July Cover Story: Family Fun Guide
Posted by Laura Nelson on July 13, 2009
Festivals, outdoor activities, museums, sports, summer camps, classes, day trips, getaways, music and more—all part of summer fun…
*Excerpt from our July Cover Story*
Experience Pure Michigan at Crystal Mountain Resort
The Pure Michigan Family Vacation is an all-inclusive way to experience Crystal Mountain’s 1,500-acre northern Michigan playground. About 280 miles from Chicago, Crystal sits in the heart of Michigan for summer fun–Sleeping Bear Dunes, charming lighthouses, wine country, professional baseball and more.
The Pure Michigan package includes nightly lodging and unlimited access to the Park at Water’s Edge, Crystal Coaster alpine slide, twilight Vertical Edge climbing wall, twilight golf on the Betsie Valley course, twilight bike rental, chairlift rides, hikes through Michigan Legacy Art Park, access to the Peak Pool & Fitness Center, disc golf, outdoor movies, family field games, and bonfires.
Golf and Spa packages are also available at the resort.
To see more, visit www.crystalmountain.com or call (800) 968-7686.
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Starved Rock Offers Nature’s Beauty and Adventure Close to Home
Experience outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park, whether you can enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, camping, or taking in the beauty of one of the “7 Wonders of Illinois.” Just an hour from the west suburbs, the backdrop for recreational activities are 18 canyons formed by glacial meltwater and stream erosion. They slice dramatically through tree-covered bluffs along the Illinois River Valley.
Nestled amid nature’s beauty, Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center (pictured below) offers guest rooms, suites, deluxe cabins or pioneer cabins to fit the lodging requirements for any family. Special “Getaway Packages” are available. For reservations and information, call (800) 868-ROCK or visit www.starvedrocklodge.com.
Starved Rock Adventures adds excitement for the day with boating action. Also a complete vacation destination, Starved Rock Adventures features waterfront condos. Houseboats can be rented for vacation trips for a few days or by the week.
Day rentals of jet skis, speedboats, housebboats (pictured above) and pontoons give a different view of nature’s beauty on the water. All safety equipment is provided; training and instruction are included. Reach Starved Rock Adventures, Inc. at (815) 434-9200. Details also available at www.starvedrockadventures.com.
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Step into Nature at Beautiful Morton Arboretum
Whether you seek a quiet walk in the woods or an active family exploration, the Arboretum offers a wide variety of activities, events, tours, and classes for people of all ages. Summer programs for kids include Science Camps (pictured, left), which increase your child’s curiosity about science and the natural world through hands-on outdoor activities. Topics range from teaching preschoolers the sound of bird calls and the smell of roses to instructing seventh and eighth graders on how to restore native woodland habitats. Adults can partake in courses and workshops in such diverse topics as natural history, botanical art, horticulture, and more.
The Morton Arboretum is located at 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle. For info, call (630) 968-0074 or visit www.mortonarb.org.
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Glendale Heights Summer Camps
The village of Glendale Heights hosts summer camps that offer children activities guaranteed to make their summer full of exciting adventures. Camps start June 8 and run through August 14. Extended hours as early as 7am and 5pm pick-up are available. Swimming, water slides, crafts, field trips, sports and games are some of the fun and challenging activities scheduled.
The Sports Hub is at 250 Civic Center Plaza in Glendale Heights. For details, call (630) 260-6060 or visit www.glendaleheights.org/
parksrecreation.
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Arabian Knights Farms–It’s Party Time at the Barn!
Arabian Knights Farms in nearby Willowbrook is a beautifully-wooded ten acre venue with three entertainment components. It’s a facility for private parties, an equestrian education/training facility/farm, and an entertainment center featuring concerts and theater productions.
Whether your party has a guest list of twelve or a thousand, there’s an ideal spot for it at “The Barn.” Perfect for picnics, country weddings, meetings, reunions, birthdays and more, there’s a wide choice of activities that will keep guests entertained. Parties can include music, line dancing instruction, pony rides, face painting, magic shows, games.
Arabian Knights Farms is also an equestrian education and training facility. Trainers and instructors have expertise in all disciplines including Hunt Seat, Western, Saddle Seat, Driving, and Dressage. There are sixty large stalls, two indoor arenas, an outdoor track and reviewing stands. Concerts, theater presentations, country line dancing, and square dancing round out the entertainment line-up.
Arabian Knights Farms is at 6526 Clarendon Hills Rd., Willowbrook. For directions and more, call (630) 327-7399 or visit www.akfentertainment.com.
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Lisle Park District Offers Summer Camps and More!
The Lisle Park District offers a diverse slate of activities to keep kids busy this summer. Popular offerings include Camp Summer Quest, a supportive and fun-filled experience for all children, which features a number of field trips and fun in the sun. Camp No Name is for teens entering grades 6-9 who are looking for new and exciting things to do this summer. This camp features two field trips per week, plus swimming at Sea Lion Aquatic Park, a mix of arcades, museums, water parks, laser tag, bowling, mini golf, and much more! Lisle Park District also plays host to a summer concert series in Community Park, Lisle. All shows are free of charge and feature live music.
