Vineyard Sunsets & Tasting Rooms

Discover award-winning wines and scenic vineyard views just an hour from Chicago, offering a sophisticated escape into Illinois wine country.

A solid local Italian spot in Joliet — fresh pasta and wood-fired plates in a relaxed setting. A good lunch stop between the winery and the afternoon at Old Joliet Prison, and a different register from the evening diner stop.

Tour the Gothic-style cellblocks and learn the stories of famous inmates through guided walks across the historic grounds. Explore the imposing Stone Quarry and visit the restored dining hall while imagining life behind the 40-foot walls that once housed Al Capone.

A Will County institution since 1933 — unpretentious booths, legendary broasted chicken, and the kind of old-school atmosphere that pairs perfectly with a day spent at an abandoned prison. Cash only adds to the charm.