2013 Travel Guide
Enjoy Illinois App
Showing 1-96 of 1,367 items found in Outdoors & Play
Make-A-Messterpiece
Ignite wonder, curiosity and creative exploration at Make-A-Messterpiece, the ultimate kids’ creative studio! Come see what the mess is all about by participating in hands-on activities: Kids’ Creative Kitchen, Bubble’ology, Drum Roll, Lil’ Sprouts, and Experimentation Station. Kids are encouraged to unlock their inner innovation and explore their inner creativity in an atmosphere built just for them. Say yes to the mess! Best of all, every child learns the responsibility of cleaning up after themselves. Also within Make-A-Messterpiece is Club M, a relaxing space for parents and caregivers to enjoy while kids explore and play. Adult take-home projects are available for groups of 10 or more with advance notice.
CITY: Glenview
Tipsy Paint
Explore your creative side at this unique painting studio. A team of talented artists will guide your painting stroke-by-stroke or, for the more advanced, unleash your creativity on your own canvas. Be amazed at the masterpiece that can be created with a little professional guidance. The studio’s carefully designed featured paintings are user-friendly and address all skill levels. Day and evening times are available with or without supervision. Wonderful entertainment option for individuals of all ages including children.
CITY: Glenview
Hamilton Lakes
Hamilton Lakes is home to Chicagoland's largest fireworks display synced to music as well as an annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. The lakes also offers several fields good for soccer tournaments and other outdoor activities.
CITY: Itasca
22 - 24
National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series
Seventy-mile per hour riseballs, 240-foot frozen ropes, soft hands and lightning-quick reactions all wound into seven feverish innings of gritty, gutsy, fast-paced action. Welcome to hard-hittin', fast-pitchin', affordable family fun. Welcome to National Pro Fastpitch! (NPF)
CITY: Rosemont
2 - 10
Effingham County Fair
The annual county fair offers a variety of events for residents and visitors. 4-H and open shows of agricultural products and animals, Queen pageants, horse racing, talent contests, rodeo, demo derby, tractor pulls, and professional entertainment are some of the events you can enjoy while at the County Fair.
CITY: Altamont
The Stadium at the Ballpark
Seventy-mile per hour riseballs, 240-foot frozen ropes, soft hands and lightning-quick reactions all wound into seven feverish innings of gritty, gutsy, fast-paced action. Welcome to hard-hittin', fast-pitchin', affordable family fun. Welcome to National Pro Fastpitch! Come out and chear on the teams!
CITY: Rosemont
8
Character Caravan
Free Event. Bringing the best of Chicago's Northwest area attractions to you! Meet, greet, and play with Chicagoland's most lovable attraction mascots during Character Caravan! This one-of-a-kind free event lets you discover some of Chicagoland's best attractions. Games, prizes, face painting, goodie bags, and photos with your favorite Characters. Rain or Shine! Registration is required to receive goodie bag, limited to the first 500 registered children. Deadline for registration is May 31, 2013.
CITY: Schaumburg
27 - 29
Kansas City Barbeque Society Cook-Off
This fun state-sanctioned cook-off has now become a great annual event! The BBQ Pros will compete for a $6,000 pay out. Come and enjoy great BBQ, drinks and live music every night!!
CITY: Effingham
Quarry Ridge Hunt Club
The premiere, upland-hunting experience in Northern Illinois. Quarry Ridge offers hunting (member or non-member) for rooster pheasant, dove, turkey, deer and moor. Dogs and guides can be provided if needed.
CITY: Lena
8
DeKalb Kite Fest
Looking for a fun family day out? The DeKalb Kite Fest is great fun for the whole family whether you choose to make, fly, or just watch the kites fly. There are lots of large beautiful kites that fill the sky. Location: Corner of Lucinda and Kishwaukee Drive DeKalb Kite Fest WhenSunday, Sep 8, 2013 WhereCorner of Lucinda Ave and Kishwaukee Drive, DeKalb (map) DescriptionCorner of Lucinda and Kishwaukee Drive, NIU Campus. Stunt kites, dancing kites, food, and activities for the kids & family. dekalbcountycvb.com
CITY: DeKalb
7 - 8
Illinois State HOG Rally
Come join us for a ride through roughly 250 miles of majestic Illinois scenery. The journey begins in the "Gem City" of Illinois, Quincy and follows the mighty Mississippi down to a city voted "the most haunted city in America", Alton. After a pit stop in Alton, the journey continues down Old U.S. Highway 40 passing through Vandalia, Illinois' first capitol, and ending in "The Crossroads of Opportunity", Effingham. The Effingham stop will feature a biker blessing, poker stops, a Moonshine run, a ride-in bike show, and to cap it all off, a "Legacy Bash," Saturday evening. Come out to Legacy Harley Davidson to join in all the fun!
