Trip Ideas & Itineraries

Chicago Northwest: The Ideal Weekend Excursion

‏‎Whether you are visiting for a fun family weekend, a couple's retreat, or a friend's getaway, the Chicago Northwest suburbs is a fantastic destination, bursting with exceptional restaurants, luxurious hotels, expansive outdoor adventures and warm Midwestern hospitality.

Day 1  

Afternoon:  As you step inside the doors of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Chicago, you will be welcomed by the expansive lobby with plenty of seating areas to enjoy during your stay.  Head over to check-in (hopefully you reserved one of the Hyatt’s Executive Suites!). On your way up, you’ll notice The Market for grab & go service and Gallagher’s Bar available for outside service. Your stay at the Hyatt is central to several walkable restaurants such as City Works Eatery & Pour House, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (coming soon!), The Capital Grille and the Dining Pavilion at Woodfield Mall. After an effortless check-in, swing over to LEGOLAND Discovery Center. A perfect destination for children, or just general lego lovers, LEGOLAND  has something to offer to people of all ages. Try out The Great LEGO® Race VR Experience. With this virtual reality experience, you buckle up and ride inside the most incredible, exhilarating, and fun LEGO race ever created!
 
Evening: After working up an appetite, dine with style at Chicago Prime Italian, a family-owned, high-quality Italian restaurant. Find your taste of Italy on their elegant menu, and on weekends they have great live entertainment on their beautiful outdoor patio. When looking for something fun to do in the Chicago Northwest region, Topgolf is always the top of the list. There's no pressure to have a good golf swing or score a lot of points. It's all about everyone having fun! Open year-round, Topgolf features dozens of climate-controlled hitting bays and has fantastic drink options! Round out the evening on the Hyatt’s Front Porch with their weekend music series. 
 
Day 2

Morning: Be sure to get a good night's sleep, because Busse Woods is quite the hike. Sitting at just over 3,558-acres, the Ned Brown Preserve—popularly known as Busse Woods—is one of the largest and most diverse locations of the Cook County Forest Preserves. It contains ancient upland forests, nearly 13 miles of paved trail, 419 acres of water for fishing and boating, an elk pasture, and beautiful scenery! 
 
Afternoon: Locals consider Lynfred Winery to be the historical anchor that keeps Roselle together. Founded by the father of the Illinois wine industry himself, Fred E. Koehler, Lynfred Winery is a Chicago Northwest staple. Boasting an extensive selection and variety, Lynfred Winery is the perfect destination to kick back and appreciate a quality glass of wine. Including a tasting room where you can sample a wide range of authentic wines and the state-of-art production facility for all of Lynfred's varietals. 
 
Evening: Arlington Alfresco is an open-air dining and shopping zone in downtown Arlington Heights that enables restaurants, stores, and businesses to expand their capacity into designated zones within the Arlington Alfresco footprint. Boasting countless stores and shops, Arlington Alfresco is a must-stop destination. We recommend dining at Hey Nonny, where American food pairs perfectly with great taste in music. With ticketed shows six nights out of the week, you can always count on this restaurant for a memorable and unique experience. Be sure to swing around the corner after your meal for an Insta-worthy photo opp at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s new marquee. 
 
Day 3 

Late Morning/Afternoon: If there is one thing the Chicago Northwest Region is known for, it is Woodfield Mall. With more than 2 million square feet of retail shops, restaurants, and family-friendly amenities, Woodfield Mall is one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States! Lazily peruse the many shops and stops that Woodfield has to offer, and walk out with an unforgettable item to remember your weekend getaway.
 
Evening: Located in the peaceful town of Itasca, Fox & Turtle is a relaxed, upscale American pub that offers both carryout and patio dining options. They have a wide variety of choices from salads, sliders, steaks, pasta, and diverse entrees. Just down the road is Church Street Brewing Company, a family craft brewery created on the principle of serving traditional and unpretentious lagers and ales to local clientele. Church Street Brewing showcases European influenced beers along with a friendly, laid back environment. Since the brewery is in a warehouse, there is plenty of space for ping pong, darts, bags, and live music! At Church Street Brewing Company, expect quality beer, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere.

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