A Family Getaway to the Elgin Area

A great way to get the kids excited for the family trip is to first stop at 2 Toots Train Whistle Grill on your way into town. This is a restaurant kids will love. Sit down for classic American fare and have your meal brought out to you on top of a model train!

Once you’ve finished grabbing a bite to eat, continue into town and check into Elgin’s Holiday Inn. After time in the car, the kids may need to get out and expel some energy. Take a quick drive into South Elgin to visit SEBA Park. This park features playground equipment and large spaces for kids to run and play. Then as a family you can hop onto the Fox River Trail that runs through SEBA Park and enjoy nature and beautiful scenic views. Or visit Epic Air Trampoline Park nearby to enjoy the 30,000 square foot facility created for the joy of families with multiple places to jump, foam pits and play equipment.

After checking out of the hotel there are a few spots that are perfect for families in the Dundee area. First there’s Randall Oaks Zoo, a barn-based family venue with kid-friendly animals for petting and feeding, plus games and pony rides. This zoo features animals that are native to the area. Kids may have seen them before in the wild, but now they can see them up close in a safe, educational environment.

Another kid favorite spot is Santa’s Village Azoosment and Water Park in East Dundee. This amusement park is full of entertainment for the family with a number of rides fit for a wide range of ages, a zoo, games, dining opportunities, shops and the newly added water park Santa’s Springs. At Santa’s Springs there are cabana rentals, slides and shallow playing areas for younger kids.

Before hitting the road to go back home, there are two restaurants in the Dundee area that kids absolutely love. Van’s Frozen Custard and Burgers is a local favorite for both their burgers and custard options. Walking distance from the Dundee riverwalk, this location makes for a great place to stretch and walk before getting back into the car. Another top spot is Woodfire Dundee, which serves mouth-watering classic woodfired pizza (which kids love), but also features wine on tap (which may be of interest to parents).