10/10 Excellent
Melissa S.
Apr 8, 2026
If you live in the western suburbs of Chicago, your go-to quick getaways are usually Wisconsin or Michigan—but for spring break, when you’re craving even just a hint of warm weather, I highly recommend heading south to Southern Illinois. We were pleasantly surprised to get beautiful weather at the end of March!Traveling with our 8- and 9½-year-old boys, we wanted an outdoor-focused escape—and this place absolutely delivered.This was exactly the kind of place we needed to get our boys off screens and into nature. They spent their days exploring, getting dirty, throwing rocks, breaking sticks, fishing, and building fires. Evenings were our favorite—starting a fire, enjoying a cocktail in the hot tub and watching the sunset. The boys loved having a pool table, too. The house itself was extremely comfortable and well-stocked: cozy beds, plenty of towels, fans, and everything we needed to cook meals.Morning coffee with those views? Absolutely breathtaking.It was the perfect escape from the noise and busyness of everyday life—and the stargazing was incredible.We didn’t even get to half of the activities we had planned because we loved being at the property so much. That said, we did make it out for some great hiking in Shawnee National Forest. The Makanda Trails are perfect for kids, with a variety of trail options. Be sure to stop by the Makanda Trading Company—such a fun spot with unique treasures.Brian, the host, was super communicative and easily reachable.
Melissa S.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026



