CITY: Effingham
20
Kingston Fest & Kardboard Boat Regatta!
Kingston Fest is a craft and vendor fair, live music and games in the shady Kingston Township Park. Bring your swimsuit and try the new dual slide Water Slide. Race your friends on two huge obstacle courses! Kiddie Bouncer and slide combo are $1 for tickets, 25 cents for other children’s games. Community games will be at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30. There will be horseshoe, bags and softball tournaments. The Kardboard Boat Regatta is always great family fun, watch boats made out of cardboard race on the Kishwaukee River.
CITY: Kingston
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The urban gateway to nature and science. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a place where city dwellers can reconnect with the wonder of the natural world. From a hands-on water lab to a wilderness walk to the only international, year-round butterfly haven, science comes alive.
CITY: Chicago
Kayak Quincy
Experience the Mississippi River from a new and unique perspective! These 2- hour tours include basic instruction in how to properly pilot a kayak and guided tour of the Quincy Bay and river area. The guided tour includes all necessary equipment as well as instruction and tour, both given by a certified instructor and Mississippi River enthusiast. Open June through September. Self-guided tours/kayak rentals are also available. Reservations required. Call the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information or reservations! 217-214-3700.
CITY: Quincy
Hunting Unlimited
Trophy Whitetail Deer bow hunts since 1986. Also, spring turkey hunting, sporting clays, trap range, meals, and lodging. Heavily wooded ravines and valleys, magnificent stands of oak, maple and cedar, and grassy meadows.
CITY: Mount Sterling
Rogers Hunting Club, Inc.
Established in 1957 - public hunting, plus memberships for pheasant, quail, wild turkey, doves and deer in season. Hunter Safety Course for ages 16 & under - held the second weekend in October.
CITY: Ohio
Wispering Oaks Campground
Enjoy camping close to Nauvoo & Quincy. Swimming & fishing at an affordable price.
CITY: Mendon
Lakewoods Flying Duck Sporting Clays
Public shooting range with sporting clays & wobble trap. A premiere sporting clays shooting facility located in rural Wayne County, seven miles northeast of Cisne, Illinois. Currently, offering twelve stations with 20 automatic machines, including a wobble trap, a battue, and a Rabbit. Our country setting allows us to present stations in the woods, on a hillside, in a marsh, and in open fields. We also surround a placid eight acre lake. On any given day, you can see the fish splash in the water, and hear the frogs croaking. Shooters have frequently reported seeing curious deer watching them from the shelter of the woods. Crisscrossing meadows, woods and marshes are all weather graveled nature paths winding thru miles of natural beauty. Both new and experienced shooters can appreciate the natural backdrop as they enjoy the sport. GPS> N38 33' 11.24" W088 22' 01.78"
CITY: Cisne
Spring Valley Farm
Spring Valley Farm is home to Jersey cows, alpacas, sheep, Belgian horses, chickens and goats. Farm tours and hayrack rides by appointment only.
CITY: Fulton
Glenn's Hunting Club
Clean, dry and heated pits. Yearly membership and day hunting available. Excellent hunting in fields. Plus hunting in 2 pits over water. 3/4 mile on refuge frontage. Guides available.
CITY: Marion
Bolin Enterprises, Inc World's Largest Wind Chimes
With chimes suspended nearly 50 feet above the ground, the BEI wind chime is a sight to behold! The longest of five chimes is 42 feet long-almost double that of the past world record holder. The chimes sing gentle and deep as they strike the clapper, long gleaming lengths paying tribute to BEI's expertise in the pipeline industry. Stick around to visit the tea shop opening next door!
CITY: Casey
Crawford County State Fish & Wildlife Area
Located 2 miles southwest of Hutsonville, on Rt. 1, this park features 1,129 acres for hunting with 9 ponds for fishing. Hiking and horseback trails run throughout the area.
CITY: Hutsonville
Lamont Outdoors
Features over 2000 acres of prime hunting south of Grayville, in White County.
CITY: Crossville
Rock River Valley Skydivers, Inc.
Student training. Tandem & sport/fun jumping. Demonstration jumping for events. USPA group member drop zone. Two Cessna C182 jump planes, visitors welcomed. Located at the Whiteside County Airport.
