Escape to Wisconsin on One of These Great Weekend Getaways

Most people think of Door County or Lake Geneva for weekend getaways in Wisconsin and those are great destinations. Although, they are not the only weekend escapes for the residents of Illinois looking North. Here are three sure winners for a restful and fun filled weekend getaway.

Baraboo Public Enemy #One

If you are a Johnny Depp fan and saw the movie "Public Enemies" you have seen Baraboo. The town square scenes were filmed here. In fact you can walk around the downtown and expect John Dillinger to pop out at any time. This is not a restored downtown but one which was frozen in time.

The best way to get to Baraboo is to exit Interstate 94 at State Highway 33 and drive west. This road takes you along the Baraboo River to your North and the bluffs to the South. Throughout this area you will find Pre-Cambrian Quartzite rock formations which are some of the oldest rocks to be found anywhere. If rocks are not your thing, maybe the many Victorian homes you find in Baraboo are. Some of these "painted ladies" have been turned into bed and breakfasts and you might want to check them out for your night's lodging. If not, there are many hotels and motels along route 12 and 33. However, my choice are the old time motels by the entrance to Devil's Lake State Park or you can camp in the park.

Baraboo has more than their share of antique shops just waiting for you to browse through. Make sure you save time to visit the International Crane Foundation. Here they are bringing back the Whooping Crane and the Sand Hill Crane from near extinction. Tours are available. On your way back from the Crane Foundation on Route 12 you can try your luck at the Ho-Chunk Casino. This is a Las Vegas type casino operated by the Ho Chunk tribe. Check out their entertainment for the night.

Spring Green, the Tale of Two Getaways

Spring Green is the home of Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's home. The House on the Rock is a fairyland place of wonderment and discovery. Several upscale resorts to pamper and care for you and sculptured golf courses. If this is what you are looking for then read no more and set your sights on Spring Green. However, if you are looking for something a little more out of the way read on.

Spring Green is a land of the new and old. I like the old. There are several very nice Bed and Breakfast available in town and if that is your thing you will not be disappointed. My choice is the old Round Barn Lodge, an old motel, just because I like the way it looks. The rooms are old and in need of an update but the interior is dynamite.

Just across the road from the motel is the best supper club in Wisconsin and I used to travel the entire state eating out every night. Arthur's Supper Club is a rural supper club with fantastic food. Try the prime rib or any of the steaks. You will not be disappointed.

When you arrive on Friday night, take a short ride north on route 23 to the village of Plain. Turn right toward the Catholic church and park in the lot. Take the elevator down to the basement, pay at the table at the back and prepare yourself for the best fish fry you will ever have. This tiny village has this giant church which serves hundreds of people from miles around every Friday night. You will sit at long tables and be served family style. The food is hot, fresh, and delicious. All you can and dare to eat but save room for the homemade desserts. While in Plain make a stop at the cheese factory for some of the best cheese around and the best butter you can buy. Be sure to ask them the story behind the butter.

Spring Green offers fine shopping, art studios, and antique stores. Many of Frank Lloyd Wright's students lived or designed buildings in the area and there are maps available for tours of the unique architecture to be found here. For those of you who enjoy the outdoors the Wisconsin River flows through here and Governor Dodge State Park is just a few miles south.

Yellowstone is Just a Few Hours Away

Yes you can get to Yellowstone in a weekend from Chicago. That's Yellowstone Lake State Park in Wisconsin. This getaway is between two towns, Argyle and Darlington. I suggest you stay in Argyle at the Partridge Hall on State St. For $69.00 a night you will get a restored room in an old inn complete with a wrap around porch and silent night time streets. The food here is very good plus they have a community theater several times during the year.

Argyle is a charming village sited along the Pecatonica River. Peaceful is the word here. There are several nice shops downtown but you will not fill much time shopping. Stroll along the river and the village's streets, greet the people and slow down from your city pace.

Darlington has a surprise for you if you like Mexican food. Over the years many migrant workers came to this area to work the fields and decided to stay. Today Darlington has a sizable Mexican population. The Mexican restaurants you see on the main street are there to cater to this population and serve authentic Mexican food. For a real treat plan to be here on Cinco De Mayo when the whole town stops to celebrate.

The downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and was also featured in the movie "Public Enemies." You will find several antique stores here as well as some other interesting shops but for me Darlington means cheese. This is cheese country and Darlington has several cheese factories where you can sample and purchase the local favorites.

Be careful as you drive back to Argyle this area has a growing Amish population and you are bound to see a horse and buggy galloping down the road. Yellowstone Lake State Park is between Darlington and Argyle and is worth a stop. There is a beach here for swimming and wonderful hiking trails. If you notice a lack of mosquitos, you are right. The park maintains a bat population which in turn keeps the mosquito population down.

These three weekend destinations each have something unique to offer. Whether you choose the casino in Baraboo or the laid back small village of Argyle, you will have memories to last a lifetime. The best thing is that all three of these getaways are just a few hours away.