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Published on 9/4/08
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Ever-surging lakes, rivers and fuel prices are not exactly making it easy for families who want to splash around this summer. But even if it’s too pricey to gas up the family minivan or pay to check all your luggage for a flight to one of the coasts, you can find some local aquatic fun that goes beyond wading in a blow-up pool in your backyard.
Key Lime Cove
(1700 Nations Dr, Gurnee, 877-360-0403; keylimecove.com)
With the weather doing its share of early-summer flip-flops, an indoor water park could be the surest bet you won’t have any disappointed (i.e., whiny and cranky) kids on your hands. One of the newer resorts to open in the Chicago area, this 65,000-square-foot indoor water park is just a stone’s throw from Six Flags Great America and is attached to a 414-room hotel (admission to the park is for guests only). In addition to a wave pool, giant slides and a whirlpool spa area, the resort also has an in-house spa, shops and several restaurants. Even better, with the whole family armed with Smart Band RFID (radio-frequency identification) wristbands, parents don’t need cash on hand and can keep track of older kids’ spending. Room prices start at $149 per night; admission to the water park is included. Packages that include Six Flags admission are also available.
Gillson Sailing Beach
(Lake Ave at Lake Michigan, Wilmette, 847-256-9662; wilmettepark.org)
If real waves are more your family’s style but the busy city lakefront is just a little too much, check out more serene Gillson Beach. There, the Wilmette Park District’s fleet of sailboats, catamarans and kayaks are available to rent (from $35 per hour for a single-seat kayak to $75 for a Hobie Getaway Catamaran). Group, private and semiprivate sailing lessons for all ability levels are also available (call for rates and times). When it’s time to towel off and relax, the small, quiet Gillson Park beach (nonresident day passes cost $7.50 from 9am–6pm, $3 from 6–8pm) complete with playground and surfside grill, is right next door.
Glencoe Beach
(Park St at Lake Michigan, Glencoe; 847-835-8910; glencoeparkdistrict.com)
Just a few miles to the north, Glencoe Beach has a slew of all-ages activities scheduled this summer, including a Family Sand Sculpting Contest on Saturday 12, where prizes will be awarded for best castle, best animal, best sculpture and most creative effort (1–3pm; free). Family Beach Campouts are scheduled for July 18 and August 8 (6pm–8am the following morning on both dates; $70 for the first two family members, $35 for each additional person), which include a cookout, live entertainment and a marshmallow roast, plus coffee and cereal in the morning. (Preregistration is highly recommended; families are selected by lottery.) Sailfest takes place on July 19 (preregistration required by calling the boathouse; included in daily beach admission of $9 for nonresident adults, $7 for nonresident kids), and includes youth and adult regattas, kayak excursions, a youth sailing clinic and free hot-dog lunch.
Rainbow Falls Water Park
(Elk Grove Park District, 200 Reverend Morrison Blvd, 847-228-2860; elkgroveparks.org).
It may not be on the lakefront, but this off-the-beaten-path water park boasts three pools (including one designated for toddlers), four body slides and a three-story aquatic “fun house” that leads to a giant plunge area. Just a quarter-mile from Rainbow Falls, little ones with a penchant for all things pirate will love Pirates’ Cove Theme Park (901 Leicester Rd, Elk Grove Village; 847-439-2683) especially geared to kids ages two to nine. Besides looking for buried treasures, kids can climb through the maze at the Castle of Camelot and test their skills on the Smugglers’ Crag 20-foot climbing wall. Just the thing for drying off after a long day of water frolicking. (General admission to Rainbow Falls is $14 for nonresidents; admission to Pirates’ Cove is $9 for nonresidents, adults are free.)
Pamela Orth
Mon, Jul 14, at 06:50am
Six Flags Great Amercia theme park which is also a very popular attraction at this time of year in Chicago,Illinois! You should have much more information about this place in Gurnee,Illinois.Thank You
