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Jun 2010  |  By Mibs  |  Comments

Know Before You Go: Waterparks

Chicago's North Shore offers plenty of water play alternatives to a trip to the beach.

If you're looking for a local waterpark, you're sure to find one on this list that's close to you. Before you go, consider:

1. Your kids' ages: It's worth the effort to do a little research before you fork over an admission fee. You don't want to pay $20 for your 4-year-old to get into the park, only to find out there really isn't a sufficient kiddie pool.

2. Snack time: Most waterparks don't allow food to be brought onto the premises—they would much rather have you buy their own. It's up to you on how far you want to push the rule, as the enforcement of the "no food rule" is sure to vary. Just be prepared to be asked to stow the Cheetos and juice boxes.

3. Re-entry policy: Before you head out the door, check the weather. Nothing puts a damper on the day like being at the waterpark for 15 minutes before you're forced to exit because the Thor-Guard system is activated. Not every pool will allow you to just hang out until the weather passes, and if you should leave, you want to make sure you can return without having to pay the full admission price.

Here's where to go:

Barrington: Aqualusion
235 Lions Drive
847-381-0687

Admission:
Adults (18 yrs. & up) $7/$10 R/NR
Child (3-17 yrs): $5/$8 R/NR
Senior (60 yrs/ & up): $4/$7 R/NR
Under 36 months: Free
After 6 p.m.
Adults: $5/$8 R/NR
Child: $3/$6 R/NR
Seniors: $2/$5 R/Nr

Pool Open Daily, June 11-Sept. 5
12 - 7 p.m.

Buffalo Grove: Spray ‘n Play
951 McHenry Road
847-793-0570

Admission:
12 months & under-Free
Children and Adults $3
Seniors (55+) $1
Twilight Time (last 2 hours) $1

Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 12 - 7 p.m.
Sunday: 12 - 6 p.m.

Glenview: Flick Pool
3600 Glenview Rd.
847-724-3337

Admission:
Daytime Fees: (open-6 p.m.)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free): $7/$10.75 R/NR
Seniors (65+) $6/$10.75 R/NR
Twilight Fees (6 p.m. -Closing)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free), Seniors (65+): $4 for Residents and Non-Residents

Tot Pool: Monday -Friday 9 - 11 a.m.
Lap Swim: Monday - Friday  9 - 11:30 a.m.
Family Swim: Daily 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Glenview: Roosevelt Outdoor Pool
2239 Fir St.
847-724-3337

Admission:
Daytime Fees (open -.6 p.m.)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free) $7/$8.50 R/NR
Seniors (65+) $6/$8.50 R/NR
Twilight Fees (6 p.m. -.Closing)
Age 2-Adult (under 2 free), Seniors (65+) $4 for Residents and Non-Residents

Monday - Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday and Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Glenview: Splash Landings Indoor Water Park
2400 Chestnut Ave
847-486-5372

Admission:
$6 per person

Gurnee: Key Lime Cove Indoor Water Park
1700 Nations Drive

Reservations: 224-656-8685
One Night Stay for family of 4: between $200 and $300, rates vary depending on room availability

Gurnee: Six Flags Great America—Hurricane Harbor
1 Great America Parkway
On I-94 at Route 132 (Grand Ave)
847-249-2133

Season Pass: $74.99
Admission: $36.99 per person (online)
At the Park: $56.99 (adults-general admission), $36.99 (kids—free under 2)

Parking:
$20 (one-day)
$70 Season Parking

Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Highland Park: Hidden Creek Aqua Park
1220 Fredrickson Place
847-433-3170

Admission:
$7/$12 R/NR
Free for children 3 yrs and under
Twilight Fee (after 5 p.m.): $3/$6 R/NR

Highland Park: JCYS Lillian L. Lutz Recreation Center (The Lil')
195 Half Day Road
847-432-6355

Admission:
$4 Monday - Friday
$6 Saturday and Sunday

Hours: 3:30 - 7 p.m. Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday

Libertyville: Adler Park Pool

1500 N. Milwaukee Ave
847-816-7946

Admission:
Individual: $7/$11 R/NR
Infant (under 2): Free
Senior (60+) $3/$5 R/NR
Guest: $8 NR (pool pass holder must be present for guest to receive rate)
Twilight Fee: ½ price for last two hours of swim

