The Winery at Aerie's Resort

Our stay at the Aeries Resort Lodge in the Deck House was a 5 star stay for our needs and quick getaway. The check in/checkout process was quick and efficient. The room was exceptionally clean and the king-size bed was incredibly comfortable, providing a luxurious feel while still being cozy; (allow extra time for sleeping) making it a perfect escape. The view of Grafton and the Mississippi River from the deck house was also nice, it was cloudy during our stay. If you're looking for a last-minute New Year's Eve room or just a quick getaway, I highly recommend booking a stay at the Aeries Resort Lodge for a relaxing and memorable experience.

Restaurant in Grafton with breathtaking views. Internal and external environment. You won't find many food options on the menu, but there are wine and drink options. What sets the restaurant apart is the scene, sitting outside and watching the Mississippi River meet the Illinois. Access can be done by car (needs a code) or cable car.

Parking: To access you need a code to open the gate.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

I mean do better… your customer service stinks (no fault of the employees) more of the owner being rude. Instead yelling from across the patio and sitting with your pals drinking be more personable to customers. Come up to people who clearly are struggling to find a place to sit. I get it you have tourists here for the views and experience, but then all but tables for 4 on the inside say reserved? But you don’t take reservations… Right… I was pretty pissed at first, but now thinking back on it, it’s actually comical. You are winery that doesn’t have their own made wine, the inside is quite small, and the patio seating would only work for a group of 2-4 at best. I should’ve read the reviews to know what a disappointment this would be.

Service: 1

0 stars. Very rude! Took my daughter for 21st birthday dinner. We were treated so poorly that we left. Way to make a poor atmosphere for people.

I had a terrible experience this past Saturday at your winery. First of all, it took almost 2 hours to get up there.
The bottle of wine I wanted at your winery You were out of so I was told to go up to your restaurant and buy the wine. When I tried to leave, the door was locked and I unlocked it to leave the location and some gal came up behind me, upset, that I unlocked it because we were locked in because the staff said they didn't want any more customers coming in because you were understaffed and so busy. You Can't lock your customers in a building.It's a fire hazard.
When I got to the restaurant and bought the wine I was told by the bartender I could go out on the balcony and drink and then the gentleman that was at the front door chased me down and told me I couldn't sit on your balcony unless I was going to eat.
I then proceeded to walk back to the winery and sit outside with my wine. the outside bathroom doors were both locked and not able to be used. So that meant you had to go all the way inside to use the restroom.

It takes for ever for food to arrive. Be prepared to be at winery for at least two hours to wait and eat.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 2

People are nice but, I'm still waiting for food after a hour. Never again.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Oh definitely bringing my wife back to this place!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our experience here started off great with a nice skyline ride to the top. Our kids enjoyed their coaster rides, too. Our positivity and patience ended after we were sat for lunch. Our waitress had zero personality. We ordered our meals and waited over an hour and a half for sub-par food. As if that weren’t bad enough, my eight year olds meal was forgotten about… it was a hotdog. Not entirely difficult to make! She ended up having a lunch consisting of random bits and pieces of everyone else’s plates. I had to ask about her missing meal twice. There was absolutely no sense of urgency in any aspect of the restaurant. My FIL (whose birthday we were celebrating) found the owner and shared about our experience. The owner was unbothered and blamed staffing shortages and continued to enjoy his beer at the bar instead of helping by filling in where they were short staffed. The waitress brought out our check, there was no discount, nothing comped- not even the missing hotdog meal. After complaining to the lack of personality waitress, she got the manager who was kind, but also quick to write off their issues again with short staffing. He did discount our check but never once did we get an apology from anyone. We explained that even just some communication about how long the kitchen times were and giving us the OPTION of going elsewhere would have been appreciated! Save your time, money, and sanity!! GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

SKYTOUR / COASTER INFORMATION

RIDE OPENS AT 10:45AM
TO THE PUBLIC

Bracelets Are $10 per Person......Your Bracelet is Good to Ride All day

You Can Get Off At The Top 0R YOU CAN TAKE A ROUND TRIP, Where you Do Not Have Get 0ff. Let the Crew Know if you want to do a Round Trip.

You can have up to 3 In A Seat.

YES ? You Can Take Infants on the Open Seats , Your Strollers get sent in the Gondolas or they can hold them for you.

Bring An Umbrella to protect YOURSELF from the Heat ? AND DEFINITELY YOUR BABIES AND ELDERLY.

Umbrellas Are Great for Hot Days. ?

