Escape Into Nature Winter

Start your trip with the basics, checking in to where you’ll be staying. Hotels in the area sometimes offer deals and specials for winter travelers. Check out our Full List of Accommodations in the area.

Once you’re checked in, visit Villa Olivia Winter Sports and see what sledding, snowtubing, snowboarding and skiing opportunities are available. Villa Olivia offers all kinds of winter fun as well as a restaurant where you can take a break, enjoy a warm meal and cocktail. You may need to book these activities in advance.

Next, we recommend stopping by Plank Road Tap Room. This award-winning tap room is located just outside urban Elgin and hosts one of the largest beer gardens in all of Chicagoland. Stop by to try a local brew and bring your snow gear to walk the trails near the Tap Room. Plank Road Tap Room is not for children, so if you’re looking for a more family-friendly afternoon meal we recommend visiting Old Republic Kitchen + Bar. This restaurant features a great outdoor dining experience and food to match.

To end the first day head over to one of the Elgin area’s forest preserves like the Hampshire Forest Preserve or the Burnidge Forest Preserve. Or plan to visit Goat Yoga Chicago. Certified Instructors will you through various yoga poses while a miniature goat team will be wandering freely between participants. This truly one-of-a-kind experience is held outdoors at Reverse the Kerrs Farm in Hampshire.

Enjoy the morning hiking along one of several areas. You can walk the nature paths at Lords Park and visit the historic Lord Park pavilion and Lords Park zoo to see the bison. Spend time visiting the Elgin Public Museum.

If you have a snowmobile, the Village of Burlington has several snowmobile trails. After spending the afternoon on the trails, be sure to warm up at Mott’s Lounge in Burlington for tavern food and drinks. Savor the old-time vibe in this 100-year-old bar that is at the heart of this small farming community. If you are there at dinner time, plan to dine at Art & Alma’s, a beloved supper club and saloon since 1908.

Another area you could enjoy is a walk along the Fox River Trail in downtown Elgin, which extends from the Grand Victoria Casino until Gail Borden Public Library. Visit one of the many downtown restaurants or bars or stop at Library for a warm drink. If you visit the library, be sure to visit the reading room in the upper floor where you watch the river and look for the pair of bald-eagles that nest along the library. The pair is especially active during March.

Select another path and hike the river on either side of East Dundee and West Dundee before stopping at Rosie O’Hare’s Public House for classic Irish pub fare. There’s also Mockingbird Bar + Garden that features upscale dining and cocktail options, as it sits alongside the bike path that can be walked.

Check out of your hotel and plan to savor some indoor time at the Centre of Elgin where you can swim or walk the indoor track. Plan a leisurely breakfast or brunch at Maple & Hash in West Dundee. Or enjoy a homemade pastry and coffee and soak up the warm vibe at Elder + Oat in West Dundee. Be sure to join our Coffee Trail so that you can earn points and have a chance to win a gift card or our grand prize.

If you are keen to enjoy more outdoor time, visit Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary with over 100 acres of curated lands optimized for its avian inhabitants. There’s also Bluff Springs Fen which is named for its type of fen where the spring water stays a constant 50 degrees causing the flourish of unique plants, endangered species, and other unusual fauna.

Before hitting the road back home, grab a bite at a laid-back home-style restaurant like Ray’s Family Restaurant or Walnut Speakeasy.