Six Flags Great America
Not quite hiking, Six Flags Great America hosts 35 kiddie rides in themed portions of the park featuring characters the kids recognize such as the Wiggles and Bugs Bunny. Rides include teacups, train ride and kiddie roller coaster. Kid-friendly entertainment occurs daily. Annual events such as Fright Fest spices up the theme park with appropriate entertainment and decorations. The concession stands present traditional theme park fare most kids enjoy. For the adults, 13 roller coasters exist in the park as well as a family rides including the scrambler, swings and bumper cars. During the day, the adjacent Hurricane Harbor water park allows your children to cool off on one of the seven water slides or the interactive water playground for kids.
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America Parkway
Gurnee, IL 60031
(847) 249-4636
sixflags.com/greatAmerica/index.aspx
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo resides on North Clark Street in Chicago. The zoo hosts a variety of animals from mammals to reptiles. From ducks to birds of prey, more than 50 species of birds make their home at the zoo including the lesser green spoonbill, bald eagle, triumphant swan and common mure. More than 50 species of fish, reptiles and amphibians live in the zoo. As for mammals, the parks hosts several big cats like the leopard, a couple of species of monkeys such as the howler monkey as well as dozens of more mammals like the North American river otter and hippopotamus. Admission to the zoo is free. The parking, however, is not. The food court offers a variety of choices such as pasta, tacos and burgers. The zoo contains a gift shop.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
lpzoo.org/
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory sits on 4.5 acres of land, most of which contains the garden. The conservatory provides special educational events on a regular basis for the children. The programs vary from planting a money tree to making origami. Everything emphasizes the power of plants. From ferns to cactus, the different rooms focus on different varieties. One includes a showcase of flowers. Tours are self-guided. The conservatory requests that groups of 20 or more make reservations. Admission is free.
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 North Central Park Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60624-1945
(312) 746-5100
garfield-conservatory.org/
