In the tiny town of Elsah, Illinois, tucked between bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, you will discover the world’s best Belgian Waffles. Okay — maybe in Belgium you can find better Belgian Waffles, but for those of us not destined for Belgium in the near future, Elsah is the place!
The Green Tree Inn
Photo from the Green Tree Inn. Used with permission.
The Green Tree Inn offers comfortable, spacious accommodations and — you guessed it — great breakfasts!
Ben and I had the pleasure of staying there for several days as we explored Alton and Grafton, Illinois. The Green Tree Inn is located in Elsah, midway between the two towns with a charm of its own. After a day of exploring monuments and history in Alton or adventuring in Grafton, the Green Tree Inn provides a comfortable stay to unwind.
Photo provided by the Green Tree Inn. Used with permission.
Our room, the Meadowlark, has two queen size beds and a private bathroom. The suite has windows on three sides, offering views of a creek just across the street, hummingbirds and the town’s charming architecture. A large screen porch with table and chairs provide guests a relaxing spot to unwind after a long day of sight-seeing and hiking nearby. (Fun Fact: Michelle Pfeiffer stayed in this room when filming in the area!)
The Inn’s proprietors have thought of everything. They provide not just cozy accommodations and breakfast, but also afternoon cookies, bikes to explore the community, personal attention to guest needs and excellent communication prior to visiting. I’ve always enjoyed bed and breakfast stays, and this was one of the best!
Visiting the Green Tree Inn
In this quiet town, guests really can relax and recharge. We met several guests during the week, all who shared our appreciation for the food and accommodations. Some were return visitors — making plans to return again!
- Rooms range from $135-$165/night plus tax, for up to two people. Additional guests in the same room are $30/night.
- Seasonal specials are offered throughout the year. Check the website for details.
- The town of Elsah will host a Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 5. The people of the community open their homes, dressed in all their holiday finery and guests can enjoy horse drawn carriage rides. Rooms are still available for this special weekend.
- Bald Eagles nest in the area in January, and the Green Tree Inn is a popular place to stay for easy access to view nesting sites. Book early (now) to ensure availability.
About Elsah
The town of Elsah was established in 1853 by James Semple, a local lawyer, prominent politician and United States Senator. A shrewd businessman, he offered free lots to anyone who built houses of stone, using rock from his quarry of course. Settlers built about 50 homes here, dubbed the “town that time forgot.” A history museum preserves the town’s history and explains its architecture. Another home, whose first floor was once the local saloon, has been converted to a general store and gift shop. The whole place is quaint — seemingly untouched by modern life.
Speaking of modern life, they do have electricity! And running water! However, internet is hit or miss. My son got enough signal to be able to text. I did not. So, when visiting Elsah, come prepared to relax and unplug!
Now back to those waffles…
Every breakfast at the Green Tree Inn was wonderful. Each meal started with a cup of fresh fruit topped with yogurt, and coffee, juice and milk. The main dish changed from day to day, all good, but none can top the Belgian Waffles. Luckily, Connie is a friendly lady and shared her recipe (originally posted in Taste of Home), with permission to share with you!
Recipe: True Belgian Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1 1/2 cups of milk
- 1 cup butter, melted (the key ingredient, according to Connie)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- fresh fruit or syrup for topping
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder.
- In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg yolds. Add the milk, butter and vanilla; mix well.
- Stir into the dry ingredients just until combined.
- In another medium bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into the batter.
- Bake in a preheated waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions until golden brown.
- Serve with berries or syrup. Or both!
**Ben and I stayed free for purposes of this review. However, all opinions are my own. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, except for the internet issue, and would tell you if we felt differently.**
Martin Gussa says
You will have me at waffles. What a lovely place to visit and to just enjoy!!
Tammy G. Terry says
Hi,
I like the” True Belgian Waffles”.
I will try this new recipe because I’m sure my kids will love them.
Thank you for this.
Kristin says
You had me at waffles. I’d go anywhere with waffles that tasty looking! Yum!
Karen Dawkins says
It’s fabulous! The waffles. The B&B. The region. 🙂
Victoria says
That is one cozy little inn. The waffles look amazing too. I hope to be able to make time for a mini vacation before the end of the year sneaks up on me.
Karen Dawkins says
Be sure you check the website for great deals. She offers them from time to time. 🙂
TonyaC says
The beds look so comfy and those waffles look amazing!
Karen Dawkins says
These were not the standard hotel beds. Comfy mattresses! Nice linens. QUIET neighborhood. We slept so well. The waffles were amazing.
Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey says
My husband and I love a good Bed & Breakfast and the Green Tree Inn look adorable. We’ll have to put it on our Bucket List. We’re Michiganders and Illinois isn’t too far away. Although I’m a gadget girl at heart I agree, it is nice to unplug every once in a while so this is perfect. But those waffles though! They look like they belong on my plate anytime of the day, week or year for that matter! I’ll pass this recipe along to my batter half…. I mean “better half”. I am sorry I couldn’t resist. Thank you.
Karen Dawkins says
Cute! As a Michigander, you’re fairly close by. I drove 1,000 miles to get there and it was worth it.
Janedne Dsvis says
You certainly made both ghe inn and the town seem like places to visit. I also now want Belgian waffles.
Karen Dawkins says
I always want Belgian waffles. 🙂
Dawn McAlexander says
I love the color scheme in that room. I sure would like to wake up to Belgian waffles in the morning now. Yum!
