By PEAKLIFE
Illinois is an ideal destination for family fun, and nothing says a fun-filled getaway better than a hotel with a water park and other amenities. Indoor water parks with premium accommodations in Illinois offer the perfect setting for a family-friendly trip combining fun, excitement, and thrill, as well as the comfort of a resort, all in one place.
Here are some of the best family-friendly water parks to enjoy the summer season in Illinois.
Great Wolf Lodge, Gurnee
Located 45 minutes from downtown Chicago, Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee is an expansive indoor water park operating year-round and perfect for your whole family. Thrill-seekers will enjoy exciting water slides like the Coyote Cannon, which sends you plummeting 40 feet into a swirling water vortex. If you are looking for a more relaxed experience, the Crooked Creek lazy river is a great way to unwind. The place also offers cosy lodge accommodations with standard and premium suites as well as themed wolf den or cabin suites. The resort also has a variety of dry-land attractions, such as MagiQuest, mini-golf, a ropes course, and a climbing wall.
The thrill does not end here. Families love the roller coasters, live shows, rides, and excitement of Six Flags Great America. Plus, if you want to add some variety to your vacation aqua adventures, Hurricane Harbor gives you another great water park option. Add some retail therapy to your vacation by browsing the 200+ manufacturers and retail outlets at Gurnee Mills. There is also ice skating, laser tag, movies, and arcade games to keep the good times rolling. For a bonus time without the kids, the Lake County Libation Trail offers the grown-ups in your party a fine range of local beer, wine, and distilled beverages.
Grand Bear Resort, Utica
Utica’s Grand Bear Resort, located 90 minutes from downtown Chicago, offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and indoor aquatic fun. It is just steps away from Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks and has one of Illinois’ best indoor water parks. The slide tower, lazy river, whirlpool, and wave pool, along with the hiking trails, scenic views, and waterfalls of Starved Rock and Matthiessen, make for an unforgettable family vacation. Accommodation options include cosy cabins, spacious suites, and vacation villas, all set in a beautiful wooded area and equipped with amenities like fireplaces, kitchens, and private balconies. The resort also includes an arcade, mini-golf, and an array of dining options.
Just a stone’s throw away from Grand Bear is the natural wonderland of Starved Rock State Park. Hike through canyons, marvel at waterfalls, and take in the stunning Illinois River views. Matthiessen State Park offers a quieter experience than Starved Rock. It is known for its lush canyons and prairie landscapes, with unique rock formations and cascading waterfalls. Utica is also home to exceptional sparkling wine. Sip and savour the local wine at the Illinois Sparkling Co.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Fox River Resort, Sheridan
Just 80 minutes from downtown Chicago at the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Fox River Resort in Sheridan, high-seas adventure comes to the safe confines of an indoor water park. The pirate-themed Pirate’s Cay Indoor Water Park has a lazy river, tube slides, body slides, and the Parrot’s Perch pirate ship playscape. Palm trees and dump buckets complete the fun vibe. At Fox River Resort you can stay in well-appointed two-bedroom villas or studios, with all the amenities of a resort accommodation. There are indoor and outdoor pools separate from the water park, a mini-golf course, an arcade, and even a movie theatre. There is also a seven-acre lake on the property with fishing and boat hire. Maximise your water park fun with a trip to Raging Waves, Illinois’ largest outdoor water park, with exhilarating slides, a lazy river, and a giant wave pool.
(Image Credits : Fox River Resort at Sheridan)
For a relaxing afternoon, visit the Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area and enjoy peaceful fishing in spring-fed lakes and explore scenic hiking trails. Take a short drive north, and you will find yourself at one of the world’s finest examples of minimalist modern design. Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House is a striking glass and steel structure set in a serene landscape.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism
