There are many reasons to stay close to home for vacation this year. Avoid the stress of cross-country travel and explore some of the area’s most exciting destinations. From swanky Chicago hotels to rustic campsites and so much more, here are a few places near Lincoln Park your family can go to get away from it all.

The Four Seasons

Image via Flickr by loustejskal.com Licensed CC BY 2.0

From budgeting and planning to packing up the kids, taking a vacation can be challenging. You deserve a break, so what are you going to do? Head to an upscale Chicago hotel. We know what you’re thinking. Does America’s third-largest city offer any kid-friendly accommodations mom and dad will actually enjoy?

The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago checks off all your family’s must-haves. It’s kid-tested and parent-approved with world-class amenities like activity books highlighting local landmarks and an indoor pool with fun floaties like kickboards and noodles. Encourage your kids to pick out a toy from the treasure chest at check-in, and don’t forget about the on-call sundaes. With this unique kid-friendly service, the “ice cream man” rolls their cart to your room to create your favorite dessert right before your eyes.

The Four Season’s convenient location on East Delaware Place makes it easy to explore the city’s vast number of family entertainments. You’ll stay blocks from Lake Michigan and get access to the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum tickets with your reservation. Go ahead and book a 575-square-foot suite with separate sleeping and living spaces, so you’ll have all the privacy you want. It offers plenty of room for the whole family with a king-size bed, pull-out sofa, and a crib for your little ones.

Camp Bullfrog Lake

Chicago is undoubtedly the Midwest’s shining urban jewel, but when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, go camping. Camp Bullfrog Lake on Wolf Road in Willow Springs is just over an hour’s drive inland. It offers year-round camping with grassy tents and RV sites, plus tidy cabins with bunk beds for the kids.

Reserve a site with 20, 30, or 50 amp electric systems or choose a 10 by 10-foot mulched pad. The large cabins sleep a big family with up to 10 people, and small ones have room for eight guests. Each house offers modern amenities like heating, air-conditioning, hot showers, and ceiling fans.

While you’re there, go fishing, swimming, and boating right from the grounds. You can also hop on the extensive Palos Trail System for a hike or bike ride. Mom and dad can go for a walk after dinner and watch the sunset over the water. This campground is also pet-friendly, and it offers a convenient onsite store all within the tree-covered hills of the Palos Preserves.

Ambassador Chicago

Chicago is a popular year-round playground for families thanks to world-class events, museums, and restaurants. But where should you stay when you’re there on vacation? Leave the airport-sized shampoo at home and head to North Beach. This choice works great for families because of its proximity to so many fantastic places.

Located on North State Parkway, the Ambassador is within walking distance of Lake Michigan’s popular North Beach. With 285 rooms, two restaurants, and a 24-hour fitness center, there’s a lot to like about this downtown hotel. It’s also pet-friendly, so there’s no need to hire a dog sitter while you unwind.

During your stay, explore the city. The Chicago History Museum, the Michigan Avenue shops, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum are all less than 30 minutes away by foot. You can also discover Navy Pier, which is just 2.6 miles away if you want to take public transportation.

Grand Geneva Resort

Our next recommended staycation destination is the Grand Geneva Resort on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. This property lies about 90 minutes north of Lincoln Park amongst a captivating landscape of tree-covered hills. It touts everything you want to make this a memorial stay, like two golf courses, pickleball, a fitness center, and a spa. There are 355 beautifully appointed guest rooms, each with private patios and balconies that provide guests with a welcoming place to take in the views.

Your little ones will fill their days with activities at its Adventure Center, like archery, hiking, and sand volleyball games. There’s a seasonal outdoor pool, an indoor pool, hot tub, and lap pool for aquatic therapy, plus tons of other four-season activities you can enjoy right near the resort, like:

• Lake cruises.
• Tour historic downtown.
• Shopping.
• Skiing.
• Horseback riding.
• Scooter rentals.

The Abbey Resort

Whether you want to get away for the weekend or the week, The Abbey Resort near the Fontana harbor of Lake Geneva is a prime kid-friendly destination — and it’s affordable. This full-service retreat sits on 90 scenic acres and offers world-class accommodation with 334 guestrooms, 13 suites, and 13 villas.

The resort provides many activities for guests of all ages, including a disc golf course, a video game arcade, a fitness center with an aerobic studio, and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Get involved with thrilling activities like watersports, cycling, golf, or a family walk around the lake.

The onsite Avani Spa is the perfect place to pamper yourself. The expert practitioners at this 35,000-square-foot oasis offer massages, facials, and wraps. Indulge with an aromatherapy treatment or relax in the sauna. There are also plenty of dining options nearby to choose from, from casual eateries to gourmet restaurants, including:

• Café Latte.
• 240 West.
• Waterfront Restaurant Bar and Grill.
• Porto.
• Bar West.

There you go!. Crème de la Crème of Lincoln Park put together this list of the best places to take the family for a staycation near home. Did you like our picks? Did we miss a favorite destination of yours — one Chicago families would love? If we did, let us know! Then, drop us a line so we can add your family’s idea to our list.