Summer, glorious summer! July and August are the height of this euphoric season, so let’s take advantage of these radiant days before it’s back to school and bundling up. We’ve found some new and refreshing family excursions within a few hours of Chicago that the kids won’t soon forget.
No long drives here: you’ve hit the sweet summer adventure jackpot!
Go Tiny Glamping
Escape to a tiny cabin in the woods with Getaway Starved Rock. An hour and a half from Chicago, near the hiking trails of Starved Rock State Park and the scenic Illinois River, you can sleep in the most adorable cabin with a huge picture window to peer out at nature. Unwind with comforts like air conditioning, soft queen-size beds, your own shower, toilet, kitchenette and campfire. New outdoor suites elevate the experience with a smokeless fire pit, chef station, outdoor string lights, Adirondack chairs, large hammock, sun shade and an outdoor cedar Japanese soaking tub to make your forest bathing visions a reality. Purchase a kids adventure kit with a bug net and book or a kit with chocolate truffles and conversation cards for reconnecting.
Go Big with Your Own Private Resort
Bunker Hill Farms is a secluded 450-acre hideaway 60 miles northwest of Chicago in McHenry County that you, your family and friends can rent out for your own private retreat. Not only is it an incredible hidden gem, but all of the proceeds benefit a local charity. Choose from upscale cottage or lodge accommodations that sleep up to 24 and relax while the friendly staff customizes your stay. The grounds are vast, hilly and gorgeous. Kids will feel boundless freedom exploring, swimming in the pond, playing on the sand beach or climbing the inflatable water park.
Golf an impeccable 18-hole private course, feel the thrill of riding ATVs to the highest overlook in McHenry County, then indulge in massages at the Silo Spa, where you can view botanic gardens through the glass below your massage table.
Kayak, paddleboard or chill out on a pontoon boat. Horseback riding and skeet shooting are options, too. An on-site chef will whip up meals that please your particular palates. The best parts are the quiet exclusivity and full-service staff. This will be a nearby getaway your group will always remember.
Windy City Staycation
Most say summer is the best season in Chicago, and what better way to savor it than by acting like a tourist in your own hometown and overnighting downtown. Stay at Loews Chicago, where you can lounge on the rooftop with gourmet bites and drinks in hand, then swim the 20-meter heated indoor pool. Spacious suites are perfect for families and offer gorgeous views of the river and Navy Pier. Dive-In Movies play summer Saturday nights at the pool and morning cartoons make splashing fun Saturday and Sunday mornings. Pool toys and in-room pop-up tents are available upon request. Little guests love the Bedtime Book Cart, where they can select stories to read during their stay. Board games, card games and PS5 systems are available for loan. Zen out with a Hello Bello bath kit and reserve a complimentary crib for baby.Â
Savor the Rhythm of Farm Life
There’s nothing better to ground yourself with nature and reconnect with where your food comes from than partaking in the harvest at a local farm. Feel the sunshine on your back and savor life’s simple pleasures at Locavore Farm in Kankakee County. Dine on the Land is their signature Saturday evening event through October. It’s a bountiful, five-course feast served on a 100-foot-long, handcrafted farm table in the fields. Enjoy fresh vegetables and pasture-raised meats grilled over an open flame while live music floats through the wide-open spaces. Kids run free and giggle while they play lawn games. Roast s’mores around a bonfire under a sky full of twinkling stars and feel your spirits soar.
New are farm stay and glamping experiences, where you can harvest your own vegetables, herbs and flowers, fetch your own eggs, or just relax in the rural landscape. Thursday nights are more casual dinners, where you can purchase meals a la carte. Two summer farm camp weeks are available in July for kids ages 6-16 who want to learn more about country living. Adults can partake in gardening and cooking workshops while the kids are in camp.
Take Colorful Photos Under Umbrella Skies
Have you seen whimsical photos of umbrella sky streets on social media? Now you can find three locations with this world-famous art installation in Elmhurst. A smile will instantly spread across your face when you see these colorful canopies. Not only do the vibrant umbrellas offer the perfect backdrop for photos, but they also provide a reason to visit this not-too-distant suburb along the Metra Line. Dine under the umbrellas at NuCrepes, where sweet and savory pockets of deliciousness will satisfy every member of the family. Sip lattes and tea from nearby Brewpoint Coffee. Hello Donut claims to make art out of doughnuts, and they are not lying. Don’t even try to resist their signature recipes like Nutella Italian and Mexican Mole. Check the Elmhurst City Centre calendar for live music summer Wednesday nights under the umbrellas.
Celebrate National Blueberry Festival in the Fruit Belt
South Haven, Michigan, holds its National Blueberry Festival Aug. 10-13. Families love the live music, kids activities, parade, pie eating contest, rides, 5K run/walk, craft fair and farm day at 60th annual event. About two hours from Chicago, South Haven is well-loved for its sugar-sand beaches, spectacular sunsets and quaint downtown. Amidst the Fruit Belt of southwest Michigan, you’re sure to savor fresh strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and of course, blueberries throughout the area. Kids’ Corner Playground will unveil a total renovation this summer, with accessible and sustainable solutions for generations to enjoy endless hours of outdoor fun.
Cool Off with Endless Ice Cream
The Museum of Ice Cream is an explosion of pink and sprinkles, and a kitschy selfie-museum way to cool off from the summer heat by sampling unlimited frozen treats. Score a hole-in-one playing doughnut mini golf, leap into a pool of giant sprinkles and pose by the jellybean wall. Get hands-on with a new edible slime-making experience. You can even try hot dog-flavored ice cream on a bun with mustard and relish. Let us be frank, you’ll actually relish this treat!
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
