Your Summer Bucket List for Family Fun in and Around Chicago and the Suburbs
[Reading time: 10 mins]
Need a summer bucket list? I’ve got the list just for you!
Summertime around Chicago is truly the best! Between festivals, beaches, amusement parks or day trips, you will never be short of ideas of things to do with your kids! Below are all the fun stuff we love to do in the summer:
Visit a farm or zoo.
Photo via Randall Oaks Zoo
From the large popular zoos and farms to the smaller and more intimate ones, there are a lot of options around Chicago and in Northern Illinois to visit animals. Of course there are the amazing Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos, but I personally really enjoy the smaller zoos too. Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee is one of my favorites, or if we feel like taking a little trip, Racine Zoo is a great one AND it’s right off the beach!
For local farms, Wagner Farm in Glenview is close to us and fun for the kids, but Blackberry Farm in Aurora is a must-visit if you haven’t been yet. Speaking of farms we haven’t been to yet, Hephzibah Farm in Hebron and The Children’s Farm at the Center in Palos Park are at the top of our list to go to this summer.
For more local zoo and farm ideas, check out my blogs on both:
Local Zoos and in Northern Illinois
Local Farms with Live Animals
Go to an amusement or adventure park.
Photo via Santa’s Village Amusement & Water Park
We have season passes to Santa’s Village and they have been the best thing for us! If you have kids under the age of 8, this is a great amusement park to spend your summers at. There’s so much to see and do, including a petting zoo area and carnival games, and in addition to the rides, there’s also a waterpark.
On our bucket list of adventure parks we haven’t been to yet, are Pirates’ Cove in Elk Grove Village and The Forge in Lemont. We also already have a weekend planned to drive up to Wisconsin to go to Little Amerricka, located in Marshall WI, near Madison.
Spend a couple of hours at a nature center.
Photo of Sagawau Environmental Learning Center via Forest Preserves of Cook County website
Nature centers are probably the most underrated forms of family-friendly entertainment and activities. Educational exhibits, hands-on interactive learning, indoor and outdoor programs… and all for FREE — what’s not to love about it!
We recently went to Vera Meineke Nature Center located in Spring Valley. There are interactive exhibits, a children’s play area, a living turtle pond display and a library. On the same grounds, there is also a learning garden, wildlife display and a new monarch rearing station that has daily butterfly releases. The kids will love playing at Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground, and dont forget to take the trail to the 1880s living history museum, Heritage Farm.
The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum located in Benedictine University in Lisle, is definitely on our bucket list for the summer. It’s a natural history museum that offers hands-on learning and interactive exhibits with collections in oology, paleontology and herbarium.
There are so many nature centers in the Chicagoland area — too many to list here! But good thing I have it all listed already in a separate blog post:
Eat, drink & be merry at Ravinia
Photo via Ravinia.org
Oh, and also listen to music while you’re there!
We’ve been taking our kids to Ravinia since our oldest was just a year old. Sitting on the lawn, having a picnic, listening to music… it’s the perfect way to spend a beautiful summer evening! There are so many different types of concerts to choose from too: rock, classical, country… and kids concerts! So take your pick and I guarantee the whole family will have a fun time.
Catch a movie at the drive-in.
Photo of McHenry Outdoor Theater via goldenagecinemas.com
Did you know there are TWO drive-ins in the city and the suburbs? The one we love going to is the McHenry Outdoor Theater. One of the last authentic drive-ins in the country, the McHenry Outdoor Theater shows NEW blockbuster double features and has a delicious taphouse and snackbar, which funds everything from the screen tower, to the nostalgic drive-in speakers, to the projector.
And who knew that there’s also a drive-in in Pilsen?? ChiTown Movies features one classic movie and food and beverages from ChiTown Grille. The popcorn, tacos, wings, pizza and kids meals will be delivered directly to your vehicle as you watch the movie.
Go to the beach of course!
Photo of Waukegan Beach via facebook.com
It’s no secret that my family and I are beach bums. Every chance we get to go to the beach, we are there! Our favorite beach to visit is Waukegan Municipal Beach. It’s right off of Lake Michigan and it’s absolutely beautiful. Parking is right next to it, so you’re only lugging all your beach gear across the lot. It’s FREE during the week and only $10 per car on the weekends for non-residents. I highly recommended you go no later than 10a or so [on the weekends], because after that, the car line to get in is far too long.
A popular beach that we have yet to try is Phil’s Beach in Wauconda. Right off of Bangs Lake, they have concessions, a bathhouse, bags and game tables, a board walk and a fun Wibit Inflatable, as well as a splash pad.
Dine and have drinks at a beachside restaurant.
Photo of Lindy’s Landing via facebook.com
One of our favorite places to go to during the summer [and in the winter!] is Lindy’s Landing in Wauconda. Not only is the food delicious, but in the summer they have their beach patio open where you can eat on their picnic benches while the kids can play along the shore. It’s such a great way to spend a nice evening meal with your family.
Another beachside oasis I came across recently is the All Marine Retro Retreat Beach Bar. Located in McHenry, this beach bar has cocktails, snacks and ice cream that can be enjoyed right on the Fox River where the kids can play along the beach area. The beach bar is part of All Marine Retro Retreat where you can rent boats, paddle boards, kayaks and pedal boats.
Make a splash at a pool.
