Midwest Spring Break Ideas?

[Chelley00]

We usually skip Spring Break travel, but I've been in and out of the hospital the last couple of weeks and we've decided we really need a small break as a family. We live near Indy and don't want to travel far and can only be gone for a long weekend (Thurs-Sun) With the incoming medical bills, we need it to be somewhat budget. We've explored indoor waterpark ideas, so that's an option, but are really stumped as to where to go/what to do with 2 teens and an 8 and 5 year old. We've thought about Chicago, maybe St Louis, Cincinnati?

I'd love to hear ideas and options!

 

[MarthaJr.]

Come to Wisconsin! Go to the Wisconsin Dells! We have the best indoor waterparks! You can get some good deals by going through http://www.dells.com Great fishing in the Dells area as well if your kids or hubby is into that. The Dells also has a pretty good outlet mall.

Not sure when your spring break is...........ours is Good Friday through the following week but you could catch a Milwaukee Brewers game at fabulous Miller Park. We have a roof--so even if it is cold & yucky outside--it is very comfortable!

Are you into Harley Davidison? The Harley Museum is here in Milwaukee. We also have a great children's museum, public museum, art museum, IMAX theater, Milwaukee County Zoo.

On your way here to Wisconsin you could stop off in the windy city for some great museums, Shedd Aquarium, shopping on Michigan Avenue, or the outlet malls closer to Wisconsin.

Hope you have fun whatever you decide to do and your medical issues are behind you!

 

[Kae]

Sorry I can't help you we are going to Indy for Spring Break

Kae

 

[EKW]

St. Louis is great! It's also inexpensive compared to Chicago. I looove Chicago, but, for what you'll pay for a day there, you can spend 4 or 5 days in St. Louis.

My advice: The St. Louis Science Museum is way cool. There is something there for all ages...you can fill a day! You've got to see the museum under the arch and ride to the top...everyone would enjoy that. There are (or used to be) riverboat rides from the landing near the Arch. If your kids have never been on a paddleboat, they'd get a kick from that. The zoo is great (if you can find parking...we managed to head there on a free day or something and it was, well, a zoo, lol!) Finally, if you go you MUST do Magic House. You can find info about it online...and coupons on Facebook. Matter of fact, last week they posted a coupon that let one kid enter free for each paying adult.

(If you'd had it in the mix I would have suggested Omaha...from the Wildlife Park to the Henry Doorly Zoo, it used to be our favorite 2 day get away!)

 

[Happy vacationer]

Check out Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH. According to the travel channel it is the largest indoor water park in the US. We are going there for the first time during spring break. They have e-deals that make it pretty reasonable for 2 nights stay. I've talked to a few people who have been there or know someone else that's been there and they say it is awesome. Fun for all ages.

 

[sbpebbles]

Check out Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH. According to the travel channel it is the largest indoor water park in the US. We are going there for the first time during spring break. They have e-deals that make it pretty reasonable for 2 nights stay. I've talked to a few people who have been there or know someone else that's been there and they say it is awesome. Fun for all ages.

I agree with this one..As a former Kalahari reservations employee all of your children would have something to do..Since there are 5 of you could get away with a Desert Room which has 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa sleeper..Those are Kalahari's basic rooms..Rates do vary though and generally speaking the sooner you book the better the rate you will get..Not sure when your spring break is but do keep in mind rates for Kalahari are gonna run a lil higher than if it wasn't spring break..They have a facebook offer currently running, that you might be interested in..just search for them..otherwise check out their website: www.kalahariresorts.com...if you decide to go this route and would like some help please feel free to PM me..Oh by the way the one i'm referring to is in Sandusky, about a hour from Cleveland..Personally I think you'd want to avoid the Wisconsin Dells during spring break and yes that's where I use to work..Just way too many people right now there..HTH!

 

[MyBuddyBaloo]

Some other ideas if you make a loop through Ohio.

Cleveland, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There is also a nice Science Museum next door. Indians game.

Canton, Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Amish areas near Berlin and SugarCreek

Dayton, Wright Patterson Air Force Museum

 

[jt8595]

We live near Indy as well. Over Thanksgiving, we took a quick trip to the Pigeon Forge area. We found a reasonably priced cabin on vrbo.com. There is so much to do there that will keep your family entertained. Yet we were able to relax in the cabin, too!

 

[FINFAN]

I was going to suggest heading to Dollywood ( of they are open) but PP beat me to it! Drive is doable from Indy, but not sure if a theme park is an option with whatever your recent hospital concerns were. I just always think to head south for spring break, north is never warmer...I seek the sun!If you do head that route, look for a hotel that has in indoor pool tho, if you hit bacd weather you will have that as a back up. Another idea is iffy, but Mall of America...for a long weekend, may be fun, they have hotels there that can accomodate a family of 6, or even let them bring friends if they help pay for their rooms..that would be a blast for my kids!

