Great America/Indiana Beach advice

[Chadley]

For the second year in a row we've had to postpone going to Wisconsin Dells for financial reasons, (when gas costs as much as it does nationwide people don't want to buy your engines after a while!). We have decided we can do SFGAm and Shedd Aquarium/Navy Pier. Since we are from Dayton, OH we thought we might hit Indiana Beach on our way home. My questions?

 

1. What is the drive time between the two parks, is it out of the way, or right along the way?

 

2. Are there any other smaller/lesser known parks we can hit around these two parks, or between these two parks? Kiddieland?

 

3. Are there any rides/attractions a 3 1/2 year old to do at IB?

 

4. Any other fun ideas for things to do around Chicago that are low cost/free? Not necessarily amusement parks!

 

Any help would be so appreciated!

[ginzo]

For the second year in a row we've had to postpone going to Wisconsin Dells for financial reasons, (when gas costs as much as it does nationwide people don't want to buy your engines after a while!). We have decided we can do SFGAm and Shedd Aquarium/Navy Pier. Since we are from Dayton, OH we thought we might hit Indiana Beach on our way home. My questions?

 

1. What is the drive time between the two parks, is it out of the way, or right along the way?

 

2. Are there any other smaller/lesser known parks we can hit around these two parks, or between these two parks? Kiddieland?

 

3. Are there any rides/attractions a 3 1/2 year old to do at IB?

 

4. Any other fun ideas for things to do around Chicago that are low cost/free? Not necessarily amusement parks!

 

Any help would be so appreciated!

 

#1: Drive time is going to vary depending on the Chicago traffic on the Dan Ryan. Don't trust mapquest because that route gets congested often. Indiana Beach is basically on the way to Great America, but remember that it's like 20 miles off the highway.

 

#3: IB has an antique car ride. I don't know about height restrictions on it.

 

#4: Free in Chicago??? If your kid likes fish, you might check out the Shedd Aquarium. The Chicago skyline looks really nice from the John Hancock building. If you've never been, you could check out Ikea in Schaumburg. That's a singular experience.

[Skramp]

You should hit all the museums in Chicago, some cost more than others but are VERY worth it.

 

Head down to Michigan Ave and just check out all the shops. There's stuff there you'll wont see most other places. (Like a 6 story Sony store)

 

Hit a restaurant called Ed DiBevics, it's an experiences. A 50's diner where they wait staff dance, sing and are rude. It's great!!

 

Take a walking tour and see some amazing architecture. Marina City, Sears Tower, John Hancock, House of Blues, anything in the financial district, and just some of the local stuff are beautiful.

 

Tour Rainforest Cafe, Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood (Still in business?) and all the other cool eating places.

 

You definitely have to have a pizza of true Chicago Deep Dish pizza, nothing like it.

 

If you have a chance, go to a Cubs game.

 

Take a ride on the El, just for fun.

 

Visit the Rock N Roll McDonalds on Ohio Ave. Great memorabilia!!

 

On your way, take the toll road across Indiana and stop in South Bend, walk around Notre Dame, feel like Rudy!!!

 

How's that for some suggestions?

[Chadley]

You two really hit some things I didn't know anything about. We were already planning on going to the Shedd, we've heard so many good things about it. A Cubs game was something I hadn't thought of too. And now after all these years of seeing IKEA's on tv I can visit one!

 

Thanks for verifying what other had told me about the travel time between Chitown and IB.

[USRoadTripper]

Ed Debevics is awesome! The food is pretty average for a diner, but the service is so much fun! Definitely worth a try! It's also not very hard to find.

 

When we went in 1996, one of my favorite things was the Museum of Science and Industry. At that time, one day a week was free, so definitely check and see if they are still doing that. They had tons of very interesting exhibits for kids and adults alike.

 

And BTW, Chicago has tons of places that have credits...you might wanna check on RCDB for all the family fun centers in the area.

 

-Julie

[Danhockey04]

There are lots of smaller parks that have one or two smaller coasters in the area of Chicago, some have indoor coasters and some have outdoor coasters. Personally, I wouldn't exactly want to ride the El for fun since it is currently under construction for like a long time now, the subway is closed and trains being delayed, not fun. Of all the museums in Chicago, I like the Shedd, the Planetarium, and Science and Industry the best, probably most for the kids to enjoy too. The IKEA, I have never been there, but it right near the Woodfield mall, which is a rather large mall and lots of stuff around there too.

 

When I traveled to IB, it took me about 3 hours to get there from my house in the subarbs, which if you try to avoid I-94 (Dan Ryan) and take side-streets, it'd be much quicker, unless traveling really early or really late. Also, in Chicago, you could always visit Navy Pier, that's free, but the shops and restaurants are somewhat pricey, the Children's Museum is in Navy Pier too. They have an IMAX theater also inside it, but it's like $12 a person to see a film.

[Swoosh]

I personally enjoy the Brookfield Zoo up there in Chicagoland. It is pretty cheap to get into and if it is hot, the indoor exhibits are very nice to escape the heat (or whatever weather). You could take them to ESPNZone downtown -- they have a pretty big arcade there. The Science Museum has a lot of interactive exhibits as does the Field Museum.