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!
Google Maps
- The Junction Diner, Forest Park
Google Maps
The Junction Diner/Facebook 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. 7401 Madison St, Forest Park, IL 60130, USA
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago
John Diabal/Google
Lincoln Park Zoo/Facebook 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. 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
- Leaning Tower of Niles, Niles
Sheila Zuluaga/Google 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. Leaning Tower of Niles, 6300 W Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714, USA
- Great Wolf Lodge, Gurnee
Aya Jakipova/Google 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. 1700 Nations Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031, USA
- Jurassic Gardens, Volo
Jurassic Gardens/Google 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. 27582 Volo Village Rd, Volo, IL 60073, USA
- Illinois Railway Museum, Union
Illinois Railway Museum/Facebook 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. 7000 Olson Rd, Union, IL 60180, USA
- Pilot Pete’s, Schaumburg
Pilot Pete’s/Facebook
Chris/Google 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. 905 W Irving Park Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
Google Maps
The Junction Diner/Facebook
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.
7401 Madison St, Forest Park, IL 60130, USA
John Diabal/Google
Lincoln Park Zoo/Facebook
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.
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Sheila Zuluaga/Google
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.
Leaning Tower of Niles, 6300 W Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714, USA
Aya Jakipova/Google
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.
1700 Nations Dr, Gurnee, IL 60031, USA
Jurassic Gardens/Google
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.
27582 Volo Village Rd, Volo, IL 60073, USA
Illinois Railway Museum/Facebook
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.
7000 Olson Rd, Union, IL 60180, USA
Pilot Pete’s/Facebook
Chris/Google
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.
905 W Irving Park Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA
Have you been on a family-friendly road trip in Illinois? Where did you go? Please share in the comments!
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