Winter Guide 2013: Where to Sled, Skate, Snow Shoe - Even Snow Tube!

This is a list I've been posting and updating since 2010. If you have some suggestions to add, please place in the comments section and I'll make sure they are incorporated. Now bundle up!

Since I didn’t grow up around here, I decided to turn to Go West readers for some suggestions on great places to go sledding and ice skating. Please make sure to call the phone numbers provided to check conditions before your family heads out.

ICE SKATING:

Photo by asterix611 on Flickr.The Geneva Park District has an “Outdoor Ice Complex” in Wheeler Park off Route 31. There are actually two sheets of ice there – one for general skating and one for ice hockey. Both are free to the public to use, weather permitting. Plus there is a warming shelter available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and on school holidays. To make sure the rinks are open, call 630-232-4542.

The St. Charles Park District has outdoor ice rinks at Timber Trails, Davis Park and Langum Park, with the park at Langum reserved for ice hockey only. The rinks are open daily from until 9 p.m., weather and ice conditions permitting. You can call for updated recorded daily updates: 630-513-4320.

The city of Elgin offers an outdoor refrigerated ice rink called "City Skate." It's located on Civic Center Plaza, between the Hemmens Cultural Center and City Hall. City Skate is free; ice skate rental is available for $4 with ID but is only available when the warming shelter is open. Click here for more info or call 847-931-6140 for updates on hours and ice conditions. This is a refrigerated skating system, and it is scheduled to stay open til Feb. 23, 2013.

Wheaton has a number of ice rinks, including lighted rinks at Seven Gables, Rathje Park, C.L. Herrick Park, Kelly Park and Northside Park. There are unlighted rinks at Briar Patch Park and Hull Park. Call 630-260-6430 ex. 2 for 24-hour information about skating conditions.

The Batavia Park District maintains a skating rink on Depot Pond in downtown, near the Riverwalk. To check skating conditions and whether skate rental is available, call 630-879-5235. 

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Easy Outing: Covered Wagon Rides at St. James Farm in Warrenville

St. James Farm Forest Preserve offers covered wagon tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Nov. 18, and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 28. You'll find the tours listed on the Go West Calendar, but here, guest contributor Naomi Krodel tells you what to expect. 

I’m always looking for nearby fun outdoor activities to do in the fall with my kids, especially this year with such pleasant weather. So when I saw that the St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville was offering covered wagon rides, I thought it was a good chance to check out a place I'd always wanted to visit anyway.

St. James Farm encompasses 607 acres, including more than 100 acres of woodlands, prairies and wetlands. Beginning in the early part of the 20th century, it was the retreat of the wealthy McCormick family.

Its borders are Butterfield Road to the south and Mack Road to the north. South Winfield Road runs through it on the west side.  We first attempted to enter from the north and west (lots of construction), and eventually we found the correct entrance from Butterfield Road.  At first we only saw a few cars but no people so we walked toward a caboose on the property. 

We then saw a wagon unloading and quickly inquired about the next ride. I paid $5 (children ages 5-12 are $2; kids under 5 are free) and we were then treated to a private tour -- we were the only ones on our wagon on a recent weekday afternoon. Although we didn’t see any coyotes or deer (the earlier tour did) we loved the colorful trees and imagining how it must have looked when the McCormick mansion was standing. 

The author, accompanied by her children, on a covered wagon tour of St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville. Photo provided.

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Fall Guide 2012: Five Great ... Places to See Fall Foliage

It seems to me as if the trees in our area exploded in vibrant colors seemingly overnight. And according to experts, I'm not imagining it. Our mild winter and early spring, combined with this summer's drought, have resulted in trees changing colors two to three weeks earlier than normal. Those conditions have also contributed to the trees' colors being brighter, too.

Photo by freefotouk on Flickr.So if you want to enjoy the fall foliage, don't delay! Get outside and do some leaf peeping now. Here are some of our favorite places to enjoy the vibrant colors of fall in Chicago's western suburbs:

* Silver Springs State Park in Yorkville: Features majestic oaks, as well as a 45-acre prairie restoration project, picnic tables, two lakes for fishing, boating opportunities and a four-mile trail.

* Phillips Park in Aurora: This 325-acre park has not only gorgeous, huge old trees but a small, free zoo; a visitors center with a collection of mastodon bones; a dog park; trails; a BMX/skate park and a wonderful, large playground. You get to treat your eyes to some fall colors, and the kids get to see some animals and play. Win-win!

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Fall Guide 2012: Pumpkin Patches in Chicago's Western Suburbs

Photo by kbowenwriter on Flickr.Now that it's October, our thoughts are turning increasingly to Halloween. Here's a number of spots where you can not only pick the perfect pumpkin, but have a lot of fun doing it.

Please give these spots a call before you head out, just to doublecheck the hours and to make sure the attractions you're most interested in are available that day. Know of some we missed? Please let us know in the comments section! 

Keller’s Farmstand: 2500 Johnson Road, Oswego. 630-554-1325.

• Hours: The pumpkin patch is open every day through Halloween from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some of the other features are only offered on weekends.
• Features: A large pumpkin patch where you can pick your pumpkin right off the vine. A 12-acre corn maze, tractor-drawn wagon rides, rope maze, pedal tractors, kids straw maze, sandboxes of grain, farm animals and a large kids play area. 
• Prices: Admission on the weekends is $8 per person (children 3 and under are free.) The admission price includes the special activities. 

Kuipers Family Farm: 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park.  815-827-5200. 

• Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 am. to 6 p.m. on Sunday through October. Also open in November and December from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Features: The pumpkin farm includes pony rides, haywagon rides, cornstalk tunnel, haunted forest, scarecrow fest, baby animals to feed, corn maze and more You can pick a pumpkin right from the patch. Kuipers also offers freshly picked apples for sale in the Orchard Shop. Pick your own apples are only available on Saturdays and Sundays.  
• Prices: Admission to the pumpkin farm is $11.75 per person on weekends and holidays, $8.75 on weekdays. Children 2 and under are free. Several rides cost extra. (The train is $2 extra on weekends and holidays, for instance.) A combo ticket is available if you want to visit the orchard, too. 

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Fall Guide 2012: Hayrack Rides in Chicago's Western Suburbs

I have the best memories of hayrack rides my family used to go on as a kid. The details are hazy -- maybe they were at a farm owned by a friend of a friend? -- but I remember those nights as just magical. They would always wrap up with s'mores around the campfire.

Photo by krooooop on Flickr.But luckily, you don't need to have a friend who owns a farm to enjoy a hayrack ride this fall. Here are a number of spots offering hayrack rides over the coming month, in addition to the apple orchards and pumpkin patches where hayrack rides are also common. Know of more? Please post them in the comments section.

* The St. Charles Park District offers "Moonlight Hayrides" at Primrose Farm, which is located in northwest St. Charles, west of Randall Road. You'll take a 30-minute tractor-drawn hayride around the fields of Primrose Farm at the height of the fall harvest. You can also participate in a marshmallow roast and treat yourself to hot chocolate or mulled rider. The rides are offered Oct. 12-13, Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26. The cost is $8 each for residents, $12 for non-residents. Registration is required. 

* Cantigny in Wheaton will offer hayrides on Saturday, Oct. 13, during its Fall Harvest. The fee is $2 per person, and there is a $5 parking fee for admission to the park. The Fall Harvest, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will also feature pumpkin decorating, children's craft projects, a book fair, children's concert, pumpkin ring toss, a petting zoo, face painting and more. Cantigny will also offer hayrides on Saturday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. Those rides will be free with regular parking admission.

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