For more info, call (630) 964-3410 or visit www.lisleparkdistrict.org.
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Hot Cars and Hot Music Highlight Warrenville Summer Daze Festival–Friday, Saturday, August 7th and 8th
Mark your calendar on August 7 and 8 for Warrenville’s annual Summer Daze Festival. All the action takes place on the corner of Butterfield and Batavia Roads with fun activities for all ages.
Hot bands will be playing while you enjoy delicious food or take in the juried ‘Art on the Prairie’ art fair. Main stage entertainment is free. Join the Radio Disney Road Crew with games, music, dancing and prizes for the whole family.
If you could use some extra cash, buy a raffle ticket to win $1500 or one of the $100 prizes. Tickets cost just $2 apiece, or 3 for $5. Purchase tickets at NorthStar Credit Union, Warrenville Park District, Warrenville Chamber of Commerce, and MB Financial Bank.
The Car, Motorcycle and Truck Show takes place on Saturday, with registration beginning at 8am. Trophies will be awarded.
Children’s rides, hosted by Warrenville Youth and Family Services, are just $7 for unlimited rides with purchase of a wristband.
Details and the complete schedule are on the Warrenville Chamber of Commerce website: www.warrenvillechamber.com.
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Play Ball with the DuPage Dragons
For a fun time at the ball park and to see some of the best players in collegiate baseball, see the DuPage Dragons play at the beautiful Benedictine University sports Complex in Lisle. This season marks the Dragons’ fifth year.
The Dragons, members of the newly formed Prospect League, features players recruited from some of the top collegiate programs across the country. Several local players have been signed for this season, including Lisle native Bryan Roberts, Downers Grove brother tandem Brad and Brian Riegler, and Naperville natives Eric Wagner and Matt Kleifges. The league has taken on a new identity, with renaming and rebranding. The Prospect League, formerly known as the CICL, will feature an expanded schedule and double the number of teams from 2008. The Prospect League will now feature teams from Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The Dragons play a competitive 54 game schedule with 27 home games at the beautiful 1000 seat Benedictine facility. The stadium offers meeting rooms, luxury suites, a full concession area, plenty of restroom facilities and free parking. Group outings and birthday party events are welcome can be arranged by calling the main office. The Dragons also sponsors Little League Baseball Camps for kids 6-12 in Lisle, Bolingbrook, and Hinsdale.
For details, call (630) 241-2255 or visit www.dupagedragons.com. Benedictine University’s Sports Complex is at Maple Ave. and Yackley Ave., Lisle.
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Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois–Nation’s Largest
Equipment is chugging daily during the summer season. Explore America’s largest collection of historic railway equipment– Streetcars, Interurbans, Steam, Diesel, and Electric Locomotives, Passenger and Freight Cars. Trains operate seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Special events are scheduled throughout the season. Visit www.irm.org for more details. Dads are admitted free on Father’s Day, Sunday June 21, when accompanied by at least one fare-paying individual. Independence Day Celebrations on July 4 and 5 will spotlight American Presidents traveling on the Presidential Train. July 18 and 19 are Diesel Days. Ride on a coach train pulled by one of these powerful giants.
The popular “Day Out With Thomas” event is scheduled for August 14, 15, 16, 22, and 23 with the return of everybody’s favorite, Thomas the Tank Engine.
See the trains that Hollywood made famous in “A League of Their Own” and “The Babe.” Key scenes from the movies were shot at the museum and the cars and locomotives are all on display. The museum Gift Stores are open on operating days. Food service and picnic areas are available. Main walkways are paved, allowing handicapped accessibility. Parking is free.
Details and further information are at (815) 923-4000 and www.irm.org.
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Exhibits, Activities for Kids this Summer at West Chicago City Museum
The West Chicago City Museum has two floors of exhibits with children’s activities. Exhibits this summer include Exploring Latino Identities, on display in July and August, features the works of Latina/o artists and explores the many issues that face the Latino community.
Local and regional artists will be featured in the first floor gallery following the closing of My space: West Chicago, a community based artist in residency project by Jorge Rojas, a Mexican-born, internationally exhibited artist.
Building a Community informs us of who lives in West Chicago and where they come from and why, with artifacts and photos from our community’s earliest immigrants to present day. This exhibit is open through September 2009.
The West Chicago City Museum is a dynamic history and art center that inspires and involves the community through research, programs and exhibits. Exhibit galleries are open Tuesday-Friday from 10:30am-3:30pm and Saturday, from 11am-3pm. Admission is free.
The West Chicago City Museum is located at 123 Main St., West Chicago. For more information call (630) 231-3376 or visit www.westchicago.org/museum.
Tags:Family Fun, Summer Fun, Travel
