Kidwinks.com highlights Family-Friendly Spring Break Ideas for parents in Chicago with kids on ABC
March 23, 2012 -- Spring break is under way or right around the corner for Chicago area school districts and there are many ways for families to enjoy it locally.
Kidwinks.com has compiled a SPRING BREAK GUIDE to help families come up with fun things to do. Many events are free!
Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois! Amazing waterfalls are active in the spring and after heavy rains. There is 13 miles of trails to explore, plus, the Illinois River offers fishing (ice fishing, too), boating, extraordinary views and great places to relax.
Guests can hike 13 miles of trails, see 18 canyons (many with waterfalls), camp, fish the Illinois River, canoe down the river, horseback ride at Cedar Creek Ranch (located 10 miles to the West of the Park on Route 71--Cedar Creek is also home to an authentic Civil War Cemetery), rent bikes on the Utica towpath, cross country ski during winter months on trails at Matthiessen State Park, and enjoy other special events throughout the year.
The Trails are open all year, but hikers are urged to exercise extreme caution and to stay on official trails.
Where: Route 178 and 71, Utica, IL
When: Open year-round.
Cost: Admission to the park and parking is free.
Ages: All Ages
Wildlife Prairie State Park
Wildlife Prairie State Park is a 2,000 acre zoological park that is home to animals indigenous to Illinois including: wolves, bison, waterfowl, black bears, elk, cougars, otters and more. Visitors enjoy spectacular natural surroundings, unique lodging and meeting space, fishing and a Pioneer Farmstead. Climb aboard the Wildlife Prairie State Park Train for a scenic ride that's off the beaten path, or climb aboard a modified bus with open-air windows for a 20-minute narrated ride out in the actual bison and elk pasture for an up close and personal encounter.
The park's overnight lodging options are as unique as the park itself. Enjoy an overnight stay in the Cabin on the Hill, Cottages by the Lake, Train Cabooses, Prairie Stables or now Tent Camping!
Where: 3826 N. Taylor Road, Hanna City, IL
When: Daily through December 9th
Cost: $4 - $7, depending on time of year and guest's age; FREE to children under the age of 3.
Ages: All Ages
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in Marriott Lincolnshire's Theatre for Young Audiences production of this delightful musical parable. Set to an engaging variety of musical styles by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber&.all woven into an unforgettable technicolor masterpiece.
Where: Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL
When: Tuesday Saturdays until May 12, 2012
Cost: $15 per person
Ages: All Ages
Spring Break Family Day at Carnivale
Carnivale features Nuevo Latino cuisine, energetic colors and wild design. The restaurant invites Chicagoland families to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break with their annual Family Spring Break event. Festivities will include an action photo booth, face painter, fire breather, balloon artist, stilt walker and a special kids menu.
Where: 702 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL
When: Sunday, April 1, 2012; 5:30 8:30PM
Cost: Festivities are free to dining guests during dinner service; meal cost varies.
Ages: All Ages
Easter Egg Hunt at Soldier Field
More than 4,000 adults and children are expected at the annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza, the largest free candy grab in Chicago featuring 2,000 lbs. of goodies on the field at Soldier Field Stadium.
The South Courtyard will host a spring festival featuring large inflatables for all ages, face painters, a balloon artist and much more from 911 a.m. along with other entertainment.
Before the candy grab, children will have the opportunity to have breakfast with the bunny and take photos at Soldier Field's United Club from 8:30 - 10 a.m. (a fee is charged for this activity)
Where: Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, IL
When: Saturday, March 31
Cost: Free for the festival and candy grab; Breakfast is $17.50 per adult; $12 for children under age 10; and Free for children under age 3.
Ages: Children ages 10 years and younger are welcome to participate in this
Holiday Inn and Suites East Peoria - Peoria Hotels, Illinois
Holiday Inn and Suites East Peoria 3 Stars Hotel in Peoria, Illinois Within US Travel DirectoryLess than 8 minutes’ drive from Peoria city centre, this hotel offers rooms with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.
A continental breakfast is served each morning.
A microwave and a refrigerator are included in every room at Holiday Inn and Suites East Peoria.
Ironing facilities are also included in each air-conditioned room.
Guests can enjoy a swim in the indoor pool or a workout in the on-site fitness centre at East Peoria Holiday Inn and Suites.
A launderette and a business centre are also provided for guest convenience.
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, located on the property, offers a rich Italian dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bradley University and Carver Arena are less than 4.
8 km from this hotel.
The Peoria Lake shoreline and Interstate 74 are within 3 minutes’ drive.
East Peoria is a great choice for travellers interested in nightlife, food and entertainment.
Holiday Inn and Suites East Peoria - Peoria Hotels, Illinois
Location in : 101 Holiday Street, IL 61611, Peoria, Illinois - USA
Booking now :
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DUPONT PARK AND TREATY OAK ON THE RIVERBANK DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA
DUPONT PARK AND TREATY OAK ON THE RIVERBANK DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA
TREATY OAK AND DUPONT PARK DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE
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The Treaty Oak is an octopus-like Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) in Jacksonville, Florida. The tree is estimated to be 250 years old and may be the single oldest living thing in Jacksonville, predating the founding of the city by Isaiah Hart during the 1820s. It is located in Treaty Oak Park in the Southbank area of Downtown Jacksonville.
The tree has a trunk over 25 feet in circumference, it rises to height of 70 feet, and its crown spreads over 145 feet, with twisting branches that bow to the ground and curl back up. The oak shades a roughly circular area, about 190 feet in diameter.[3]
In 1986, JEA began an important preservation program which grows seedlings from Treaty Oak acorns and makes them available through Greenscape for replanting throughout the city. Since the program was implemented, hundreds of seedlings have been planted, ensuring the legacy of the regal Jacksonville landmark.
A major project was completed in 1995 to preserve the tree and enhance the park, which was completed through the efforts of the city and private groups and individuals. Cables were installed in the tree to support limbs that threatened to damage the trunk, and a lightning protection system was installed.
The tree is located in Jessie Ball duPont Park, a 7-acre (2.8 ha) park on the south side of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville. Most of the land surrounding the tree was the location of the Dixieland Amusement Park, which opened in 1907. During that time, the tree was festooned with electric lights and witnessed Babe Ruth playing baseball and John Phillip Sousa performing a concert.[5]
In the 1930s, the Garden Club of Jacksonville and Pat Moran began efforts to raise awareness and preserve the tree, which was targeted by developers. The land was soon purchased by the Alfred I. duPont Testamentary Trust at the request of Jessie Ball duPont, a garden club member, and was donated to the city of Jacksonville in 1964 with the stipulation that it be used only for a public park, one of the purposes of which is to preserve the ancient oak commonly known as the Treaty Oak ... for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.
The city acquired additional property now included in the park, and the preserve was named in honor of Jessie Ball duPont, an ardent philanthropist and part-time Jacksonville resident, after her death in 1970. It is ironic that the smallest nature park in Jacksonville has the largest tree. The park contains paved walkpaths, a score of benches, a handful of picnic tables and informational plaques. It is a favorite spot for workers in nearby buildings who eat lunch, read a book or just sit and converse in the shade of its canopy.
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