Karen Dawkins says
It was so soothing to come home to that room each evening. It also didn’t fight the beauty outside the windows. Loved it.
Carol Bryant says
I had my fingers crossed that as I read the post that the recipe for the waffles would be included – thanks for sharing it with us. I am printing it now.
Karen Dawkins says
You’re welcome! Let me know how you like them.
Aunesty Reikofski says
I suck at making waffles. Like Seriously suck. I finally gave up even trying a few years ago, I am now the woman who appreciates articles like yours, that tell me where to go to get truly fantastic waffles. No more burnt, stuck to the waffle iron waffles in my house anymore…
Karen Dawkins says
I think you should give this recipe a try! With all the butter, I don’t think they’ll stick too badly.
Liz Mays says
Wow they really know how to create a great guest experience. The rooms sound lovely!
Karen Dawkins says
Liz,
I’ve been to many B&Bs and this is definitely among the best. Excellent hosts! Spotless rooms. Tasty breakfasts.
It’s a win!
Karen
Rosey says
Oh that inn looks so charming. I would love to stay there for a mini vzcay. And we do love waffles.
Karen Dawkins says
Rosey,
There’s so much to do in the area. I think your kiddos would love it! I didn’t mention the state park, but it’s only 20 minutes away with lots of hiking trails. You can tour the top of a dam controlling the flow of the Mississippi. The Lewis & Clark museum is there too. So many cool things to do. Honestly, having the quiet of the B&B to come home to made it perfect.
Karen
Tamara says
Ah, Illinois! Well.. darn!! I want to go there very badly. And belgium waffles are a hit with my whole family.
Karen Dawkins says
Tamara,
I am certain you’d love it just for the photography! The architectural details in Elsah are simply amazing (they host an annual photography contest) and the Mississippi River is a great subject. My son and I took so many photos on our visit, particularly of the sunsets over the water. It was gorgeous!
Karen
Trisha says
The Green Tree Inn sounds like a wonderful place to stay! That was so nice of Connie to allow you to share the recipe with us. My daughter and I love waffles and can’t wait to try this!
Karen Dawkins says
Enjoy! It’s a great recipe.
Lorane says
The Green Tree Inn really does look comfortable. It has a really nice “homey” feel to it as depicted in the pictures. I’ve never had Belgium Waffles but these look good
Karen Dawkins says
I hope you get a chance to visit sometime. It’s a relaxing place to get away.
Elizabeth Towns says
I love Belgian waffles! I also like bed & breakfast type atmospheres and relaxing and rejuvenating. How close is Elsah to Chicago? I’d love to plan this for a girls getaway, or even a getaway for my little family – especially around the holiday!
Karen Dawkins says
Elizabeth,
It’s a 4.5 hour drive to Elsah. Connie hosts many girls’ getaways. The weekend before our visit, she hosted a bridal party that toured the local wineries. Everything is taken care of, so it’s easy and relaxing!
A lot of Illinois history happened in this region, so it’s a great place for the kids to visit, too.
Karen
Laura Funk says
How cute are those beds. The recipe sounds great too
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks. They’re comfortable too! That’s key. 🙂
Mama to 5 BLessings says
What a nice cozy charming place to stay. Their rates are very reasonable especially since it includes that yummy breakfast!
Karen Dawkins says
The B&B is comparable to a traditional hotel, but the personalized attention and quality of food far exceed hotel chain offerings! My son is 18 and loved the whole stay, especially when Connie made his favorite cookies our last afternoon there. She asked me what he liked and they were waiting for us after our day of exploration. 🙂
Heather lawrence says
I love visiting quaint little bed and breakfasts. They always have such wonderful food and the stories they can share make the visit so much more interesting.
Melted butter in the waffles is a different twist… I wonder how it tastes.
Karen Dawkins says
Heather, my 18 year old son loves B&Bs too. He says they’re more interesting than hotels. It sure helps that they had great breakfasts, afternoon cookies and the bikes to use. We made ourselves at home and loved every bit of this stay…. especially the crispy, sweet, airy waffles and fresh picked blueberries. 🙂
Jessica Harlow says
What a charming inn! I love the quaint look and history of Elsah! Plus, I’d love to have those Belgian waffles served for breakfast!
Karen Dawkins says
The town is charming! I took so many close up photos of small details. It was fabulous! The people were all quite friendly too. Connie would probably make them if you request them when booking your stay. She’s really awesome!
Rebecca Bryant says
You had me at waffles. What a lovely place to visit and to just enjoy.
Karen Dawkins says
Yeah…. It’s hard to go wrong with great waffles. 🙂 The whole town and region are simply charming.
Helene Cohen Bludman says
It looks so charming and welcoming — I would love to visit someday. And of course, those waffles.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
What a charming place to stay at. I would love to go there for a stay one day – the pancakes look awesome 🙂
Karen Dawkins says
This was one of the quietest, most relaxing places I’ve ever stayed. Connie, the great waffle lady, also made cookies each afternoon. Our last day, she made two kinds — both of Ben’s favorites. Just the sweetest hosts!
Connie Davis says
It was our pleasure to host you and Ben. Thank you for all your kind words. Hopefully your travels will bring you back to our area. We would love to host you again.
Karen Dawkins says
I hope we can get back to see the bald eagles sometime! 🙂