Living in the center of the US, Chicago area families have some driving to do for weekends away at fun museums, waterparks, and great cities.
The Midwest is both the Land of Lincoln and the land of Obama, two fathers who have been celebrated for enjoying their families and family vacations. (At least we can speak for the latter.) So it stands to reason that other families in the Chicago metropolitan area would welcome a chance to escape the stress of the city and enjoy family time on a short break holiday.
This central region may not be as densely packed with resorts, campgrounds, B&Bs and other weekend getaways as the country's coasts, but there are plenty of lodging choices and vacation ideas for those who want to have fun. Whether your family is looking for a short break holiday, a cheap vacation package, a fun last-minute excursion to break up a road trip, or a weekend getaway from everyday routines, there are lots of options within a 200-mile radius of Chicago, and some other great cities within 300 miles.
The following weekend getaway roundup includes some of our family's favorite kids' destinations. There are, of course, many other choices for spending your time and money on a short break, so we'll just highlight some of the top local attractions, kid-friendly festivals and events that suit all ages. We welcome you to submit your own favorite Midwest weekend getaways.
Weekend Getaways Within 200 Miles of Chicago
Illinois Apple Farms
Great apple and pumpkin picking farms exist throughout Illinois; these are some favorites for Chicago area families that are ripe for fall weekends.
Midwest Weekend Getaway With A Tropical Vibe At KeyLime Cove
This resort's huge indoor waterpark offers an affordable family weekend for all ages — all year round — plus coaster rides at the Six Flags nearby.
Explore Indianapolis with Kids
Home to the largest children's museum in the world, be sure to check out Indianapolis, Indiana for great family fun year round
Free Travel Fun In Indianapolis
Wondering what kind of family vacation you can afford? Head to Indy for free concerts, museums, history, transportation and endless fun throughout spring, summer and fall (winter's cold!)
Springfield Illinois, Land of Lincoln
From the world's first drive-up diner to the old Capitol building where Abraham Lincoln served the people, central Illinois delights history-minded families.
Bringing Outdoor Fun Indoors at Great Waterparks
Does your family get the winter blues? Consider visiting one of these Milwaukee area indoor waterparks, where the fun continues year round.
Water Play in Wisconsin Dells Family Hotels
At these amazing waterparks in the world's capital of indoor waterplay resorts, the last thing you'll be thinking about is the long drive home.
Fun that's Only in Summer for Midwest Weekend Getaways
Great Lakes' Family Beach Areas
From New York to Wisconsin, the Great Lakes' shoreline includes hundreds of family beach getaways for watersports, fishing and outdoor adventure.
A Traverse City, Michigan Family Guide
Parasailing, skiing, ballooning and more family activities join watersports and fishing at this long-established resort area along Michigan's western shore.
City Weekends or Fun Short Breaks within 300 Miles of Chicago
Cleveland, Ohio A Family-Welcoming City
This northern Ohio city has matured from urban blight to having fine museums, parks, great art, cheap convenient hotels and the country's best pita.
Detroit, Michigan Family Attractions
There are many sides to the city of Detroit, and exploring the heritage of Michigan's Motor City is one of the best ones for a family weekend getaway.
Cincinnati & Newport, Double the Pleasure
The new Underground Railroad Freedom Center, museums and friendly mid-Westerners attract families to this Ohio – Kentucky metroplex.
Iowa Family Attractions
Iowa may be off your flight path, but when you head out Io-o-way, you'll find the trails of Lewis & Clark, Herbert Hoover, Blue Bell ice cream and that Field of Dreams.
Along the African Diaspora Trail in St. Louis
In addition to a great zoo, many fine museums, a heritage of jazz music and Missouri hospitality, families will also find a rich history of African American culture.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Big City Fun with Small Town Charm
Visit this Great Lakes city that strikes the perfect balance between small town charm and urban attitude with various attractions perfect for the whole family.
Winter Wonderland Getaways in Wisconsin Door County
Door County may be known as the summer retreat for Midwesterners and Chicagoans, but be sure to visit during wintertime for ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and beyond
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Dr. Artinian, thank you so much for posting that memory. How exciting it must have been, to share the skies with Apollo 11. I agree that today it seems like a remarkable achievement but of course we have not worked together, so hard for so long, on other projects that really need to be addressed. Education is one place to start!
The Lunar Landings
As I was landing in the northern desert of Saudi Arabia in a DC3 plane on July 20, 1969, the Americans were landing on the moon. That evening, the staff of Badana Base Hospital, that belonged to the Trans Arabian Pipeline Company (Tapline), were listening to the news, (Television was not available in the desert). They welcomed me as the new Internist at the hospital.
