I am so thrilled to bring you this comprehensive guide to your COVID-19 Summer 2020. This summer might be a bit different than normal. So I’ve done some extensive research for activities and places to go in and around the Chicagoland area. Download the Chicago Bucket List for Summer 2020, and check items off your list, as you use it in conjunction with the detailed guide below. I hope this guide helps you and your family make summer memories unlike any other.
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SUMMER 2020 CHICAGOLAND ACTIVITIES
**Please check each individual activity’s website for additional COVID updates and availability. While this post was last updated on July 11, 2020, COVID regulations are changing daily.
**In alphabetical order.
Bike the lakefront trail
Location: Chicago Access Map
Hours and availability: Open daily 6am-7pm. Trailers must keep moving. Trail use is for exercising and commuting – walking, jogging, running, rollerblading, and biking are allowed. No congregating, no gathering, no grilling, and no picnicking allowed.
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Walking, jogging, running, rollerblading, and biking are allowed.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Bison’s Bluff
Location: 1111 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Hours and availability:
On Friday, July 10, Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground at Spring Valley will reopen for residents only with strict safety measures in place, including:
- Maximum capacity of 50 persons of any age at all times.
- Admission will be by reservation (one-hour time slots).
- Nature Playground will be closed for 30 minutes between each time slot for staff to disinfect high touch points and all railings.
- Masks will be required whenever social distancing is not possible within the playground.
- The stream and water feature are closed.
- Outside toys are not permitted.
- Picnics are not permitted inside the playground (there is a picnic area nearby).
- Per Illinois Department of Public Health Guidelines, please maintain 6 ft. of distance from non-family members.
- If you are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please DO NOT ENTER any Schaumburg Park District facility.
- Bison’s Bluff 2020 FAQ
Admission Options:
Due to capacity restrictions and enhanced safety protocols, admission will be available seven days a week, in one-hour time slots starting at the following times: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Online reservations are available up to seven days in advance of the reservation date. Fee for admission is $2/person (all ages).
In case of inclement weather, Bison’s Bluff will be closed.
Due to the evolving guidelines and restrictions, hours, admission and rules are subject to change.
Price: $2/person (all ages)
Main Activities: Bison’s Bluff is a nature playground where many of the play elements (climbing features, slides, physical spaces) are either constructed entirely of natural materials or are constructed to mimic natural features such as logs, boulders, a flowing stream, etc. A nature play area is designed and landscaped to more closely resemble a natural area. Play features are often designed in such a way that their function is more open-ended, i.e., they can be used in many different ways, dependent on the imagination of the child.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, but toddlers going should be able to walk to get the most out of it
Blackberry Farm
Location: 100 S Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL 60506
Hours and availability: The Fox Valley Park District, in accordance with Phase 4 (Revitalization) of the Restore Illinois Plan, will begin opening additional amenities starting Friday, June 26. Please respect social distancing and use best individual hygiene practices as you return to our facilities. Beginning July 6, open for summer camps and private rentals and wedding ceremonies (for groups of 50 or less) only.
Price: Residents 2 and up $6, Non residents $9
Main Activities: Recreation area with museums depicting rural life plus a carousel, paddle boats, farm animals, playgrounds, train rides, pony rides & concessions.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, but toddlers going should be able to walk to get the most out of it
Blueberry Picking
(Resources found from Chicago Parent Magazine)
Where: 3709 Miller Road, McHenry
Distance from Chicago: 59.3 miles
This sprawling farm located in McHenry County offers 17 acres of strawberries ripe for the picking! The farm opens June 13 for market and expects to open for you-pick service in mid-June. Pricing varies based on the size of the basket, from $5 for a 1-quart to $13 for a 4-quart. Stade’s bakery and shop includes pies and jams. Check the farm’s Facebook page before you go for updates and the latest offerings.
Where: 10214 W Algonquin Rd, Huntley
Distance from Chicago: 52 miles
Tom’s is a family-owned farm that has been open for more than 40 years! Located in Huntley, Tom’s offers a bakery, farm market and garden center for delicious treats, plants and more. Masks and social distancing are required inside the market and greenhouse. Plans to reopen the You-Pick strawberry fields is expected in late June, and pickers are asked to monitor the farm’s website for extended social distancing guidelines and hours. Takeout and curbside pickup is available for lunch at Cheryl’s Café. The menu offers everything from yummy coffee drinks from their espresso bar to breakfast fare, paninis and more! The gift shop and garden center offer additional perks for shoppers.
