Hit the Road in the Southland!
Your next family-friendly adventure awaits — pack up the family and get away on the classic American road trip through Chicago Southland!
Photo courtesy of Chicago Southland
What’s more Americana than loading into the family car and cruising down the open road? The quality time spent with your children at unforgettable destinations creates memories you’ll all cherish forever. With so many incredible sights, sounds, and flavors, a road trip through Chicago Southland warrants a multiday excursion just beyond America’s third largest metropolis.
Ensure your family doesn’t miss any of the action — the Family-Friendly Adventures itinerary highlights the best of the best to take the guesswork out of your road trip. Highlights include:
Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Home to more than 3,000 animals from more than 500 species, this 235-acre zoological park has delighted guests since 1934 and has cultivated a global reputation for conservation and ecology. Get an up-close look at exotic animals like giraffes, rhinoceroses, penguins, and bottlenose dolphins, or go behind the scenes with the zoo’s Wild Connections experiences.
Windy City ThunderBolts — The Windy City ThunderBolts pack Ozinga Field in Crestwood with family-friendly minor league action every game day. Don’t miss family specials every Sunday with discounted tickets and meal packages!
Homewood Bat Co. — Speaking of America’s favorite pastime, have you ever wondered just what goes into creating a baseball bat? Homewood Bat Co. manufactures and sells professional-grade bats trusted by more than 100 professional players, including Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals and Nick Madrigal of the Chicago Cubs. Order your own customized bat or simply watch the skilled artisans hard at work.
Sand Ridge Nature Center — Get a breath of fresh air on nearly 4 miles of hiking trails winding through woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. Guests may also learn the incredible history of the Calumet region through interactive displays and get a closer look at some birds of prey, fish, and reptiles.
Delicious Dining and Snacks — No road trip is complete without filling up on the local cuisine! Chow down on an iconic deep-dish pizza or the equally legendary Italian beef at Beggars Pizza in Lansing. Sample inspired Creole dishes at Hidden Manna Café in Matteson. Nosh on classic American dishes at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery in Flossmoor. Find a dish for every taste at The Patio in Orland Park. And indulge in decadent goodies at Gayety’s Chocolates & Ice Cream Co. in Lansing!
Take the guesswork out of your family road trip. Use our handy itinerary — or create your own adventure — and explore all the incredible experiences just waiting to turn your family’s road trip into a getaway you’ll remember forever.