Chicago’s North Shore offers plenty of water play alternatives to a trip to the beach.
If you’re looking for a local waterpark, you’re sure to find one on this list that’s close to you. Before you go, consider:
1. Your kids’ ages: It’s worth the effort to do a little research before you fork over an admission fee. You don’t want to pay $20 for your 4-year-old to get into the park, only to find out there really isn’t a sufficient kiddie pool.
2. Snack time: Most waterparks don’t allow food to be brought onto the premises—they would much rather have you buy their own. It’s up to you on how far you want to push the rule, as the enforcement of the “no food rule” is sure to vary. Just be prepared to be asked to stow the Cheetos and juice boxes.
3. Re-entry policy: Before you head out the door, check the weather. Nothing puts a damper on the day like being at the waterpark for 15 minutes before you’re forced to exit because the Thor-Guard system is activated. Not every pool will allow you to just hang out until the weather passes, and if you should leave, you want to make sure you can return without having to pay the full admission price.
Here’s where to go:
Barrington: Aqualusion
235 Lions Drive
Main phone: 847-381-0687
Pool front desk: 847-304-5277
Admission:
Adults (18 yrs. & up) $7/$10 Resident/Non-resident
Child (3-17 yrs): $5/$8 R/NR
Senior (60 yrs/ & up): $4/$7 R/NR
Under 36 months: Free
After 6 p.m.
Adults: $5/$8 R/NR
Child: $3/$6 R/NR
Seniors: $2/$5 R/Nr
Pool Open Daily, June 11-Sept. 2
12 – 8 p.m.
Hours may vary
Glenview: Flick Pool
3600 Glenview Rd.
847-724-3337
Admission:
Daytime Fees: (open-6 p.m.)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free): $8/$12 R/NR
Seniors (65+) $7/$12 R/NR
Twilight Fees (6 p.m. -Closing)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free), Seniors (65+): $5/$7 R/NR
Public swim hours start June 8
Tot Pool: Monday -Friday 9 – 11 a.m.
Lap Swim: Monday – Friday 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Family Swim: Daily 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Glenview: Roosevelt Outdoor Aquatic Center
2239 Fir St.
847-724-3337
Admission:
Daytime Fees (open -.6 p.m.)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free) $7/$9 R/NR
Seniors (65+) $6/$9 R/NR
Twilight Fees (6 p.m. -.Closing)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free), Seniors (65+) $4/$5 R/NR
Pool opens June 8
Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday and Sunday: 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Glenview: Splash Landings Indoor Water Park
2400 Chestnut Ave
847-486-5372
Admission:
$6 per person
Gurnee: Key Lime Cove Indoor Water Park
1700 Nations Drive
Reservations: 224-656-8685
One Night Stay for family of 4: between $200 and $300, rates vary depending on room availability
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m – 9 p.m.
Gurnee: Six Flags Great America—Hurricane Harbor
1 Great America Parkway
On I-94 at Route 132 (Grand Ave)
847-249-2133
Season Pass: $76.99
Admission: $41.99 per person (online)
At the Park: $61.99 (adults-general admission), $41.99 (kids—free under 2)
Parking:
$20 (one-day)
$70 Season Parking
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Highland Park: Hidden Creek Aqua Park
1220 Fredrickson Place
847-433-3170
Open May 25 – Sept. 2
Admission:
$8/$13 R/NR
Free for children 3 yrs and under
Twilight Fee (after 5 p.m.): $3/$6 R/NR
Mundelein: Barefoot Bay
1461 North Midlothian Road
847-566-8661
Admission:
Youth (3-17) $7/$10 R/NR
Individual: (18-54) $9/$13 R/NR
Senior: (55+) $7/$10 R/NR
Twilight Fees:
Youth: (3-17) $3/$5
Individual: (18-54) $4/$6
Senior (55+): $3/$5
Open daily 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Mundelein Community Center Spray Park (children 0-9)
1401 N. Midlothian Road
847-566-0650
Admission:
$1/$2 R/NR
Free at Twilight (7-8 pm)
Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
7 – 8 p.m. (Free)
Holidays 12 – 6 p.m.
Northbrook Sports Center Pool
1720 Pfingsten Road
847-897-6196
Admission:
Youth (2-17) $6/$8 R/NR
Adult (18-64) $7/9 R/NR
Senior (65+) $6/$8 R/NR
Twilight Fees (After 6:30 p.m. at Meadowhill, after 5 p.m. at Northbrook Sports Center)
Youth (2-17) $4/$5 R/NR
Adult (18-64) $5/$7 R/NR
Senior (65+) $4/$5 R/NR
Pool open daily June 8 – Aug. 11
Monday – Saturday: noon – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Slides open until 6:30 Monday – Saturday
Skokie: Skokie Water Playground
4715 Oakton Street
847-674-1500
Admission:
Children (3-15): $6.50/$12 R/NR
Adult (16+) $7.50/$14 R/NR
Guest of resident: $7.50 (children)/$8.50 (adults)
Lap swim: $4/$7 R/NR
Public Swim:
Monday-Friday 12:15 – 8 p.m. (12 p.m. for season pass holders)
Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (10 a.m. for season pass holders)
Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (10 a.m. for season pass holders)
Lap Swim: Monday – Sunday 8 – 10 a.m.
Vernon Hills: Family Aquatic Center
635 N. Aspen Drive
847-996-6810
Admission:
Adults (19+) $8.50/$12 R/NR
Child (4-18) $8.50/$12 R/NR
Senior (62+) $6.50/$9.00 R/NR
Children 3 and under: Free
Half Price twilight rates: Monday-Friday 6-8 pm; Weekends 5-7 pm
Pool open daily May 25 – Sept. 2
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (Starting June 10)
11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Wheeling: Wheeling Water Park
327 W. Dundee Rd
847-465-3333
Admission:
General: $10/$13 R/NR
Youth Admission: $8.50/$11.50 R/NR
Senior (62+) $7.50/$9 R/NR
Children (0-35 mo) Free
Hours:
Weekdays: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wilmette: Centennial Family Aquatic Center
2300 Old Glenview Road
847-256-9680
Admission:
Weekday: $8.25/$18 R/NR
Weekend: $10/$20
Guest of resident: $9.25
Wading Pool (only 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
$5.75/$12.50 R/NR
Guest of resident: $9.25
Children under 2 are free
Pool open daily June 8 – Sept. 2
Hours:
Monday-Friday 1 – 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.