Weekend Getaways

    • The Wisconsin Dells: : 3 hours north-west. Wisconsin’s number one tourist location bustling with every attraction imaginable – water parks, theme parks, amusement parks, miniature golf, Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not, ski shows, and more. With careful research, the natural beauty that first attracted tourists to the area can still be found. Horses, wagons, boats, and hiking trails all are available to take you through the beautiful Dells’ rock formations.

    • Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin: 3 hours north-west. Very close to The Dells, but a world away, this state park offers miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, beautiful rock formations, a lovely beach, playgrounds, camping, and more.

    • Door County, Wisconsin: 5 hours north on the peninsula bordered by Lake Michigan to the east and Green Bay to the west. Wisconsin’s premiere destination –natural beauty, quaint shops, bed-n-breakfasts, camping, swimming, boating, biking, and sight-seeing. Sheboygan and Green Bay both offer child-friendly attractions along the way. There’s an indoor water park in Sheboygan and Green Bay boasts Bay Beach – picnicking, carnival rides for only a quarter, playgrounds…

    • Galena, Illinois: 2 ½ hours west. A quaint town on the Mississippi - there’s something to do for everyone from splendid shopping, to trolley rides through the historic town, to cruises on the Mississippi or exploration through Crystal Cave; there is even a nearby alpine slide.

    • Indiana Dunes State Park / Michigan State Parks: 1.5 – 3 hours depending on traffic and destination – Indiana dunes are ½ hour closer, but Michigan dunes offer beauty unobstructed by Gary, Indiana industry. Great places to spend the day or to camp overnight – impressive dunes and Great Lake swimming. For dune buggie rides, SilverLake in Mears, Michigan is a gorgeous, family-friendly destination 2 ½ hours farther north along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. There is a ferry departing from Milwaukee and from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, either of which would reduce driving time. More information about Michigan State Parks here.

    • Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: 1 ½ hours north.

    • Starved Rock State Park and Grand Bear Hotel, Illinois: 1 ½ hours west. Starved Rock has long been a worthy destination itself. Miles of hiking trails, towering rock features, and beautiful waterfalls all make it a very special place. Now, it can be combined with a stay at Grand Bear Hotel, the closest mega indoor water park to Chicagoland, which just opened in 2005.