Chicago is one of the largest cities in the Midwest, but just a few miles outside of the city travelers will find acres of fields and rural farmland. While the towns in Illinois outside of Chicago are smaller, there are plenty of fun attractions that aren't too far away from the city.
North of the city between the Wisconsin border in the town of Gurnee, Illinois, thrill-seekers can ride some of the fastest roller coasters in the country. One of the largest theme parks in the Midwest, Six Flags Great America is 123 acres wide with 51 rides. It is only open during the summer months, and weekends in the autumn, but residents from all over the Chicagoland area come to the park for a day of rides. Various rides depend on height, but persons of all ages are admitted into the park. Great America is about half an hour away from the northern edge of Chicago.
Six Flags Great America
542 N Il Route 21
Gurnee, IL?
847-249-1776?
sixflags.com
West of the city in the town of Brookfield, Illinois is one of the premiere zoos in the Midwest. The Brookfield Zoo is a family favorite destination in the Chicagoland area. Hundreds of animals can be seen in state of art habitats. The zoo is also nearby to the extensive forest preserves and the Little Red Schoolhouse nature center in neighboring Willow Springs. So whether you would like to see exotic nature at the zoo, or natural Illinois wildlife in the forest preserves, it's all available in the western suburbs. Brookfield Zoo is only about a 15-minute drive from Chicago.
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL 60513
708-485-0263
brookfieldzoo.org
Little Red Schoolhouse
9800 Willow Springs Road
Willow Springs, IL 60480
708-839-6897?
For a rural experience that showcases some of Illinois' farmland attributes, the Round Barn Farm in Manhattan is a hidden gem just half an hour from Chicago. Southwest of the city, Manhattan is one of the first truly rural suburbs. At the Farm, families take their kids to feed and pet all sorts of animals, watch pig races, ride ponies, explore a museum of old farming equipment, and go on hayrides. During the month of October, there is a pumpkin patch and the barn becomes \"haunted.\"
Round Barn Farm Museum
24115 S. U.S. Highway 52
Manhattan, IL 60442