Soon I learned that the Saudis found it hard to believe that human beings could defile the moon by landing on it, which could have initiated the moon landing conspiracy theories, that persist today.
Now, 50 years later, the lunar landings were, and remain, the greatest achievement of humanity since the birth of intelligence on earth!
Boghos L. Artinian MD
Great information while traveling with children. Children safety first.
I want to do a car trip with my infant child and wife. But, I was afraid how can I travel with my infant child. After reading your blog I got some courage. Thanks for sharing such information. Thanks a lot.
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CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS, NEW YORK
The Corning Museum of Glass – the world’s largest collection of glass – is showing “Journey to the Moon: How Glass Got Us There” and actual glassy pieces of moon meteorites to touch and see. For scavenger buffs, visitors to the museum can test their super-sleuthing skills and see if they can find the glass-tronaut hidden amongst the galleries.
Awesome Article!
Thanks for sharing..
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON TO TEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH IN SPACE OVEN
In a partnership with Zero G Kitchen which is supplying a prototype space oven, and NanoRacks, a commercial space station company, Hilton’s DoubleTree brand is aiding efforts to bring freshly cooked food to the International Space Station. Some time in late 2019, their cookie dough hopes to be the source of the first fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie in space. Here’s more info about this and a cool student competition sponsored by Scholastic.
ok, thanks for the reply!
Thanks for sharing this! you’ll be able to do good as well as have fun and make a difference in the world. Whereas volunteer is always appreciated by all people.
Indeed, a good list. Everyday. At home or on the road.
hi Heather,
Thanks for your comment. We checked on those images and you’re right, that one with the pirate ship in the pool is not from the Bahia Resort. We removed it and checked the others, and the Bahia still has their famous Moorish style pool and pretty beachfront. Hope you have a great trip there.
Thank you Lisa d. So glad that Laura’s review of both Fairmont resorts helped you to make a choice, especially since you can’t really go wrong in Bermuda.
thank you I have been deciding between the two properties and your post was very helpful in my decision.
One of the pictures with a slide doesn’t look like the pool I remember seeing at the bahia. Did they add a new pool?
Dubai is an amazing destination for tourists from across the world. The city tour, desert safari and dhow cruise are among the most famous things to do in Dubai.
Thank you for sharing a really useful and informative article. The way you have detailed and described is really helpful. Hope to see more amazing articles like this. Keep it up to the good work!
Spring Break in Dubai is more exciting with Adventure Plus Desert Safari Dubai tours in Dubai
Great suggestions! The only action item Id say “Oh Hayyllll Nawww” to would be horse-drawn carriage rides. Check out the internet and youll see whats going on with those poor horses. But your other ideas for educational and just-plain fun – really excited to try them out with the family! Thank again.
Hello Omar and Katie,
The Scholasrship Submission form is working again, please revisit the page: https://myfamilytravels.com/Teen_travel_writing to apply for the 2019 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship.
Thanks and good luck!
I would love to participate but I keep getting page not found
Hello Omar, thank you for your note. We have noted this error and our web development team is working to fix it right away. We will let you know when it’s working again. Good luck!
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I am very interested in participating in this scholarship opportunity. However, every time I click on the essay submission form, it takes me to a ‘Page not found’ link and says that there is an error with the link. Is there another link that I could possibly submit my essay and photos?
I had a travel blog in the past. But I was going through a rough phase so I shut it down. This article has inspired me to start once again.
SCHLITTERBAHN OPENS INFINITY RACERS, A MAJOR SPACE-THEMED WATERSLIDE
June 7, Colonel Terry Virts, a U.S. Air Force test/fighter pilot and NASA veteran of two spaceflights, will dedicate the newest, only one of its kind, 8-story-tall waterslide at Schlitterbahn Galveston. Infinity Racers is a pair of space-themed, racing head-first mat slides that race through enclosed colorful tubes as long as three space stations.
Nice Post. Thanks for Sharing with us……
Right?? It’s like a dream. I really didn’t believe them at all when I heard that, but looked it up, and sure enough, it’s really that sunny! I can’t wait to head back to the area.
I’m not sure as the rates tend to vary depending on the season. It’s probably best to contact them directly – (727) 363-5100. If you’re curious about their overall rates, I would ask if the rate changes depending on the season, and when their high and low season is. Hope that helps!
I remember visiting KSC during my school days with my friends where we got to learn a lot of interesting things related to space and comsos.
My husband and I are actually scheduled to stay at the Sirata Resort, in just a few days. I was wondering, if you happened to know the cost for the Private Cabana Rentals, you mentioned in your article?? Thank You!!
great useful info you have shared , being a traveler i need it most and it’s really helpful for the first time travelers. thanks for sharing.
