activites in northwest suburbs!? (Chicago, Algonquin: rental, casino, camping)

[mike3512]

hi i've posted quite a few times about my trip to chicago this summer. i will be staying in the northwest suburbs, specifically the algonquin area, and since i'll probably only be going once into chicago, i wanted to know some local activities we could do, along the lines of....

-shopping/malls

-outdoor activities

-swimming/lakes/river rafting

thanks!!

[IbeDavid]

Originally Posted by mike3512

hi i've posted quite a few times about my trip to chicago this summer. i will be staying in the northwest suburbs, specifically the algonquin area, and since i'll probably only be going once into chicago, i wanted to know some local activities we could do, along the lines of....

-shopping/malls

-outdoor activities

-swimming/lakes/river rafting

thanks!!

REPLY: Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee is just down the road on Route 31 south ; big Mall with nice stores. The Fox River is close by and there are groomed Bike Paths that run alongside or close to it that run for miles ; you should be able to find canoe and kayak rental places along the Fox River nearby. There are Parks along the Fox River in each neighboring town and a nice one is Potowatomie State Park .

[IbeDavid]

P.S. You may want to obtain the list of Northern Illinois Bike Paths as there are some very nice long ones im told that go thru alot of nature and the outer parts of towns. Also, obtain a list of Illinois State Parks as they have some good hiking trails , shorter bike paths, canoeing, camping, etc...

[gwilson67]

Well if you like gambling, you can go to the Grand Victoria Casino.

[tcs1366]

I would not consider swimming in the Fox... just nasty water.

we used to take our boat up to the "Chain of Lakes" which is north of Algonquin by river... and the water is just gross.... i'd never swim in it... i dont even think we ever water skied.

Those who are familiar with that area of the Fox... where is the dam? and could he access the chain by boat if he went north -- or is there a dam in that direction? **edited to add ** uggggg -- googled earthed it and found that's a long way away.

It's been ages since i've been up that way.

You will have no shortage of shopping in the Chicago land area... tons of it.

[mike3512]

thanks for the responses. is it a hassle to get from algonquin to chicago on the train? i heard its 40 miless about. it shud take about an hour, right? and how does weekend parking work?

[tcs1366]

the closest station is FoxRiver Grove, which is east of Algonquin ... i dont know how far that is, though it's easily looked up.
Metra / Union Pacific District Northwest Line

looks like on a Saturday - it's about an hour and 10 - ish. to get downtown.
Parking, as in - in the city. Ugggg. i hate parking in the city.

if it is a nice day... i'd enjoy a train ride and do some walking down there. right outside Union Station you can pick up a water taxi ... we usually take it BACK from Navy Pier [cuz by that time we are tired] IT's a nice ride on the Chicago River -- where you will see some really nice architecture in the buildings.

on weekends... it does seem like that is always something going on in the city.

I personally only got about once every 5 yrs or so... but we used to take the kids when they were small, eons ago.

you can also ask specific "city" questions in the Chicago forum... though some of them venture in here too.

[mike3512]

i meant parking at the metra station in the suburbss

[tcs1366]

my guess, it should be as bad as week days as there are no commuters. I know our lots are never full on weekends.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by tcs1366

my guess, it should be as bad as week days as there are no commuters. I know our lots are never full on weekends.

I think this poster meant, "should NOT" be as bad as week days. And I would agree, You should have no trouble.