Seeking Ideas for Summer Vacation

FYI: Michigan City, IN has a nice beach. They have houses, and cottages you can rent for a week that are close to the beach. You can see the Chicago skyline if the weather is nice. They have a lighthouse and a pier that you can fish off of, a small zoo and they have lots of art festivals and things on the weekends. Right up the road about 10 miles is New Buffalo, MI that has a lot to do also.

check out the oshtoff resort in elkhart lake wisconsin. it is about 3 hrs from chicago in a beautiful little quaint town. the resort is gorgeous and on the beach lake elkhart is a gorgeous very clean lake. there are many kids activities, restaurants and a fabulous spa in the resort. water sports and an outdoor deck bar on the lake. the weather in wisconsin in the summer is better for beaching than florida's summers:) its fantastic we make it a yearly family outing. they have a web site i think it is www.oshtoff.com if not google it.

Table rock lake in Branson Missouri is amazing but that would be a long car ride. You can rent boats and play on the beach there. Springfield IL is really cool, they have tons of stuff about Abe Lincoln there. My kids loved it there. We took our kids to Indianapolis to the children's museum and it is amazing!!! The building is 4 stoies and one whole level is mostly water play. My kids played there for hours and LOVED it. Plus Indy has other things you can do. Louisville Ky has lots of fun stuff for kids. They have Kentucky Kingdom which is like great america. And they have the Louisville Slugger museum. Cincinatti also has lots of fun stuff to do with kids. They have Kings Island. and it has a water park connected to it. They have a great zoo too. When my kids were little we used to go to Great America in IL and spend the night and do the twicket and go back the 2nd day for really cheap. My kids loved it...we stayed in the hotel right near the park and spent time in the pool at the hotel and it was a fantastic couple days for them. Turkey Run State Park in Indiana is also amazing...we took our kids there several times. The inn there is so nice and really inexpensive. The trails are beautiful and there are water falls there. You can ride canoes down the river. They also have an indoor pool and an outdoor pool and my kids also took horseback rides too. Wow I am just realizing that we have done some really fun stuff as a family. Have a great vacation!!!

We went to Mamouth Caves in Kentucky. It is very inexpensive and fun to do with the kids. You can rent little cabins or stay in the hotel there. We only spent about 4 days but had a great time.

Check out South Haven Michigan. There is a resort there called Sleepy Hollow. It's right on the beach, they have a pool, tennis courts and I think activities for the kids. We went there years ago and really enjoyed it.

M.

I know your husband does not like to drive far but this location is worth it. I try not to tell many people about it b/c we like to keep it low key. MICHIGAN! It is a little fishtown called Leland! Right on Lake Michigan with views of the Manitou Islands. Well worth the drive. Look into www.vrbo.com for rentals. Leland is a quaint little town with coffee shops and little stores. Maybe 3 restaurants. Great beaches, fishing, and boat rentals. Very close to Lake Leelanua and sleeping bear dunes. Check it out you will not be disappointed. We go every year for a week in late July. If you need more info just e-mail me back.

The Traverse city area in Michigan is amazing. The beaches and the terrain change as you go north, and it's sandy, with rolling hills and miles of the most gorgeous beaches and wonderful small resort towns. It's amazing to me how many Chicagoans don't get that far north in Michigan, but it's totally worth the drive. We have rented vacation cottages in Torch Lake and near Charlevoix - gorgeous. The Leelenau Peninsula is also amazing. You'll want to stay forever.

Also, Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshore has a wonderful campground. The walk-in sites are truly amazing. Very private, and you'll have your own hiking trail over the dunes to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you aren't into camping, there are some great hotels and cottages near Manistee and along the lakeshore up to Empire.

Try it! You will love it and you'll feel like you've gone much further than you have from the city. Great restaurants and seafood, too. These websites will send free vacation info:

http://www.michigan.org/
http://www.mytraversecity.com/
http://www.leelanauchamber.com/

The kids want to go to the beach- Have you looked into Indiana Dunes? That might be a possibility. We also liked Lake of the Ozarks when the kids were small. It was hot there- but there was always a pool, nice rental condos- or camping sights with pool and beach areas along the lake. LAKe of the Ozarks is "busy" lik the Dells- putt putt golf,go carts, ect. find both Indiana and LAke of the Ozarks on the internet and see what appeals to you.

Last summer, we went with another family and our 3 toddlers to St. Joseph, MI. Best vacation ever - beautiful beach with a very nice playground, horse-drawn buggy rides, little shops and galleries, outdoor concerts, and a children's museum. We rented a large historical home in town, and walked just about everywhere. I think we ate out maybe a few times just for breakfast, but otherwise did a lot of cooking out (and in) as the house was fully stocked. The town is about a 2 hour drive from NW Indiana. Good luck!

Love Michigan. Saugatuck and Douglas Area (even Holland Michigan and someone suggested South Haven - all nice) has great beaches, wonderful eateries, ice cream and fudge shops, lots of shopping and other local activities. Oval Beach (great walking trail w/ dunes) and other lovely beaches, Crane Orchard, blueberry picking, horseback riding, nice trails in the woods. accommodations run the gamut - B &B's, hotels, camping, home/vacation rentals. Week-ends are very busy!

St. Joseph Michigan is lovely too. Much closer. Love the Pier w/ the lighthouse - awesome walk (Michigan is known for their lighthouses) Great beach, nice park on beach, cute shopping, nice eateries. This can also make a great overnight trip as it is so close.

