Road Trip to The Abbey Resort this Summer

Itching to get out of Chicago for a day or two? There's a ton to do right here at home in the Windy City, of course, but sometimes a road trip is the best kind of family fun! 

To make planning easier for you, we are doing the homework for you on places all within a few hour's drive of Chicago. First up is a trip to the beautiful The Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva, WI.

From the moment we moved to Chicago, I kept hearing of friends heading off to someplace called Lake Geneva, WI.  It didn't matter if it was summer or wintertime - it was clear that this was one of THE most popular destinations for those living here in Chicagoland.  Well, during the past decade most of our family's travel has been for the sole purpose of seeing extended family (none of which live in WI) or for baseball games, so Lake Geneva was one trip we just weren't able to make happen. When the opportunity to visit the area of Lake Geneva presented itself in the form of a stay at The Abbey Resort, we jumped at the chance and are so glad we did!

It was as if the stars aligned perfectly and the trip was meant to be:

• we actually had access to a car since we had rented one for a recent baseball tournament
• school was ending and we had a couple of days off from sports
• our dog sitter was miraculously available on short notice
• we all were in need of some family time

So, while the kids were celebrating their final hours as a kindergartner and fifth grader, I was tossing some pjs, swimsuits and toothbrushes into a bag and gassing up the car. The minute our youngest sang her last note of the farewell performance and hugged her teacher, the four of us were hitting the road. Only about 75 miles from downtown Chicago, the trip is definitely an easy one!  It took us almost exactly two hours to pull into The Abbey Resort's parking lot. 

The Abbey Resort is no stranger to providing a great space for fun and relaxation in the Lake Geneva area!  With a 60-year history, this beautiful property, which sprawls across 90 acres of perfectly manicured grounds, knows what full-service means. While I was walking the property the first night I was daydreaming of all the possible scenarios in which a stay at this particular propery would be great: couples only, moms/girls trip, extended family reunion, special occasion like a wedding (it must be a gorgeous setting for a wedding!) or just for a little family fun.  The property also has a lot of meeting space available, so while no one WANTS to go to a meeting, at least it would be somewhere great!

I will admit, when I first hear "60 year old property" I think "dated accommodations", but this was far from the case. The rooms were well-sized, lovely and appointed with all the amenities we could want or need. Two bonuses that families can appreciate are the mini fridges in each guest room and the outdoor patio access from every room. It is evident that this property is carefully maintained, inside and out, year after year. The resort is also home to the gorgeous Avani Spa, three pools (one indoor, two outdoor), great restaurants which just happen to serve great food, guided activities and plenty of spots to just relax and unwind. 

This summer is a great time to visit because not only does The Abbey Resort offer some great activities and events, but they also have some great discounts and packages to choose from right now! Curious about what you and your family could experience during your visit? Check it out:

• Camp on-a-Lake operates on various weeks during the summer and is open for kids ages 6 to 12. This is a 'win-win' because while the kids are off having fun, the adults can have some time to themselves.
• Here BYOB means Bring Your Own Boat, but don't worry, there are boat rentals available too!
• Frisbee golf, bike rentals, and beach passes are all available to guests
• Evening s'mores around the firepit 
• "Burnin' Down the Docks" events happen on the weekends and include BBQ, live music and fun!
• The indoor and one outdoor pool offers kid-sized fun with two slides, a basketball hoop, and even a splash pad pool for the youngest guests to enjoy. One outdoor pool is for adults only.

Our visit was quick, but if the destination hadn't been so easily accessible from Chicago, we wouldn't have been able to make it happen. The time we spent together, eating meals around a table instead of on the side of a baseball diamond, playing and relaxing in the pool - it was just what each of us needed, probably more than we realized. 

Please note: My family was hosted by The Abbey Resort and the opinions expressed are my own. The purpose of this piece is to help families like yours decide if this is a good destination. Thinking of making your own trip to The Abbey Resort and have questions?  Please feel free to drop me a note at  sarayaniga@macaronikid.com

Spots to Check Out while in Lake Geneva, WI

Right away you will see that Fontana on the Lake is a picturesque lake town and tucked away are some spots that are worth a visit. Four places I always seek out on family trips are a place for a cool treat, a spot for some caffeine, a place to burn some energy, and a spot to tuck inside to cool down, or warm up, depending on the season. I also recommend walking down Lake Street by the water for some great spots to eat, take a boat adventure or just enjoy the view of the beautiful lake!

Is there a spot your family loves within a two- to a four-hour driving distance of Chicago? Tell us about it by dropping me a line at sarayaniga@macaronikid.com.

Please note: While we've done our best to keep information current and up to date, please check with attractions before heading out!