Best Family-Friendly Getaways Near Chicago
Parents looking for a nearby, action-packed and budget-priced getaways need only drive a couple of hours to experience family-friendly fun that'll burn a few calories and fire more than a few young neurons. Consider some of these locales for nearby getaways that offer family fun and fine memories.
Ft. Wayne, IN
Visit Fort Wayne
927 S. Harrison St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 424-3700
www.VisitFortWayne.com
Family travelers can't go wrong with a visit to Indiana's second largest city, Fort Wayne, a multi-time winner of the prestigious All-America City Award. Steeped in humble Midwestern values, you won't note a hint of haughtiness in its list of pluses. The Allen County Public Library is a national public genealogy research center so you can shake up the family tree. You can't beat the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, ranked the #1 Indiana Family Attraction on Trip Advisor and lauded by various travel and family magazines as the nation's best children's zoo. Visit Ft. Wayne has broken down events by weekend so you can see what's happening during the days you visit. Amenities and attractions are high quality and affordable.
Branson, MO
269 State Highway 248
Branson, MO 65616
(800) 296-0463
www.ExploreBranson.com
No longer largely a receptacle for busloads of seniors who want a dose of the Osmond Brothers and the Lennon Sisters (although there's still lots of that), Branson, Missouri, located in the lovely Ozarks, realized record high attendance in 2014, with an increasing number of families visiting. A new highlight for 2015 that should appeal to families include Fireman's Landing, opening in spring at the 1880s-themed Silver Dollar City theme park. It includes a number of family-friendly, firefighter-themed activities. Kids love "mining" for 20 types of precious and semi-precious stones to take home in little bags at the new Wild Woody Mining Company. Track Family Fun Parks will also add new Route 76 Glow Golf, a nine-hole, black light mini golf course, and the Laser Maze Challenge, where families attempt to either navigate through a web of lasers without touching them or break through as many as possible. Branson Landing, a 95-acre retail and entertainment complex along Lake Taneycomo, will now offer Parakeet Pete's Waterfront Balloon rides.
Kalamazoo, MI
141 E. Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(800) 888-0509
www.discoverkalamazoo.com
An easy 150 miles from Chicago, Kalamazoo offers an array of museums and sites that make for a wonderful weekend getaway. You're just a half hour from Lake Michigan beaches, or ride West Michigan's Kal-Haven Trail that meanders from Kalamazoo to South Haven on the shores of Lake MIchigan. Air Zoo is the first museum attraction of its kind anywhere in the world. It tickles the senses with more than 50 rare and historic aircraft, carnival-style rides that simulate a hot air balloon flight and bi-plane ride, Full-Motion Flight Simulators and a RealD 3D/4D Missions Theater. Air Zoo's affiliation with the Smithsonian means the facility has access to nearly 150 million artifacts and world-famous traveling exhibitions, too. Gilmore Car Museum was rated as one of the 10 best automobile museums in the country and the Kalamazoo Nature Center was voted the number one nature center in the nation by other nature centers.
Related: Best Petting Zoos In The Chicago Area
The Quad Cities
1601 River Drive, Suite 110
Moline, IL 61265
(800) 747-7800
www.visitquadcities.com
The Quad Cities, located on the Mississippi River, consist of the riverfront towns of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois compete to be kings of the Quad. Little kids will like the Family Museum and young ruffians adore climbing aboard new, gigantic vehicles and operating a simulated excavator or dozer at John Deere Pavillion. Figge Art Museum offers art studios for children and adults, a Family Gallery and a Family Activity Center. There are skateparks, a winter sports park, water parks and adventure parks that older kids will go for. Rock Island's Black Hawk State Historic Site has been voted one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.
Mission Point Resort
6633 Main St.
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
(906) 847-3000
www.missionpoint.com
As genteel as the North might ever get, Mackinac Island is sans cars and transportation is strictly horse and buggy. Mission Point Resort is on 18 acres of lakefront where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan. Tykes can fly kites across the expansive front lawn while you lounge in an Adirondack chair sipping a sturdy cocktail. When you can lift yourself again, consider playing the 18-hole putting course, climbing the observation tower, taking in a movie or playing tennis or lawn games. There are four restaurants on site or walk to town. Chicagoans can take a one-hour flight to Pelston, MI followed by a 20-minute ferry ride to the island.
Related: Best Laser Tag In Chicago
Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
