Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

Weekend Getaway to Starved Rock State Park Waterfalls:  Dreaming of seeing waterfalls?  Don't have time or the cash to take a trip to the tropics right now?  Well, then you should explore Starved Rock State Park for an affordable family vacation.  A great weekend getaway located about 1 hour and 45 minutes southwest of Chicago's tourist attractions.  An recent Chicago travel information article in the Chicago Tribune caught my attention because I just happen to have grown up near Starved Rock -- lucky me!  To continue memories with my family, we planned our own weekend getaway and rented a small, affordable cabin at Starved Rock.  We celebrated my son's 2nd birthday there - cowboy and Indian style - complete with food and lots of lawn games! 

As the Chicago Tribune piece points out, tourists can find a variety of waterfalls inside the park, ranging from 15 to 80 feet in height.  Not bad for the middle of the Midwest, hey?  Located along the Illinois River, Starved Rock State Park is also near a new indoor waterpark resort -- Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort.  This new facility is a fun choice for a quick and easy family weekend getaway.  Adventurers can hike Starved Rock's trails, fish along the river, visit the park's beautiful log lodge, camp out under the stars, cook out, and play Frisbee till day turns to night. 

Starved Rock State Park is a great place for a great place to explore nature and enjoy a little family vacation time!  Be forewarned, though, the lodge and the cabins fill up fast, so book your vacation early!

Photo by Dave Benson via Flickr (Creative Commons)