Indiana, Michigan or Wisconsin Kids Vacation

Hi I have 2 kids (2 and 9 mo) and we just went on our first mini vaction. We wanted to go somewhere really family orintated. We went to Shipsawanna and stayed at the Farmstead Inn. There is no smoking and no drinking and it was a wonderful family time. There is an indoor pool, kiddie pool, play area inside and outside, basketball court, and pingpong table. It was different and educational place with all the amish people and heritage. There was also an indoor water park just down the road. I hope this helps and enjoy your trip! If you want any other info. email feel free to email me.

We have 4 kids and live in NW Indiana as well. Sometimes we just set aside a long weekend to do local things. We will take one day to ride the south shore (kids love it!) into Chicago and get off at the Museums and pick one of the museums or the Shedd Aquarium. We will spend the whole day, take our time, and then ride the south shore back home. Then the next day we might go up to the Dunes and look for seashells or hike the dunes or wade in the water. Again, taking the whole day and take a picnic lunch and lots of water and snacks. Then the final day we may just stay home with lots of disney movies and make popcorn and maybe do some games outside or ride bikes to a park. Good luck!

Cedar Point in Ohio is a very family friendly amusement park. There are lots of rides geared toward young children at Cedar Point, unlike Great America that is geared toward teens. There's also a Great Wolf Lodge there in Sandusky,Ohio where we've stayed that has a waterpark inside it. Ohio also has cheaper rates than places like the Dells. We took our young children there two years ago and had lots of fun. It was a good trip for us. Have a good summer.

There is A Day out with Thomas the Tank at Union, Illinois at the Illinois Railraod Museum. You can go to www.irm.org/ and click the Day out with Thomas. It's best to get the tickets for the train ride with Thomas ahead of time instead of waiting when you get there because they fill up fast. If you are late for your ride, you are out of luck. It's fun and crowed. There are other trains you can ride for free. Thomas you have to pay for. Also I know you didn't want theme parks, but my grandkids went to Santa claus. IN and had a great time. Also in Idianapolis they have a train the is a hotel and you can stay in the train. Of coursr it's small. but the grandkids were 5 and 8 at the time and loved it. Then there is the zoo and children's museum in Indianapolis.