Valentine's Day Around the Corridor

Starved Rock Area – Relaxing

Get warm and cozy with a weekend getaway this Valentine’s Day. Pack your car and road trip down to the Starved Rock Area for something special and unforgettable. We made an itinerary for a relaxed getaway for two so you don’t have to do the work and can enjoy every step of the way.

Begin the day traveling to the beautiful authentic Starved Rock Area where the views of nature are breathtaking. You can’t visit the Starved Rock Area without traveling through the Starved Rock State Park for a hike. To help refresh your mind and body after a peaceful hike, enjoy a relaxing visit at Salt Tree Yoga just a short drive away. Get ready for a romantic dinner at Uptown Grill to cap the night off!

Starved Rock State Park

Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois. From the minute you wind your car through the towering trees, you will feel as if you are away from everyday life. Starved Rock has 13 miles of trails to explore, and the Illinois River offers fishing, boating, extraordinary views, and great places to relax. Towering canyons are visible all year round with amazing waterfalls that are active in the spring and after heavy rainfall. No matter what the season is, hiking to these spectacular sights is awe inspiring.

SaltTreeYoga

Everything at SaltTreeYoga focuses on restoring wellness and balance to the body, mind, and spirit. All services help with pain, detox, and/or relaxation. So many people in today's world are looking for more proactive choices to support their health and well-being.

Uptown Grill

Uptown Grill offers polished American Cuisine in a casual environment in the Starved Rock Area. Friday and Saturday nights at Uptown Grill are known for the best prime ribs in the Chicagoland area. The char broiled steaks are cut and aged in-house, the seafood, shellfish, and oysters are fresh every day. The full-service bar and lounge are the perfect place to sit back and relax.

August Hill Winery

In Downtown Utica is Starved Rock Country’s award winning winery. August Hill Winery has been making wine since 2002. The Winery includes caves for aging wine, a tasting room, a sparkling wine program, and a staff that is family. A visit to winery allows you to not only taste the wine but see how the wine is made. Enjoy wine tastings of the August Hill Winery in the tasting room or on the outdoor patio and enjoy live music in the lounge.

Fox River Bed and Breakfast

The Fox River Bed and Breakfast is a Victorian farm house located on 17 beautiful acres along the Fox River and a short drive from Starved Rock State Park. Bring your canoe or rent one and float for hours taking in the sights, sounds and beauty of the Fox River. Don’t forget your hiking shoes or bicycle, as Starved Rock State Park, the I&M Canal, and Matthiessen State Park are just minutes away and ready for you to explore. The Fox River Bed and Breakfast is great for weekend getaway’s, nature lovers, family reunions, romantic getaway’s or canoers traveling the Fox River.

Salt Tree Yoga - Ottawa, IL 

I&M Canal – Adventurous

Travel down the I & M Canal towns this Valentine’s Weekend to explore all its wonders. If you’re the adventurous type, then this itinerary is perfect for you! Get risky with activities at The Forge: Lemont Quarries where the options are endless. Get ready for a delicious meal at Barrel & Vine. Then, stop by Hollingworth Candies in Lockport to pick up something sweet before ending the night at Lockport’s newest hotel, Holiday Inn Express and Suites.

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park is an innovative private/public partnership offering year-round outdoor recreational activities that exhilarate, educate, and entertain adventure seekers of all ages and abilities. Stretching across 300-acres of historically significant land, The Forge: Lemont Quarries features the largest aerial challenge course, tallest climbing towers, and longest ziplines in the tri-state area. They offer mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboat excursions that feed the appetite of adventure enthusiasts looking for unique challenges.

Hollingworth Candies

Hollingworth features handcrafted toffees and candies with the finest and freshest natural ingredients. Their toffees are made by hand using the highest quality creamery butter, pure chocolate and fresh nuts. Other product offerings include sea salt caramels, the ever-popular Chesters, caramel apples and other molded chocolates. 

Holiday Inn Express and Suites – Lockport

Discover the comfort and convenience of the brand new Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lockport, the first and only hotel in Lockport, IL. Located right off Interstate-355 at 159th St. 35 miles Southwest of downtown Chicago, we are convenient for guests visiting the Lockport, Homer Glen, Orland Park, Lemont, and Joliet area as well as other surrounding Southwest Suburbs.

Barrel & Vine

Take a break from your kitchen and step into ours! Barrel & Vine's menu features dishes that include trending sharables, fresh seafood, steak grilled to perfection, locally sourced salads, and unique hand-helds, just to name a few. Pair one of those items with a crafted cocktail, a local or global wine, or a whiskey from our extensive whisky selection! 

The Forge: Lemont Quarries - Lemont, IL 

Route 66 – Family Style

Couldn’t find a babysitter in time, no worries! Take a ride down the Mother Road also known as Route 66 and make your Valentine’s weekend a full family outing. Pack your car, gather the kids and hit the road! Start with a fun family activity whether that’s Haunted Trails for small children or Axe Throwing with the bigger kids, there’s something for all ages. Stop by Home Cut Donuts for a special Valentine’s Day treat, then get ready for a upscale dinner.

Al’s Steakhouse 

Al’s Steak House is one of the oldest steak houses and upscale dining restaurants in Joliet. Al’s Steak House has a warm atmosphere and a reputation for service the best charbroiled steaks in the Chicagoland area. One of the specialty items on Al’s menu are the Grecian style stakes served with Al’s own double baked potato. Al’s also has a variety of fresh fish delivered daily to offer the tastiest meals around.

Haunted Trails Entertainment Park & Picnic Groves

The Haunted Trails of Joliet is a unique, year-round “Halloween-themed” family entertainment center. Haunted Trails specializes in family fun, birthday parties, group celebrations, company picnics and events for all ages. Fun amenities include two award winning 18-hole mini-golf courses, two go-kart tracks, plus a junior go-kart track for the little ones, laser tag, batting cages and amusement rides. 

Axe Factor Throwing

Axe Factor Throwing is the Midwest’s premier indoor urban axe throwing destination. The experienced “Axeperts” will show you how to throw axes as well as make sure that you have an axe-ellent time doing it. At Axe Factor Throwing you can walk-in at any time. Their lanes can fit up to 12 people and they will do their best to keep your group together. 

Home Cut Donuts

Home Cut Donuts is Joliet’s favorite coffee and donuts headquarters since 1966. They serve over 45 varieties of donuts, eclairs, cinnamon rolls, muffins and cookies. The home-made donuts at Home Cut Donuts is exactly what your sweet tooth has been missing.

Home2 Suites Hotel

Settle into a fresh and modern suite at the Home2 Suites Hotel in Joliet. Conveniently located off I-55 near Louis Joliet Mall, this extended stay hotel is minutes away from Chicagoland Speedway, Harrah’s Casino, and the Old Joliet Prison. Each suite features a full kitchen and free WIFI making you feel right at home. Start you day with a free breakfast of artisan-style sandwiches and after a long day of experiencing Joliet or business meetings, unwind around the sounds of the crackling firepit.

Axe Factor Throwing - Plainfield, IL