This Family-Friendly Road Trip Through Illinois Leads To Whimsical Attractions, Themed Restaurants, And More
By Melissa Mahoney|Published January 27, 2022
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Are you looking for an adventure, one the whole family will enjoy? As you may already know, we at OnlyInYourState love putting together road trip itineraries and we made a family-friendly one you may enjoy. From whimsical attractions, themed restaurants, and a whole lotta fun, this will be one family-friendly road trip in Illinois you won’t soon forget.
Use our interactive map as your guide and feel free to make it your own by adding your own stops along the way. The trip is a total of 137 miles with 3.5 miles of drive time. With children in tow, it’s best to be done over the course of two days. Now it’s time to grab your family, gas up the car, and hit the road!
The Junction Diner is a whimsical train-themed restaurant that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Sit at the counter (if there's room) and have your meal delivered by a model train. There are plenty of items just for kids on the menu so everyone should be happy having a meal here! Visit The Junction Diner's website for more information.
The 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo was founded in 1868 and happens to be the fourth-oldest zoo in the country. Almost 200 species live here and the zoo has a mission of conservation and education. Best of all, it's free to visit! Read our previous coverage to learn more.
This strange, yet whimsical roadside attraction is always worth a stop. The Leaning Tower of Niles is located in Ilgair Park and was built in 1934 to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Whether you buy a day pass or decide to spend the night, Great Wolf Lodge provides hours of enjoyable fun for families. This indoor waterpark has attractions for every age. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Let's face it, dinosaurs are seriously awesome and just about every child loves them. If you have kids that are obsessed with dinosaurs, a trip to Jurassic Gardens is a must! Located within the Volo Car Museum, Jurassic Gardens has 30 animatronic dinosaurs that may make you believe these prehistoric creatures have come back to life. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Did you know that the country's largest railway museum is right here in Illinois? Spanning across 100 acres, this railway museum features a variety of trains, exhibit buildings, and train rides. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
From a train-themed restaurant to a plane-themed restaurant, kids will love Pilot Pete's which has views of the runway at Schaumburg Regional Airport. Eat your meal while watching planes take off and land. Read our previous coverage to learn more.
Have you been on a family-friendly road trip in Illinois? Where did you go? Please share in the comments!
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