Turning 30..... - Aurora,IL

Highly recommend Koehler Spa...very romantic and peaceful and close enough that you can go for one night.

http://destinationkohler.com/spa/spa_index.html

so sorry for your loss.....
here's an idea - starved rock - 90 minutes away (west) from the city. Spend time walking on the trails to view the canyons. beautiful and peaceful - go soon before the leaves are all gone.

I don't know if this will be too boring for you, but if you want a peaceful relaxing getaway and you like looking out at water why don't you check into someplace along the eastern lake michigan shore line. There are a ton of little beach type resort towns just around the corner of the lake in michigan. You will be off season so it shouldn't be too expensive. I've stayed at a place with a view over lake michigan in january when everything was snow covered and it was beautiful. Happy Birthday!

Honestly, any place you go that is away from normal life will feel like a nice break, but there are a ton of nice places that aren't super expensive all over...Michigan and Wisconsin have been great to us. For quiet weekends, we have gone to Traverse City, MI (Grand Traverse Resort) because they have an AMAZING spa and workout area and it is quiet and peaceful this time of year (they are very busy in the summer, I guess). We have also gone to the Grand Geneva Resort in WI which was closer and very nice, but not as nice as the place in MI. You can rent a place in MI on the water too. You can also look into a resort west, like on the Mississippi (we went to Debuque, IA once and that was really nice and relaxing). If you want something more fun, try just getting a nice hotel in Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, etc and have a night on the town--then SLEEP IN! :) If you want to spend a little more $$, maybe fly somewhere - everything on the east coast is only 2 or 2.5 hours away...why not visit Vermont, Boston, D.C., or even find the warm weather in FL....Spirit Airlines has a program where you can join their little club and get super cheap flights - my sister flew here from Ft. Lauderdale for $106 round trip!
It is a great idea to get away for a while - best of luck!!!

If you're looking for something within driving distance, Galena has some nice B&Bs.

I'm so sorry about your miscarriage. I actually had a miscarriage ON my 30th birthday, so I can empathize. My husband & I had already planned a week-long trip to Dublin, so that helped a great deal in getting my mind off of things. Several people have suggested Galena for you, which I think is a great idea for a weekend getaway. I also love southwestern Michigan along the lake . . . St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Stevensville, South Haven, etc. There are lots of little B&Bs and hotels, and rates should be pretty good this time of year. I remember my husband saying to me a few days after I had my m/c, "at least now you can drink in Dublin!" So maybe plan a little wine-tasting excursion . . . there are many of those to be had in southwest Michigan!

My husband an I took a trip for a weekend up to Watertown, Wi to a bed a breakfast. Our son stayed with this Grandparents. It was so nice. Right now is a great time to drive up to Wisconsin before it starts to snow.

The Grand Geneva is very nice and has packages. It's in Lake Geneva, WI. Not too far away, but just enough to feel "away". It also has a cute downtown to do some shopping. There's also Galena!

Vegas !!!! It is somewhere their is a ton to do not just gamble, you can usually get a good deal as far as price of air and hotel.It is a short flight and great weather.

The Kohler Resort in WI is beautiful and has an awesome spa. If you want a plane ride I'd suggest Arizona or FL!

My husband and I took a quick getaway to New York for my birthday a few months ago, but if you want to stay closer to home, I'd say Lake Geneva or Galena...

HI JB, I am sorry for your loss, but turning 30 might be the beginning of a fabulous new decade for you! I am 35 now, and my 30's are much more amazing than I had anticipated. Life is as rich as you perceive it to be,and with one baby and a loving husband, you have richness! As far as a getaway, I live in the Dunes area of NW Indiana and there are lots of nice, quiet, beautiful places along the lake with hiking trails, etc. The leaves here are all down, but still a beautiful area!
PS. On a more adult note, the orgasms in the 30's are heart stopping!!! ;)

Hi JB,
Key Lime Cove Family Resort is an awesome new place in Gurnee, Illinois...check it out!

All the Best!