CITY: Rock Falls
Lake Alexander
Campsites are located on the banks of the lake in the birch trees, in the meadow nestled among the oaks and maples, and along the Kankakee River. Entertainment is planned on weekends and holidays.
CITY: Momence
Hillsboro Sherwood Forest Campground Montgomery County
Camping, Hiking, Fishing along with many special events. Call ahead for information.
CITY: Hillsboro
Izaak Walton League
One mile north of Geneseo on Hwy 82, south of Historic Hennepin Canal. Clubhouse and shelter available for rent.
CITY: Geneseo
Racoon Lake
The park is open for boating and fishing year round and hosts a major drag boat racing event each year.
CITY: Centralia
Paris City Bluebird Trail
Visit these scattered sites to witness the return of the bluebird to Illinois. The trail and Sycamore Golf Club are two links in the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail.
CITY: Paris
Sherwood Camping Resort
Camper and tent sites, approx. 60 hookups; shaded, family-oriented camping. Only 2 mi. to Rend Lake.
CITY: Ina
Prophetstown State Recreation Area
Boat ramp, shower facilities, picnic grounds and RV dump station. Playground equipment.
CITY: Prophetstown
Gun Creek Campground
Campground with 100 sites with electricity located on Rend Lake. The Seasons Lodge Restaurant, the Rend Lake Gold Course, and the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop are all within walking distance.
CITY: Whittington
Hickory Point Golf Course
Hickory Point is truly a course for both beginning and competitive golfers. The flat, wide fairways are perfect for learning, while long distances and the ever-present wind provide challenge for more experienced golfers. Hickory Point hosts the Tat $ Lyle Players Championship, the developmental tour of the LPGA. Designed by Roger Packard, the course opened in 1999, and is designed specifically for beginning and youth golfers. Hickory Point features a lighted driving range and special six-hole short course for beginning and youth golfers.
CITY: Forsyth
Oak Terrace Golf Course
Home of the Shotmaker's Mile, Oak Terrace is a championship 18-hole course complete with a driving range, putting and chipping green, and a fully stocked pro shop.
CITY: Pana
Carlyle Lake Sailing Association
CSA has docking for 380 boats, 3 electric jib cranes, 1,300 ft. of dock and 2 launching ramps. Special events feature annual regattas.
CITY: Carlyle
Old Bates Campground
Located on the west side of Rend Lake off of Route 148 at the intersection of Peach Orchard Road. Offers electricity, water and sewer, shower house, bottle gas filed, dumping stations as well as campers to rent. Owners: Robert and Angela Holder.
CITY: Sesser
Washington Park
Washington Park is the city's original central square laid out by Quincy's founder, John Wood, in 1825. The square was formerly called John's Square, named in honor of President John Quincy Adams. In 1858, Washington Park was the site of the sixth Lincoln-Douglas debate. Laredo Taft's sculpture now marks the setting of the debate site. Today, a farmer's market is held in the park every Tuesday and Saturday mornings from May to October.
CITY: Quincy
Cannon Park
Picnic shelter, playgrounds, and a lake for visitors to enjoy fishing.
CITY: Carterville
S.I. Bowl
Bowling and bar. There is a game room and a bar and lounge. They have youth programs, tournaments, leagues, and parties. Offers cosmic bowling
CITY: Carterville
Silkrug Stable
Enjoy Jo Daviess countryside in a horse-drawn buggy/bobsled. Ride at our place or yours. Call for information/reservations.
CITY: Stockton
Palmer Park Chicago
The park is named for Potter Palmer (1826–1902), a successful businessman and real estate investor concerned with the development of Chicago. Palmer was responsible for reclaiming the acres of swampland north of the city's business district, which were developed into the Lake Shore Drive area. He built the original baseball field for the Cubs' predecessor, the Chicago White Stockings, and built the Palmer House Hotel. Palmer Park was created in 1904 by the South Park Commission. Under the guidance of superintendent J. Frank Foster, the commission opened ten new neighborhood parks, including Palmer Park, in an effort to create breathing space and recreational areas in the city's crowded tenement districts. These parks were built by Olmsted Brothers landscape architects and D.H. Burnham and Co. architects.
CITY: Chicago
Splash Valley Aquatic Park
Kankakee's premiere water park offers splashtacular fun for the whole family. The outdoor water park encompasses a lazy river, three waterslides, lap pool, and two zero-depth entry pools. Group rates and party rentals are available.
CITY: Kankakee
Bow Hunting at Sand Creek Recreation Area
Bow hunting of deer by permit only. Herd reduction program runs through November and December.
CITY: Decatur
Lakeside RV Park
Located north of Olney adjacent to East Fork Lake, this park features all the amenities campers seek.
