Sherry Corder, along with her husband Archie, opened the Old Victorian Farmhouse in May 2005. True to its name, the house used to be a dairy farm. Today, it is a haven of comfort and times gone by. Full of antiques and old family pictures, something intriguing caught my eye at every turn.

Although the Old Victorian Farmhouse, located in Wauconda, Illinois, is only a short drive from Chicago, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. The B&B is also a short drive from Long Grove Village.

What about the bed and the breakfast, you ask? Well, let me tell you! My husband and I stayed in the Secret Garden room, and slept on the most comfortable and luxurious bed I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping on, topped with a featherbed that I would have liked to take home with me, but I could not squeeze it into my suitcase. As for the breakfast, who wouldn’t love Creme Brule French toast, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit, served on beautiful china, crystal, and silver. Every breakfast should be so fancy. And Sherry is more than happy to share her recipes with the guests, so just ask!

Sherry is also a great resource for what to do while you’re in Wauconda - if you can bring yourself to leave the B&B, that is.

Old Victorian Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast
26668 N. Main Street
Wauconda, IL 60084
847-526-9271

Although Long Grove is only 40 miles from Chicago, I felt we had escaped into a winter wonderland far from home! There are more than 80 shops and restaurants in Long Grove featuring pottery, crafts, specialty foods, home decor items, artwork, jewelry, and other items. Long Grove’s shops are open year-round, so a visit would make a fun getaway any time of year. Some of my favorites:

The Olive Tap is my favorite shop in Long Grove. This shop features fresh extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars that you can taste. Pick out your favorite, bottle it yourself, and enjoy! Or pick out some for your friends who love to cook or entertain.

Mangel’s is stocked full of unique items from cards to home decor to linens to kitchen needs. I especially love their birdhouses.

The Dog House of Long Grove features everything your best friend needs from healthy treats to warm sweaters and squeaky toys. They even have a kitty corner for us cat lovers.

Pick up some beautiful yarn at the I’d Rather Be Knitting Yarn Studio. Beginners will be happy to learn the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

Warm up by stopping for lunch at Suzi’s Tea & Cafe to enjoy a hot mug of blueberry, vanilla coconut, or any of their many teas, and a sandwich by the fire.

After a long afternoon of shopping, stop in to the Apple Haus for a warm, yummy fresh-baked treat or some hot apple cider.

TIP: Get your directions to Long Grove from the website link below. Online mapping sites often get this one wrong! The site also includes directions to get there via Metra and Pace bus lines, as well as lodging information.

Long Grove Village
Business and Community Partners
Long Grove Village, IL
(847) 634-0888 ~ Information Center

Just an hour’s drive from downtown Chicago, a trip to All Season Farm for fresh apples is fast becoming an annual autumn tradition for my husband and me (doesn’t hurt that there is a group of outlet stores between here and there, either!).

All Season Farm has 12 varieties of apples to pick, and over 7,000 apple trees. A half bushel, which is well more than any one person needs, is only $22. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and provided us a sturdy bag, a map of the orchard showing where to find each variety, and plenty of information on what apples are good for baking, making sauces, or just eating.

Next we headed up to the orchard, where we were greeted by rows and rows of apple trees. It really is beautiful, and so much fun to walk up and down the rows, picking out the perfect apples.

After choosing each and every apple with great care, I scored big at All Seasons’ farm market and grill, where I picked up some homemade apple butter and pumpkin butter, and treated myself to one of the world’s best kept secrets - warm apple donuts!! I highly recommend foregoing the packaged donuts in the market and ordering them fresh from the grill… a great way to warm up after being out in the orchard.

All Season also has a petting zoo and hay rides, and you can pick up your pumpkin just in time for Halloween while you’re there, too!

TIP: If you’re interested in picking a particular variety of apple, you should call ahead to see which apples will be in season when you plan to visit the Orchard.

All Season Farm (& Orchard)
1415 IL Route 176
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-5637