Looking for a family-friendly weekend getaway that's driving distance from Chicago? There are plenty of resorts, lodges and water parks located within a few hours of Chicago that offer kid friendly activities, and most offer great summer deals and packages. Here are some of our top picks for Chicago area weekend getaways with kids, and you can find more options on our Weekend Getaways page.
The Landing Resort
7741 State Hwy 42, Egg Harbor WI, (800) 851-8919
Located in the picturesque village of Egg Harbor, Door County's Landing Resort is nestled in a quiet, wooded setting. At the resort, guests can enjoy the indoor pool, arcade room, and outdoor picnic and playground areas. Door County has plenty of options for famliy fun, with summer festivals, famous fish boils, bike trails, boating, mini golf, hiking, parks and more. Sign on for The Family Fun package for an additional $70, and receive two DVD Movie Rentals, a Bag of Microwave Popcorn, a 2-Liter Bottle of Soda, a gift certificate ($30 value) towards your dining experience at a local Egg Harbor Eatery, and a Gift certificate ($50 value) to Hands On Art Studio where you can create anything from painted pottery, stained glass, painted woodwork and more.
Pheasant Run Resort
4051 East Main Street, St. Charles, (800) 474-3272
This 250-acre resort in St. Charles features shows at the Mainstage Theater, stand-up comedy, drinks and dining, and weekend entertainment on Bourbon Street. Parents can spend time on the golf course or Spa Vargas Wellness, and kids can enjoy crafts, movies, bingo, s’mores by the fire, and swimming in the unique indoor/outdoor pool with DJ Pool parties on Saturdays during the Summer. The Family Fun Package includes breakfast, food & beverage credit, and tokens to the arcade.
Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
7020 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva WI, (866) 636-4502
Timber Ridge Lodge's Moose Mountain Falls Waterpark offers 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor waterpark fun. The Lodge offers a variety of special packages for your visit this summer, including a Horseback and Water Slide package that includes waterpark passes and two trail rides (for ages 7 and up); a Zippity Doo Dah Package that includes zip line and waterpakr fun; a Choose Your Own Adventure package that lets kids select adventures that may include archery, disc golf, mountain biking, sand volleyball; and more.
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
444 Eagle Ridge Drive, Galena IL, (800) 892-2269
Eagle Ridge Resort offers activities for the entire family, with 63 holes of championship golf, the 6,000-square-foot Stonedrift Spa, and the indoor swimming pool. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, tennis, fishing and horseback riding, and skiing, sledding and skating in the winter. The resort also offers activities for kids including scavenger hunts and "Movies and Tubies" - movies in the pool in a tube.
Blue Harbor Resort
725 Blue Harbor Drive, Sheboygan, WI, (920) 452-2900
The main family attraction here is Breaker Bay Waterpark, with numerous kid-friendly attractions, including The Riptide, a double surf simulator; a four-story water activity center; the new Toddler Tides play structure (minimum height 36"); a recreational pool for games, four waterslides; semi-private surf lessonsand more. When kids get hungry, they can stop by the Rocky Bottom Snack Bar, which offers a wide variety of kids' favorites. A variety of birthday party packages are available.
French Lick Resort
8670 West State Road 56, French Lick IN, (888) 936-9360
French Lick Resort is located in Indiana, about 5 hours from Chicago. The resort offers outdoor activities including hiking, an outdoor pool, mountain biking, bike rentals, horseback riding, carriage rides, indoor bowling and arcade, tennis and pools, and daily KidsFest activities in the KidsFest Lodge... plus golf courses and a spa for mom and dad! KidsFest offers activities like painting, video games, crafts and board games. The Kids+Pass is available for $35, and kids get unlimited KidsFest activities and bowling plus a slice of pizza, an ice cream, a round of FootGolf and more. (drop off for ages 6-12.)
Great Wolf Lodge
1400 Great Wolf Drive, Wisconsin Dells WI, (608) 253-2222
Located about 3 hours from Chicago, Great Wolf Lodge is located in the famed Wisconsin Dells. This family friendly getaway is known for its enormous indoor water park, with over 80,000 square feet of water fun including everything ranging from a zero-depth playground for little ones to gigantic slides for your thrill seekers. Other activities include daily bedtime stories, appearances by the Great Wolf Kids characters, PJ Parties with the Great Wolf Kids and more. The new Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee is schedule to open in July.