Any vacation ideas?

I have three weeks left on my medical leave and I feel great. I would love to go on a two or three night vacation with my 9 year old son. Any suggestions of a place to go? I wanted to go to the Dells but do not want to pay 250 a night for a waterpark hotel in the middle of summer. I live about an hour south of Chicago. I am looking for someplace within a four hour drive from here. Any suggestions???? Thank you, Nancy

Nancy St. Louis has a lot of great places for a 9 year old.. The Science Center City Museum 6 Flags Arch etc.... and its close by.. There's a waterpark in the alton area Raging Rivers.. Lots of fun for a kid.. Debby

Nancy, there are numerous other hotels in the Dells that are way cheaper that don't have waterparks, but just pools. Then you just have to pay to get a weekend pass at one of the amusemen****er Parks. They have so many discount coupons on the Wisconsin Dells Website. Hubby and I took the kids last year at this time and that is what we did. It was a blast! The rates are actually starting to go down a little now with school starting. Mellisia

You look so CUTE!

Hi Nancy: I am so glad to hear that you are feeling so good!!! It may not be as glamorous as the Dells, but Rockford would be much less expensive. We have Magic Waters Water Park, The Discovery Center Museum, Jane the T-Rex at the History Museum, Anderson Gardens, and, if you come over Labor Day Weekend (starting Wed 8-31) we have the On the Waterfront festival going on. My kids love all of these things. Some sites to check: www.gorockford.com and www.onthewaterfront.com We are about 1 hour northwest of O'Hare. Honest, I don't work for the visitor's bureau, I just think there are a lot of cool things to do around here. Hope you find something great! Dawn

The new grand bear lodge resort in Utica IL It has a 26,000 square foot indoor water park.My kids loved it and i did also.look it up.Taco 459/283/220