Libertyville: Riverside Pool
870 Country Club Drive
847-918-2089

Admission:
Individual: $4/$6 R/NR
Infant (under 2): Free
Senior (60 +) $1/$3 R/NR
Guest: $5 NR (pool pass holder must be present for guest to receive rate)
Twilight Fee: ½ price for last two hours of swim

Morton Grove: Oriole Pool
9200 Oriole St.
847-965-0169

Weekend Child: $5/$8 R/NR
Weekend Adult: $6/$9

Hours: 1 - 5 p.m., 7 - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday
12 - 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Morton Grove: Harrer Pool
6250 Dempster St.
847-966-0984

Admission:
Weekdays Child $3.75/$5 R/NR
Weekdays Adults: $5/$7.50 (Harrer)/$7.00 (Oriole) R/NR
Evening Child/Adult: $3.00/$4.25 R/NR

Weekend Child: $5/$10
Weekend Adult: $7/$14

Hours: 12 - 5 p.m., 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Monday - Sunday

Mundelein: Bare Foot Bay
1461 North Midlothian Road
847-566-8661

Admission:
Youth (3-17) $7/$10 R/NR
Individual: (18-54) $9/$13 R/NR
Senior: (55+) $7/$10 R/NR
Twilight Fees:
Youth: (3-17) $3/$5
Individual: (18-54) $5/$8
Senior (55+): $3/$5

Hours:
With Pass: Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Holidays 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Without Pass: Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Holidays 12 - 6 p.m.

Mundelein Community Center Spray Park (children 0-9)
1401 N. Midlothian Road
847-566-0650

Admission:
$1/$2 R/NR
Free at Twilight (7-8 pm)
Hours: Monday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2:30 - 6:30 p.m.
7 - 8 p.m.
Holidays 12 - 6 p.m.

Northbrook: Meadowhill Aquatic Center
1501 Maple Ave
847-291-2997

Northbrook Sports Center Pool
1720 Pfingsten Road
847-897-6196

Admission:
Youth (2-17) $6/$8 R/NR
Adult (18-64) $7/9 R/NR
Senior (65+) $6/$8 R/NR
Twilight Fees (After 6:30 p.m. at Meadowhill, after 5 p.m. at Northbrook Sports Center)
Youth (2-17) $4/$5 R/NR
Adult (18-64) $5/$7 R/NR
Senior (65+) $4/$5 R/NR

Skokie: Skokie Water Playground
4715 Oakton Street
847-674-1500

Admission:
Residents must show a photo ID to receive Resident Rate
Resident Rates:
Children (3-15): $6.50 ($12 NR)
Adult (16+) $7.50 ($14 NR)

Public Swim:
Monday-Friday 12:15 - 8 p.m. (12 p.m. for season pass holders)
Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (10 a.m. for season pass holders)
Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (10 a.m. for season pass holders)
Lap Swim: Monday - Sunday 8 - 10 a.m.

Vernon Hills: Family Aquatic Center
635 N. Aspen Drive
847-996-6810

Admission:
Adults (19+) $8.50/$12 R/NR
Child (4-18) $8.50/$12 R/NR
Senior (62+) $6.50/$9.00 R/NR
Children 3 and under: Free
Half Price twilight rates: Monday-Friday 6-8 pm; Weekends 5-7 pm

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Wheeling: Wheeling Water Park
333 W. Dundee Rd
847-465-3333

Admission:
General: $9.75/$12.75 R/NR
Youth Admission: $8.25/$11.25 R/NR
Senior (62+) $7.25/$8.75 R/NR
Children (0-35 mo) Free

Hours:
Weekdays: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wheeling: Indoor Arctic Splash Center

Admission:
General: $6/$7.50 R/NR
Youth (3-9) $5/$6.50 R/NR
Senior (62+) $5/$6.50
Children (2 & under) Free

Wilmette: Centennial Family Aquatic Center
2300 Old Glenview Road
847-256-9680

Admission:
$7.50/$13.75 R/NR
Guest of Resident: $8.50

Wading Pool (only 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
$5.25/$9.50 R/NR
Children under 2 are Free

Hours:
Monday-Friday 1 - 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.