You want to get away, but with rising gas prices and global-warming guilt, long car trips are less attractive than ever. So the At Play staff looked east and found inspiration in Europe, where the popular Eurail pass lets you escape to exciting locales via the rails. Based on that concept, we decided to create a Chicago version: Your rail.
Here’s how it works: Over the next three weeks, we offer three mini-vacations–each an overnight trip–that you can do without using a car–or while using one minimally. All are accessible by rail lines (think Metra or Amtrak).
There’s one for families, one for outdoorsy types and one for Anglophiles.
All aboard!
– – –
My kids live in the city, go to school in the city and will spend most of their summer here. We love it, but we also wanted them to get a glimpse of farm life and a chance to see nature up close. I also promised them a visit to that largely unknown world called “the suburbs.” Our 36-hour vacation accomplished all that, plus the magical world of hotel beds and hotel swimming pools.
The aim: A rural-feeling vacation with two kids who have spent too much time in cars and in the city.
Getting there: Metra’s Milwaukee District North line. Adults can purchase an unlimited weekend travel pass for $5 each that includes free travel for up to three accompanying kids. We picked up the train at the Forest Glen stop on the Northwest Side and rode about 15 minutes to Glenview, where a Wyndham Suites shuttle picked us up and whisked us to the hotel.
Stop 1: We arrived at the handsome Wyndham Hotel (1400 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview, 847-803-9800) at 10 a.m., five hours before official check-in, but we were graciously given our room ($119 a night) early. We dropped off our bags, coated the kids in sunscreen and put on farm-friendly shoes. My children (ages 3 and 7) loved the glass elevator with views of what my 7-year-old son called the “tropical paradise” dining atrium. They also loved the suite setup with a kitchenette and living room in the ante room and separate bedroom. “We have TWO TVs with cable here,” my son said. “I can’t believe it.”
Stop 2: We took a slow-arriving cab (fare: $15) from the hotel to Wagner Farm (1510 Wagner Rd., Glenview; 847-657-1506) a little more than 5 miles away. At this working mini-farm that is part of the Glenview Park District, we enjoyed their annual “Dairy Breakfast” ($10 adults, $5 kids) of pancakes, sausage patties, scrambled eggs, juice and bold Intelligentsia coffee–ahh, some aspects of city life were welcome on this bucolic adventure. After loading up on a big, tasty country breakfast and coffee, everyone was in a much better mood and ready to visit Lucky the cow, put our fingers in the tubes of a milking machine, tour a 1920s-era farmhouse, take a horsedrawn wagon ride, play kids games (like tossing bean bags into buckets of soybeans), check out an old-fashioned barn, climb aboard a real tractor and gawk at chickens, sheep and a spindly calf. This was plenty of excitement for my kids, but Wagner Farm is building a large new Heritage Center on the property that is scheduled to open in late summer and will hold a museum, gift shop and interpretive exhibits. Despite the heat, we had a fun, largely whine-free, two-hour visit that could have been much longer in kinder weather.
Our cell phone dead, we called a cab from the farm office for a return trip to the hotel ($15). Between the heat and our huge late breakfast, we skipped lunch and went straight to the pool. There the kids joyfully splashed around the indoor swimming pool, between dips in the warm whirlpool, until they were tuckered out and ready for naps. Or at least one was. The cable-deprived 7-year-old sat mesmerized by Cartoon Network, which has become synonymous with vacations for him.
Stop 3: Although the Wyndham shuttle doesn’t venture as far as the farm, it will take you anywhere within a 5-mile vicinity of the hotel. So when we asked if there was a Korean restaurant nearby, the drivers were happy to recommend a couple and drive us there. We ended up at the bustling Seoul Garden (3416 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview; 847-390-8390), where we dined on excellent pork dumplings, bibimbap, tasty little salads, and two cold buckwheat noodle dishes perfect for a hot summer night. Strolling through Milwaukee Avenue strip malls on the way back to the hotel, we passed a casual Mexican, Italian, Szechuan and another Korean eatery in a three-block stretch. At a convenience store, we picked up some microwave popcorn and other munchies for the evening’s entertainment of “Curious George,” from the hotel’s pay per view ($12.99).
After a quick morning run at the hotel’s small but adequate fitness room, we enjoyed Wyndham’s complimentary breakfast in the sunny dining atrium. Offerings include excellent coffee, juice, cereal, fruit, yogurt, made-to-order omelets, biscuits and gravy, ham and bacon and make-your-own waffles.
Stop 4: Post breakfast, we contemplated another swim but instead soaked up more cable before packing and making our noon check-out time. Between check-out and our shuttle ride to the train station, we crossed the street to visit the sprawling 123-acre nature center called The Grove, (1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview; 847-299-6096). We didn’t have time to tour the period home, the one-room school house or the log cabin. But we did roam the vast nature paths, hang out in a teepee, visit the gift store and marvel at the live fish, amphibians, insects, arachnids and reptiles in the big impressive Interpretive Center. Admission is free.