Photo of Heritage Park Family Aquatic Center via facebook.com
As much as I love my beaches, the pool is the next best thing! There are pools all over Chicago and the suburbs, so really, just take your pick. More local to me, one of our favorite pools to go to is the Heritage Park Family Aquatic Center in Wheeling. This very large outdoor pool has something for all ages: from tube, body and drop slides, to a sand play area and the diving boards, there’s also a water splash playground. One of my favorite things about this pool is the large zero depth entry, which makes it easy for the little kids.
For something a bit more exciting, drive out to Yorkville for Illinois’ largest waterpark: Raging Waves. There are 32 water attractions, including thrilling waterslides, a lazy river, a wave pool and so much more.
Looking for more pool options in the far Northern suburbs? Check out my list below:
Experience a movie or concert in a park.
Photo of Vernon Hills Park District Movie in the Park via facebook.com
This is another family activity that is easy to come by. Check your local park district for fun movies or concert events that they will be hosting at a nearby park. Vernon Hills Park District always has at least 3 movies in the park events scheduled throughout the summer and on select Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the summer, there are concerts held at the Arbotheater.
Shop at a farmers market.
Photo of the Woodstock Farmer’s Market via realwoodstock.com
Our all-time favorite farmers market is the Woodstock Farmer’s Market. The town of Woodstock is already super cute, so to have the market along the entire square, is just the perfect setting to walk around and shop the local famers and artisans. In the middle of the square is a large open grassy area where the kids can run around, and if you go at the right time, there is also live music and a kids activity station. During the summer, this market runs every Tuesday and Saturday, and it remains open during the winter on most Saturdays and indoors at the McHenry County Fairgrounds.
Other favorite farmers markets near me are the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market and the Mundelein Farmers Market, which also has a weekly Little Farmers Club and Little Makers Market twice throughout the summer, where kids can showcase their talents!
Check out more of my favorite farmers markets here:
Cheer on your favorite baseball team.
Photo of Wrigley Field via hotels.com
When you live in Chicago, it’s hard to not enjoy some kind of baseball entertainment. No matter if you’re a Cubs fan like me or a Southsider Sox fan, both major league baseball teams are wonderful experiences for your kids.
But as a family with really young kids, we moreso enjoy the smaller baseball league teams such as the Chicago Dogs, the Schaumburg Boomers and the Kane County Cougars.
Spend the day at a museum.
Photo via adlerplanetarium.org
It’s hard to stay indoors when we have such beautiful weather during the summer, but sometimes you just need to escape the sweltering heat and have fun in an air-conditioned museum. One of my kids’ favorite museums is the Adler Planetarium. In addition to all the educational exhibits and the sky dome, it’s also right on the beautiful lakeshore, so you can take a moment and walk the shore. You can also make a full day of it and stop by the nearby Shedd Aquarium or the Field Museum; or drive south to one of my favorite museums, the Museum of Science and Industry.
But more often than not, I actually prefer to go to a smaller museum that is easy to get to and doesn’t take up my entire day. Good news is, we are surrounded by many museums that fit the bill! From history & living museums to immersive & interactive ones, you are guaranteed to find plenty that suit your interests. For an extensive list of local museums, check out my blog here:
Have a staycation in the city.
Photo owned by Kristel at On the Go with 4 Kids in Tow
I love acting like tourists in my own hometown! It gives the great excuse to explore and experience everything the wonderful city has to offer. Stay tuned in the near future for a Chicago staycation itinerary, but in the meantime, here are some great places to visit:
Walk the Riverwalk and the lakefront
Buckingham Fountain
Sloomoo Institute [see my blog review on the place here!]
Millennium Park
SEARS [ahem] Tower
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate
For a hotel recommendation during the summer, we love staying at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel! We pay a little more for the balcony room, which the kids love, but it’s definitely not necessary. No matter what kind of room you get, you’ll have access to the rooftop pool, which has a beautiful view! There is a lap pool, hot tub and smaller pool, and another indoor lap pool. In addition to the rooftop pool, there is also a beautiful rooftop courtyard, an outdoor running track and a fitness room with a half-size basketball court.
Take a day trip or a long weekend getaway.
I will be working on a future blog post about family-friendly day trips and long weekend getaways, but in the meantime, here are some great ideas to start with! The travel times listed are coming from the city.
Indian Caves & Perry Farm Park, Bourbonnais IL, 1hr
Washington Park Zoo, Michigan City IN, just over 1hr
Fair Oaks Farms, Fair Oaks IN, 1hr 15mins
Bristol Renaissance Faire, Bristol WI, 1hr 15mins
Lake Geneva WI, 1hr 40mins
Rockford IL, 1hr 45mins
Miller Park Zoo, Bloomington IL, 1.5hrs
Aikman Wildlife Adventures, Arcola, IL 2hrs 40mins
Wildlife Prairie Park, Hanna City IL, 3hrs
House on the Rock, Spring Green WI, 3.5hrs
Or, you can combine a few attractions that are right outside of Madison WI, and make a long weekend out of it!
Henry Villas Zoo, Madison
Little Amerrika Amusement Park, Marshall
Epicenter, Verona
Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds
Havens Petting Farm, Blue Mounds
What is on your summer bucket list? Let me know in the comments!
For those with older kids, sometimes they want more than a small aquatic center and swimming pool, and that’s ok! Good thing is, we have some very thrilling water amusement parks near us, that can feed those adventure-seekers of yours!