Also, Galena IL is a very cool place to go and Mississippi Palisades State Park is just beautiful! And... it's been a while but Door County WI offers a lot to do. Lovely trip. Peninsula State Park is wonderful with many camping options, as well as all the other accommodations that Door County has to offer.

Best thing about Michigan are the sunsets on Lake Michigan!

We love the beaches in Michigan.....South Haven, Saugatuck,....not too long a drive, quiet and clean beaches. There's a great place for pie (Crane's), fruit picking, wineries, mini-golf, and a water park about an hour north, though not comparable to the Dells, it's just a much quieter area. It's not a very busy area at all during the week, and very family friendly.

Nashville, TN was great. One of the best vacations for adults & kids. There is a long river that you can rent tubes. There is great hiking with a gorgeous waterfall. We had a short drive to Ashville, NC & went to Biltmore Estates & went white water rafting. Horseback riding, etc. You got lots of great ideas, have fun.

Indiana or Michigan dunes? Branson, MO?

I would suggest that you check out st. louis. It is about a 4 1/2 hr car ride from here. there are a lot of "free" things to do. the st. louis zoo is excellent..free. the museums etc in Forest park..free! The museum at the base of the arch..free! Grant's Farm..home of the famous budweiser clysdales, free!(plus, they even give mom and dad free budweiser samples). the trip to the top of the arch is not very expensive. there is also purina farm( a little west of the city) I can't remember if it is free, but it was great for younger kids like yours. lots of animals etc. there are tons of hotels, a children's museum, the old courthouse, etc. etc. check out the st. louis visitors website.

M.,
The two places I have been thinking about are Myrtle Beach and Atlantis, Bahamas. I hear they're really awesome vacation spots.

All the Best!

Our family loves to vacation in Narrangenset (SP???) Rhode Island. We rent a home within walking distance to the beach and only eat out twice- once on block island after taking the ferry there and then on our last night we go out to dinner. we often hang out at salt water ponds- where you can walk miles and only be knee deep and the kids catch fish and crabs. have fun on your vacation!

One of our favorite vacation spots is the Wisconsin Dells. We love Wilderness Lodge, as well as Kalahari.

In the past we've also rented a lakehouse from a private owner, and those were some of our best vacations. Some include access to a boat, and had a private beach. Very relaxing!

One of the best vacations we took was to Springfield, IL. There are LOTS of things to see that don't require a long attention span and are free to boot! There is a small zoo, a museum, the old capitol building, Lincoln's home/ museum, Lincoln's tomb, the present capitol building, etc. I know the city offers a vacation package with maps and summer events listed. Hope this helps.

I vote Indiana Dunes/Mt. Baldy. A huge sand dune to climb up or slide down. Not that long of a drive. Not sure where you live, but it is only 45 minutes from the IN/IL border at 80/94. It's a beach! Take buckets and shovels.

This doesn't exactly meet your request since it involves either a fairly long car ride on a plane trip, but thought I'd throw it out there since we love it.
Every summer we go to the Jersey shore for vacation. We drive, it's about 14-16 hours, but you can fly to Philadelphia and then rent a car for about a 45 minute drive.
You rent a house or condo directly on the greatest family friendly beaches or a few blocks away for less money.
You can stay anywhere south of Atlantic City (don't stay in Atlantic City) all the way through Cape May.
At night, Ocean City and Wildwood have great boardwalks the kids will love with rides geared toward children, water parks and old fashioned boardwalk shops with food etc. You can get passes or pay per ride.
My kids have more fun here than they do in Disney and it's less costly.
It's the perfect place for a summer beach vacation because it isn't too hot.

How about Indiana Dunes or Starved Rock--Utica, Il I know there is also an indoor waterpark out that way.

Someone already mentioned Cedar Point, but I wanted to mention that there is another amusement park, Kings Island a few hours from Cedar Point, I can't remember which town.
Also, up in Wisconsin, south of Dells, there is a campground, Smoky Hollow, they rent cabins & campers if you don't have your own. They have a manmade swimming pond, mini golf, pedal carts. It was alittle busy for me, but others really like it.
We just found out about a new campground in Michigan in Muskegon by the Michigan Adventure amusement park that has fun things to do also. Again, I believe they rent cabins or campers if you don't have your own.
Depending if you are looking for long get aways or small ones, Millbrook has a nice little campground. Its a jellystone and they have many family activities.

Just a few ideas. Although there are some really great ones given already.

Good luck.

summer in chicago is awesome. get a limo to pick you all up. rent a condo in lincoln park near the zoo and the lake (get a nice one with all the money you'll be saving from transportation). take the bus along lake shore drive to go everywhere. metromix.com has lots of info. from lincoln park you can walk to the beaches... just an idea! have fun!
ps: if you decide to do this send me a message and i'll recommend great affordable restaurants in my neighborhood-lincoln park!

I know this seems odd and I am not sure if you have been there lots but here in IL Chicago is wonderful! U can go to the beach,shedd aquraium,field,science and industry,and many art museum..Navy pier,and depending on when u go there is always a fest of some kind going on.I love the city and could find something to do everyday for weeks..Just a thought to consider..I do wish u luck in whatever u decide..

Cedar Point is alot of fun and has some nice places to stay right on the properties. We looked at the cottages last time we were there and they looked pretty nice. We have always found it to be alot less crowded and better rides than Great America.

How about Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana. It's not far to drive & there is a beach & water park/amusement park right there. I was there as a child & loved it & now we are taking our kids there camping this summer. They are 10 & 8. Also, there are things that are near that you can do for a day or two away.

Here are some links for more info: http://www.indianabeach.com/
http://www.greatcatsofindiana.org/
http://www.wolfpark.org/

Good luck!