Amazing Getaway Destinations for Winter Break

Dec 4, 2023

There’s no place like home for the holidays, unless of course you’re booking a hotel and enjoying a fabulous weekend getaway to relax and recharge! Today’s blog is all about amazing winter season friendly destinations for a weekend trip or short break from the rat race of life. Hop in your new car from Classic, and hit the road in style as you embark on your quest for a little “me-time” or family togetherness.

Great Wolf Lodge is an amazing year round destination for families, but from November 24th through January 8th you can enjoy a very special winter wonderland treat! Special events during the Snowland season include a Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, special winter holiday yoga sessions, seasonal arts and crafts, and holiday games such as Trivia Night, Bingo, bean bag toss, and more. There’s even a scavenger hunt to bring a little extra holiday cheer to your stay with special clues around the lodge. And on select dates, you can even meet the big man himself: Santa Claus. And of course, year round water park fun.

Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center is always a favorite for nature lovers year round, but during December there are some wonderful holiday themed events. Adults and children alike will enjoy the crisp fresh air while taking a guided hike, offered on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Buffet. Historic Trolley Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays for a few hours each day. You can also snag a special holiday trolley tour of the gorgeous lights displays from December 10th through the 14th and again on December 17th through the 21st! Plus, there’s breakfast with Santa, special Eagle Watch weekends. Not to mention there’s plenty of fine dining, live entertainment, and lots of local area destinations to explore.

Farmer’s Guest House in Galena will feel like your home away from home this winter. Cozy on up with a homemade breakfast fresh from their scratch kitchen (specialty diets accommodated with advance notice) and have a fresh hot cup of coffee to start the day. Then enjoy some leisure time with a board game or a puzzle in the common area before you head out for some local shopping. You can also make it a weekend in and get snuggled up with a “Dinner Date Night Package” with your special someone! In December, Galena has a lot to see and do such as the Mistletoe Stroll Holiday House Tour, Night of the Luminaria and Living Windows, and the Generals Christmas Ball event! January and February are just as delightful with a Bonfire on the Bluff and the Winter Carnival Weekend events. It’s a very personal, down to earth stay and perfect for a romantic weekend getaway.

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa are already in the Christmas Spirit with more than 2 million Christmas lights in their indoor and outdoor displays, including a “12 Days of Christmas” drive through holiday lights show! The resort hosts a 6 week long seasonal extravaganza including Breakfast and Brunch with Santa, holiday trolley tours, igloo dining at the Embers Terrace, a special Christmas Eve Brunch, a magical Gingerbread House Walk, and so very much more! You can even opt in for a fully decorated Christmas Tree with special ornaments and ribbon topper, and a keepsake decoration for you to take home. This is the place to go if you love Christmastime!

Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark is a one-stop destination for family fun all year round! The waterpark offers 50,000 square feet of fun with a 35-foot slide, 500 feet of lazy river rafting fun, and a gorgeous 300 foot heated indoor pool! There’s an arcade, character meet and greets, and even mini-bowling! If that’s still not enough to keep your family busy, you can go off the property and explore all of the wonderful things Lake Geneva has to offer! Sundays in December you can opt in for a Breakfast with Santa to make the holidays a little more merry, or visit Santa on vacation in his waterpark cabana on December 22nd and 23rd before he heads back to his workshop for the big day!

Other great lodging options and getaway destinations include: