11 Magical Winter Getaways The Kids Will Love Near Chicago – From Hallmark-Inspired Towns Straight Out Of A Snow Globe To An Enchanting Forbidden Forest

Melissa Maynard – Commercial Editor · December 16, 2025 The holiday season in Chicago is full of twinkling lights and festive market s we visit year after year, but sometimes slipping out of the city adds a little extra magic to the season. A short trip can transport your family to magical winter scenes and charming small towns that feels like we’re part of a Hallmark movie. From a snow‐dusted Swiss village straight out of a storybook to sipping hot cocoa under the stars at the region’s only Forbidden Forest experience, these are the magical winter getaways from Chicago we’re taking over winter break on an endless quest to impress our young kids and teens. Meet at the Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest Experience in Ingleside for S’mores, Hot Chocolate and Butterbeer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest Experience October 2, 2025 Harry Potter fans, we have just the adventure for you that’s only a little over an hour from Chicago! You can wander a glowing forest trail inspired by the wizarding world and pretend you’re part of Hogwarts during the holidays while sipping Butterbeer or hot cocoa under the stars. Muggles of all ages (we brought our kids and grandparents) can cozy up around fire pits , toast marshmallows for S’mores , and enjoy the magic of this interactive Harry Potter Forbidden Forest adventure and see magical creatures from unicorns to Hippogriffs. With twinkling lights and surprises around every corner , it’s seriously the perfect winter outing. But it’s not open for much longer, it’s only in town until January 3 so it would be the perfect trip over winter break. Plan your enchanting getaway now. Celebrate the holidays with a special deal: get 3 tickets for the price of 2 and save 20% on all sessions! Read more Buy Tickets Indulge in fun winter activities, from meeting Santa to making s’mores, during your stay at Lake Geneva’s Abbey Resort ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake Geneva feels like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie in winter. With charming lakeside shops and restaurants, it makes it ideal for a cozy family getaway for a long weekend. After snow tubing the world’s largest hill and wandering the festive town, a stay at the Abbey Resort is just what you need. A winter stay here makes celebrating the season feel effortless for families. There’s plenty to do without ever needing to leave the property. Days can be spent moving between the indoor pools and hot tub, ice skating outdoors, or popping into the arcade. Seasonal activities like making s’mores at the fire pits and sipping on hot apple cider keep things festive throughout the resort. There’s even more magic during the holidays like plenty of Santa appearances. You could spot him in the hotel’s lobby or have brunch with him, that makes the stay feel extra memorable for kids. Dining onsite is not-to-be-missed and 240° West feels especially inviting on cold nights. The menu focuses on comforting dishes with popular entrees like lobster farfalle and grilled filet mignon, paired with a cozy dining room warmed by a fireplace and live piano music. It’s the kind of place where dinner becomes part of the experience, not just a stop between activities. For those who want to fully lean into the season, staying through Christmas Eve or New Year’s transforms the trip into a true winter escape with the resort’s special dinners. Don’t miss the James Beard–inspired dinner planned for January, an elevated experience that makes a winter visit feel even more special. Venture to Mackinac Island and see what winter magic looks like when time slows down ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mackinac Island Growing up, Mackinac Island was one of my family’s favorite places to visit in the summer and fall, and while we couldn’t agree more, in wintertime, the island where **Jane Seymore once filmed *Somewhere in Time*becomes a quiet, and idyllic place to unwind during the colder months. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, and other winter activities like scenic cross-country skiing on a lantern-lit trail and snowshoeing. [Read more](https://secretchicago.com/makinac-island-fall-getaway-from-chicago/) Step into the charming Christmastown of Cedarburg — a storybook village frozen in time ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A couple of hours north of the city, you’ll find the [historic town of Cedarburg](https://secretchicago.com/cedarburg-wisconsin-festive-fridays-2025/), that’s practically unchanged since the mid-1800s. It turns into a charming winter escape each holiday season and after a scroll on social media, it’s easy to see why people come here year after year. Every Friday during the winter, the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement transforms into the town’s [Festive Friday events](https://secretchicago.com/cedarburg-wisconsin-festive-fridays-2025/) with twinkling lights and garlands everywhere, creating the coziest storybook setting that’s perfect for evening strolls with the whole family. There’s no time to be bored either... you can enjoy everything from live music and shopping to warm drinks and cookies. There’s even trolley rides you can take through the beautifully decorated downtown. With plenty of small-town charm with holiday activities and several cozy spots to explore, Cedarburg is an idyllic winter experience kids and adults will love. Take a road trip to Santa Claus, Indiana, the town that celebrates Christmas every day -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just five hours from Chicago, Santa Claus, Indiana lives up to its name as “America’s Christmas Hometown.” It’s the kind of place where the holiday spirit is literally everywhere all year-round, whether you’re wandering through Santa’s Candy Castle with a