There are many local and regional venues families may visit for fun and excitement. They create precious memories that can last a lifetime for both parent and child.
In Springfield, a quality destination is the Illinois State Museum. Located at 502 S. Spring Street, admission is free, the site is open seven days a week, and on weekends there is ample parking in a nearby parking lot. Within the museum doors is the impressive Mary Ann MacLean Play Museum whose motto is a Shaw quote, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” There are also permanent and changing exhibits, and programs, such as Grandparents Day, Collector’s Day and Super Saturdays, an ongoing activity-filled day geared toward four- through eight-year-olds. Visits aren’t complete without a stop in the Artisans Shop showcasing Illinois artisans’ works. For more info, visit www.museum.state.il.us or phone 217-782-7386. The museum is open Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
For free outdoor fun consider Lincoln Memorial Garden at 2301 East Lake Shore Drive. The 100-acre commemorative preserve features six miles of well-kept trails where families can walk through woods, prairies and alongside the lake. Appreciate and explore nature while hiking, lingering on quote-engraved benches that dot the paths, sitting within the two large stone rings, or indoors at the Nature Center. The Nature Center is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m., while the garden is open daily year round from sunup to sundown. Make sure not to miss weekend events at the garden – some of the best childhood memories come from the LMG’s Indian Summer Festival. Phone 217-529-1111.
Knights Action Park, Caribbean Adventure and Route 66 Twin Drive Inn remains a favorite of young and old alike. Located on the south edge of Springfield off I-55 between the MacArthur Boulevard and Veterans Parkway exits, the park is open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through September, though the driving range and miniature golf stay open year round. Other features are batting cages, arcade, go-carts, kiddie rides and a Ferris wheel. The water park and outdoor movie theater are open daily through Labor Day, excluding the water park closing Monday through Friday the last two weeks in August. Check out what film plays on a given night at route66-drivein.com, or phone 698-0066. For questions about the action and water parks, phone 546-8881.
Another beloved Springfield site that houses multiple activities and attractions is Washington Park, S. Grand Ave. and MacArthur Blvd. Make sure to visit the new carillon museum and take a tour to the top of the tower to see where and how the carillonneur plays. A spectacular view awaits. The Botanical Garden Dome with its free-flying birds and thriving foliage is a magical place for kids of all ages. Bring a picnic and let the children play on the playground or bring some bread to feed the ducks. There are also walking trails, tennis courts and more. Likewise, Springfield Park District’s newest park, Southwind Park, is sure to be a future beloved outdoor destination. The accessible park boasts many unusual features, such as, paved walks, an arch that lights accompanied by music, kids’ splash area, and the future Illinois Crime Victims memorial garden.
Three over venues that have been treasured by families for years merit mention. Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh Street, not only holds a world of books to explore together, but has free exhibits, free computer time and free special programs. The Y, with two locations at 701 S. Fourth Street and 4550 West Iles Avenue, is a hub of activity for members, from weight rooms to family swims to special activities. Henson Robinson Zoo, 1100 East Lake Shore Drive, is also a local favorite.
Only a half-hour drive east of Springfield and located east of Lake Decatur off Route 36, is The Children’s Museum of Illinois, 55 S. Country Club Road, Decatur. Named one of the top 25 children’s museums in the U.S. by Child Magazine, admission is only $5 each for non-members. Exhibits range from Bubble Mania to Johnston Supermarket to View Space and more than a dozen other interactive play-and-learn areas. Hours are Tues.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun. 1-5 p.m. with extended summer hours. The museum is closed on major holidays and Mondays, except June 1-Aug. 31 and a handful of other days. For more info, phone 217-423-5437 or visit www.cmofil.com.
For a day trip with a travel time of about three hours roundtrip from Springfield, we recommend The City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street, St. Louis. Experience what many consider the best place to visit in St. Louis. Where art meets funhouse, this fantastical four-story museum, including a rooftop funscape, was constructed by a crew of artisans and sculptors. Open daily; hours vary during summer and other seasons. While general admission is $12, with an additional $5 for The Roof, and $6 for the World Aquarium, many say the price is well worth the cost. Visit citymuseum.org for all the details. The phone number is 314-231-2489.
Other day trips within 90 miles of Springfield include:
St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave. More than 700 exhibits housed in three buildings will wow everyone in the family and you will wish there were more hours in the day. The Center includes the Planetarium and Omnimax Theater. Parking is $10 for all day and each attraction has an admission price. www.slsc.org.
Magic House, 516 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, Missouri. An all-ages interactive children’s museum, parking is free while admission is $9.50 per person. Open daily, but hours change after Labor Day so make sure to find the list of hours at www.magichouse.org.
St. Louis Zoo, One Government Drive. Admission is free, though parking and some exhibits are not. General phone number is 800-966-8877, and the website is stlzoo.org. For a new and interesting zoo experience, book and pre-pay for a behind the scenes tour. There are 14 that feature a specific animal or insect, such as, Rhino Ramble and Penguin Encounter. The median cost is about $25-$50 per person. Call Meg at 314-781-0900, ext. 4840.
Wildlife Prairie State Park, 10 miles west of Peoria, is a 2,000-acre zoological park featuring 150 animals and 50 different species native to Illinois. Admission to the park is $8, $6 for ages 3-12, and free for those two and under. Besides hiking and fishing, park naturalists conduct free public programs throughout the day. The Train runs daily and costs $4 per person. Call 309-676-0998 or visit www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org to learn more.
Peoria Zoo, 2218 N. Prospect Road, Peoria. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except major holidays, the zoo now hosts an African exhibit. A behind the scenes tour and a guided zoo tour are available. Guided tours include a 45-minute class on a topic of your choice and an hour tour with a guide who can answer all your questions. Tours only cost $7 per child and $10 per adult and include zoo admission. The zoo’s phone number is 309-686-3365.
www.peoriazoo.org.
Contact Anita Stienstra at calendar@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Capital City Parent July 2012.
