Splash into KeyLime Cove
Gurnee's KeyLime Cove Water Resort is being pitched as a place to escape for a short family vacation and a way to skip the elaborate planning typically needed for longer trips.
KeyLime Cove opened its doors Feb. 29 just northeast of the Tri-State Tollway and Grand Avenue. It features a 65,000-square-foot water park, restaurants, gift shops and 414 hotel suites.
Some parts of the $136 million KeyLime Cove, such as the eateries, are open to the general public. However, the mammoth water park is restricted to hotel guests.
Nationally known barbecue entrepreneur David Anderson and a slew of hospitality partners are behind KeyLime Cove. Anderson, who is high on KeyLime Cove, started the Famous Dave's chain.
"I think what really makes us stand out is we really have a focus on service and quality," Anderson said during a preview event.
Anderson said KeyLime Cove's primary target is visitors from a 75-mile range of Gurnee. He said KeyLime Cove offers families an alternative to places such as Disney World, as well as a chance to eliminate travel hassles.
KeyLime Cove highlights
• Two side-winding slides dubbed Wahoo! And Screaming Banshee are part of the water park. The slides span more than 340 feet and have a nearly 41-foot drop.
In keeping with KeyLime Cove's tropical shtick, a 10-foot-tall pineapple splash bucket periodically tips over.
• D.W. Anderson's Ice Cream Parlor and Eatery and Crazy Toucan Margarita Grille are the two featured restaurants.
Crazy Toucan has a deck overlooking the water park. Its menu includes seafood specialties, about 40 tequilas and 30 rums.
D.W. Anderson's has an old-fashioned soda fountain and a menu offering classics such as hamburgers, 85 ice cream varieties and apple pie.
• Riptide Arcade covers 8,000 square feet and is open 24 hours a day.