cup of hot chocolate or snapping photos by festive storefronts that look straight out of a holiday movie. It’s such a special place to visit over the Christmas holiday. Galena’s charming snow-globe streets await this winter ------------------------------------------------------ [Galena](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Galena%20Galena%2C%20Illinois) Galena feels just like it was lifted straight out of a snow globe, making it one of our favorite winter getaways to enjoy with the kids. Its historic Main Street glows with twinkling lights, and there’s a ton of cozy shops to explore. It’s the kind of small-town charm that families instantly love. And the kids will have fun checking out the town’s old-fashioned storefronts too . Warm up with treats from one of our favorite spots, Galena Kandy Kitchen. With its rolling hills and beautiful historic homes, Galena is a peaceful winter escape that feels worlds away from the city ... even though it’s just a few hours from Chicago. [Read more](https://secretchicago.com/galena-illinois-world-atlas-best-small-town-2025/) New Glarus, Wisconsin is a Swiss-Inspired winter escape for families ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [New Glarus](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=New%20Glarus%20New%20Glarus%2C%20Wisconsin) New Glarus is a snow‐dusted Swiss village that is extra magical during the holidays. Families will love exploring the charming streets and trying Swiss treats like fondue at the New Glarus Hotel, a local favorite. Outdoor adventures include winter walks along the Sugar River State Trail or sledding nearby. Visit during Silvesterchlausen, a centuries-old Swiss festival, that is one of the only ones that happens outside of Switzerland, to see costumed revelers ringing in the new year with festive music and traditions. The event is free on January 10 at 2 p.m. at the ​​ Swiss Center of North America in New Glarus. [Read more](https://secretchicago.com/little-switzerland-new-galrus-wisconsin/) Cruise by the Home Alone house in Winnetka and grab a delicious cheese pizza at the Little Nero’s pop-up ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to keep things a little closer to home, but still do something fun, a visit to the Home Alone house is a quick trip just north of the city. It’s definitely a core childhood memory for us. A drive by the iconic Winnetka home that feels especially magical this time of year. Then make a stop at the Little Nero pop-up at Easy Street Pizza in nearby Park Ridge to grab a classic cheese pizza (just like Kevin’s) while enjoying the festive decorations. For an extra-special touch, consider turning it into a mini holiday experience by going all out and renting a limo while playing the movie soundtrack. We can’t think what could top that while cruising past the house to admire it all lit up for Christmas. It’s a nostalgic winter outing inspired by one of our favorite holiday movies that will [inspire your inner child](https://secretchicago.com/nostalgic-experiences-chicago/) and impress the kids. Visit the *Christmas Story* House & Museum a few hours from Chicago ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing up, *A Christmas Story* played on repeat in our house over the holidays, especially on Christmas Day. It’s a film we re-watch with my parents and our kids each year. Some of our favorite highlights from the movie include the soap scene after Ralphie dropped the infamous F-bomb and the department store Santa booting kids down the slide, alongside those equally mischievous elves. Of course, we can’t reminisce about this movie without thinking about the iconic Leg Lamp, the dad won, as his ‘’major award.” What’s even cooler is the residence where the movie was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio has been restored and you can even tour it, or stay overnight. There’s even a gift shop, with many of the items available online, so if you really want the Leg Lamp, it can be yours... This Bavarian-style town in Michigan is a winter wonderland --------------------------------------------------------------- [Frankenmuth](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Frankenmuth%20Frankenmuth%2C%20Michigan) Frankenmuth feels like stepping into a charming Bavarian-style village. While it’s a lovely place to visit year-round, winter brings an extra layer of magic. There’s festive streets and cozy shops that you can explore for hours. Not to mention, one of our favorite reasons to make the trip is indulging in the classic German comfort food. The Michigan town’s famously over-the-top holiday atmosphere makes it especially fun for families. From wandering Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, one of the largest Christmas stores in the world at over 320,000 square feet, to snapping family photos in front of the town’s storybook architecture, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the holiday magic. [Read more](https://secretchicago.com/weekend-getaway-from-chicago-frankenmuth-michigan/) Elkhart Lake shines as a quiet winter getaway ------------------------------------------------- Elkhart Lake is the kind of place that really shines in winter. It’s cozy and effortlessly charming and under three hours from Chicago. What we love the most about visiting during the winter, is you can count on fewer crowds. Grab coffee at Off the Rail Café, take a crisp walk along the lake, then settle in for a warm, unhurried dinner at Lake Street Café, the supper club-style Siebkens Stop-Inn Tavern or the Paddock Club at Osthoff Resort. The historic buildings feel extra inviting when they’re covered with snow, and the whole place moves at a slower pace, which makes it easy to unplug without needing a very busy itinerary. And in January, the village hosts “Schnee Days,” their annual chili cook-off,** adding a little festive enchantment to the heart of town. Source: https://secretchicago.com/magical-winter-getaways-families-near-chicago/