Springtime vacations with kids, within driving distance of Chicago

[katie01]

We had hoped for a Hilton Head trip, but decided to wait on that and choose a destination that isn't as far to drive. A driving distance of 10 hours or less, from Chicago, would be ideal.

The kids like: swimming, bike riding, mini golf, historical site seeing, and good restaurants. DH and I like all of the above, plus some semi-warm weather would be nice. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[morgan98]

Have you been to Nashville? That is an option and is well within the drive time you are looking to stay in.

 

[katie01]

Have you been to Nashville? That is an option and is well within the drive time you are looking to stay in.

We have not! We have been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge twice with the kids and have all loved that area, but haven't been to Nashville. I'd love to hear any recommendations you might have--for anything: food, hotels, or entertainment.

 

[Mizzoufan]

St. Louis

Amazing Free zoo
City Museum

 

[punkin]

A little over 10 hours, but Washington DC.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My first thoughts are St Louis, Indy, Nashville - Nashville being the furthest, but also the best chance for warmth.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

St. Louis was my first thought.

 

[lesliekatya]

Mackinac Island? Memphis? We've been thinking about those, ourselves.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

What about Chattanooga? They have the zoo, aquarium, river walk, Lookout mountain, Appalachian trail, ruby falls, rock city, Lake Winnipesauka, railroad musuem, and many, many more attractions.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Nashville always sounds nice, but beyond the zoo and shopping, there isn't a whole lot of family entertainment in my opinion. It's great for adults who want to check out the music scene, but I have trouble finding a lot to do with kids down that way.

 

[havaneselover]

Mackinac Island? Memphis? We've been thinking about those, ourselves.

I love Mackinack island but I wouldn't go there until at least June.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What about Chattanooga? They have the zoo, aquarium, river walk, Lookout mountain, Appalachian trail, ruby falls, rock city, Lake Winnipesauka, railroad musuem, and many, many more attractions.

Nashville always sounds nice, but beyond the zoo and shopping, there isn't a whole lot of family entertainment in my opinion. It's great for adults who want to check out the music scene, but I have trouble finding a lot to do with kids down that way.

We've combined these two a couple of times ^^^

 

[McKelly]

Wisconsin Dells? Not sure it will be warm though! But lots of indoor swimming areas....

 

[FINFAN]

as someone who lives in Chicagoland~if looking for warmth? Book a flight, lol~or head to Huntsville. My kids are now 21 and 25 and we never found a place warm within a 10 hour drive in March. We tried, believe me, we tried. If willing to tack on a few more hours Atlanta may be an option. You have the Space center, day drives to the beach in Huntsville, some good eats especially if you like seafood. Atlanta can yield some historic venues, coca-cola museum, good food. Book a hotel with an indoor pool though. You really can drive straight through to either of those.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We these types of trips and are always taking off for long weekends!
1. Nashville with a stay at the Opryland, well worth it!
2. Wisconsin Dells, we do this 3 times a year and stay at Great Wolf! In fact we go back next weekend!
3. Ohio, there are so many destinations with so much to do, we head to Cinncinnatti at the end of this month.
4. Mall of America, staying at an indoor waterpark resort, that gives you stuff to do in the resort and then soooo much to do in the mall!
5. Frankenmuth, Mi! This is our go-to place for Thanksgiving, but it's beautiful during all the seasons.
6. St. Louis, we do this once a year and LOVE staying at any of the Arch view hotels and alternating years on whether we go up the Arch in the day or the night. We are obsessed with CITY museum, the zoo and even the brewery tours. There is always something to do and it's a very inexpensive trip!
7. Head up to Door County, Wisconsin for some amazing shops and tours!
8. I don't remember the time it took, but we just recently went up to Michigan and into Canada for a fun getaway and that was such a blast, even the drive was fun.

There are so many more, I just can't think of them off the top of my head. We love to never be at home and constantly pick up and go, so we have discovered some pretty awesome places doing this!

 

[MochaDrinker]

We do St. Louis every year-mainly for the baseball but we do other stuff too. Last year we did the Budweiser brewery and the Soulard farmers market, both of which were awesome