Nothing is more relaxing than a day at the beach. Unfortunately, you can't play in the water at any of the beaches in Illinois in the midst of winter. Take your love of water indoors and enjoy one of Illinois' many indoor water resorts. Whether you're looking for a fun and active getaway for the family or a relaxing retreat for two, there's a water resort vacation in Illinois for everyone.
KeyLime Cove Indoor Water Park and Resort in Gurnee, Illinois, offers a bit of the tropics without leaving the Midwest. Regardless of the weather, you need only your swimsuit to enjoy a weekend of swimming and playing with the kids or relaxing in the spalike areas. At night, enjoy dinner at one of KeyLime Cove's six kid-friendly restaurants before retiring to your room. KeyLime offers activities for those interested in enjoying an action-packed day of zooming down water slides, as well as for those who want to lazily coast down the KeyLime Creek in an inner tube. If you enjoy water sports, play basketball in the activity pool. Or slip off into the KeyLime Grotto for a relaxing soak. Kids will enjoy the wave pool, water slides and Toukie's Big Deluge—a gigantic, interactive play structure they can spend hours navigating. There's no extra fee for guest use of the water park, as it is included with a stay at KeyLime Cove Resort. As of early 2010, water park hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Room rates range from $159 per night for the King Stateroom to $459 for Captain Dave's Presidential Suite.
KeyLime Cove Indoor Water Park and Resort
1700 Nations Drive
Gurnee, IL 60031
877-360-0403
keylimecove.com
Spend your vacation at Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort and you'll have the choice of a water park, amusement park and the great outdoors all wrapped into one. Located in Utica, Illinois, near beautiful Starved Rock State Park, Grizzly Jack's offers activities from sun up to sun down. This 24,000-square-foot indoor water park offers a kiddie pool for the little ones, a wave pool, lazy river and water slides. In addition to the water park, the Enchanted Forest offers arcade games and nine full-sized amusement park rides. Starved Rock State Park is across the street from Grizzly Jack's, giving you the opportunity to walk nature trails and see local wildlife such as bald eagles and deer. Choose from five different suites, two-story villas or three-story cabins. As of early 2010, prices range from $199.95 per night for a family of four in the Family Suite to $614.95 per night for the Luxury Cabin. When you're hungry, try one of the two restaurants on the premises, or head over to Starved Rock's restaurant. Mid-day snackers can takae advantage of one of three convenient snack shops at Grizzly Jack's. Due to popularity during school holidays, check availability before visiting.
Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort
State Route 178
Utica, IL 61373
866-399-3866
grizzlyjacksresort.com
Bright, sunny, 84-degree weather awaits you everyday at CoCo Key Water Resort in Rockford, Illinois. Your little ones will love the Dip-In Theatre, a wading pool with movies and slide shows. Bigger kids will enjoy sliding down Parrot's Perch and tubing down the Coconut Grove Adventure River. Relax in the Palm Grotto before trying out one of the three 40-foot body and raft waterslides. CoCo Key is part of the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center in Rockford, Illinois. In addition to the CoCo Key Water Resort, Clock Tower Resort also has an indoor and outdoor heated pool, state-of-the-art racquetball and fitness center, one on-site restaurant and a Starbucks. As of early 2010, a room with two double beds or a king and water resort package costs $109 per night. There are also plenty of restaurants and shopping in the area should you decide to venture out of the resort.
CoCo Key Water Resort
7801 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 64133
877-875-4697
cocokeywaterresort.com