Where: 18110 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock
Distance from Chicago: 62 miles
Head out to Woodstock for prime picking at McCann’s, another farm that has been serving Illinois families for 36 years! McCann’s offers three acres of blueberries. Blueberry season begins in July and continues through mid-August. Changes due to coronavirus concerns are expected and will be updated later this summer on the farm’s website.
Where: 14000 75th St., Bristol, Wisc.
Distance from Chicago: 60 miles
Situated just over the Wisconsin border the farm’s slogan is, “The Berry Best Place to Be!” The cash-only farm has been growing strawberries for more than 70 years, and also offers raspberries (in August). Masks will be expected around others not in your home, but not required in the field. There will be ropes to keep guests away from pre-picked strawberries. Be sure to visit regularly — frequent pickers are rewarded with a .50 cent discount when they reuse their baskets, and if you pick five baskets, the sixth is free!
Where: 5911 W. 50 South, LaPorte, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 60 miles
Get the full experience, thanks to a focus on farming, family, and community at this nearly 200-year-old family business. U-Pick strawberry prices range from $2.15-$2.45 per pound based on bulk amount. U-Pick options range from blueberries to black raspberries (in July) to tomatoes. Curbside pickup is available for anyone looking for fresh produce, and the first hour of picking time each day is reserved for guests 60 years and older.
Where: 8960 East Ridge Rd., Hobart, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 40 miles
Living up to the motto, “Quality Produce, Quality Service Since 1940,” Johnson’s Farm Produce has been serving the northwest Indiana region with care and quality. The season kicks off June 13 for picking in the fields. Patrons are encouraged to wear masks and remain socially distant in areas where there are other customers. Weekend festivals will run from June through October to highlight the freshest produce available.
Where: 9957 North Frontage Rd., Michigan City, Ind.
Distance from Chicago: 70 miles
This farm dates back to 1942 where some of the original blueberry bushes still thrive and produce fruit. This is a family business that ended up with the farm on a whim because of their love for the juiciest berries around. The newest owners have been in business for 20 years strong and their main focal point is the U-Pick. Aside from the best berries around, they also sell blueberry blossom honey, blueberry jam and blueberry syrup.
Brookfield Zoo
Location: 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
Hours and availability: Opens to members July 1-7. For now, only members can reserve tickets. Stay tuned to social media for updates. Must reserve tickets. Face masks required. Reservations are limited to groups of 9 or less.
Price: Free for zoo members, Memberships begin at $98 for 1 year
Main Activities: Brookfield Zoo, also known as the Chicago Zoological Park, is a zoo located in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield, Illinois. It houses around 450 species of animals in an area of 216 acres.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Busse Woods
Location: Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Hours and availability: Busse Lake Boating Center is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9am to sunset, with limited rental capacity. 04/25/2020 – 07/05/2020: Parking lot closed on weekends (Friday – Sunday) due to concerns associated with community spread of the Coronavirus. All public bathrooms are closed until July 8; a limited number of bathrooms will be open starting on July 9. Please follow physical distancing guidelines (stay 6 feet from others) and wear a mask during your visit. Check website for specific changes.
Price: Free
Main Activities: The 3,558-acre Ned Brown Preserve—popularly known as Busse Woods—is one of the largest and most diverse locations in the Forest Preserves. The site includes ancient upland forests, one of the largest fishing and boating waters in Cook County, nearly 13 miles of paved trail, an elk pasture and much more—making it one of the best-used natural areas in Illinois.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Caldwell Woods
Location: 6350 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
Hours and availability: Parking lot is closed until 7/5/20, All public bathrooms are closed until July 8; a limited number of bathrooms will be open starting on July 9.
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Caldwell Woods, located on the northwest side of Chicago, features picnic groves, activity areas, a warming shelter, sledding hill and access to the popular North Branch Trail.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Cantigny Park
Location: 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
Hours and availability: Phase 4 of the state’s Restore Illinois plan is now in effect. Daily hours are 7 am to sunset, with capacity limits. When capacity is reached, visitor outflow will be monitored before additional guests are admitted.
Price: ADMISSION FREE, $5 parking per car.
Main Activities: This sprawling 500-acre park is where families wander through nature, get lost in history, play our challenging golf course, enrich their senses, discover a variety of programming and enjoy quality time together.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Chain O Lakes State Park
Location: 2355 E 75 S, Albion, IN 46701
Hours and availability: All DNR properties including state parks, inns and restaurants, state forests, fish and wildlife areas, nature preserves, state recreation areas and beaches are OPEN.
Price: $7 In-State Daily Entrance and $9 Out-of-State Daily Entrance, camping rates $12-44 per night, Lake permits Motorized: $25 and Non-motorized: $5, Daily horse tag $5, Off road cycling permit $5 daily, $3 daily pool admission per person, $5 daily aquatic center admission, Hunting and fishing licenses range between $2.75-$295.
Main Activities: This is lake country and a small boater’s paradise. Nine connecting lakes will be the center of your adventures at Chain O’Lakes. Paddle through the chain of serene kettle lakes, hike the 23 miles of forested trails, fish the electric-motors-only lakes, stay overnight in a forested hillside family cabin, visit the park’s historic one-room Stanley Schoolhouse, or explore the Nature Center. Other facilities available for visitors to enjoy include a campground, beach and picnic shelters.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Chicago Botanic Gardens
Location: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
Hours and availability: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Garden View Café: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Garden Shop: Closed. The Chicago Botanic Garden is open every day of the year. Preregistered timed entry required. Not all exhibits are open. Play Garden to open mid-July.
Price: Parking free to members $25 weekdays and $30 weekends, Admission is free
Main Activities: The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum situated on nine islands in the Cook County Forest Preserves. It features 27 display gardens in four natural habitats: McDonald Woods, Dixon Prairie, Skokie River Corridor, and Lakes and Shores.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Delnor Woods
Location: 517 IL-25, St. Charles, IL 60174
Hours and availability: 8am-9pm
Price: FREE
Main Activities: A native oak-hickory woodland with century-old trees plus native plantings, interpretative signage, fishing opportunities, picnic pavilions, paved pathways and a dam with a small waterfall.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Drive Sheridan Rd.
Location: Varies from the city up through the north suburbs
Hours and availability: anytime
Price: FREE
Main Activities: North of Chicago, affluent old towns with gracious houses and mansions hug the shores of Lake Michigan. The drive up Sheridan Road, in most spots a stone’s throw from the lakefront, is pleasant in itself, even if you don’t stop. You can drive up the North Shore, from Evanston to Lake Forest, in a single day, including stops at Evanston, the Baha’i Temple, and the Botanic Garden. Heading north on Sheridan Road to Lake Forest, then returning via Green Bay Road makes a pleasant loop. If you are taking public transportation, Metra is your best bet. The Union Pacific North Line heads up the lake coast from downtown Chicago, with stops in towns from Evanston to Lake Forest.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve
Location: 5N753 State Rte 31, St. Charles, IL 60175
Hours and availability: Daily 7-5
Price: FREE
Main Activities: 67-acre green space with an off-leash dog area, hiking/biking trails, interpretive signs & fishing.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Location: 3609 Spring Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Hours and availability: To encourage social distancing and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center is closed until further notice. The surrounding forest preserve is open. The opening of the Graue Mill & Museum has been tentatively postponed.
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Take a walk, jog with your dog, ride your bike or cross-country ski at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook. Whether you prefer to study wildlife through a picture window or head out for your own excursion with a nature backpack, the education center offers something for every nature lover.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Gander Mountain
Location: 43419 Wilmot Rd, Antioch, IL 60002
Hours and availability: All public buildings are closed, Preserves will remain open 6:30 am to sunset.
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Within this preserve is Lake County’s highest natural elevation. Gander Mountain tops out at 957 feet above sea level. The site’s 125-foot hill is the result of deposits left from the retreating glaciers at the end of the last ice age. A challenging hike to the top along informal foot paths is paid off with a scenic view of the Fox River in the valley below.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Gilson Park and Wilmette Beaches
Location: Wilmette, IL: North Entrance
Lake Ave & Michigan Ave, South Entrance
Sheridan Rd & Michigan Ave, Langdon Beach
Chestnut Ave & Sheridan Rd
Hours and availability: Beach Hours Daily: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (or as daylight permits), Access to the beach and parking lot will be limited to beach season pass and season parking decal holders only
Season Passes and Parking Decals must be purchased online
Season passes and parking decals require a 48-hour processing period before activation – please plan accordingly
Beach season pass ID cards and season parking decals will be available for pick up at the Beach House, and can be picked up 48 hours after purchasing during business hours, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
No transactions will be processed at the beach
Concessions and water fountains will be closed – please bring a water bottle
There will be a single-use restroom open to the public
No food is allowed on the beach
We are not offering guest books for the 2020 Season
We are not offering rentals at the sailing beach for the 2020 Season
Beach/Pool Combo Passes purchased on or before May 20 will be honored throughout the 2020 Season
Beach/Pool Combo Pass sales are no longer available
Price: Beach and Parking permit purchase required
Main Activities: Park Amenities: 59.2 acres, Gilson Beach, Swimming, Lakeview Center, Sailing, Sailboat Rentals, Lighted Tennis Courts, Fitness Course, Picnic Areas, Picnic Shelter, Tot Lot, Wallace Bowl, Lighted Ice Rink, Dog Beach
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Glacial Park
Location: 6705 State Rte 31, Ringwood, IL 60072
Hours and availability: Open Daily Sunrise to Sunset
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Glacial Park is the Conservation District’s most popular site, visited annually by more than 64,000 guests who hike or horseback along eight miles of trails; fish the shoreline of Nippersink Creek at Keystone Landing or Pioneer Road Landing…or bike a five-mile portion of the 26-mile Prairie Trail that skirts the eastern boundary of the park. In a place where wildlife viewing is plentiful, many spend time birding, picnicking or paddling the glistening waters of Nippersink Creek., a high-quality stream teeming with aquatic life — a place where numerous wetland waders and local wildlife also visit the water’s edge.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Head to the 606 Trail
Location: The 606 runs along the Bloomingdale Trail (1800N) for 2.7 miles between Ashland (1600W) and Ridgeway (3750W). Walking, cycling or taking public transportation is encouraged. There are 12 access points, approximately every quarter-mile, with a total of 17 access ramps, all of which are accessible to people with disabilities.
Hours and availability: Beginning 6/22 The Bloomingdale Trail at the 606 will reopen from 6am-7pm daily. Wear masks, social distance 6 ft and keep moving
Price: FREE
Main Activities: The Bloomingdale Trail is a 10-foot-wide path with 2-foot-wide running tracks along both sides. All users are welcome, though no motorized or commercial vehicles are allowed. A few simple courtesies will help keep everyone happy and safe: stay to the right, pass on the left, step aside if you stop, encourage your children to do the same, and keep your dog on a short leash. Please respect the neighbors who live along the trail.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Historic Wagner Farm
Location: 1510 Wagner Rd. Glenview, IL 60026
Hours and availability: Phase 4 Update (6/29/20) – because our summer camps are using the Heritage Center, it will remain closed for public use in accordance with all state guidelines to keep campers safe. The building will reopen Aug. 10, after camps have ended. The grounds at Historic Wagner Farm reopened on Saturday, May 30. The Heritage Center will remain closed so there will be no restroom access. M-Sat 9-5 Sun 9-3
Price: FREE
Main Activities: In addition to the cows in the pasture, Historic Wagner Farm has chickens, draft horses, and pigs as well as a restored farmhouse and barn and the award-winning Historic Wagner Farm Heritage Center. The Heritage Center contains interactive exhibits where you can learn about farming from the early 20th century through the present, “shop through history” at our 1930’s Grocery Store or purchase a souvenir of your visit from our Museum Store.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Illinois Railway Museum
Location: 7000 Olson Rd, Union, IL 60180
Hours and availability: We plan to open July 18-19 for members only and to both visitors and members beginning July 25-26. These dates are subject to our ability to meet acceptable safety standards.
Before you visit, even if you have been a regular visitor in the past, please take the time to review the following procedures and policies. There are significant changes from the way that the Museum has operated in the past. We expect these will be temporary, and we intend to modify them in phases as both health conditions and regulations permit.
Weekends: 10:00AM to 6:00PM (Last admissions 4:00PM)
Weekdays (except holidays): 10:00AM to 4:30PM (Last admissions 2:30PM)
Price: Weekdays: Adults $11 & Children $8; Weekends: Adults $15 & Children: $11
Main Activities: The Illinois Railway Museum is the largest railroad museum in the United States.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Indian Boundary Park
Location: 2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645
Hours and availability: 6am-11pm daily
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Tucked away in the West Ridge community sits a community treasure—Indian Boundary Park and Cultural Center. Beyond the quaint Tudor-style field house, visitors can discover a beautifully restored nature area and duck-filled lagoon, a children’s spray pool, and four tennis courts.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Indian Caves at Perry Farm Park
Location: 459 Kennedy Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Hours and availability: Dawn until dusk
Price: FREE
Main Activities: The Indian Caves in Bourbonnais, Illinois are some of the least-known about caverns in the state yet they are some of the most fun to explore in the Midwest.
Age Appropriateness: Some hikes on slippery rock are only appropriate for experienced hikers.
Indian Caves at Perry Farm Park
Location: 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304
Hours and availability: West Beach Hours: 8-9, Restrooms are open, Dunewood Campground is open, The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center is open 8:30-4:30, The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is open, Due to erosion, portions of Lake Front Drive in Beverly Shores and Central Avenue Beach are closed, For public safety the Mount Baldy Dune Summit is closed. However, the Beach Trail is open.
Price: Dunewood Campground $25.00 per night camping fee, West Beach $6.00 per vehicle or motorcycle per day, $80 annual pass
Main Activities: Beach going and swimming, biking, birdwatching, Camping, fishing and paddling, hiking, horseback riding, picnic, winter activities, guided tours, geocaching
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Kettle Moraine State Forest South
Location: W7796 Kettle Moraine Drive Whitewater, WI 53190
Hours and availability: Wisconsin state park system properties are operating 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Most restrooms, campgrounds and showers are open with special conditions
Price: Vehicle passes $3-38
Main Activities: More than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, prairie restoration sites, pine woods and hardwood forests can be found in the Southern Unit, making this a popular area for a wide variety of visitors. The Forest is 30 miles long, extending from the village of Dousman, almost to the city of Whitewater. The forest headquarters is 3 miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Lincoln Marsh Natural Area
Location: Harrison Ave &, Pierce Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187
Hours and availability: Some amenities may be unavailable due to COVID19, the challenge course is closed. Open daily dawn to dusk
Price: Vehicle passes $3-38
Main Activities: This urban oasis with woodlands, prairies & more provides recreational & educational activities.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Lincoln Park Zoo
Location: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Hours and availability: Make a reservation, Wear a mask 7AM-6PM Daily
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Lincoln Park Zoo is a 35-acre zoo in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in North America. It is also one of a few free admission zoos in the United States
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Little Beans Cafe Private Playdate
Location: 430 Asbury Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
Hours and availability: Chicago: M-F 9-6, Sat and Sun 9-3, Little Beans is closed to the public due to COVID-19. We closed our doors on March 16th and will reopen to the public for drop-in play only when advised safe by the CDC. Little Beans Evanston will offer reservation-based play for 10 people or less (2-3 families) in phase 3. We are still determining if we will offer the same at Little Beans Chicago.
Price: Family play passes in 1.5 hr time slots
Main Activities: Little Beans is a family café and imaginative indoor playground for kids. Our café boasts a delicious assortment of coffee drinks and snacks where parents can enjoy the ambiance of our comfortable café with their tiny tots. At Little Beans, kids have the freedom to play, learn, imagine and create in our custom interactive indoor village and playground. When you want to bring your children to the best kids indoor playground and have a bite to eat, we are truly a destination that is fun for the whole family.
Age Appropriateness: Young children
Mallard Lake
Location: Schick Rd & Mallard Ln, Roselle, IL 60172
Hours and availability: Open one hour after sunrise until sunset
Price: Some permits required for purchase
Main Activities: The 948-acre Mallard Lake Forest Preserve in Hanover Park features trails and opportunities for picnicking, boating and fishing, including two wheelchair-accessible piers and a boardwalk that’s ideal for birdwatching. The 85-acre Mallard Lake is the District’s largest recreational lake.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Morton Arboretum
Location: 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532
Hours and availability: Daily 7am-6pm, Timed entry tickets and passes required for members and visitors
Price: $10 adults, $8 child, under 2 free, seniors $9
Main Activities: The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, United States, is a public garden, and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and program in tree research including the Center for Tree Science. Children’s play garden will open Mid-July.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Murals on Hubbard St. South of Ogden
Location: W. Hubbard & N. Ogden St., Chicago IL 60622
Hours and availability: always available
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Originally begun in 1971 by School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduate Ricardo Alonzo, this 11 block stretch of murals decorates the railroad embankment along Hubbard Street. Subjects of the murals are mostly, but not restricted to, animals and Mexican culture.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
My Gym
Location: Various locations throughout Chicago and the suburbs
Hours and availability: We are excited to offer My Gym LIVE Plus In-Gym Mini Classes. In addition to unlimited virtual My Gym LIVE classes which you have access to, we are now adding time in the actual gym beginning the week of June 15th. Beginning the following week, June 22nd, we will also be adding Private Play Parties (additional fee) for families who wish to have a 30 or 60 tor 90-minute private playtime all to themselves. Yay!
