Even though Evanston residents wake up with a beachside view and a bustling downtown each morning, everyone needs a change of pace sometimes. With spring break quickly approaching, you may be thinking of where to take the family for a quick vacation. Look no further than these drivable spring break options near Evanston, IL.
Milwaukee
The perfect spring break awaits Evanston residents in Milwaukee. Drive for a little over an hour up north for a memorable family vacation. Enjoy these family attractions nearby.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Plan a family day at Milwaukee’s highly rated zoo. With over 300 species, your family can see apes, otter, penguins and more! From North America to Adventure Africa, you’ll find animals all over the world during your visit. Visitors claim the Milwaukee County Zoo is one of the best zoos they’ve taken their families to.
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
Let your kids blow off some steam at Betty Brinn’s Children’s Museum. This interactive museum allows kids to play while learning literacy and early math skills. Train-loving kids will love their most recent Let’s Play Railway exhibit. Families say their kids have a blast here, plus they learn a thing or two during their visit!
Discovery World
Inspire your kids to love science with a visit to Discovery World! Visit the aqua side and the techno side to learn about automation, the Great Lakes, and more. There’s even a massive aquarium for families to enjoy! Families love Discovery World’s interactive indoor activities, particularly for cold days.
Wisconsin Dells
Gather your family in the car and head up north on I-90 this spring break. A trip to Wisconsin Dells will stick with your family for a lifetime! Check out these top attractions while you’re there.
Kalahari Resort
If you haven’t visited Kalahari Resorts, make this spring break your first venture! Visitors get free access to the colossal indoor Kalahari waterpark during their stay. Guests also have complimentary access to over 175 interactive science exhibits at the Tommy Barlett Exploratory!
Rick Wilcox Magic Theater
Make your stay in Wisconsin Dells even more magical with a trip to Rick Wilcox Magic Theater. This family-friendly magic show puts on a live performance with captivating ilusions and tricks. Rick and Susan put on such a great show that it’s routinely rated as one of Wisconsin’s top attractions!
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
If your family loves oddities, look no further than Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. This museum features anything from wild stories, shrunken heads, and much more. Partake in one of their quirky scavenger hunts to get the entire family involved in exploring!
Indianapolis
In just a 3-hour drive, you can have the time of your life with your family in Indianapolis, IN!
Children’s museum of Indianapolis
Explore the world’s largest children’s museum in nearby Indianapolis! Children of all ages will have a blast exploring this massive space. Disney-lovers will want to check out The Emotions at Play exhibit open now!
The Indianapolis Zoo
If your family can’t decide between visiting the zoo, the aquarium, or botanic gardens, you can do it all at The Indianapolis Zoo! Enjoy 64 acres worth of desert animals, forest animals, and much more. This is the only zoo in the Midwest that allows children to swim with dolphins too!
Smiley Indoor Play Center
Rain or shine, kids need to blow off some steam. Smiley Indoor Play Center offers 25,000 square feet of fun with a jungle gym, lego room, and more! Adults may also have a blast in the arcade room alongside their kids!
St. Louis
St. Louis is an easy five-hour drive from Evanston, IL. Cruise down I-55 for a fun-filled spring break with family in St. Louis!
City Museum
Nominated as one of the best children’s museum in the country, St. Louis’ City Museum is known for being “weirdly wonderful.” Boasting 30+ slides, caves, a rooftop, and much more, your family will remember your experience at The City Museum for years to come!
Saint Louis Zoo
Patrons adore the Saint Louis Zoo for its free admission and plethora of animals. Enjoy fish, amphibians and much more at this top-rated zoo. Your spring trip may allow you to see their Animals Aglow lantern exhibit!
The Gateway Arch
No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to the iconic Gateway Arch. The whole family can ride in a tram all the way to the top of the arch! Take in the spectacular views together and learn a thing or two about the arch’s rich history.
Stay Local with a Fun Staycation in Chicago
From the Purple Line to a quick drive on I-94, you can plan a daytrip or staycation in Chicago this spring break!
Field Museum
Chicago’s Field Museum has something for everyone in the family. Kids can learn all about dinosaurs when they meet the museum’s T.Rex, SUE. Creepy crawler lovers can learn all about bloodsucking species at their most recent Bloodsuckers exhibit!
Museum of Science and Industry
One of the largest museums in the world awaits on Lake Shore Drive. The Museum of Science and Industry has fascinating exhibits from genetics to farming. Visit over spring break to see the 007 James Bond exhibit and Black Creativity exhibit!
The Lincoln Park Zoo
Immerse your family in the jungle right in the heart of the city. Lincoln Park Zoo is free to all ages! Pop in to watch seal training or ape cognition and care during the week. You can also take your child on the Lionel Train Adventure.
Shedd Aquarium
Home to over 32,000 animals, you can visit the indoor Shedd Aquarium no matter what the Chicago spring weather brings us. Take a tour of this massive facility or set up a penguin encounter to meet a real-life penguin!
Adler Planetarium
If the stars align this spring break, you’ll take your family to America’s first planetarium, right here in Chicago. Use Chicagoland’s largest telescope in Doane Observatory, watch a Sky Show, and visit the Space Shop for souvenirs!
Whether you travel 30 minutes or 5 hours, there are plenty of spring break vacation ideas near Evanston, IL. Start planning your short getaway today!