I think curious teens would love this road trip. If you schedule enough time for Santa Cruz — which has a great amusement park and places to take surf lessons, that could be a 2-3 day stay for you. Going south, the Hearst Castle with all its tales of intrigue and the story of William Randolph Hearst’s life… it’s pretty fun as house tours go.
The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway is beautiful, too, if you think your son would enjoy that. At many points, he can look out and see surfers! Towns like San Luis Obispo (now hip enough that locals call it SLO) have become destinations for wine and craft beers, so there are lots of cafes with young people that are fun, even if you’re not drinking.
The whole California coast is special, so ask your son to do some research and pick out spots that interest him, then incorporate them into your itinerary. That way, he’ll have a vested interest in making sure the trip is fun.
Do you think a 13 yr old would like this trip?
MALDIVES AND THE MOON FOR OUR PACIFIC FRIENDS
This just in from the Maldives:
Anantara Kihavah Villas in the Maldives has the largest telescope and observatory in the Indian Ocean so it’s slated as one of the best places in the southern hemisphere to observe and study the stars, planets and the moon. And it’s the moon that is taking centre stage for festivities on July 20th as Anantara Kihavah commemorates the 50th anniversary of man’s landing on the moon. To celebrate, Anantara guests are invited to join Shameem, the islands’ resident Star Guru for a ‘Star Gazing’ breakfast. Lay back to gaze at the stars that glitter overhead, and be regaled by Shameem’s knowledge as he takes you on an intergalactic journey before taking a look through the powerful telescope at the craters on the moon that still amaze people 50 years after the first landing.
For guests who like a later start to the day the SKY Bartenders at Kihavah have created a complimentary cocktail for all guests to mark the occasion – The ‘Buzz’ Aldrin ……
Dubai is an awesome place to spend a great time with the loved one or alone be experiencing the local attractions. Thanks for the details, i have missed the dinner night which i will surely book this time and experience it. Keep posting!
I would definitely go for JURASSIC DINOSAUR DIG. Thanks for suggestions
So many good suggestions! It will be hard to choose but surely through these we will have the most beautiful memories in this summer vacation!
361 days of sunshine a year? Wow! It looks like it’s a perfect destination for families! I’ll be more interested in this place!
Glad that you have a great time and a better idea of Vietnam. If you came back, consider visiting Ninh Binh
We are a family who likes to travel and volunteer where possible. We give gifts of time and service. We find that finding small grass roots organisations when on the ground or at your destination creates the best win-win for all concerned. For example we taught English in a small village in Indonesia – https://sabretoothedchickenstour.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/it-takes-a-village/
In the end it is not the actual work you do as a volunteer that is of the greatest impact but the stereotypes you breakdown and the connections made 🙂
Camping holidays in France are extremely popular and you’ll find some fantastic family friendly campsites with a whole host of activities including some brilliant swimming pools.
NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE SUMMER MOON FESTIVAL
We’ve just heard that the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a summer filled with flight and space-themed exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, installations and a new film. The celebration kicks off on May 17 with Apollo 11: First Steps Edition, a film with never-before-seen footage and audio recordings of the historic mission. Other highlights include NYSCI’s summer exhibition, Above and Beyond – The Ultimate Flight Exhibition, and Apollo, A Party!, an evening event celebrating the Apollo 11 lunar landing. Check out their schedule for tons of workshops and special family events and go in to see a real Saturn V rocket like the one that took Apollo to the moon.
Man on the Moon in Zurich
The art exhibition “Fly Me to the Moon: The Moon Landing 50 Years On” will be featured at Kunsthaus Zurich in Switzerland, from May 4-June 30. The art show examines how the moon landing, and seeing images of the Earth from far away, changed man’s perception of his place in his environment and the universe. Look for moon works by artists John Russell, Rene Burri, Rene Magritte, Andy Warhol and many more.
Moon Walk Celebration in Ohio!
In southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills region, the John Glenn Astronomy Park (JGAP) is celebrating its first birthday, while marking the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing. The observatory has 12 telescopes that offer dark sky views due to a lack of light pollution, allowing visitors to discover a distinct view of the moons, planets, stars and galaxies at each visit. The #Apollo50 events begin at 4 p.m. EDT July 20, 2019 and end at 1 a.m. July 21, 2019.
Nice post. I am traveler and I like adventure trips. Its really amazing. I wish to go there one by one. Thanks for sharing about these parks.
Thank you for useful information. It is very detailed.
Traveling with kids is fun but also very tired as we have to take care of them and don’t have much time for ourselves. Sometime I prefer traveling alone.