Looking for great food/B&B stay within 4 hrs of Chicago

The hubby and I are in dire need of a relaxing weekend retreat and getaway. We would only be able to go within a 4 hr drive from Chicago, and ideally are looking for a place that has a B&B accommodations, great food and shopping. I keep bringing up Galena and Lake Geneva and I am getting a scowl face in return.

It has been over 5 years since we have been away without the kids, so relaxing and romantic (for accommodations as well as dining) are high on the list of must-haves.

All ideas welcome.

CM2772 wrote:The hubby and I are in dire need of a relaxing weekend retreat and getaway. We would only be able to go within a 4 hr drive from Chicago, and ideally are looking for a place that has a B&B accommodations, great food and shopping. I keep bringing up Galena and Lake Geneva and I am getting a scowl face in return.

It has been over 5 years since we have been away without the kids, so relaxing and romantic (for accommodations as well as dining) are high on the list of must-haves.

All ideas welcome.

This is really pushing the 4 hour mark, but what about staying at 21C in louisville and dining at Proof?

We honeymooned near New Buffalo, MI - granted, this was 14 years ago - while most of the restaurants and B&Bs that were there at the time are probably long gone, my guess is they've been replaced with very similar places - not to mention the beach is always there. It's been a travel destination for Chicagoans for years, and it's very accessible to the City - for one thing, it's not that far from GNR winner Stop 50 pizzeria.

Hubs and I stayed at the Lazy Cloud in Lk Geneva and it was very Romantic.
I think we stayed in the Enchanted Treehouse suite
little twinkle lights, double jacuzzi
The only downside for me was the breakfast while vert tasty was all sweets and no savories-
no eggs, no sausage, etc.
Plenty to eat, just everything sweet.
But the place itself was romantic and lovely.

ANother time we stayed in The Bailey House in Williams Bay right across the street from Yerkes observatory.
The breakfast was much better and room we stayed in (The Bailey Room) on the ground floor had a jacuzzi tub that was practically a swimming pool. It literally could have fit 4-6 people.
The innkeeper was very nice and on Sat AM we got up and walked across the stree to tour Yerkes which was way cool.
(you'd have to check if Yerkes is still open, because I think I heard they are having funding issues)

We also stayed in Saugatuck, MI at a really nice place whose name I can't remember because it was a few years back. We did a super fun thing where they had a progressive dinner that went between 5 different B&B's
and each one seemed nicer than the next and the food at all of them was great.

JUST GO- anywhere will be great...
I urge you strongly to GO
IT's good to get away from children.
Trust me.

http://www.lazycloud.com/bandb/treehouse.asp
http://www.thebaileyhouse.com/bailey_room_tour.php
http://astro.uchicago.edu/yerkes/

It's not a B&B, but some friends of ours stayed at the Kohler American Club and loved it. I've never been but always wanted to go. It's kind of pricy though. Rates are not as bad now and maybe you could get further discounts.

Milwaukee or Madison could be a nice weekend getaway.

I usually check TripAdvisor for B&B reviews. I've found them pretty accurate as long as there are at least 25 comments to give a good picture of possible pros/cons.

Came across this while surfing for a local Ski Weekend

http://www.stewartinn.com/

CM2772 wrote:The hubby and I are in dire need of a relaxing weekend retreat and getaway. We would only be able to go within a 4 hr drive from Chicago, and ideally are looking for a place that has a B&B accommodations, great food and shopping. I keep bringing up Galena and Lake Geneva and I am getting a scowl face in return.

If you want to keep your drive less than 4 hours, then I think both Galena and Lake Geneva are good suggestions. If you want the B&B, plus good dining, plus good shopping, a tourist/resort area is going to work. I think the restaurant scene overall is better in Galena, and it’s a more charming town. Lake G. in the winter is quiet. The American Club in Kohler might be nice—they are running specials right now. I haven’t stayed there, but the resort’s immediate area is surprisingly nice, given that you are talking about greater Sheboygan. The upscale grocery store there is excellent, with lots of good homemade sausage. There’s the Kohler museum, or whatever they call it, which could be fun if you like looking at fancy plumbing fixtures….

Mineral Point, Wisconsin, is old and interesting. Shopping is mostly local artists’ work, and I don’t know if the studios are open this time of year. When we have gone there, we’ve stayed with friends, so I have no housing suggestions. The dining scene, unless there’s something fairly new, isn’t strong, however. You might be better off staying in Madison and eating there, making a day trip to Mineral Point. Spring Green, a bit north, has Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, although again I’m not sure if it’s open year round. Dining again not strong in my experience, but it’s been a few years, so maybe there’s something new there. No shopping that I know of.

Just on the edge of your 4-hour limit (depending on where you live in the area) is Brown County—Nashville, Indiana, south of Indianapolis. Pretty area, art and antique shopping, and a variety of places to stay. We went with the kids, so I don’t have a particular suggestion for a B&B, and I’m afraid I don’t remember any outstanding restaurants, but since it’s a tourist area, you might find something good.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

We have stayed at the Cloran Mansion http://www.cloranmansion.com/ in Galena a few times. The breakfast is excellent - eggs to order, pancakes, potatoes, fruit, a full spread, served in a beautiful dining room. Fresh baked cookies in the evenings. We stay in the cottage, not the main house.

We loved this place http://www.therichmondinn.com/ which is in Richmond, IL, northwest of Chicago less than two hours, near the Wisconsin border. The couple who run it are very hospitable, and it is a lovely old restored Victorian. We were there in warmer weather and did some hiking; it's in a small town, with lower end type antiquing, which suited us just fine, as we are not shoppers. I'm pretty sure it is just a short drive to Geneva (we prefer small quiet towns to tourist areas, so we were happy not to be in Geneva, but everyone has their own preferences...). The husband is a terrific chef, and the breakfast was beyond fabulous. If he is around, you might be able to do the custom dinner, which I am sure would be wonderful (and even though pricy, this place is probably cheaper than a comparable place in Geneva). Or the hosts would know of places to dine, perhaps a bit of a drive.

the shopping in Galena is not so hot right now, many businesses are closed for the winter. Also, not really a hot bed of dining choices. Pepper Sprout, across the Ricer into Dubuque, is supposed to have GREAT food, but the hubby and i weren't able to get there during our stay. We did go to Fried Green Tomatoes, which I have to stay was probably the best food in Galena, but it really wasn't very good. Portions are huge, menu is fairly un-inspired. The B&B's are great both in Galena and Dubuque though.

Forgot about Mineral Point and Taliesin-
we had a great 24 hr getaway there this summer-
stayed in a great B&B called Brewery Creek-
the Breakfast was just OK but the dinner was awesome, and the home- brewed beers were great!
We also toured Taliesin, (you need reservations)
which was amazing, if you never done it.
Mineral Point the town was very cute-
The next day for lunch we went to the adorable general store/cafe in Spring Green where the food was great and the shopping was way fun- VERY off the beaten track.
If you go in the summer you can also add in a play at the gorgeous (outdoors) and adept American Players Theatre.
And if you really feel like an off the wall day you're right around the corner from the House on the Rock. (which is indoors and open year-round)

http://www.brewerycreek.com/
http://www.taliesinpreservation.org/
http://www.springgreengeneralstore.com/
http://www.playinthewoods.org/
http://www.thehouseontherock.com/HOTR_A ... onMain.htm

I reported on our stay and superb meals at the Inn at Irish Hollow near Galena here. Hadn't thought about it for a while--although now that I think about it, a return visit is a great idea--so can't tell you a very recent experience but I can say our experience there exceeded our wildest expectations.

The Inn at Irish Hollow
2800 S. Irish Hollow Rd.
Galena, IL 61036
815-777-6000

Good luck!

P.S. You can find their website here. And since I didn't have our camera with us at dinner, you should certainly click on their "Dining" link. I will warn you that arriving was a dispiriting experience. The main building is pretty unprepossessing from the outside but you'll forget it the moment you walk in. (The separate cottages are quite pretty and it's all unspoiled countryside; we did a fair amount of hiking.)

Mhays wrote:for one thing, it's not that far from GNR winner Stop 50 pizzeria.

New Buffalo is a great idea but Stop 50 is closed for the winter.

If you go to New Buffalo I HIGHLY recommend Skips Place
http://skipsrestaurantandcatering.info/html/menu.html
some of the best Prime Rib I have ever eaten!

I have also heard great things about the Irish Inn in Galena from friends, but have never stayed there...

aschie30 wrote:

Mhays wrote:for one thing, it's not that far from GNR winner Stop 50 pizzeria.

New Buffalo is a great idea but Stop 50 is closed for the winter.

Is it? According to their website, they have winter hours.

Hours:

Winter: Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am - 8pm
Summer: Thursday-Saturday 11am - 10pm Sunday & Monday 11am - 8pm

Madison is a nice spot for a weekend getaway. There's a nice B&B called Arbor house near the arboretum and within walking distance of some nice shops and restaurants. Harvest, L'etoile, Magnus, Sardine are some of the nicer restaurants. Marigold's and Lazy Janes are great for sandwiches. Jolly Bob's is a fun, eclectic Carribean spot. I like Sophia's cafe for breakfast (hours are a little erratic, though). Plus, you can walk through the arboretum, cross country ski and ice skate in the winter if the weather cooperates. Some nice shows come through the performing arts center on state street as well.

The GP wrote:

aschie30 wrote:

Mhays wrote:for one thing, it's not that far from GNR winner Stop 50 pizzeria.

New Buffalo is a great idea but Stop 50 is closed for the winter.

Is it? According to their website, they have winter hours.

