Need a break from the fire engines roarin’ down Dearborn every 5 minutes and dodging cab drivers while trying to walk? Take a drive up north ay, sit back, relax and ease your mind…’cause this trip to the lake is like lying on a hammock without flipping over.
Only an hour and 45 minutes away from Chicago a gorgeous lake, a chilled out vibe and a slightly more “-ay†accent awaits you. I’m talking about a little spot called Lake Geneva. Where the Leinenkugel flows like wine and the beanbags fly like it’s Welcome Week in Collegetown, USA.
After some “locals†gave us 3 different kinds of directions, we were on our way to sweet ole Fontana, Wisconsin (a 15 minute drive from the town of Lake Geneva), home to the friendliest resort—The Abbey. There are many chill options you can choose from during your stay at the Abbey like crackin’ crabs at the Waterfront, getting your muscles worked on by the Chicago Bear’s masseuse, throwing bags ‘til the break of dawn and enjoying some legit BBQ while you burn down the docks.
If you’re in need of 24/7 activity, the Abbey is where it’s at. No, it’s not a cruise ship although the resort is so enormous they probably have a lido deck. My first experience was the chillest of the chillest, the AVANI Spa. I was fortunate to have Sandy Pearce as my masseuse (she currently massages the grandeur muscles of 6 Chicago Bears). Having just run a half marathon, my body was in need of some help. She was intuitive and used just the right tension. And with 15 years of experience, Sandy takes care of biznass when it comes to sports massage therapy. Beyond the services, The AVANI Spa has a cool sanctuary suite that would be perfect for a bachelorette party or a room to get ready in before the big day. It’s hooked up with a private ‘cuzzi, a flat screen and a private patio.
If you’re feeling like a little snack, you can hit up the Waterfront Restaurant (offering great views of the serene harbor) for some crab cracking. Trust me, these are some crabs you want to get. After that, take your beers with you and play some bags at the many games that are set-up throughout the resort. Still hungry? Enjoy a nice dinner at the Fontana Grill. Feast on some scallops and bleu cheese ravioli, these 2 dishes were delish.
Most people check-out on Sundays, but I highly recommend that you stay past check-out time to experience Burning Down the Docks. It’s BBQ, beers and beats from 12-4pm with beers and BBQ for only $2 a pop. And this is not just regular BBQ, it’s made by an award winning professional BBQ pit master, Matt Whiteford. This dude goes to BBQ competitions and cleans up, no joke (check him out on twitter @loveyourbbq). The ribs were phenomenal and the sauces were unreal. The Leines were cheap and the live band was playing some good tunes that made you forget that the weekend was almost over. This was fo sho, the highlight of the trip. Check out this clip below:
\”Burning Down the Docks\” at The Abbey Resort with Pit Master Matthew Whiteford
Staying at the Abbey in Lake Geneva is a true vacay, because you don’t have to leave the resort. There’s an activity for every hour of the day (I consider eating an activity) and you’ll never be bored. Next time you’re in need of an escape from the Chi craziness be sure to check out The Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva. It’s true Wisco chilltainment.
The Abbey Resort & Spa, The Waterfront Restaurant
www.theabbeyresort.com or call 888.629.9594