Price: Private Play Party! Starting at $49 for members and $55 for nonmembers, you can choose between 30 or 60 minutes of private playtime for just you, your family and a small number of guests (no more than 9 people total). Mini classes are for members only and $50
Main Activities: My Gym was born out of our passion to teach children in a fun, physically engaging environment
Age Appropriateness: 0-10 years
Navy Pier
Location: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Hours and availability: M-F 10-8 Saturday 10-10 Sunday 10-7, Check website to see what is open.
Price: Free, parking is $29 flat rate until further notice
Main Activities: Navy Pier is where you go in Chicago for events, rides, games, culture, dining, shopping and more.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
North Park Village Nature Center
Location: 5801 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646
Hours and availability: Open M-F 9-4
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Located on the northwest side of Chicago, North Park Village Nature Center features a 46-acre nature preserve and educational facility, situated within the 155-acre North Park Village campus. The nature preserve offers trails that wind through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savanna. A discovery room, a hands-on table of natural objects, and interactive displays are highlights of the Nature Center.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Pioneer Park
Location: 1212 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540
Hours and availability: Dawn-Dusk
Price: FREE
Main Activities: This riverfront area, popular for its wooded & prairie trails, also has a picnic shelter & restrooms.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Ryerson Woods
Location: 21950 North Riverwoods Road
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Hours and availability: 6:30 am – sunset
Price: FREE
Main Activities: On 535 acres of forest, you can hike multiple (mostly flat) trails on the banks of the Des Plains river. At certain points, you could even take a dip if you want. With multiple log cabins to find and plenty of shade, this is a great “easy hike” for families. Strollers can also hit the trail if they have good wheels. Make sure to visit the chickens and sheep near the welcome center before you leave as well!
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Safari Lake Geneva — added from original list
Location: W1612 Litchfield Road, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Hours and availability:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Last admission at 4:00 PM
May 1st – November 1st
In order to fully comply with social-distancing protocols, we are currently only offering our Drive-through Adventure option. Additionally, admission sales must be made online, and in advance, with a credit card. Cash payments are not accepted. The feed cups available for purchase are sanitized after each use. Our gift shop and walk-through area are also closed until further notice.
According to the US Centers for Disease for Disease Control and Prevention, “At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.”
Price: Infants (under 2): FREE; Children (3-15): $11.95; Adults: $18.95; Bucket of feed: $5
Main Activities: New for 2020, it’s a social-distancing safari! For the first time ever, you can experience Safari Lake Geneva’s game reserves from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle! Enhance your interaction with these amazing animals by purchasing a bucket of grain to feed them from your window. Plus, you can drive through the reserves as many times as you like – because the animals are free to choose where they wish to be, every time through is a unique adventure! There’s nothing like it in the state of Wisconsin and you’ll soon discover why this is the place everyone is talking about!
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Schaumburg Sculpture Park
Location: 1212 S Washington St, Naperville, IL 60540
Hours and availability: Open daily 24 hours
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Located on 20 acres of meadow and forest, the International Sculpture Park represents the Athenaeum’s expansion in Schaumburg. This cultural resource includes the art of international and American sculptors chosen to fit the natural environment of this beautiful site.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Shedd Aquarium
Location: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605
Hours and availability: Reopening to the public on July 3, Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required. The Aquatic Presentation, 4D Theater and several high-touch play areas will not be available. The restaurant reduced the number of tables and optimized outdoor seating
Price: General Admission Adult: $39.95 Child (3-11): $29.95, Chicago Residents: Adult: $19.95, Child $14.95, Members: Free
Main Activities: Shedd Aquarium is an indoor, public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Silver Lake Beach
Location: 27000 85th Street Silver Lake, WI 53170
Hours and availability: Open daily 7am-10pm
Price: small fee to use beach
Main Activities: This 260-acre park features numerous attractions that make Silver Lake Park one of the most popular attractions in Kenosha County. Visitors can choose from numerous recreational amenities to create a popular getaway for all four seasons. Nature trails traverse the rolling landscape and reward hikers with a sweeping overview of Silver Lake and the surrounding countryside. Over 10 miles of single-track and multi-use biking/hiking/ski mountain bike trails are constructed and maintained by the Kenosha County Parks. 18 hole golf course.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Skokie Lagoons
Location: Willow Rd, east of I-94/Edens Expy Cook County, IL 60093
Hours and availability: All public bathrooms are closed until July 8; a limited number of bathrooms will be open starting on July 9. Please follow physical distancing guidelines (stay 6 feet from others) and wear a mask during your visit. Open daily sunrise to sunset
Price: FREE
Main Activities: The 894-acre Skokie Lagoons are a prime destination for water exploration, featuring public boat access, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing, biking and hiking trails and picnic areas.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
St. James Farm
Location: 2S541 Winfield Rd, Warrenville, IL 60555
Hours and availability: PRESERVES OPEN — SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED. Masks are required if unable to social distance. Preserves may be closed if public safety is compromised. Preserves open 1 hour after sunrise until sunset.
