Lake County, Illinois: Fun for Families

Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is a top-notch amusement park filled with heart-pounding thrill rides. “Batman The Ride” is the world’s first inverted, outside looping roller coaster. Then there’s “Superman: Ultimate Flight,” where riders soar head-first along a twisted steel track. Next, try “The Dark Knight Coaster,” where the entire wild trip is in complete darkness. Those who enjoy extreme speeds will love “Vertical Velocity,”  a ride that accelerates to 112 kph in less than four seconds.

The popular “Raging Bull” is currently the tallest, fastest and largest roller coaster at Six Flags. Another favorite is the “American Eagle,” a classic wooden coaster featuring side-by-side tracks for a real roller-coaster race.

Can you believe that with more than 10 km of roller-coaster tracks, Six Flags in Gurnee added more? Goliath is now the tallest, steepest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world. Don’t be put off, though, if you aren’t quite so adventurous or if you’re traveling with small children. There are plenty of family rides that are just as fun.

At KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort, visitors will find a 6,000-square-meter indoor water park that looks and feels like a tropical paradise with tube rides, water slides and a lazy river. While the children go on the wild rides, adults can join them, relax poolside or head to the Paradise Mist Spa for some pampering, including massages, facials and body wraps. Even the children can enjoy the spa, where they can get a manicure just like Mom. If they’re looking for a different sort of break from the rides, Riptide Reef Arcade could be the answer. Hundreds of games cater to all ages.

Also in Lake County, visitors will find Gurnee Mills, the largest outlet and value-shopping center in Illinois. In one spot, find nearly 200 retailers, including Hollister, Nike, Bass Pro Shops and Gap. Much of Gurnee Mills is an outlet mall, where shoppers will find discount versions of high-end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. The balance of the mall is a high-fashion shopping wing with Macy's as the flagship store.

The fun at Gurnee Mills doesn’t end with shopping. Bring the family to Rink Side Sports and Entertainment Center inside the mall and find an ice rink for skating and hockey and a family fun center that includes laser tag and a miniature golf course. In addition, the food choices at Gurnee Mills are varied, and you can finish off the day by catching a movie at the 20-screen complex.

If you love great cars, you’ll want to see the beauties at Lake County’s Volo Auto Museum. More than 300 classic, antique and Hollywood cars are beautifully presented on nearly six hectares of charming countryside. Plan to spend a day at Volo, especially since lunch is served at the fabulous Betty Boop-themed diner. From Elvis Presley’s car to the Blues Brothers’ Bluesmobile and the authentic Dark Knight Joker semi-truck driven by the late Heath Ledger, you’ll find photo opportunities like this nowhere else.