There are so many fantastic destinations for lovers of outdoor activities in the Midwest, though many shut down at summer’s end. These five resorts and lodges are open year-round, and each offers comfort, a unique style and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature as the weather cools.
Anaway Place Gass House
Anaway Place (Richland Center, Wisconsin) While many travelers head to more popular Wisconsin destinations like Door County or Lake Geneva, the Driftless Region (just 90 minutes west of Madison) reveals under-the-radar gems of its own. One of the best is Anaway Place, a tucked-away haven comprised of a half dozen impeccably outfitted cabins (formerly called Candlewood Cabins). The design, which is meant to help guests feel immersed in nature, features floor-to-ceiling windows or wraparound balconies with 360-degree forest views — and no TVs. There’s prime trout fishing, biking and birdwatching in the area, as well as the Wild Hills Winery, a few minutes away, for tastings and tours. And just a half hour away is Taliesin, the home and studio of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Anaway Place normally has a two-night minimum for reservations, but if you see single nights on the calendar, call directly to book. Note that payment is due a month before your stay. $140-255/night for cabins; anaway.com; 608-647-5720
Courtesy Peter Godshall
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (Copper Harbor, Michigan) Located on Lake Superior near the tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this destination is a trek from most major cities (460 miles from Chicago, 250 from Green Bay) — and it’s still a three-hour drive from the UP’s biggest city, Marquette. But then, that's how outdoor-loving visitors to Keweenaw like it. The resort dates back to 1934, when the main lodge (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and accompanying cabins were built as a Works Progress Administration project. It's set on 177 acres that include trails for mountain biking and hiking plus a nine-hole golf course, and offers access to the remote natural beauty of the UP. Drive 2 miles north to Copper Harbor to scope out the town, which has a selection of breweries (Brickside), bookstores (Grandpa’s Barn) and bakeries (Jamsen’s). $160-$350/night; keweenawmountainlodge.com; 906-289-4403
Chris Guibert
view of Grand View Lodge resort in Nisswa, Minnesota
Grand View Lodge (Nisswa, Minnesota) Some families have been visiting this Minnesota retreat on Gull Lake, a 140-mile drive from Minneapolis, for decades (its main lodge, built of Norway pine, is on the National Registry of Historic Places). Accommodations at Grand View range from boutique hotel-style rooms to cottages and townhomes. It can be pricey, but the lakeside location is prime. It sits on 750 acres, with 2,500 feet of sandy beach — a draw in summer. In cooler months, you can enjoy tennis, two indoor pools, 45 holes of championship golf, area bike trails and a full-service spa. There’s also North Park, the new rec center that features a fitness studio and, says Grand View, the state’s largest jacuzzi. For dinner, check out On the Rocks, where guests can sip martinis while taking in the two surrounding waterfalls — and where, in winter, they can rent heated “igloo” huts for outdoor dining and drinking — or Tanque Verde Cantina, where lake vistas come with Southwestern fare. $250-$480/night; grandviewlodge.com; 866-801-2951
Grand View Lodge ©2019
Starved Rock
Starved Rock Lodge (Oglesby, Illinois) Amid the cornfields and flatlands along I-80 in Illinois, you'll find Starved Rock, a sprawling state park situated on the Illinois River that’s home to deep sandstone canyons and towering waterfalls. Just 90 minutes west of Chicago, the destination has become a quick outdoor escape for city dwellers, some of whom overnight in this log lodge, opened in 1939 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After guests at Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center check into their cabins or rooms, they can enjoy activities including trolley rides or river cruises or, of course, explore the park’s epic hikes, with trails leading right from the property to waterfalls and views of sandstone canyons. And it’s just a few miles south of beautiful Matthiessen State Park. $140-$165/night; starvedrocklodge.com; 815-667-4211
Kathy Casstevens
autumnal view of Falls lodge at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Mi
Big Cedar Lodge (Ridgedale, Missouri) While it's a bit of a splurge for the budget-minded traveler, this 4,600-acre lakeside destination, just 10 or 15 minutes from the tourist mecca of Branson, is a prime spot to find a mix of relaxation and rustic adventure in the heart of the Ozarks. Accommodations at Big Cedar include lodge rooms, log cabins, cottages, two-person glamping tents and camp huts (with heating). Multigenerational families with kids are drawn to the wide range of activities, from biking and kayaking to shuffleboard and pickleball. Golfers can take their pick of five courses (including the first Tiger Woods–designed public course, Payne’s Valley). Those looking to unwind a bit will do just fine here, too — there's a full-service spa onsite. For breathtaking views, head to the highest point in Taney County: Top of the Rock, an entertainment complex (with a $10 entry fee) run by the resort and home to the Lost Canyon Cave and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. Top of the Rock's dining options include the more casual Arnie’s Barn and the Osage Restaurant, where (pricey) steakhouse fare — get a 22-ounce bone-in ribeye for $79 — and stunning Native American artwork await. Falls Lodge $475/night; camp hut $225/night; bigcedar.com; 800-225-6343
Big Cedar Lodge
Nicole Schnitzler is a Chicago-based freelance writer who covers travel, lifestyle and culture. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Chicago Tribune, USA TODAY, Departures, and Esquire.
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