If there is one thing you can count on with the Montano family, it is that we will spend as much time outside as we possibly can. Rain or shine, hot or cold, we are an outdoorsy bunch. To help you with your Summer Bucket List in the western suburbs, we put together some of our absolute favorite spots to visit as a family.

Day Trip Family Hikes

Getting outside and exploring together is not only great exercise, but it’s also an incredible way to connect with your kids. We have had some of the most insightful conversations with our children while we are enjoying nature together. Starved Rock is a common spot to hike if you’re in the Chicago suburbs, and we have spent many a day there. That said, we have found other places we like even better!

· Waterfall Glen in Darien. The waterfalls are absolutely beautiful and are a great backdrop for family photos (not to mention wonderful for cooling off on a hot day). There are 11 miles of trails, so if you’re up for it, this is definitely a full day of exploring!

· Indian Caves in Bourbonnais, part of Perry Farm Park. There are 4 miles of paved trails in additional a playground, farm animals, and more. The Indian Caves are adjacent to the Kankakee River and are another great place to visit on a hot day. Make sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet!

· Matthiessen State Park, just east of Oglesby. If you love Starved Rock and are up for a slightly more challenging hike, give Matthiessen a try! The trails may be a little tough for young kids, but they are perfect for slightly older kids who like adventure.

· Nachusa Grasslands in Franklin Grove. The Nature Conservancy has owned the preserve for 40 years, and they have worked tirelessly to restore the grassland. There are so many plants and birds to see, in addition to bison.

Quick Family Hikes

We all know that summer has those afternoons that start with, “Mom, I’m bored.” Those are the days when a quick surge of time outside and away from devices makes all the difference. Fortunately, we have lots of fantastic forest preserves and parks to explore! Our favorite quick family hikes are:

· Knoch Knolls Park in Naperville. Feel free to explore the trails on our own, or utilize one of the park’s mobile tours. There is a scavenger hunt option, in addition to a tour about Earth Day and an audio tour.

· McKee Marsh at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. There are so many opportunities to see wildlife at the marsh. If your kids love horses, there are also often horseback riders enjoying the trails. Feel free to bring your dogs, too!

· Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia. There is a beautiful lake at Dick Young, and there are several different trails, allowing you to make your hike as long or short as you like.

· Maple Grove in Downers Grove. This one is really neat if you enjoy local history. Downers Grove was a large grove of maple trees, and Maple Grove is the largest remnant of that original forest. The trail is pretty short, so it is perfect for young kids or just a quick jaunt into nature. https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/maple-grove

· Hammel Woods in Shorewood. You can either choose a shorter natural surface trail or the longer paved trail that is part of the DuPage River Trail. When we want to have a leisurely walk, we take the natural trail. If we want to bike or run, we opt for the paved trail (more on that down below).

· Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville. Adjacent to the Fox River, Hoover has longer trails than some of the hikes mentioned above. There are several observation locations, buildings, and an education center to enjoy, as well.

Running and Biking Trails

DuPage River at Knoch Knolls Park in Naperville.

If your family enjoys running and/or biking, longer trails with lots to see are perfect – they don’t get monotonous, and you have a good chance of seeing wildlife! Our two favorite running/biking trails locally are:

· Springbrook Prairie in Naperville. Springbrook will always be a special place for us because our old home was within walking distance. If your family is up for an early morning run or ride, Springbrook is the place to do it, with 7 miles of trails. It’s absolutely beautiful at Springbrook!

· DuPage River Trail. We access it from Naperville, but there are also several trailheads in Shorewood and about 20 different access points. The trail is 8.64 miles right now, with an end goal of being 40 miles (it is a work in progress).

Playgrounds

Are you looking to explore new playgrounds in the Chicago suburbs? While we spend plenty of time at our neighborhood playground, there are times it is fun to find something new and different. We’ve even had friends who spend the summer visiting a new playground each week! Here are the playgrounds that top our list:

· Sensory Garden Playground in Lisle. This playground was built with a “play for all” concept, so any child feels welcome and able to experience the area. Ramps, adaptive swings, auditory toys, a walking path, and so much more make up this wonderful, inclusive playground. Check out their Play Days throughout the summer, too!

· Harvester Park in Burr Ridge. Harvester Park has it all – a huge playground, a creek, a splash pad, and more. This spot should absolutely be on your summer list!

