Close
Menu

Home You are in… Take a Road Trip » Chicago Northwest: The Ideal Weekend Excursion

from the local experts at Meet Chicago Northwest

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

Make sure to check with attractions ahead of time for up-to-date operating hours, travel policies and health and safety information.

  • Day 1: Schaumburg

Chicago Prime Italian

LEGO store at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

As you step inside the front 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!

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 enjoy 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: Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg

Lynfred Winery

Arlington Alresco

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.

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. There's also a tasting room and state-of-the-art production facility for all of Lynfred's varietals. 

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-visit destination. We recommend dining at Hey Nonny, where American food pairs perfectly with great taste in music. With ticketed shows six nights a 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 Instaworthy photo opp at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s new marquee.

  • Day 3: Itasca & Schaumburg

Church Street Brewing Tap

Woodfield Mall

If there is one thing the Chicago Northwest Region is known for, it's 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! Peruse the many shops and stops that Woodfield has to offer — perhaps you'll walk out with something unique to remember your trip by.

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 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's 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.

Next: save the trip for later and add your own ideas

Download this itinerary, save it to your favorites to revisit it later, and make the trip your own by choosing some more things to do along the way.

Download Itinerary  
Enjoy Illinois Magazine

Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine.

Get Your Copy Now!
The Official Website of the Illinois Office of Tourism
  • Choose Chicago
  • Great Lakes USA
  • Visit The USA

Download Acrobat Reader

© 2024 Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Ratings provided by TripAdvisor