for the night. Enjoy your trip, ladies! open until midnight on the weekends.
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ILLINOISouth Visitor’s Guide 2022
