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NOTE: If you have reached this page from a search engine, be sure to click here to discover resources about thousands of wonderful family-friendly places! Updates to Kids Love Illinois Additions: CHICAGOLAND – MICHIGAN AVENUE BRIDGEHOUSE MUSEUM & FISH HOTEL. 111 E. Wacker (@ Michigan), Chicago 60610. (312) 977-0227 or www.bridgehousemuseum.org. Utilizes five floors of the bridgehouse to educate visitors on the Chicago River’s history and value to the area. Learn about natives, explorers and wildlife that once lived in what is now skyscraper Chicago. About 100 times per year, the Michigan Avenue bridge lifts to the sky to allow large boats passage through. It’s a sight to see (go online for dates and times, usually late evenings). Every warm season, a water garden is replenished serving as a Fish Hotel. An abundance of fish meander to it to “vacation.” The Bridgehouse is open from 10:00a.m. to 5:30p.m. daily through summer, and on Wednesday through Sunday each September. N – Winslow. ARTESIAN WELL AT PARADISE COVE. Edge of Business District along Indian Creek. Nestled along Indian Creek is a natural artesian well where thousands of gallons of pure water flow each day—as it has since 1927. A ten foot water wheel is turned continually by the flowing water. The site, which is accessed by Stephenson County’s only covered bridge, includes a waterfall, large flower bed, and gazebo to enjoy while sipping the bubbling water. Open: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Martinsville, MOONSHINE STORE RESTAURANT. 6017 E. 300th Road. (618) 569-9200. Roy Lee and Helen Tuttle bought the old-time (circa 1912) country store in 1982 and promptly made it the best eating house in town - heck, it's the only building in town, unless you count the outhouse - and you had better count it.. Aside from cold cut deli-style sandwiches, drinks and snacks, Moonshine is the home of the world-famous Moonburger. You can get a double beef cheese Moonburger, you can get a bacon Moonburger, shoot, you can get a Moonburger just about any old way y'all want it. Helen only flips burgers until 12:30pm. After that, it’s cold sandwiches. The store guest-book has visitors from all 50 states and around the world. The visitors get a chance to enjoy hospitality and ambience from days gone by, no fancy menus or dinner tabs here, just give her your name when you order over the deli counter and pay as you leave. You can sit down on the inside benches or enjoy the picnic table right next to the kerosene pump. CL – PHEASANT RUN RESORT AND SPA. 4051 East Main Street (Rte. 64). St. Charles, IL 60174. (800) 474-3272 or www.pheasantrun.com. Experience lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment and recreation at a Midwest premier resort. There’s a wide range of activities on the 250-acre grounds including golf and indoor/outdoor pools. Guests can enjoy strolling down Pheasant Run’s indoor replica of New Orlean’s Bourbon Street and Noble Fool Theatrical comedies ranging from classic plays to improve to musicals. All wonderful, but the Specialty and Seasonal Packages is what really caught our attention. All packages include overnight accommodations as well as access to the pools. Try a Spring Fling – go fly a kite, Frisbee contests and other outdoor activities. Bubble toys and poolside games. This package starts at $114.00 for a family of four and includes crafts, kites and a picnic lunch. Their Summer Splash is similar but also features barbeques, DJ and music, breakfast and moonlight movies. At Smores-N-More you can warm up on fall and winter nights with your family as you enjoy a bonfire with smore kits and live entertainment (maybe a storyteller or cowboy singer). Again, crafts and a meal are included. Spring and summer weekends, kids can participate in interactive and imaginative shows they create and act out. “Lights, Camera, Create!” for children ages 5-12, in a one-hour show that is created by kids, cast with kids, and produced for kids. During the show, Novel Ideas pro actors help. While kids have fun learning and interacting, parents get to sit back, relax, and most importantly – laugh. ALL of this under one roof and the packages so reasonable! A great idea for an active weekend with the family – and, the kids can go to Kids Club weekend nights so the parents can go out to eat or see a play. The Theatre and Kids Club require an additional fee. By the way, the pools are huge and loads of families gravitate to it – make some new friends while you’re playing. More Info: W – PEORIA AREA WEEKEND. (800) 747-0302 or www.Peoria.org. We’ve already heavily recommended Wildlife Prairie State Park for a day or overnight. But, what else can a family do to fill an inexpensive weekend in the “city?” WHEELS O-TIME (pg.187) is especially fun if you bring the grandparents along. We have been to gobs of history museums and this one