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Wait out winter at home? No way! Discover the best places to take a cozy getaway and spend the season going to all the can’t-miss winter adventures.

Holiday Itineraries
Merry and Magnificent Chicago

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Dashing Through Illinois

Over the river and through the prairies to Central Illinois we go!

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Bright Lights Near the Big City

There's a reason the Chicagoland suburbs are the setting for so many classic holiday movies.

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  • Eat, Drink & Be Merry! Top 10 Holiday Activities in Illinois

Looking to get away as winter approaches? Need a refill on holiday cheer?

Illinois is brimming with cozy, lighthearted diversions to help you get into the holiday spirit. From wine tasting to ice skating, here are 10 destinations that are guaranteed to have you dashing through the snow this holiday season.

  • IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge | Chicago’s largest and only year-round rooftop lounge offering a state-of-the-art, retractable roof evoking a unique in-is-out and out-is-in energy for all guests
  • Christkindl Market, Chicago | A German-style Christmas bazaar – replete with gift vendors, food trucks, plenty of spiced glühwein, and heavy doses of holiday cheer
  • Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon | A magical, urban winter experience and a staple of Chicago that features a 40-degree climbing wall set against the backdrop of the iconic city skyline
  • Hardy's Reindeer Ranch | Over 5,000 Christmas trees and a herd of bonified Alaskan reindeer create a novelty seekers’ wintery paradise in Rantoul  
  • Ski Snowstar | An all-in-one terrain park that’s 28 acres of skiing, snowboarding, & snow tubing fun for the whole family
  • Walnut Room, Macy's Chicago | A world-famous holiday landmark housing Circassian wood paneling, The Great Tree and the first restaurant ever opened in a department store
  • Lightscape, Chicago Botanic Garden | The magic and whimsy of nature in winter come alive in this acclaimed after-dark, illuminated holiday event
  • Galena Cellars | It’s easy to stay merry this holiday season when visiting this family winery that produces over 40 varieties of award-winning, Illinois-grown wines
  • Cloud Gate, Millennium Park | A triumph of form and function as “The Bean” is celebrated as one of Chicago’s most iconic and popular art installations and city attractions to date
  • East Peoria Festival Of Lights | The largest nighttime-lighted holiday festival in the Midwest – featuring the famed Folepi’s Winter Wonderland drive-through display
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