Pine View's Eagle's Nest: Wintertime Activities

You may think of the Eagle's Nest as just a summertime destination for activities like golf and Indiana Beach, but there are several reasons that you might consider a fall, winter or spring trip too. The immediate area boasts some fantastic deer hunting, the twin lakes are great for either fishing or ice fishing, and our onsite golf course - when snow covered - is a great place to cross-country ski. Plus, Purdue University, with its near-continuous games and events, is well within reach. Click here to view our discounted off-season pricing.

Indiana is said to be one of the nation's most well-kept secrets for whitetail deer hunting. Camp Kay Outfitters, Indiana's largest deer hunting outfitter, operates out of the Monticello area, and in fact, our sister property, Pine View Resort, has been accommodating their hunters for years. If you and your buddies have booked a hunt with Camp Kay or are considering it, consider also the Eagle's Nest for your stay.

Monticello's twin lakes, Shafer and Freeman, offer some fantastic fishing, and the Eagle's Nest is practically a stone's throw away from each. If the water is not frozen over and you want to bring your boat along, we offer free covered boat parking to our guests, with access to electric hookup.

Occupying nearly 200 private acres, Pine View Golf Course is the perfect place for you and your crew to enjoy some cross-country skiing when the snow falls. Much of the course is flat, but the small hills meandering through scenic woods in the rear of the course will stimulate those looking for a bigger challenge. Eagle's Nest guests receive exclusive use of the course in winter for cross-country skiing.

The majestic bald eagle has made an amazing comeback, and several mating pairs have chosen Monticello as their wintertime home. So much so that we decided to name our rental after them! Bald eagles are often spotted soaring over the golf course, and there is a known population within about a ten minutes drive of the place (directions available upon request to reserved guests). This photo was taken from that very spot in December 2006. If you don't have a bald eagle population in your home area and want a real chance to see these amazing creatures, Monticello is a great place to do it...and what better place to stay than the Eagle's Nest!

We know that homes can get cramped with people around holidays and for big events. So whether you are travelling from out of town, are an area resident looking for a place to put up your visitors, or simply would prefer to host an event somewhere else other than your home, keep the Eagle's Nest in mind for your next big gathering. The open floorplan of the living room, dining room and kitchen make for a perfect space to host your gathering!

With a mere 29 miles (directions) separating Purdue University and the Eagle's Nest, we are positioned well to take advantage of the many activities the University has to offer throughout the school year. Both the men's basketball team, ranked #14 in the country pre-season, and football team have many games of local and national interest this year. No matter what side you cheer for, if you are travelling to the area to catch one of these games, consider the Eagle's Nest for your trip. And unlike most of the hotels in Lafayette & West Lafayette, we do not jack up our prices for any of the big games or events.

2010 Games & Events of Interest

^{01/01
West Virginia basketball game}

^{01/05 Minnesota basketball game}

^{01/12
Ohio State basketball game}

^{01/23 Michigan basketball game}

^{01/28
Wisconsin basketball game}

^{01/31 Penn State basketball game}

^{02/13
Iowa basketball game}

^{02/20 or 02/21 Illinois basketball game}

^{02/27
or 02/28 Michigan State basketball game}

^{03/02 or 03/03 or 03/04 Indiana basketball game}

^04/24^{Grand Prix: "The Greatest Spectacle in
College Racing"}

The Eagle's Nest couldn't hardly be more equidistant between Indianapolis (90 miles) and Chicago (112 miles), and both Colts and Bears games are well within reach. So if you are coming from the south to catch a Bears game, or from the north to catch a Colts game, consider the Eagle's Nest for your "pre-game" stay. We get you close enough to enjoy a relatively easy drive to the stadium on gameday, but not so close that you have to pay big gameday weekend prices in the city.

Amtrak to Chicago

One strategy to consider for Bears games: if you are like so many others and find Chicago driving to be intimidating, the gridlock frustrating, and the parking expensive, catch the Amtrak train out of Renssellaer (half hour drive) to Chicago's Union Station for $14-17 each way. The train departs just after 8:00 a.m. and arrives in Chicago around 10:30 a.m., the perfect arrival time for a 1:00 kickoff (or lots of tailgating time on the later starts!). Hail a cab at Union Station, and ten minutes later (directions) you are staring at the entrance of historic Soldier Field. And if you so desire, on the 1:00 kickoff games, you should have a comfortable amount of time to catch the return train, departing Chicago at 5:45 p.m. and arriving in Renssellaer just before 8:00 p.m. Back in the comforts of the Eagle's Nest by 8:30! You'll be hard pressed to find an easier way to experience a Bears game.