2 families need great vacation spot in Midwest!
Jun 4th, 2010, 05:51 AM
#1
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2 families need great vacation spot in Midwest!
Help! We are planning, rather late too, a vacation in late July with 2 families with 6 children total between 3-14 yrs. old somewhere in the midwest. We live in the Chicago area and we find different places to stay every yr. I am looking at going somewhere that is no more than 6 hrs. from Chicago. I was looking into the Black River Country in WI but it looks like ATV ing is the big thing. We are looking for beaches, boats, hiking, fishing, cabin/cottage resort get away. Any suggestions besides Door County? Thanks!
Jun 4th, 2010, 06:44 AM
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Cedar Point is a great vacation for families. Hotel Breakers is my favorite because the front of it is on Lake Erie with a great beach and two pools. The back of it is Cedar Point. But there are plenty of other places to stay that are not as expensive. Two days here,
http://www.cedarpoint.com/
Then on to Put-In-Bay for a couple of days
http://putinbayreservations.com/
The ferries to the islands: http://www.ohio-put-in-bay.com/ferries.php The Goodtime even has a boat that will take you to both Put-in-Bay and Kelly's just for a day.
http://www.cedarpoint.com/
Then on to Put-In-Bay for a couple of days
http://putinbayreservations.com/
The ferries to the islands: http://www.ohio-put-in-bay.com/ferries.php The Goodtime even has a boat that will take you to both Put-in-Bay and Kelly's just for a day.
Jun 4th, 2010, 05:32 PM
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When my husband was growing up he and his family always went to a state park in Wisconsin called Terre Andre. He just had me looking it up on the internet to see if it is still there. I think the name has slightly changed (still Andre in the name). Nice beach! I'll bet the water's a bit chilly though. I don't know anything about resorts nearby. It's located south (?) of Sheboygan, so not a long drive from Chicago. My first thought was Door County, until I read your comment about "except Door County." I take it you've been there already.
Jun 5th, 2010, 04:29 AM
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Simpson, its Kohler Andrae park now. Nice place, as is Point Beach St Park an hr north. Point Beach has several cabins to rent within the miles and miles of trails. You feel out in the middle of nowhere yet Two Rivers is just a few minutes away.
Jun 5th, 2010, 09:04 AM
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Thanks for all your replies....we've been tot he Ozarks last year. I would recommend it for those of you who have boats and are not looking to spend much time on the beaches as there are none to hang out on with the kids. Ceder Point we've thought about but we kind of wanted to stay clear of the theme parks as we live not far from Great America and go there often enough. But still a good idea. We hit Minoqua a few year ago along with Grand Haven, Door County and some other spots too along the way and through the years. I will look into Two Rivers and Kohler Andrae park as well as Elhart Lake and Kelly's Island...isn't that like a party spot for the younger singles?
Keep those ideas coming. I am so late in planning that any suggestions would be great!
Keep those ideas coming. I am so late in planning that any suggestions would be great!
Jun 5th, 2010, 09:31 AM
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Put-in-Bay is the party spot in the Erie Islands as there are many bars. Kelly's is juat a laid back kind of place. I like driving a golf cart around both islands but my favorite is Put-in-Bay and I'm old. There's more to do. They have a winery you can tour. There's a museum on Admiral Perry and his part in the war of 1812. They have a sm golf course and you can take the Goodtime over to Kelly's, rent a golf cart and visit the glacier groves. IMO, it needs to be combined with Cedar Point but there are many rides the 3yr old could not do.
Jun 15th, 2010, 07:31 PM
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The Apostle Islands on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin are great and gorgeous. Very laid back, nice beaches (check out Madeline Island), and lots of recreational and sightseeing options (kayaking trips, hiking, lighthouses, etc.) You can camp or stay in a rental house or hotel/inn.
Jun 15th, 2010, 11:15 PM
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We went on a vacation to St. Louis and we had a blast. My kids loved it, they have amazing parks and a city museum that is like a giant playgorund for kids, not your regular museum. So many things to so their are free. We were pleasantly surprised and cant wait to go back. Check it out. Then maybe go down to Branson, everyone said we missed out not stopping there to.
Jul 5th, 2010, 04:36 PM
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Might be too late to chime in but Kentucky Lake is great. You can stay in a nice resort or in a campground with lots of lake activities. http://www.kentuckylake.org/
Jul 5th, 2010, 07:25 PM
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Have you considered Rend Lake in Southern Illinois? I believe they have everything you named--plus about 12 miles of biking paths. There are cabins at Rend Lake State Park and in the general area. I know they have boat rentals and you can also bank fish. We have camped there at the Corps of Engineers Campground and found it to be beautiful and very well kept. I believe this would be within your 6 hour requirement. Agree with Momoffive that St. Louis is great for kids--but no beaches!