 

[Donaldswife]

I live in Indy, and we do weekend trips to all the places you mentioned! I know some people suggested Kalahari in Sandusky, but that can be a painful drive from Indy...you could try Great Wolf Lodge in Cincinnati, that would be fun and a QUICK drive. I LOVE St. Louis for inexpensive travel. Last year I got a room at the hotel inside Union Station for $50 on priceline. Went to a Cardinals game and spent an afternoon going to the top of the Arch. We also go to Chicago every year for a weekend (we are going over 4th of July this year). It is more expensive, but there are more things to do there. If you are looking for budget, I would try St. Louis.

 

[delmar411]

Check out Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH. According to the travel channel it is the largest indoor water park in the US. We are going there for the first time during spring break. They have e-deals that make it pretty reasonable for 2 nights stay. I've talked to a few people who have been there or know someone else that's been there and they say it is awesome. Fun for all ages.

It's over a 5hr drive from Indy to get there. Not exactly close.

There is a waterpark on the northside of the city though. It's right near the Keystone Mall.

They sell package deals that you can either just do the waterpark or you can add in places like the Children's Museum (not really for teens though) and the zoo, etc.

Or the Great Wolf Lodge near Kings Island is opening some new big waterslide in time for spring break. That one is like 2.5hrs away from Indy.

Good luck in figuring something out. I tried to find something but everything seemed so pricey and I finally just gave up and we're doing nothing this week. LOL

 

[Mammaz]

We live in Anderson and do trips all over the midwest. St. Louis is an easy 4 hours trip and many many of the things lists to do above are FREE! Even the Zoo is free as is the museum under the Arch. The City Museum has a fee but is a very fun but odd place to go. Many hotels have free passes to the City Museum, so ask.
As for Chicago, drive to Portage and take the South Shoreline train into Chicago. The train is safe and fun and takes you downtown.
The waterparks are fun but expensive!
If you don't want to drive too far try Turkey Run State Park or McCormick Creek. Lots of fun things to do at the state parks.
It takes us about seven to eight hours to get to Gatlinburg. It is fun there but you WILL spend lots of money.
As you well know, it is sectional time in Indiana so we will get more snow or ice! LOL!

 

[skip323]

We are in Indy and also trying to do a seriously budget vacation. If you opt to stay around the Indy area, Carribean Cove is offering day passes (which they usually do not) for $25/ pp only that Friday,Saturday and I think Sunday of Easter weekend.

I have done Chicago for spring break and usually get some very good hotel deals. We have taken the train in but very much prefer riding the megabus in from Indy which is a blast (double decker...no one has to think about driving).

This year we are hitting St. Louis...lots of free things to do. i did not priceline a hotel because I want to stay at the Drury Plaza at the Arch however the Drury's offer free breakfast and a hot appetizer/ dinner (depending on what you can define as dinner). We are going to pay to do the City Museum but most of the other things we are doing are free and sound great!

We have also done Great Wolf Lodge for a quick trip in Cincinnati. Lots of fun. And we have also done Newport Kentucky right across from Cincy for the aquarium

Good luck!

 

[Chelley00]

Thanks for all the ideas, they've all been very helpful!


I had a HUGE kidney stone, which was complicated by the fact that they couldn't do anything for me until I had been off my blood thinners (taken for an autoimmune disorder) for a week. I spent 5 days in the hospital drugged up and sleeping which was stressful on the kids and DH Finally got it blasted last Monday and am doing so much better!!


I'm an OCD planner, so I'm going to make a spreadsheet of ideas and costs and see what comes up cheapest

 

[mrsklamc]

The only idea I had that wasn't already mentioned was there is that new water park at French Lick.

 

[lynn46356]

If anyone is driving up or down I-65 through Indiana stop at the Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure. They offer tours and there is a wonderful counter service restaurant that services the best grilled cheese and homemade ice cream. Of course, there are other things as well. I just went there today for lunch and had the best grilled cheese with cheddar and swiss along with butter pecan ice cream which is to die for!!!!! If you want more information check out their web page at http://www.fofarms.com/.

Have Fun!!!!!

 

[Chelley00]

If anyone is driving up or down I-65 through Indiana stop at the Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure. They offer tours and there is a wonderful counter service restaurant that services the best grilled cheese and homemade ice cream. Of course, there are other things as well. I just went there today for lunch and had the best grilled cheese with cheddar and swiss along with butter pecan ice cream which is to die for!!!!! If you want more information check out their web page at http://www.fofarms.com/.

Have Fun!!!!!

My animal lover daughter LOVES Fair Oaks. She got to see a calf being born. We were the only ones in the barn at the time, and the worker explained everything to her.

 

[Kae]

If anyone is driving up or down I-65 through Indiana stop at the Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure. They offer tours and there is a wonderful counter service restaurant that services the best grilled cheese and homemade ice cream. Of course, there are other things as well. I just went there today for lunch and had the best grilled cheese with cheddar and swiss along with butter pecan ice cream which is to die for!!!!! If you want more information check out their web page at http://www.fofarms.com/.

Have Fun!!!!!

Thanks my DD would loves this maybe on our way to Indy.

Kae