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Hikers, bikers & horseback riders can explore a protected area of woodlands, prairies & wetlands.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Stade’s Farm
Location: 3709 Miller Rd, McHenry, IL 60051
Hours and availability: Daily 9-6 Market hours, Pick your own 8:30-5
Price: $5 for a 1-quart basket, • $10 for a 2-quart basket, • $15 for a 4-quart basket, • Buy FIVE 4-quart baskets and the sixth one is FREE (6 baskets for $75). Buy TEN 4-quart baskets, get two FREE (12 baskets for $150). No refunds are issued for unfilled baskets.
Main Activities: Pick your own strawberries in season now, Stade’s offers many homegrown (seasonal) fruits and vegetables, delicious bakery, and many, many specialty and gourmet foods for purchase in our country market.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Starved Rock
Location: 2668 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348
Hours and availability: Dawn to Dusk, Visitor’s Center 9-4
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River bluff in La Salle County is one of Illinois’ most beautiful destinations. The park’s 18 canyons feature vertical walls of moss-covered stone formed by glacial meltwater that slice dramatically through tree-covered sandstone bluffs. More than 13 miles of trails allow access to waterfalls, fed season runoff or natural springs, sandstone overhangs, and spectacular overlooks. Lush vegetation supports abundant wildlife, while oak, cedar and pine grow on drier, sandy bluff tops.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Volo Bog
Location: 28478 West Brandenburg Road , Ingleside, IL 60041
Hours and availability: 8:00-8:00 everyday, Our Visitor Center remains closed due to COVID-19; the restrooms are accessible when staff is on site. The Interpretive Boardwalk into Volo Bog itself is currently CLOSED.
Price: FREE
Main Activities: If you’re looking for a truly unique outdoor adventure, head for Volo Bog State Natural Area in northeastern Illinois. Just 45 miles northwest of Chicago in Lake County, this natural area contains Volo Bog, the only “quaking” bog in Illinois to have an open water center. Interpretive Programs for the public and groups, hiking trails, floating boardwalks, bird watching, cross-country skiing, wetlands, prairie restorations, woodlands, visitor center.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Walk around Old Orchard Mall
Location: 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077
Hours and availability: Special hours 11-7 M-S Sunday 12-6. Check website to see which stores are open
Price: FREE
Main Activities: Upscale outdoor shopping mall with department stores, brand-name fashion retailers & chain eateries.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Waterfall Glen
Location: Lemont, IL 60439
Hours and availability: COVID-19 Update: Waterfall Glen is open including all trails with the exception of Rocky Glen Waterfall within the preserve. The waterfall will remain closed indefinitely. Restrooms have been closed. Revised forest preserve hours: Open one hour after sunrise until sunset
Price: FREE
Main Activities: The 2,503-acre Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien is one of the most ecologically impressive parcels of open space in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, if not northern Illinois. It is also one of the District’s most popular forest preserves, known for its Rocky Glen waterfall, Sawmill Creek bluff overlook, and extensive trails. Waterfall Glen offers gently rolling to hilly terrain with 11 miles of trails popular with hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and cross-country skiers. It also offers fishing and an orienteering course, model airplane field and youth group campground.
Age Appropriateness: All ages
Have a blast this summer, and share in the comments where you go and what activities you love! A huge thank you to my friend Amanda who suggested many of these activity ideas to me, which spurred me to do A LOT of research and make this comprehensive guide for you. xo
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