Allerton Park and Retreat Center had The Dome before it was the thing to do. A year ago, they put The Dome in the park as a way to enjoy a few hours immersed in nature, while also staying toasty warm.
Turns out, they were ahead of the curve.
Last week, my husband and I decided to try it out while we could still catch the lights of the Winter Wellness Walk in the snow. You can bring in any food you like, but if you want some alcoholic beverages to enjoy with it, you’ll need to purchase those through Allerton. They have wine and beer available, and provide glasses.
Photo by Julie McClure.
We went on a Sunday evening (they typically rent it Tuesday-Saturday, but with the holiday weekend they allowed a Sunday reservation). We reserved a bottle of wine, picked up some Filippo’s pizza, and settled into the cozy space. The dome was ours for three hours, from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s equipped with chairs and and a coffee table, as well as blankets and two space heaters. It was plenty warm. We’d bundled up with our winter coats and hats, but found we didn’t really need them.
Since the Wellness Walk was still in action, we had a few folks wander down the path thinking we were part of the exhibit, but other than that we enjoyed a quiet couple of hours watching the pre-inauguration concert event because we’re big dorks.
Date nights are kind of difficult right now, but this offered a unique and safe option.
A few details:
- The fee to rent is $75 for three hours
- Call 217-333-3287 to make your reservation and purchase alcohol
- You must be 21 or older to reserve
Top photo from Allerton Park Facebook page.