Entertainment

Bored? 7 adventures to try this summer

Posted July 22, 2016 11:30 am

By Alicia Lee

Trek through the forest canopy at Go Ape's treetop adventure course in Western Springs' Bemis Woods. Courtesy of Go Ape

Are you spending your summer binge-watching Netflix or stuck at work all day? Well, why not take a break and get out with your family to try one of these new attractions in the area?

Go Ape

Have you ever wanted to be Tarzan, king of the jungle? Well, now you can at Go Ape's treetop adventure course. This seven-acre course in Western Springs' Bemis Woods offers guests a two- to three-hour journey through the forest canopy. But it's no regular journey. There are five zip lines; a "double Tarzan swing," which allows two people to simultaneously swing from 30 feet and land safely in a cargo net; a series of rope ladders and bridges, spider webs and trapezes; and 40 obstacles that are more than 40 feet above the ground. After a 30-minute training session, participants will be let go to complete the course without guides. Participants will be given a whistle to carry to use if problems arise. Helmets and gloves are not required and are not provided, but participants can bring their own.

Hours: The course opens at 10 a.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. weekends. Closing time depends on the availability of daylight.

Location: Bemis Woods, 1205 Ogden Ave., Western Springs, (800) 971-8271 or goape.com/

Price: $37 for kids 10-15, $57 for 16 and older

Riders can now experience the Raging Bull using virtual reality at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. Courtesy of Six Flags Great America

Great America upgrades

Six Flags Great America is a definite to-do on summer bucket lists. And this summer, you can expect even more fun with two new attractions.

Justice League: Battle for Metropolis puts you in the center of the action as your vehicle twists and turns through a battle between superheroes and villains in Metropolis. While traveling through scenes of Metropolis and interacting with lifelike animatronic characters, 3D-animated images and 4D experiences like fire and fog, use your stun gun to save the Justice League from the villains.

Six Flag's tallest, steepest and longest roller coaster, Raging Bull, is getting a major upgrade: Virtual reality. Once riders put on the Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus headset, they will be transported to another world. The adventure of this new world will match perfectly with the twists, turns and drops of the Raging Bull.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Sunday, Aug. 7; closing hours vary starting Aug. 8

Location: 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica

Prices: $49.99 for daily pass online, $69.99 at the park for everyone taller than 48 inches; $49.99 for kids under 48 inches; $25 parking

Head out on the water in style on KeyLime Cove's new Luma Tubes, which light up in different colors. Courtesy of KeyLime cove

KeyLime Cove

KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark in Gurnee has a few new attractions for waterpark-lovers to enjoy.

Why float around in a boring old tube when you can float in style? KeyLime Cove's new Luma Tubes have an LED light inside each tube that you can control to change the tube's color. The tubes are even cooler when you ride them down the waterpark's fully enclosed slides where the only light is in the tube itself. Another addition is Raging Rapids, a 40-foot rapid that bubbles up to add excitement to the popular Lazy River.

If your hands are getting a little too pruney from the water, head to the Riptide Reef Arcade where you can try your hand at the new Dude's Tropi-Golf, a 9-hole black light mini golf course.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Location: 1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee, (877) 360-0403 or keylimecove.com/default-en.html

Price: Must be an overnight guest at the resort to use the water park. Room prices vary.

Centennial, the new Ferris wheel at Chicago's Navy Pier, opened in May and stands 196 feet tall.

Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier

Navy Pier's landmark Ferris wheel may be gone, but a newer and better one stands in its place. Named Centennial Wheel, the Ferris wheel is 196 feet tall and the rides last 13-15 minutes, which is double the 7-minute ride of its predecessor. The $26.5-million Ferris wheel has 42 high-tech gondolas, which have both heat and air conditioning, TV screens and hold up to 10 passengers.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Location: 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (800) 595-7437 or navypier.com/ferris-wheel-2016/#

Price: $15 for adults, $12 for kids 3-11

Saved By the Max, a pop-up diner inspired by "Saved By the Bell," will be open until the end of December. Courtesy of Saved By the Max

Saved By the Max

For "Saved By the Bell" fans, this might be heaven. Saved By the Max is a new pop-up diner that's a re-creation of The Max from the hit '90s teen sitcom "Saved By the Bell." From the bright colors to the waiters and waitresses named Max or Kelly to the menu items titled Mac & Screech and AC Sliders, this diner has got "SBTB" down. The diner is only open until Dec. 31, so hurry up and make your reservations.

Hours: The diner is open from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. late night (21 and older) Monday through Friday. Opens at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays for a walk-in bag lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Also 10 p.m. to 1 a.m./2 a.m. late night (21 and older) Saturdays.

Location: 1941 W. North Ave., Chicago, savedbythemax.com/

Marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge constructed of Legos at the Museum of Science & Industry's temporary "Brick By Brick" exhibit. Courtesy of the Museum of Science & Industry

MSI's 'Brick By Brick'

Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry offers hands-on learning for both kids and adults. And new this summer is "Brick By Brick," which features a collection of amazing Lego structures built by Chicago native Adam Reed Tucker. Marvel at a 60-foot-long Golden Gate Bridge, the Hoover Dam and the Burj Khalifa, which stands 12 feet tall. The exhibit is only open until February 2017, so get your tickets before it's too late.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Location: 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, msichicago.org/

Price: General admission: $18 adults, $11 kids 3-11, free for members; "Brick By Brick" exhibit is an additional $9 adults, $7 kids 3-11 and $6 members

Slide the City returns to Carpentersville Saturday, July 23, and Chicago, July 30. Courtesy of Slide the City

Slide the City

Get your swimsuits and sunblock ready because Slide the City returns to the area for all ages to enjoy. Slip and slide down one of three 300-foot slides. Plus, enjoy live music, food and drinks. Sliders must be at least 5 years old and taller than 46 inches. All sliders must go down on a tube, which will be lent out at no cost. This is a one-day event, so don't miss out.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 23, in Carpentersville and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 30, in Chicago

Locations: Maple Avenue and Rosewood Drive, Carpentersville, and Cricket Hill at Montrose Beach, 600 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago

Register: slidethecity.com/

Price: $35 (Carpentersville), $40 (Chicago) ultimate slider includes unlimited slides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 6 p.m.; $75 all-day slider; $25 double slider includes two slides, a mouth guard and a drawstring bag

Article Comments

Article Categories
Chicago Entertainment News Region

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.