· Bison’s Bluff in Schaumburg. If your kids love to climb and explore, they will love Bison’s Bluff. It’s a natural-themed play area, and in order to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy their time without overcrowding, they do enforce capacity limits with one-hour play sessions if they are nearing capacity. There’s also a small admission fee for children (adults are free).

· Wahoo Woods in East Dundee. This is a nature play park, providing an opportunity for unstructured play. There are also trails to enjoy.

Nature Centers

Spending time outside allows for lots of learning opportunities, but if you’d like to up the ante on the education component, nature centers are a solid bet. Be sure to check their hours if you would like to go into the nature center building, but many also have educational plaques posted outside. The nature centers we frequent all year long include:

· Peck Farm Park in Geneva. There is so much to do at Peck Farm, including visit the Butterfly House, view the History Gallery, and explore the Sensory Gardens. Be sure to check their hours before you visit.

· Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St Charles. The exhibits at Creek Bend are really well done and give lots of information about ecology in the area.

· Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook. Live reptiles – need we say more? There are hands-on exhibits, a play area, and more. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when planning your trip.

· Red Oak Nature Center in North Aurora. Explore the Fox River, and learn about the wildlife that live in it. They have a wildlife room where you are able to observe a number of different animals such as frogs, snakes, and turtles.

· Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook. The center focuses on Salt Creek and the animals who live in the area, and they have a woolly mammoth skeleton! Within the forest preserve is Graue Mill, too, which has a working waterwheel gristmill.

· Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs. They have a robust exhibit area and an accessible outdoor garden, giving all kids and adults the opportunity to experience it.

Fun Family Activities

As nice as it is to walk outside listening to the birds and watching for wildlife, sometimes, a little more excitement is necessary. That’s when we tap into our arsenal of activities the whole family can enjoy. We try to stay within 2 hours of Naperville for day trips, simply because we like to spend as much time as possible enjoying our destination. Here are our top picks.

· Zoos – Lincoln Park is our favorite (you can’t beat a free zoo!), closely followed by Brookfield. We also enjoy Cosley Zoo in Wheaton and Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora if we’re looking for an afternoon activity without going too far from home.

· Morton Arboretum in Lisle. There is so much to explore, and their newest installation – Vivid Creatures – is a lot of fun. Make sure to head out to the hill to see the snail! We also enjoy the events at the Arboretum, so be sure to check out their event calendar.

· Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. There is so much to see! Butterflies, all kinds of plants, a model railroad garden, and more. They have a lot of events throughout the year, as well.

· Ravinia in Highland Park. If you’ve never been to this concert venue, it’s a must do! They have a wide variety of music options, from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (the perfect ambiance for a picnic) to contemporary artists and groups.

· Blackberry Farm in Aurora. A living history museum, you can see a blacksmith work, explore cabins, and see a one-room schoolhouse. Plus, one admission fee gives you access to all the activities – from pony rides to paddleboats to wagon rides. It is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon!

· Naperville Kayak. Their rentals allow you to book a kayak trip on the DuPage River and kayak or paddleboard at Lisle Community Park. Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the river from a different perspective!

· Indiana Dunes in Chesterton, IN. The State Park is where you’ll want to go for the beach, but the National Park has a lot to explore, too. The Dunes get really busy during the summer, and the line to get in can get quite long. Aim to get there right when the park opens, but be sure to check their social media before you leave just in case it looks like the weather or water conditions won’t allow for swimming.

· Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park in Woodridge. This is the place to go if you want a full day of fun in the water. There are so many attractions – slides, a lazy river, splash pad with a dumping bucket, and more. Your whole family will love it!

· The Forge: Lemont Quarries. You can’t miss The Forge. For older kids and adults, you can go ziplining, climbing, bike riding, and more. Younger kids will enjoy hiking, riding in the dino karts, and playing in the Adventure Zone. Everyone will enjoy their day at The Forge.

· McHenry Outdoor Theater. Give your kids the experience of the drive-in. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s jut one price for your carload of people, so fill up the car!

One of the best parts about living in Naperville is all the incredible parks, forest preserves, and family outings we have just a short drive away from home. As you can see, we take full advantage of living in this area, and we hope that our favorite family spots help you make you this summer one your family will remember for years to come!

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