had so many “touch” exhibits the kids have never done. Type on an old typewriter, ring the siren of an antique fire truck, put your nickel in dozens of player musical instruments, try Morse Code, run a steam engine or start a mechanical circus or railroad. On your way back into town, swing over for an afternoon hike at FOREST PARK NATURE CENTER. Their easy, short trails are full of discovery of wildlife. If you don’t get enough on the trail, stop in the Nature Center to watch and touch samples of wildlife indoors. They have a spacious bird-watching room. A stop to the LAKEVIEW MUSEUM (pg. 187) is always worth it as the permanent exhibits are complimented by changing kids exhibit space. It’s just a few miles from Forest Park, as is TOWER PARK (pg. 190). Evenings are wonderfully spent at the Peoria Riverfront. If you still have energy left, try INPLAY, the ultimate Entertainment Complex featuring over 100 virtual reality games and an eatery, too. Our favorite – the Bowlingo! Try their pizza and play packages. Rather relax and eat right on the water? Try OLD CHICAGO (120 SW Water Street, 309-677-6766). They offer three different styles of pizza, sandwiches, pasta, excellent appetizers (pepperoni rolls!) and homemade desserts (little Big Cookie). Probably best to try the signature “Chicago Seven” loaded pizza. Close to the Riverfront, cheer on the local pro baseball, Class A Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the PEORIA CHIEFS (pg. 187). Everyone there was so friendly and the between-innings entertainment was fun. Before or after the game, sneak over to Bradley University Campus for some eclectic food at ONE WORLD EATS & DRINKS (1245 W. Main Street, Main & University, 309-672-1522 or www.oneworld-café.com) Most items served lunch and dinner are around $8.00. You’ll be tempted to try one of everything but we’d suggest the Appetizer Sampler, a Specialty Salad and an original melt or wrap. Try their mashed potatoes as a side. Big portions and a big kids menu that’s under $5.00. Don’t want to “rough it” at Wildlife Prairie overnight? Try casual luxury at STONEY CREEK INN on the East Peoria side of the Illinois River. (101 Mariners Way, exit 95A off I-74. (309) 694-1300 or www.stoneycreekinn.com) So cozy and comfortable – set in a nautical outback lodge, they’ve got a free continental breakfast and a large indoor/outdoor heated pool and spa. There’s a casual eatery there, too. Great family value for under $100.00 per night. EC - ROCKOME GARDENS (pg. 77) is now under new ownership. Instead of an Amish emphasis, there is an old-fashioned farm town emphasis. Hours are posted on their website: www.rockome.com. Free admission until June of 2006. Here’s part of a press release from ownership: Physically, Rockome needed a facelift. Decrepit structures were removed, while other buildings were reinforced. Layers of paint begin to revive the facades. Stores and shops are being re-vamped to suit today’s consumers. The grounds are being reminded of what it feels like to burst forth with color. The little town is starting to sparkle once again. This month, on April 21, The New Rockome’s gate will be open to the public. Although she is still “under transformation,” our hope is that her visitors can walk through her gardens and see the beauty and entertainment that lies below the surface. There is still much work to be done, but as we dine in Rockome’s renovated 1940’s style restaurant, watching entertainment reminiscent of that time, or stroll through our “Five and Dime” gift shop, we know that such a historical little town will not easily fade away. So come visit us and encourage this little town back onto the map. Start your day with a walk through our famous gardens and historical rock formations. Get a taste of a simpler life with a tour of an authentic school house and 1940’s farmhouse (coming soon). Visit Five and Dime for specialty gifts, or Harvest Time for your natural made products, including food and wine. At the restaurant, enjoy family style dining and a seasonal menu, while listening to live entertainment. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Elvan’s Soda fountain and then take a relaxing buggy ride to round out the day. Come with your family, or reserve one of our facilities for a catered event. Bring school children here to enjoy time with our animals. Seasonal & Special Events W - MACKINAW VALLEY CHAUTAUQUA SPIRIT OF THE PAST. 1797 County Road 450N (route 150 to town then follow the signs three miles north), Congerville. (309) 448-2480 or www.woodtreefarm.com. This unique festival takes place at Wood Tree Farm and Mackinaw Valley Elk Farm. It features farm tours, hay rides, historical presentations and first person performances. Also featured is a petting zoo, crafts, organic produce, elk meat products, Christmas tree selection, and more. (first full weekend in October) |
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