YES ? You can take Trained Dogs on Gondolas

N0 ? ITS NOT The best idea to ride in the Gondolas if the Heat is over 80' For Elderly , 90' FOR Infants or FOR people with Health Conditions
Use the Open Seats, YOU GET A WAY BETTER VIEW ANYWAY

N0 ? You cannot bring Cakes
or Alcoholic??? Beverages on Any Seat unless you are bringing an unopened Bottle of Wine bought from the Winery

YES ? The ride gets SLOWED OR stopped and there is a ramp for people with disabilities, elderly or for those who need it.
SPeak Up if Assistance is needed for your Loved Ones.

N0 ? Bouncing on the Seats AT ANYTIME

NO ? THE SEATS are not Hot, unless its severe heat, then they get warm.

N0 ? You Should Never carry anything in YOUR BACK POCKETS ON THE OPEN RIDES

YOU WILL LOSE IT!

THE SEATS GET PHONES, PURSES NOT BEING HELD, WALLETS, SHOES, GLASSES, HATS.....

IF you drop something, ALL TOWERS are Numbered, KNOW THE TOWER NUMBER of the Tower AND THEY RETRIEVE YOUR STUFF ?

YES ? THE COASTERS ARE A BLAST

YOU END UP IN THE SAME PLACE YOU START
JUST LIKE SIX FLAGS

ITS ALL ABOUT SPEED, YOU CONTROL THE BRAKES

MADE FOR A SINGLE ADULT RIDER BUT KIDS CAN RIDE WITH ADULTS
$18 PER RIDE
$36 FOR 3 RIDES Per Person

YES ? THERE IS HIKING TRAILS At the top of the Aeries, STAY RIGHT AT THE EXIT GATE and follow up the Hill, 1/4 mile, go across the road to the Gravel path, FOLLOW IT AND ENJOY
Swings, Yard Games, Towers, Look Out Points
Explore, Always Check For Ticks after Any Hike because its Just Common Sense after being near wooded Areas

Enjoy Deer with Babies, Fox, Chipmunks, Guineas, Eagles, Lizards, Skinks, Groundhogs and So Much More.

Ya Gotta Look ?

M0ST OF ALL
BE KIND, BE SAFE,
HAVE FUN &
MAKE MEMORIES
✅️✅️✅️✅️✅️✅️

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

saw the video about the mountain coaster on FB. so wife and daughter brought me for my bday. was a blast big shout out to Matt n the crew at the coaster. 10 star service from them. crew was great we even talked after the ride and that is the best. People being people. highly recommended. sky lift to the top was awesome people are all friendly. won't b disappointed

The only way to the winery is 10 dollars a person and a slow 25 minute ride to the top then 28 dollars a bottle for average wine and expensive snacks staff not very friendly at all and terrible service no plans to go back

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY! If you’re looking to go, be ready to spend tons of money, especially if you have a family. The scam starts as soon as you get there on the sky tour you have to pay money and then once you’re trapped up there, you will then have to pay even more money If you wanna do anything other than walk around. I was working for the Zipline and they were Stealing thousands from each employee that works there as well as not giving out paystub‘s so they can hide their tracks Jeff and Sandy Lorton as well as the manager of the zip line Kyle have all been ignoring me Because they owe me thousands in backpay don’t give them any money It’s not worth it. too over priced If you want a good zip line to go to check out Makanda Illinois they have more lines for pretty much the same price. if you want good food anything on the main strip is good in Grafton It’s not worth benefiting the Lorton Empire.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Mother’s Day Brunch. We paid for a family of 5 for the transport to the top $50, went to a subpar brunch with two of the worst and ridiculously expensive bloody Mary’s I’ve ever had. $172. It was gross. Not worth the money at all. No bacon or sausage?! The powdered eggs were so hard they cracked apart, the biscuits were dry and fell apart, the beef tip were burnt, the chicken beyond dry. The cut fruit with dip was excellent minus the chunks of cream cheese not mixed together. 3 adult rides, 2 children on the alpine coaster $180. I felt absolutely horrible that my husband paid this much money for such a subpar experience!!!! We will absolutely NEVER be back and we will definitely make sure to tell everyone to avoid the restaurant at all costs. The coaster was the shortest alpine coaster we’ve ever ridden and it cost the most. They’re raking in the money but hey, it is a tourist trap after all. Not made to retain customers, just get the out of towners to spend their money there.

Was looking for something to do with the kids. Saw their "Alpine Coaster" was open and it said $18 to ride. So our family of 5 went to Grafton and followed Google navigation. When we were almost to the winery, there was a gate that was only allowed to be used for guests staying at the resort. Went down to the Ski lift area and was advised that was the only way to get to the "alpine coaster". And to use the lift, it was $10 per person. So if you are a family of 5 and budget to spend the $90 to ride the coaster, be prepared to add another $50 to spend on their mandatory lift to just get to it. And don't expect friendly happy people to serve you. Rude bartenders and servers should be expected.