Want water park caliber fun without the water park prices? Then try one of these suburban pools that are less than an hour’s drive from downtown Chicago. These local gems have a variety of amenities for a wide range of ages (we’re talking mega slides, lazy rivers and spray features) and cost a fraction of the price. See the eight pools you need to add to your summer bucket list, below!
1. Family Aquatic Center and Arctic Splash in Wheeling
Where: 333 W Dundee Rd, Wheeling, IL
Aloha Beach, Paradise Falls and Volcano Valley may sound like they’re in Hawaii, but they’re actually a zero-depth entry pool, drop slides, and tube and body slides found in the outdoor aquatic center in north suburban Wheeling. There’s also the Tsunami Splash water playground and a sand play area known as Keiki Island, both of which are great for the younger crowd. Lap lanes and a diving board are available for the more experienced swimmers. If the weather’s not cooperating, though, fear not—just inside the adjacent park center is Arctic Splash, which has its own zero-depth pool, lap pool, polar bear slide, mini lazy river and water play area.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 40 minutes.
Cost: $13; children ages 3-9 $11.50, children 2 and under free.
Where: 8301 Janes Avenue, Woodridge, IL
Little ones can build a castle in the sand of the Mud Bug Beach, splash around on the play structure at Bullfrog Bayou, or ease into the zero-depth Cattail Bay at this Southwest suburban pool and water park. Older swimmers can grab a tube to shoot down the Tabasco Falls, or tackle the three Pelican’s Plunge body slides. Cypress Cove also has a lap pool and a lazy river. You do get a discount at this water park if you visit after 5pm!
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 35 minutes.
Cost: $15.50 (residents $8.50), children 1 and under free.
3. Centennial Park Aquatic Center in Orland Park
Where: 15600 West Avenue, Orland Park, IL
If you’re looking for water fun in the south suburbs, check out the Centennial Park Aquatic Center for its impressive collection of slides, including a drop slide, two body speed slides, a flume slide, and a tube slide, as well as a platform cliff jump. Less adventurous types will appreciate a zero-depth entry pool, lazy river and plenty of lounging space.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 40 minutes.
Cost: $20 (resident $8).
4. Pelican Harbor in Bolingbrook
Where: 200 Lindsey Lane, Bolingbrook, IL
Pelican Harbor is a great indoor/outdoor option. Outside, play a game of beach volleyball and let the kids run around the sand playground. Water activities include four high-speed water slides, a diving well, and a lazy river with an adventure channel. Families with wee ones can visit the zero-depth entry pool and interactive sprayground. If the weather turns rainy, or you just want some relief from the sun, head indoors to another zero-depth entry pool with buckets, a toddler slide, lap pool, two water slides, and a 10-person hot tub.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 40 minutes.
Cost: Peak hours: $16 (resident $9). Off-peak hours $9 (resident $6). Ages two and under are free.
5. The Water Works in Schaumburg
Where: 505 North Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, IL
Bad weather can’t stop you from swimming at this indoor aquatic center in Schaumburg. Three water slides, a diving pool, and the rapid water channel will satisfy thrill seekers, and parents of young kids will appreciate the gradual-entry pool and water playground. A drop-in nursery is also available for infants and children who need to stay out of the water, or to give parents time to enjoy the lap pool or whirlpool on their own.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 40 minutes.
Cost: $10 (residents $8), children $8 (residents $6).
Where: 1461 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL
When one pool isn’t enough, check out this Northwest suburban spot with four of them. A zero-depth pool is perfect for toddlers, while older kids will like the leisure/lap pool and the diving well. The whole gang can come together to float along the lazy river. Zoom down a tube slide and two body flumes, then check out the AquaClimb Water Wall for a workout.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 50 minutes.
Cost: $13 (residents $9); children $11 (residents $7), children ages 2 and under are free.
7. Mystic Waters in Des Plaines
Where: 2025 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL
If your kids have ever dreamt of diving off a cliff into cool, blue water, you only need to drive them as far as this aquatic center near O’Hare to do it. Mystic Waters also has Otters Run, two giant tube slides that travel more than 600 feet, plus a 550-foot lazy river. Young swimmers can splash around in Dolphin Bay and Beluga Beach, where there’s a zero-depth entry pool, fountains and sprays, jungle gym, and a dolphin they can slide down. There’s also a sand area when (if?) they tire of the water.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 25 minutes.
Cost: $14 (residents $9), youth $12 (residents $8), children 2 and under free.
8. Park Forest Aqua Center in Park Forest
Where: 30 N Orchard Dr, Park Forest, IL
The Park Forest Aqua Center is made up of three pools for all types of swimmers, including a shallow pool for young swimmers and a deep lap pool for adults only. There’s plenty of sand and seating outside the pool. Kids can splash into the pool from the waterslide or one of two drop slides, or try their skill at climbing the 15-foot aquatic wall.
Drive time from downtown Chicago: 40 minutes.
Cost: $12, Twilight hours $8.
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