You’ll find plenty to do both indoors and out in Northern Illinois. Go snowboarding at a ski resort, hike through frozen waterfall canyons, keep an eye out for eagles over the Illinois River, ride the waves at an indoor water park and celebrate the New Year with dinosaurs.
FUN THINGS TO DO
Riverfront Museum Park
This park connects the Burpee Museum of Natural History, home to Jane the T. rex and Homer the Triceratops, with the Discovery Center Museum that holds more than 250 kid-friendly science and art exhibits. Join in the Burpee’s Winter Celebration on Dec. 31 and celebrate the New Year every hour as it rings in around the globe. Next door, the Discovery Center Museum features live music and games during its Countdown to Fun! on Dec. 31.
CoCo Key Water Resort
Make waves at this indoor water park at the Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center where you can slip down body and raft slides, float in a shallow pool on an inner tube while watching movies at the dip-in theater and get soaked on the play island.
- Rockford
- www.cocokeywaterresort.com
Chestnut Mountain Resort
Ski the slopes at Chestnut Mountain Resort, where the frosty fun includes night skiing, a snowboarding park and ski lessons. Catch the Winter Carnival, held Feb. 20-21, featuring snow sculpting, carnival games, fireworks and the Chestnut/Reality Check Snowboard Competition (on Feb. 20).
- Galena
- www.chestnutmtn.com
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
In the winter, this huge resort offers outdoor fun that includes cross-country skiing, sledding, ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides. On Friday nights, head to the indoor pool to watch your favorite flick from the comfort of your own water tube during Movies-in-Tubies. During the Winter Carnival, held Feb. 13-14, enjoy hayrides, ice sculptures, campfires and more.
- Galena
- www.eagleridge.com
Grizzly Jack’s Grand Bear Resort
This wild resort near Starved Rock State Park features an indoor water park with a four-stories-high special effects tube slide, a giant wave pool, a lazy river and carnival rides at the Enchanted Forest amusement park.
Starved Rock State Park
Hike through a winter wonderland of icy waterfalls and snow-covered canyons at this stunning state park. The Bald Eagle Trolley Tour, hosted by Starved Rock Lodge, includes lunch or Sunday brunch and a trip to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center to watch bald eagles in action throughout January and February.
GOOD EATS
Beef-A-Roo
Try a junior cheeseburger and shake at one of the Rockford area’s Beef-A-Roo restaurants that all feature different themes, including an old-time fire station and a 1950s diner.
- Various locations
- www.beefaroo.com
The Stockholm Inn
Order a stack of Swedish pancakes with lingonberries, called Swedes, at this popular local restaurant that gives you a taste of Rockford’s proud Swedish heritage.
- Rockford
- www.thestockholminn.com
Vinny Vanucchi’s Little Italy
Feast on family-style Italian dishes, including ravioli and chicken parmesan, at this homey downtown Galena restaurant that’s located up a steep cobblestone street.
- Galena
- www.vinnyvanucchis.com
Benjamin’s
The kids’ meals here, including hot dogs and mini burgers, are served in a souvenir fireman’s hat. Visit during Lunch With Santa Dec. 12-13, 19-20 & 24 and receive a special gift.
- Galena
- www.benjaminsgalena.com
Starved Rock Lodge Dining Room
Warm up near the fireplace of this rustic restaurant, located at Starved Rock State Park, which cooks up breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The Friday Night Family Feast includes fried chicken, baked cod, pasta and more. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for Breakfast With Santa on Dec. 19.
- Utica
- www.starvedrocklodge.com
Canal Port Bar & Grill
Crispy fried chicken is the specialty of the house at this downtown Utica restaurant near Starved Rock State Park. Make sure you try the side of homemade potato chips.
- Utica
- www.canalport.com