Autumn Escape—Romantic Getaways Close to Home
By Karen Dix
October 2013 View more Featured
Whitefish Dunes State Park road in Door County, Wisconsin.
After a summer whirlwind of family vacations and obligations, did you ever wonder how the season could have passed without a special outing just for the two of you? It’s not too late. Autumn is a perfect time for
a romantic retreat and these five venues are guaranteed to have you cuddling together in the crisp fall air.
DOOR COUNTY | Wisconsin
Cave Point County Park in Door County, Wisconsin.
That funny little peninsula with the string of islands pointing northeast from Wisconsin is known as Door County. It’s an easy 250-mile drive to this treasure trove of charming little towns and intriguing islands that you can explore as a couple.
With five state parks, autumn color is plentiful in the “Door”, and can be enjoyed from the water on a boat tour, in the air with a scenic airplane ride, or from one of the area’s lighthouses or observation towers, such as the one in Peninsula State Park near the town of Fish Creek. Peninsula offers plenty for outdoorsy couples to enjoy, like picturesque hiking and bike trails, as well as an 18-hole golf course, a lighthouse to explore, and a beach.
To properly discover the “Door”, hop in your car and take the scenic Circle Tour. This drive covers both sides of the peninsula. Stop to enjoy one of the many local towns and the harvest festivals along the way. The tour route will take you to the northernmost end of the mainland where you can catch a ferry to explore Washington Island or the remote and rustic Rock Island.
The area hosts an impressive array of full service resorts, bed and breakfasts, and everything in between. After dark, couples can fend off the night chill at a traditional Door County fish boil, where a fresh catch is prepared for dinner over a blazing campfire.
GALENA | Illinois
Countryside Vineyard in Galena, Illinois.
Sitting on the shores of the Mississippi River, Galena is a mere three-hour drive across the state, and was recently hailed as one of the “friendliest towns in the world” by Condé Nast Traveler. “Many of our unique bed and breakfasts have been designed with couples in mind,” said Celestino Ruffini of the Galena Convention and Visitors Bureau. Two properties in particular have been recognized for their romantic charm: The Inn at Irish Hollow, a country estate on a 500-acre working farm; and the stately Goldmoor Inn, which offers stunning vistas of the Mississippi River. Both offer bed and breakfast rooms and private, intimate, cottages and cabins with fireplaces.
View the color-splashed, rolling hills of Galena from a romantic hot air balloon ride, or take one of the popular scene road trips. A leisurely drive down the historic and curvaceous Great River Road, Blackjack Road, Stagecoach Trail, or Derinda Road will give you and your partner plenty of time to muse about the future and share an occasional adventure at the small towns along the way. In town, explore galleries from various artists, fine or casual dining, or join a tasting tour of each of the area’s four wineries.
SAUGATUCK | Michigan
Sunset at Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan.
Drive south and east from Naperville and hug the Lake Michigan Shore for about 150 miles – you’ll end up in Saugatuck, Michigan, a boater’s paradise on the Western shores of Michigan. The beautiful Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area is one of the 11 most endangered ecosystems in the world and sunset is the perfect time for couples to explore its beauty and majestic views. You can also view the allure of the shoreline aboard the Star of Saugatuck cruise boat, or pull out all the stops and charter a private yacht or sailboat for a truly intimate and romantic experience.
“Fall is all about the arts,” says Felicia Fairchild of the Saugatuck Convention and Visitors Bureau, and that includes the performing and culinary arts as well as the galleries and shops that made this small town famous. You and can join the gallery walk celebration in mid-October to meet some of the area’s most influential artists. Explore the town’s culinary scene with a romantic dinner, or spend a morning on a walking or driving culinary tour, featuring visits with local merchants and plenty of sips and samples of Saugatuck’s seasonal delicacies.
LAKE GENEVA | Wisconsin
Grand Belle fall cruise on Lake Geneva.
Only a couple hours northwest of Chicago, Lake Geneva has always upheld high standards for its local amenities, earning titles like the “Newport of the West” and “Chicago’s playground”. Here couples will find a smorgasbord of world class resorts, luxurious spas, shops and galleries, and restaurants ranging from classic, upscale steak houses to modern, trendy bistros.
Every autumn, the lakeshore bursts forth with a foliage display that’s dazzle by design, according to Grace Eckland, director of public relations for Lake Geneva. Throughout the town’s history, the prominent Chicago citizens who built their mansions along the lakeshore specifically chose their trees for their autumn palette. The lake is completely ringed by a 21-mile long wooded footpath that is perfect for strolling hand-in-hand with your loved one and enjoying views of both the water and the historic mansions. Boat cruises are also popular, and for romance, nothing beats a sunset dinner cruise. Top the night off with an intimate, horse drawn carriage ride through the downtown, lakefront and historic Maple Park District.
ST. CHARLES | Illinois
Shopping in neighboring Douglas, Michigan.
No time for a big road trip? Just 15 miles from Naperville you’ll find yourself a world away at the Pheasant Run Resort, where couples can experience upscale dining, entertainment and luxurious spa services without leaving the property. The resort caters to couples with packages that bundle accommodations such as a romance couples massage featuring complimentary mimosas, champagne, chocolates, dining and entertainment. Depending on your mood, you and your sweetie can take in a play or musical at the Pheasant Run Mainstage Theater or laugh the night away at Zanies Comedy Club. If the great outdoors is more your idea of bonding, hit the links. The resort’s 18-hole golf course awaits you with manicured greens and tree-lined fairways.
