We live in central IL and would love to find a place to rent for several days this summer. Just a place to enjoy some R&R with a place to swim, hike and enjoy a few family restaurants nearby. Kids are 7 & 9, and would love to keep it under a 6-7 drive to get there. With suggestions, any rental company recommendations?

How about Lake of the Ozarks, MO or Land between the Lakes, KY or Wisconsin Dells, WI or a Lake resort in MI,WI,MN.

How about Galena. If you want a little adventure and tons of fun checkout the Double JJ dude ranch in Rothbury, Michigan. They have a great pool/water slide area plus plenty of activities of everykind, hiking, paddle boating, canoeing, horseback riding, golfing. Organized events like a rodeo, shows but you can do as much or as little as you want. Rentals range from condos to cabins to hotel rooms. Do a search for their website and it will fill you in.

Double J sounds interesting. Thanks! We have been to The Ozarks & Dells. I guess I guess I'm looking for some less popular spots that aren't always advertised but a great place to go.

Check out southwest Michigan at Michigan.org. It has lot of links to possible places.

Thanks for the suggestions. Any others??

You might consider Pokagon State Park outside of Angola, IN. From my mom's house in Danville, IL it's only a 4 1/2 hour trip. There have cabins for rent, a sandy beach on a large lake, paddle boat rentals, hiking trails and horses to ride. You might like it enough to come back in the winter when the refrigerated toboggan run and cross country ski trails are open.

There a several decent local restaurants, an outlet mall, mini golf, regular golf and a small amusement park are all nearby.

A half hour's drive west takes you to Shipshewana, a quaint Amish town where your family can ride in a buggy or eat at an Amish family's home. A half hour south is Ft. Wayne, home of a first class children's zoo that my kids loved when they were 5 and 7.

Many YMCA camps offer family accommodations and if you're not a member, you can obtain a temporary membership at a nominal fee. Our best family vacation ever was spent at Snow Mountain Ranch, one of two facilities listed under YMCA of the Rockies in Colorado. I'm sure that there are other Y camps closer to home that would provide you the kind of child centered activities you're looking for. Here's a website to get you started www.stwmd.com/y-camps.php

Thanks for the terrific ideas...I'll check them out.