Fun-Filled Midwest Attractions

Summer vacation is always something children look forward to when the school year ends, and for good reason. If you're short on cash and time, however, you may be at a loss for what to do for a fun family experience. Taking a look at what attractions are available in your immediate area saves on cost and takes up less of your time as most people are working extra hours just to make up for the gas crunch. Those living in the Midwest have several options available to them which they can choose from that they may not even know about. You don't have to spend countless hours in the car or waste lots of money just to give your family a new experience this year that they'll never forget. Many present day parks, resorts, and tourist areas feature all inclusive packages to save you money and keep you coming back for more. With the summer vacation season just kicking off, now is the time to make the most of those starter coupons and deals their websites are offering. There are caves, amusement resorts, and safari parks located right in the heart of America where you can see exotic animals, go for thrill rides, or explore the depths. So instead of sitting around wishing you had taken a family trip, jet off to one of the places right near your backyard!

Wisconsin offers Noah's Ark Water Park, which boasts the title of being "America's largest water park." This huge water funland covers 70 acres, 45 different water slides, 2 wave pools, children's water play areas, a mini golf course, several arcades, shopping, and gourmet foods. Visitors may also want to check out the new 4-D movie theater they have for this year. Wisconsin explorers might decide to drop by Riverview Park instead which takes up 35 acres, has wet and dry rides throughout summer, and carnival style games seven days a week. Either way you go in Wisconsin, they are located in the Dells with many other attractions along the way. Those Michigan bound can enjoy Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. Here there are gift shops, concessions, pony rides, and wagon rentals. There are over 100 different kinds of animals, including many threatened and endangered species which makes for very possibly a once in a lifetime experience. Battle Creek has the Full Blast indoor/outdoor water park with 100 to 200 foot water slides. There are also concessions, sports forums, the roller skating rink, an inflatable obstacle course, the cyber spin which mimics the feeling of being in space. Illinois might prove interesting when visiting the Sears Tower, which was built in 1973 and is 110 stories high. Kiddieland is also located in Chicago as it's oldest amusement park.

Kids can climb onto nets and through tubes in the Volcano Play center, or ride the Water Coaster. The Brookfield Zoo is nearby located on 216 landscaped acres, You can explore on your own or take guided tours in electronic cars or wagons. They have dolphins, feature baby animal exhibits, and even teach learning classes for children. Indiana Beach Monticello Amusement Resort is their largest and most popular one. It has six roller coasters, water rides, a beach, games, boardwalk shopping, lots of restaurants, hotels, and cottages. Canine lovers will want to visit Wolf Park in Battle Ground, IN. It's a nonprofit research and education facility started in the 70s in which you can take an hour long guided tour viewing red foxes and New Guinea Singing Dogs. Visitors are allowed to take pictures and are educated on the wolf's natural behaviors in the wild. You don't have to go all of the way to Africa to get a safari experience, just go to the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio. This preserve is over 100 acres, you can snap pictures as you drive through, and they have lots of exotic and endangered animals. The Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky has 17 roller coasters, with three of them rating in the top 10 of all steel coasters in the U.S. There are carousels, water rides, children's park rides, spinning circular rides, and even tranquil easy going rides for those who prefer. Kentucky is where you'll want to go to ride the Grand Carousel, listen to music with a magic show, see the Kenya Safari Acrobats, ride the many coasters, or your children may want to participate in the kids' festival. When in central Kentucky, don't miss out on a chance to see Mammoth Cave National Park. You can canoe, fish, water ski, or explore the caves with a guided tour. Stop to see the kangaroos, ride coasters, or look at dinosaur fossils. Either way you go, you will find something that your whole family will enjoy in any of these attractions.