CITY: Olney
Hickory Holler Campground
Located in West York, Crawford County, the campground features 100 camping sites with many nearby activities.
CITY: West York
Skillet Fork Outfitters Inc.
With over 3,500 acres of cropland & 1700 acres of prime woods, this newly formed business is for the trophy whitetail, turkey or coyote hunter. New lodge, hot evening meals, competitive prices; will pickup from Evansville Airport.
CITY: Carmi
Todd Hall Retreat and Conference Center
Visitors are invited to walk the tree-lined paths and beautiful labyrinth. The center is open for group reservations.
CITY: Columbia
Bail's Timberline Lake Camp Ground
140 sites, electricity, water, dump station, showers, reservations.
CITY: St. Elmo
White Hall Rez
No fee for camping but campers must register with the Police Department. Boat motors with 5HP or less allowed. Fishing is allowed at the lake. No swimming.
CITY: White Hall
Twin Lakes Park
East lake - swimming, camping, boat dock, walking trail, primitive camping. West lake - fishing, picnic, large pavilion, shelter, fireworks, horseshoes, tent camping, trailer camping, permission by police for primitive camping.
CITY: Paris
Leisure Lake Campground
68 full hookup sites, of which 32 are pull-thru. All are 20 & 30 amp. Hookup (50 amp available), pay phones, full laundry.
CITY: Rock Falls
O'connell's Yogi Bear Jellystone Park
287 acres of clean camping. Large pull-thru site with 50 amp electric available. Daily activities June-August. Swimming, mini golf, water slide, 5 comfort stations, laundromats, and Yogi Bear.
CITY: Amboy
Green River State Wildlife Area
Green River is the best remaining example of the wetland-prairie mosaic that once covered the area's nearly 1 million acres of lowlands. This multiple-use site provides hunting, hiking, and birding opportunities.
CITY: Harmon
Gold Hills Golf Club
Rolling hills make up this 18-hole golf course. Carts, a driving range and a putting green are available.
CITY: Colchester
Tradewinds Marina
Able to accommodate boats up to 45 ft. in covered slips and 40 ft. in open slips, Trade Winds Marina is a great place to moor your boat. The new clubhouse features showers, restrooms, and a lounging area for members.
CITY: Carlyle
Tri-Township Park
Just miles off I-55, I-70, and I-270, the park has easy access and has many features for travelers, like a petting zoo, playground equipment, picnic pavilions and a small lake.
CITY: Troy
Skate Station
Family-oriented roller skating with video/redemption games and a complete snack bar including pizza. Birthday, private parties, and all night lock-ins are available.
CITY: Lena
The Canoe Shack
Trip 1 - So. Elgin to St. Charles. Our most popular canoe or kayak trip. Relax and enjoy canoeing or kayaking on the beautiful Fox River. This is a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hr. 7 1/2 mi. paddle with no dams. Each canoe can hold 3 adults, or 2 adults and 2 small kids. Rental includes a canoe or kayak, paddles, life preservers and shuttle. A nice trip for families, friends and groups of up to 100. Open mid April to mid - November. Please call in advance for reservations.
CITY: St. Charles
Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena
A facility of the Kankakee Valley Park District, Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena features a NHL rink, Game Zone arcade and Breakaway Cafe concessions.
CITY: Kankakee
Lil' General Mini Golf
Located next to the Palace Campgrounds and only 2 miles west from Galena, play on an 18-hole miniature golf course, complete with a cascading waterfall, rapids/streams and a fountain. Visit our video arcade and concession stand.
CITY: Galena
Rall Woods State Natural Area
280 acres for public hunting, hiking, nature viewing. Area has native hilltop prairies and views of the Mississippi River.
CITY: Hanover
George's Skate Center
Fun skating for kids and adults alike! Great chance to get some healthy exercise with your friends and family, and even plan birthday parties for even greater fun!
CITY: Decatur
Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area
Multiple-use recreational area with a 194-acre lake. It provides habitat for shore birds and upland game and offers camping, hunting, hiking, fishing and horseback riding.
CITY: Johnsonville
Wabash County Beall Woods State Park
Located 6 miles South of Mt. Carmel on Illinois Rt. 1, Beall woods contains one of the oldest dedicated nature preserves in Illinois. The "Forest of the Wabash" contains the largest single tract of untouched deciduous forest in the U.S.
CITY: Mount Carmel
Prairie Ridge State Natural Area
Located southwest of Newton, Prairie Ridge is a wonderful site for observing rare species of grassland wildlife. Over 2500 acres, visitors will enjoy bird watching, nature study, photography and much more.
