48 Hours of Adventure in Lockport and Lemont, IL
Past meets present on this weekend trip to Lockport and Lemont
“Totally unexpected experiences so close to home. From being pushed out of my comfort zone at The Forge to playing some disc golf at Dellwood, I was surprised about how much we did (and how much history we learned) in such a short period of time.”
Add a dash of vintage charm to your next outdoor adventure by making your way to the vibrant towns of Lemont and Lockport, where their historic roots and the great outdoors merge to create a memorable weekend of wanderlust steeped in the region’s unique heritage landmarks.
The village of Lemont and the city of Lockport each provide the small town allure with the choices and liveliness of a big city neighborhood. A 30-mile jaunt southwest from Chicago, Lockport & Lemont are completely walkable -or bikeable- with dozens of restaurants, bars, and unique, independent shops peppering their streets.
Day 1: Hiking & Dining in Lemont
Ease into the weekend by stopping at Waterfall Glen enroute to Lemont. Nestled just off Highway 55, this forest preserve is a great contrast to the city traffic. Park here to pedal your way around the 9.3 mile loop or park your vehicle here to set off on a 20-minute hike to the waterfall.
The quaint village of Lemont will catch you by surprise as you turn onto Main Street and see its colorful facade burst onto the scene. Set alongside the historic Illinois & Michigan (I&M) Canal, Lemont is steeped in a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1836 during the canal’s construction.
After taking a stroll down the picturesque canal path, cross the train tracks to discover a delectable dining experience at Wooden Paddle. Here, a tapas-style menu provides a smorgasbord of options: wood-fired pizzas, savory noodle dishes, refreshing salads, and exceptional appetizers will give your tastebuds their own adventure. Chef Patrick Cassata whips up fresh new, mouth-watering dishes every season.
Their flaky, pull-apart focaccia bread is a Wooden Paddle favorite and we’d also recommend their wood-fired pizzas.
After dinner, walk across the street and order up a sundae or cone at a Lemont favorite, The Creamery.
Day 2: Mountain Biking, High Ropes Climbing, & Secret Bars
With all the adventure waiting for you within Lemont, start the next day with a solid breakfast at Fork & Spoon. This classic yet spunky diner will give you the fuel you need to explore all that Lemont has to offer within its town borders; make sure you get a side of the crispy potatoes with your omelet.
Grab your bikes, pack some adrenaline, and head over to the Palos Outer Loop trail for a morning of mountain biking fun. This loop is just under 13 miles of trails that you can extend further if you’re feeling particularly adventurous (and your legs can handle it)! Single-track seekers won’t be disappointed as they weave their way through the switchback trails, cut through the forest, and speed down the hills at the Palos Outer Loop.
Even though we didn’t have the time to conquer the entire loop on this trip, we had a blast and can’t wait to go back for a solid finish!
Before you begin your afternoon escapade, stop at Barrel & Vine, a posh brunch spot with calming decor and chill vibes. While we found their charcuterie board intriguing - for $24, choose up to 5 meats and cheese, along with spreads, fruits, nuts, and crackers- we vouched for some smaller plates. Their homemade cheese & potato pirogies were delish and the poppies & quinoa salad was the perfect portion of fresh greenery our bodies craved.
Pro Tip: If you’re a vegetarian and your companion isn’t, ask for the bacon and onion topping on the side.
You absolutely cannot -we repeat- canNOT leave Lemont without spending a few hours at The Forge Adventure Park. Bike or drive 1 mile down the road and you’ll discover Lemont Quarries, tucked away from the main road and holding an experience you won’t want to miss.
It’s “Safety first!” at The Forge. Their trained, friendly adventure guides will help you fit your harness gear and teach you how to safely clip in and out of your belay devices. Whether you embrace heights or fear them, you’ll feel entirely at ease exploring the varying levels of high ropes elements that wait for you above.
Your afternoon will go by quickly as you balance, pull, climb, rappel, freefall, and leap your way through the different elements. Prepare to save the best for last: Ziplining 1,000 feet across the quarry, ending your time at The Forge with a rush of excitement and a sigh of satisfaction.
Before you leave Lemont for the next stop, head over to Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, an award-winning brewery complete with a great patio alongside the canal.
Bid adieu to Lemont and take the short drive over to Lockport for phase two of your weekend. We’d recommend that you book a couple nights at the charming Hideaway B&B, a 2-bedroom flat located minutes outside downtown Lockport. This boutique B&B leans into the Route 66 history of the area and is stocked with board games if the weather isn’t cooperating with your outdoor plans.
A short bike ride leads you to Embers, a restaurant residing in a building that sat vacant for a decade after a devastating fire. Now a hotspot for social gatherings, Embers invites you to dine on their first floor or unwind on their rooftop with canal views. Post dinner, mosey on up to 933 Speakeasy. Its three hidden rooms will transport you to the Roaring Twenties, where you may be tempted to don a bowler hat or a flapper dress, soooo… don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Day 3: Hiking, Disc Golfing, and Exploring
After a restful night’s sleep at the Hideaway B&B, step into a cozy atmosphere at the Honeyfield Pancake House & Restaurant. While known for their hearty & healthy smoothies, we opted for a carbolicious breakfast. Give their vanilla malt waffle a try or order one of the local favorites, such as the Krispy Krunch French Toast.
It was all smiles here as we fueled up for a full day of excursions.
If the weather allows, pedal your bikes about 6 miles down the I&M Canal Trail to Isle A La Cache, an island preserve rich with history and filled with birdsong. A paradise for birdwatchers, you’ll enjoy solitude on the Shoreline Trail while taking a comfortable stroll alongside the marsh.
As you ride (or drive) back into town, we suggest stopping in at Krema Coffeehouse. This stylish coffee spot is perfect for a midday pick-me-up or a quick breakfast bite.
Keep your outdoor excursion going and check out The Canyons Disc Golf Course at Dellwoods. Celebrated as one of the “Top 25 Disc Golf Courses in the World”, this expansive course is a great time for beginners and experts at disc golf. The diverse terrain gives you the opportunity to test your skills amid ravines, hills, woods, and wide-open fields.
The Dellwood Disc Golf Clubhouse has all the gear you need to have a good time at The Canyons.
If you’ve worked up an appetite after throwing discs but aren’t *quite* ready for dinner yet, we recommend calling in an order at Stagecoach Saloon as you head back into town. After picking up an appetizer or salad, walk next door to Nik & Ivy for some brewed up deliciousness.
We each had the Beer of Dreams, which truly did taste dreamy: Crisp, not too heavy, and goes down smooth.
The Hideaway B&B is so quaint & cozy that you won’t mind going back there to freshen up and relax a bit before heading back out for dinner at Public Landing. While a slightly more upscale experience, you’ll feel taken care of by their attentive staff inside of the Historic Gaylord Building.
Every June, Lockport holds their Old Canal Days festival, complete with carnival rides, food trucks, a beer tent, fireworks, and nightly live music. The promise of endless entertainment and good times is in the air as you dance the night away, creating a perfect ending to a day spent exploring all that Lockport has to offer.
Lockport has a good ear for great music: Chicagoland staple and local favorite, 7th Heaven, had the crowd turning electric with everyone on their feet and belting out lyrics to everyone’s favorite tunes.
“I was shocked by all of that Lemont & Lockport had to offer. And the towns are so cute! This is a great area to check out for a couple of days if you’re looking for some unique outdoor things to do. And if you’re a bit of a history nerd (like me), you’ll relish in the stories locals share and the factoids you come across that make Lemont & Lockport feel like it’s a rich part of United States’ history”