Every New Years' we spend a couple of nights at a water park with our kids. We did not have a great experience last year at the one near Starved Rock, so we are looking for a new place (closer than the Dells). If you know of any special deals, that would be great too!
Thanks!
T.
We went to the Wilderness trail resort at the Dells a few times and are planing to go after Christmas .
We love it there.
Our family has been to both The Wilderness in the Dells and Key Lime Cove in Gurnee. The Wilderness is nice because it is huge and has a climbing structure, game room and mini golf. It is very spread out with lots of walking to get from one place to the next.
Key Lime Cove felt like we were on vacation! It is one big water park with a game room, a cute restaurant, arts & crafts and little shops. Since your child is young and you probably won't be hitting the big water slides, I would suggest going to Key Lime Cove. It is in Gurnee (approximately one hour north of Chicago) near Six Flags Great America.
Have fun!
http://www.timberridgeresort.com/family_fun/family.asp
We went to Timber Ridge about 4 years ago and liked it. The restaurant iniside was fine and I believe all rooms have kitchenettes. The price was very reasonable. I don't think there is much to do outside the resort, though. (Not sure if that matters to you.) Maybe that's changed now. On the upside... it only took us around an hour to get to.
We liked Blue Harbor Resort in Wisconsin a lot. That's not any closer than the Dells, though. It's in Sheyboygan. My kids liked the sand/beach, but of course it's too cold for that. Both places offer activities for kids.
We didn't like the waterpark in Elmhurst inside Holiday Inn. (Definitely disappointed.) We haven't been to the one in Arlington Hts. yet inside the Sheraton. Or have you thought about the one near Six Flags Great America in Gurnee? Just some more to search... just in case you don't get a lot of responses.
Blue Harbor is our favorite so far, although it's about as far as the Dells. Gurnee is nice. Not cheap. And it has a tidal pool, which is great for older kids but which scared me when I was there with a preschooler. There are a couple in Indiana that are supposed to be good, too. I have signed up for email alerts for all of the nearby waterparks and watch for deals, too.
The one in Elmhurst is OK, and close by, but does not have a resort feel. The staff was extremely nice when we went last year, though - really excellent service. But the waterpark is small and the restaurant's food is blah.
