Best Family Vacations in Illinois

Looking for best family vacations in Illinois? - Illinois has population 12million, its Capital is in Springfield, but most people think of Chicago, the windy city. However there are a few other things to consider besides the windy city: Rambling riverboats along the Mississippi, Architectural delights, the Land of Lincoln, the always interesting Amish Country and Route 66 America's original two lane road that meanders past rolling farmland and small towns.

Perhaps your best family vacation in Illinois will take you to one of these great locations, this summer. Or perhaps you are going to Illinois to visit family. While everyone knows you could see the Sears tower at 110 stories, there is much more to see in Illinois.

Best Family Vacations in Illinois - Chicago favorite spots

Chicago Museum Campus - This is a 57 acre park right on the shore of Lake Michigan with three Museums. Come face to face with a T-rex at the Field Museum, or reach for the stars in the Adler Planetarium or visit the under water life at the Shed Aquarium.

Navy Pier 600 East Grand Avenue - You can spend an entire day at this waterfront park. This 1/2 mile Navy pier has boat rides, mini golf and even a Ferris wheel. This waterfront is also home to the Chicago Children's Museum. www.navypier.com

Lincoln Park - One of the largest parks in the city. Lincoln Park has a conservatory and the Lincoln Park Zoo. This lakefront zoo is the oldest in the nation. Started in 1868 with two swans and now has over a thousand animals. Families come to see endangered species such as the white rhinoceros. www.lpzoo.com.

Museum of Science and Industry - The museum of science and Industry in historic Hyde Park covers 14 acres with 800 displays and over 2,000 interactive areas. Your family will love the U-505 submarine exhibit or the working replica coal mine with working mining equipment and underground train. Your kids will marvel at the Toy Maker 3000, an assembly line with 12 robots or the model train room with 1,400 feet of track.

If I had to choose for you one place to visit with your family while in Chicago I would pick the Museum of Science and Industry. As a small child of 5 or 6 I visited this Museum with my parents and an aunt and uncle and still remember it today as the best museum ever. www.msichicago.org

Other Best Family Vacations in Illinois

Moline, Illinois John Deer tractor lovers, this is for you! A hands-on tractor museum, The John Deer Pavilion is one of the top five vacation spots in Illinois. The Vast Hall is filled with John Deer modern tractors and combines, most of which visitors can explore and climb on www.deere.com/en_US/attractions/pavilion/index.htm.

Petersburg, Illinois Lincoln's New Salem State Historical Site - For history buffs in your family. In 1831, Abraham Lincoln moved to Salem Illinois with his family. He lived there for 6 years. He worked in a store, served as a postmaster and was elected to the legislator. Today, The Lincoln New Salem State Historic site preserves the town as it looked in Lincoln's time. With tour guides dressing and playing parts as people who once lived there in 1831. This is a great historical site for older kids. www.lincolnsnewsalem.com.

Whether your best family vacation in Illinois takes you to one of these great locations or someplace else; we know Illinois has a lot to offer. Be sure to check out the rest of our site for other best family vacation ideas.

More vacation ideas besides best family vacations in Illinois.