NO FLIGHT REQUIRED: EAGLE RIDGE RESORT & SPA OFFERS FALL & WINTER ESCAPES IN ILLINOIS' DRIFTLESS REGION

Lifestyle

Eagle Ridge Resort & SpaSeptember 25, 2026

Seasonal Packages, Championship Golf, Elevated Dining and Galena Traditions Give Midwest Travelers More Reasons to Make the Drive

GALENA, Ill., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For travelers looking for a quieter getaway without the airport, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa offers unexpected fall or winter escapes in northwest Illinois’ Driftless Region, an area known for the rolling hills, wooded ridges and valleys that distinguish it from much of the Midwest.

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa’s Signature Golf Course in Galena, Illinois, during the fall. Photo Credit: Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa.

Set amid 6,800 scenic acres overlooking Lake Galena, Eagle Ridge sits in a landscape largely untouched by the Ice Age glaciers that flattened much of the surrounding region. The result is dramatic terrain, brilliant fall color and sweeping views that make the resort feel far removed from city lifewhile remaining about 150 miles west of Chicago, an easy drive from Madison, Dubuque, Milwaukee, Rockford and the Quad Cities, and a worthwhile road trip from St. Louis.

This fall, guests can experience the landscape across four championship golf courses, including The General, known for its dramatic elevation changes and countryside views, as well as hiking, horseback riding, seasonal recreation on Lake Galena and Stonedrift Spa.

Seasonal getaway packages, 63 holes of golf, fall foliage, reimagined dining and Galena’s signature events give couples, families and groups plenty of reasons to trade the airport for the open road.

A Fresh Culinary Direction

New executive chef Brandon Veitch is leading Eagle Ridge’s culinary program with refreshed menus and an elevated focus on seasonal dining. Veitch joined the resort in June following experience at The Peninsula Chicago, The Langham Chicago and Edge by Goldmoor Inn in Galena.

At Woodlands Restaurant, overlooking Lake Galena, the new dinner menu features elevated dishes including Lobster Cavatappi, Heritage Pork Chop, Alaskan Halibut and Prime New York Strip. Popular resort traditions also continue with Thursday Pasta Night and Saturday Prime Rib Night.

Seasonal Getaway Packages

Eagle Ridge is offering a lineup of limited-time packages built around popular fall and holiday weekends:

Spooky Weekend Getaway — Oct. 22-25, 2026: Includes two nights of accommodations, $75 in Eagle Ridge Dollars, two tickets per bedroom to Fear Forest at Shenandoah Riding Center and transportation to and from Fear Forest for registered package guests. Accommodations range from Inn rooms to five-bedroom distinctive homes. Rates start at $573. Fear Forest is an immersive nighttime walking experience through the woods recommended for ages 13 and older.
Halloween Party — Oct. 30, 2026: Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa will host a Halloween party at Highlands Restaurant & Lounge from 7 to 11 p.m. The evening will feature Halloween fun, drinks and entertainment.
Thanksgiving Getaway — Nov. 24-28, 2026: The three-night package includes accommodations ranging from Inn rooms to two-bedroom villas, $70 in Eagle Ridge Dollars, plus a large family pizza and soft drinks from Woodlands Restaurant. Rates start at $612, plus tax and resort amenity fee. Guests also can enjoy a lavish traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the resort, featuring all the holiday favorites.

Galena’s Fall and Holiday Lineup

Just minutes from historic downtown Galena, Eagle Ridge provides an easy home base for some of the region’s signature fall and holiday events:

Oct. 3 — Galena Oktoberfest: The 19th annual celebration at Depot Park features German-style food and beer, live polka music, wiener dog races, stein-hoisting competitions and family activities.
Oct. 10-11 — Galena Country Fair: More than 120 art, craft and fine-art vendors, along with food, drinks, live music and family activities, fill Grant Park for the annual fall fair.
Oct. 31 — Galena Halloween Parade & Festival: One of Galena’s signature fall traditions brings illuminated floats, marching bands, costumed characters and entertainment to Main Street from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 20-21 — Galena Nouveau Wine Weekend: Galena Cellars celebrates the release of its 2026 Nouveau wine with the annual Nouveau parade, wine tastings, live music, special dinners and events throughout downtown Galena.

Weather permitting, the resort’s Nordic Center transforms the area surrounding The General golf course into a winter playground with ice skating, snowshoeing and sledding down the dramatic 10th hole. Golfers can also keep playing indoors at Eagle Ridge’s golf simulator, while Stonedrift Spa, resort dining and spacious villas and distinctive homes offer plenty of ways to unwind indoors.

Winter Getaway Package

Family Holiday Package — Dec. 26, 2026-Jan. 2, 2027: The three-night package includes accommodations ranging from Inn rooms to five-bedroom distinctive homes, $70 in Eagle Ridge Dollars, a large family pizza and soft drink from Woodlands Restaurant and complimentary Nordic Center access, including sled rentals, weather permitting. Guests staying in accommodations with three or more bedrooms receive two pizzas and two soft drinks.

Galena Holiday Events

Dec. 5 — Galena Holidaze Festival and Holiday Fire in the Sky: Downtown Galena celebrates the season with artisans, food, entertainment and family activities, followed by the Holiday Fire in the Sky fireworks display at 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 — Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows: Thousands of candlelit luminaries illuminate downtown Galena as Main Street storefronts come alive with animated holiday windows. The event runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

With accommodations ranging from traditional Inn rooms to spacious villas and distinctive homes, Eagle Ridge gives couples, families and larger groups the flexibility to turn a day in Galena into a full fall, winter or holiday getaway.

For reservations or additional information, call 800-892-2269 or visit www.eagleridge.com.

About Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is located about 150 miles west of Chicago near historic Galena, Illinois, in the rolling hills of northwest Illinois’ Driftless Region. Set amid 6,800 acres of scenic terrain overlooking Lake Galena, the resort features 63 holes across four championship golf courses and accommodations ranging from Inn rooms to villas and distinctive homes. Eagle Ridge also offers more than 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, Stonedrift Spa, multiple dining experiences and year-round indoor and outdoor recreation.

Winter Fun at Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa. Photo Credit: Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa.