The Illinois Office of Tourism recognizes and celebrates the back-to-school season with a list of statewide budget-friendly getaways for families to experience before the new school year begins. The list offers a variety of opportunities for families to enjoy. Whether it is a trip to Gurnee’s Six Flags Great America, where you can experience family-friendly rides like the AQUAMAN Splashdown!, The DC Super-Villain’s Swing, or the serene hiking trails of the Shawnee National Forest, Illinois has many opportunities for families to have the ultimate back-to-school vacation experience. Some of the last-minute budget-friendly Illinois summer getaways include:

Lake County (1.5 hour drive from Chicago)
Visit Six Flags Great America, in Gurnee, where you can ride 15 rollercoaster rides, including family-friendly rides like AQUAMAN Splashdown!, The DC Super-Villain’s Swing and the River Rocker. Or hit up Hurricane Harbor, a 20-acre water park, for when the kids want a little splash.

Quad Cities (2.5 hours from Chicago)
Plan a trip to the newly redesigned John Deere Pavilion in Moline, where kids can explore vintage machines in the John Deere Store and get acquainted with their latest models. Additionally, families can delve into the exhibits showcasing how technology plays a vital role in shaping and caring for the land.

Chicago Staycation
Make lasting family memories at Millennium Park, an award-winning hub for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. This downtown area offers various free and engaging activities, including visits to iconic attractions like Cloud Gate (commonly referred to as “The Bean”) for fun photo ops. Immerse yourselves in the joy of color at The Color Factory in the Willis Tower, an interactive art museum inspired by the vibrant city of Chicago. Stroll through Lincoln Park Zoo, an incredible space set against Chicago’s iconic skyline, free for all to enjoy and learn about the wonders of nearly 200 wildlife species.

Photo Credit: Illinois Office of Tourism