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Old 03-06-2012, 09:31 PM
 
8 posts, read 17,743 times
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Relocating to Chicago from west coast. Kids having a tough time adjusting to such a big move. Can you recommend any MUST SEE places that will appeal to elementary/high school kids?
We'll have the summer to explore the state and get familiarized with the area, but want to give the kids a head start by looking up stuff online. Would love to hear from people who actually LIVE in the state and know the 'HAVE TO SEE' places. thanks!
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:49 PM
 
24 posts, read 42,470 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dakanak View Post
Relocating to Chicago from west coast. Kids having a tough time adjusting to such a big move. Can you recommend any MUST SEE places that will appeal to elementary/high school kids?
We'll have the summer to explore the state and get familiarized with the area, but want to give the kids a head start by looking up stuff online. Would love to hear from people who actually LIVE in the state and know the 'HAVE TO SEE' places. thanks!
If you want to get your kids excited let them spend some time on this site
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Old 03-07-2012, 05:33 AM
 
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You might also want to check out St Mary seminary, the Cuneo museum, and Lake County discovery museum.
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Old 03-07-2012, 05:52 AM
 
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Depending on their ages, musuem of science and industry, shedd aqurium, field museum and art institute.
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Old 03-07-2012, 07:37 AM
 
Location: Not where you ever lived
11,535 posts, read 30,269,957 times
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Here's a wide range of things you can find within 200 miles of Chicago.

Grizzley Jack's at Utica, IL is a resort complex outside of the entrance to Starved Rock State Park. It features an indoor waterpark that is open all year. The cabins are fully equipt with kitchens and a washer/dryer. Most rooms have a w/d too.. Entrance to the waterpark is free, and only open to resort guests. The resort also offers a video game room. If you all like to hike Starved Rock is a great place to climb.

Do you or kids like animals? If so perhaps they would like to sleep to the wolf lullabye in one of the secure cabins at the 2000 acre Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria. It is NOT a 5 Star Hotel, but it is very safe.

The Peoria Zoo has a very interesting history that includes Marlin Perkins early imprint. The zoo and 10,000 acre Peoria Park diistrict have won many awards in the past. The latest was the 2010 Gold Medal. The 7 acre Africa! Exhibit opened late in 2010. There are some interesting critters at this zoo including red bears.

Located a couple miles north of the zoo is the 187' lookout tower located at Tower Park in Peoria Heights. You and your children can climb. (You can also take the elevator. ) What you find on top is a unobstructed view of the Illinois River Valley. On a clear day you can see forever.

If you sail there is a place for day sailors in Peoria,too.

The Wheels of Time Museum is a favoprite destination about 10 milels from the zoo.

Nearby in East Peoria is Bass Pro. It's an interesting "all things outdoor sports related" store. It's worth the trip to see the fish being hand fed in a 26.000 gallon fresh water aquarium where you find Bonnie - the 80 pound blue catfish hiding. There is also 5.000 gallon salt water aquarium on presmises. And if it is warm enough the local waterpark will be open, too.

50 miles South of Peoria in Fulton and Mason Counties is the largest Inland Wetlands Refuge in America. It is part of the Mississippi Flyway system. The experts say the area is visited by 250,000 species every year. Not far from here the refuge is a state owned Jake Wolfe fish hatchey just off Manito Blacktop at Manito.. The dorections are not hard to follow.

From Mason County follow IL 97 South into the Land of Lincoln. It is easy to spend a day or even two just in Springfield alone.

Go West on I-80 to Moline and the John Deere museum. At Rock Island you can tour the Rock Island Arsenal and its museum.

http://www.grizzlyjacksresort.com/
http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/

http://www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/
http://www.peoriazoo.org/
http://www.peoriaparks.org/
http://villageofpeoriaheights.org/new/
http://wheelsotime.org/
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...=94&storeID=77

http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/IllinoisRiver/emq.html (broken link)
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives...ct/emiquon.xml
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=33650

http://www.dnr.state.il.us/education/interprt/jwolf.htm

http://www.civilwartraveler.com/WEST...ringfield.html
http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/Visitor/Historic.asp (broken link)

Last edited by linicx; 03-07-2012 at 08:24 AM..
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Old 03-07-2012, 07:41 AM
 
Location: Lake Arlington Heights, IL
5,479 posts, read 12,266,813 times
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If you are into nature and can take a week, do the Circle Lake Michigan tour. The Michigan side is wonderful with many natural sand dunes befitting an inland sea more than a lake. If you just have a day, go to Warren Dunes in SW Michigan.

I also like going into Wisconsin to go hiking and camping. Devils Lake and Governor Dodge are favorites and Kettle Moraine South is close enough for day trip and has some entertaining single track mountain biking good for all levels.
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Old 03-07-2012, 08:39 AM
 
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YOu guys are incredible! Thanks so much for the information. Didn't know there was an amusement park - my teenagers went nuts when they saw the link to Six Flags.
My younger kids are nature/wildlife enthusiasts, so all the info about the zoo, wildlife preserves and sand dunes sound right up our alley.
Grizzley Jack's also sounded like a fun place to go - will have a great time researching all these places before we get there this summer. Thanks so much!
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Old 03-09-2012, 10:54 PM
 
2,300 posts, read 6,185,102 times
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Westfield Hawthorn Mall, Vernon Hills IL
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Old 03-11-2012, 10:45 PM
 
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Don't forget about Independence Grove in Libertyville. I'd put that high on your list. Entry is free for Lake County residents.

Caution though.. The crazy factor might hit you that you actually left the west coast for the midwest when you get there.

(Just sayin )
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Old 03-12-2012, 10:50 AM
 
17,183 posts, read 22,921,959 times
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In addition to these, Lambs Farm in Green Oaks, IL. It is a place for people with disabilities to live and work with a lovely farm to visit. It might be more for younger kids, but it can include some education about people who are disabled for older kids, imo. There is a carousel and train and miniature golf as well as the shop and restaurant.

lambs farm | where people grow
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