Hours:

Winter: Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday 11am - 8pm
Summer: Thursday-Saturday 11am - 10pm Sunday & Monday 11am - 8pm

Stop 50 had "Winter Hours" last fall until it closed on November 30. Stop 50 is reopening March 6th for the season, resuming "Winter Hours" until the summer when it will be open everyday.

As an aside, it's always good to call ahead with Stop 50. As the weather warms up, they gradually expand their hours, so if it's mid-May, you might have a shot at them being open during the week. The other thing I've learned from past experience is that they close early on Sundays (8 pm).

That's odd that the Stop 50 website doesn't indicate they are closed at all in the winter. (I saw your public service announcement on the Stop 50 thread. Very helpful!)

As for the B&B question, I have stayed at the Arbor House in Madison. The newest building is all or mostly "green" and quite lovely (but I think a little pricey.) Madison does have great dining options.

You can check this place out...my cousin and her husband went here for a weekend getaway and loved it.

http://www.twourns.com/

irisarbor wrote:I have also heard great things about the Irish Inn in Galena from friends, but have never stayed there...

Oh, almost forgot. Be careful! There is the Inn at Irish Hollow which we stayed at and recommend and the Irish Cottage which we did not visit and know nothing about.

Gypsy Boy wrote:

irisarbor wrote:I have also heard great things about the Irish Inn in Galena from friends, but have never stayed there...

Oh, almost forgot. Be careful! There is the Inn at Irish Hollow which we stayed at and recommend and the Irish Cottage which we did not visit and know nothing about.

The Wild Rose Spa at the Irish Cottage is very nice. The Irish Cottage is not a cottage -- it's really more a hotel. I don't more beyond that because we rented a house in Galena Territory.

http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/

Saugatuck. Shops are open weekends. Nice restaurant choices.

Here's a Bed and Breakfast search site I found a while back:

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/illinois.html (or select a different state)

www.canoebay.com

It's out in the woods near a town with not much for shopping (Chetek, WI), but it's incredibly relaxing and quiet, and the food/wine is absolutely top-notch.

CM:

Family friends love The Osthoff and I see on TravelZoo that they have a deal going, including free breakfast (that makes it a kind of B & B right?):

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/chicago-hotels/542897

Wherever you go, have a nice time!

Davooda

I've been to the Osthoff. The spa is great. The breakfast isn't anything to write home about. We've enjoyed the Lake Street Cafe in Elkhart Lake. There are two sides to the restaurant, one more bar/pizzeria, the other a little more upscale but relaxed. No specific memories of meals, but we've returned each time we hit the Osthoff.

Osthoff Lake Resort (and Aspira Spa)
Elkhart Lake, WI
http://www.osthoff.com/

I know that this is going to sound different but when my wife and I want to get away for the weekend, we head down to the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Headquarters in Oak Brook.

The king sized rooms in that place are fantastic. There are many walking paths, free boats and bicycles available for guests and a generally quiet palce for a retreat. The only hassles I have encountered there was being stalked by a white-tailed deer for 1/2 mile.

I pick up the hotel on Priceline for about $40-50 for weekends.

There are a lot of good restaurants in that area, but none worth mentioning on property.

Depending on traffic, you could probably make it up to Sturgeon Bay ( Door County ) in around 4 hours---Most likely a few minutes less.

It has been a few years since we have been up there, but we always had a great time at The Barbican B&B. Not much in the way of a full breakfast, but quality homemade baked goodies (included) delivered to your room.

We always made it a point to visit the Nightingale Supper Club when we were in the area. This place is the quintessential Wisconsin supper club---- Fish Fry, and terrific inexpensive Prime Rib.

There are tons of things to do in the area, ranging from visiting the artsy-fartsy shops to just taking in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

http://www.barbicanbandb.com/

http://www.explorewisconsin.com/nightin ... /index.asp

We have stayed at the White Rose Inn in the Wisconsin Dells a number of times. We really like staying in Lily's room in the gate house, although the Carriage house and Sherman house are awesome as well..
We have had great breakfasts there whoch included a fantastic spinach frittata. The owners also own the Cheese Factory restaurant in Lake Delton and a lot of the dishes are the same.
http://www.thewhiterose.com/

I'll second Mineral Point, and Brewery Creek B&B. Rough-hewn stone walls in very nice rooms, really good food and their own fresh beer. They close the pub early so not to disturb upstairs guests. But beer geeks can then go across the street to Cafe Four for a few other locally tapped beers. The town has enough going for it as far as food - the traditional Cornish stuff in the quaint Red Rooster diner, and I've had a respectable dinner at the Royal Inn. I'd also like to know what the foods going be like in the restored Walker House on the other side of Brewery Creek. Reputed to be the oldest inn in WI.

Another suggestion I have fond memories of is Plymouth WI, and the 52 Stafford Inn. An elegant little Irish inn (complete with pub) in another quaint town. Operated by http://www.irishinnsandtours.com/ who runs several other Wisconsin Irish inns within driving distance.

http://www.mineralpoint.com/
http://www.plymouthwisconsin.com/