The hotel conclusion: The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, even if they wouldn’t break their 5-mile shuttle rule to take us to the farm that was 5.17 miles away. They did, however, print directions to the farm to show the cab driver. We asked for a room with two double beds but accepted a king plus a sofa bed in order to check in early. The recently remodeled hotel boasts an elegant traditional decor, quiet rooms and unbeatable proximity to the sylvan charms of The Grove. Mealwise, it’s perfect for families that can eat the generous buffet breakfast, make a light lunch in the kitchenette and then eat in the hotel or nearby for dinner.
Other nearby stuff to do: Those who like electronics and appliances can walk down the street from the hotel and shop at the enormous ABT store. Although the train aspect can make schlepping purchases home a hassle, visitors can hit nearby shopping malls–including The Glen Town Center with a branch of Wildfire restaurant and Glen Crown Theaters’ Glen Ten–for more entertainment.
How easy it is to do without a car: Pretty easy, especially if you can take public transportation to a Milwaukee North Metra station.
Would you do it again? Yes.
Total cost: $273.08: $10 for two adult all-weekend train tickets; $30 in cab rides to and from the farm; $119 a night ($145.08 total) hotel stay with breakfast included; $43 for dinner; $30 dairy breakfast for four; $15 in shuttle driver tips.
Rating: 4 train whistles (out of 4)
Tips
– Research a few nearby restaurants or shopping areas so you don’t have to rely on last-minute recommendations.
– Bring your cell phone and charger. The hotel charges to make local calls.
– Bring workout clothes, swimsuits and sunscreen for the sunbathing porch just outside of the indoor pool.
– Don’t forget comfortable hiking/farm traipsing shoes for a visit to the farm and nature trails in The Grove.
– Another option: Courtyard by Marriott (1801 Milwaukee Ave, Glenview; 847-803-2500) a few blocks away from Wyndham, also offers free shuttle service (when requested in advance) to guests within 5 miles.
– – –
More ways for your family to be day trippers
Want to make a quick family day trip via the rails?
Metra has created easy day trips (metrarail.com/DayTrips). Amtrak (amtrak.com) is another good source, and there’s a nifty Illinois Amtrak Bed & Breakfast guide (we found one at the Ogilvie Transportation Center).
Here are some more family train options:
HYDE PARK MUSEUMS AND JACKSON PARK: Metra’s Electric line, 55th-56th-57th St. stop.
The DuSable Museum of African American History, Museum of Science and Industry, Oriental Institute on the University of Chicago campus and the gardens and wooded island in Jackson Park.
MUSEUM CAMPUS: South Shore line to Roosevelt Road
Adler Planetarium, 312-922-STAR(7827) or www.adlerplanetarium.org
Field Museum of Natural History, 312-922-9410 or www.fieldmuseum.org
Shedd Aquarium, 312-939-2438 or www.sheddaquarium.org
NORTHERN LEAGUE BASEBALL
GARY RAILCATS: South Shore line to the Gary Metro Center
Gary Railcats play a few blocks from the station. 219-882-2255 or www.railcatsbaseball.com SCHAUMBURG FLYERS: Metra’s Milwaukee West line to Schaumburg
The Flyers play at Alexian Field. 847-891-2255 or flyersbaseball.com
JOLIET JACKHAMMERS: Metra’s Rock Island line to Joliet
Jackhammers play at Silver Cross Field near the station. Call 815-726-2255 or www.jackhammersbaseball.com
ARLINGTON PARK: Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest line to the Arlington Park Station
The thrills of this park are not all about betting and winning. Kids can also enjoy seeing the horses in the paddock area. Race days are generally Wednesday through Sunday, May through September. Post time 1 p.m. (3 p.m. Fridays). 847-255-4300 or www.arlingtonpark.com
BROOKFIELD ZOO: Metra’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe line to the Hollywood station (two blocks northeast)
See recreated natural exhibits filled with wild animals and check out the motorized safari rides in the summer (and heated shuttle buses in the winter). 708-485-0263 or www.brookfieldzoo.org
DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: Burlington Northern Santa Fe line to the Naperville station.
The museum offers a variety of math, science and art experiences for children and their parents. 630-637-8000 or dupagechildrensmuseum.org
SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA: Union Pacific North line to the Waukegan station. Walk south about one block to Washington Street. Turn right, walk west on Washington Street, up the hill three blocks to Genesee Street. At the northeast corner of Washington Street and Genesee Street board either Route 572 or Route 565 bus.
Six Flags is the area’s largest theme park with rides, shows and other attractions. Open May-October. 847-249-INFO(4636) or www.sixflags.com/parks/greatamerica/index.asp
PRAIRIE OAKS FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER: Union Pacific West line to West Chicago
Prairie Oaks Family Aquatic Center, 129 W. National St., West Chicago; 630-231-9474, is about a mile from the West Chicago station. There are cabs in town but you may have to call one from the station.
–M.E.
———-
meng@tribune.com
FIRST STOP: Wagner Farm in Glenview, where kids can watch cows being milked.
NEXT WEEK: Camping in Indiana.
JULY 13: Britain in the burbs.