CITY: Newton
Johnson Sauk-Trail State Park
Hiking trails and scenic drives wind through the 1,365 acre park where boating, fishing, hunting and picnicking and camping are featured. Unique boathouse features a beautiful view of the waterway.
CITY: Kewanee
Macedonia Game Preserve
A state-licensed hunting preserve, we provide hunters with a good environment and quality deer management. Also quail, pheasant,chukar and dove hunting available. Package prices available upon request for walk-in hunts, corporate & business hunts.
CITY: Macedonia
Outdoor Sportsman's Lodge
Outdoor Sportsman's Lodge offers several packages for all individuals. Hunting, fishing, golfing or family getaways can be enjoyed in their luxurious cabins located Southwest of Newton.
CITY: Newton
Eagle Point Horseback Riding Farm & Eagle Point Paintball Games
Horseback riding for young and old. Trails follow Elkhorn Creek. Great for the more experienced rider. Paintball field is on island off Elkhorn Creek.
CITY: Milledgeville
Lake Hillsboro
Located on Lake Hillsboro , many camp sites, hiking and horseback trails, picnicking areas, playground and swimming beach
CITY: Hillsboro
Jaycees Park
Offers picnic & playground areas, sand volleyball courts, soccer field, basketball court.
CITY: Lena
Hideaway Park
Large, wooded park offers 43 acres of timber, grassland & bottomland with picnic and playground areas, hiking trails, canoe launch, handicapped accessible shelters and restrooms.
CITY: Pearl City
South Sandusky Campground
120 camping sites with electricity and 8 tent sites on beautiful Rend Lake. Full hookups on selected sites. Beach.
CITY: Sesser
Mt. Carmel Municipal Golf Course
This 18-hole golf course is located adjacent to a beautiful city park, and offers tee times for non-members.
CITY: Mount Carmel
Oak Glen Country Club
This challenging 18-hole course is open year round, and features a clubhouse, driving range and tee times for non-members.
CITY: Robinson
Prophet Hills Country Club
Built in 1966, this semi-private, 18-hole golf course is situated on extremely hilly terrain, and features a putting green and chipping area.
CITY: Prophetstown
Shambolee Golf Course
This beautiful, well-maintained 18-hole course has a long front nine with mature trees, and a short tricky back nine with water, bent grass, trees and greens.
CITY: Petersburg
Lost Nation Golf Club
This beautiful 18-hole course with large, smooth greens and rolling hills is open to the public, and offers a pro shop and restaurant.
CITY: Dixon
Illinois Wildlife Connections
Located in rural Jasper County, northeast of Newton, Illinois Wildlife features a lodge for hunters during deer seasons and in the off-seasons hosting meetings, receptions and off-season lodging.
CITY: Newton
Fullersburg Woods Environmental Educational Center
Educational facility offering exhibits, interactive programs and interpretive trails that highlight DuPage County's unique natural history. Open daily. Admission free.
CITY: Oak Brook
Burns Goose Club
Located 1.7 miles west of Illinois Route 148 on Grassy Road just south of the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge. Waterfowl and deer hunting on 960 acres. Guides available. One of the top three harvest clubs in the southern Illinois quota zone.
CITY: Carbondale
Lake of Egypt Country Club
Include a golf course, swimming pool, and clubhouse. The dining room overlooks the pool and number nine green.
CITY: Marion
Oak Brook Park District
DuPage County, Chicago’s Western Suburbs - The Oak Brook Park District represents five parks totaling 150 acres, and four facilities: Family Recreation Center (the Family Aquatic Center and Premiere Fitness Club), the Racquet Club, the Dorothy and Sam Dean Nature Sanctuary and Central Park West.
CITY: Oak Brook
Fido Fields
2.5 acre fenced off leash park in Fairview Park. Register at the DISC, 1295 W. Wood St. or call 217-422-5911.
CITY: Decatur
Fox River Canoe & Kayak
This is self guided river trips with canoe or kayak. The St. Charles trip takes about 2 1/2 hours.
CITY: St. Charles
Grafton Harbor
Visit this "Key West" of the Midwest located where the Illinois River and Mississippi River meet. In addition to harbor faciltiies, a floating swimming pool and the Big Kahuna Bar and Grill, Grafton Harbor features a gift shop where boaters and landlubbers alike can find unique trinkets and treasures. Snacks, beer and wine, boating accessories and parts, clothing for all ages, navigational maps and gifts for that special child are all available.
CITY: Grafton
