Staycation ideas along the shores of Lake Michigan
Even if your summer vacation plans don't include a seaside stay or a cozy cabin along an alpine lake, you can still have some fun on the water. Beat the August heat by staying home - and taking advantage of Lake Michigan.
Whether you fish off the lake's suburban shores or head into Chicago for the annual Air and Water Show, there are plenty of wet and wild Great Lake activities close to home.
Illinois Beach State ParkInfo: Off Wadsworth Road, Zion, (847) 662-4811, dnr.il.govHours: Sunrise to 8 p.m. through Labor DayPrice: FreeThe 6.5 miles of shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park offers the chance to swim, fish, boat, bike, hike, camp or just enjoy the outdoors. The massive 4,160-acre park spans dunes, marshes, ponds and forests filled with wildflowers, cactuses and oaks. For an extra charge you can pitch a tent with access to bathrooms and showers.TMA ChartersInfo: 55 S. Harbor Place, Waukegan, (847) 736-7150, tmacharters.comHours: VaryPrice: $400 for a party of up to four or $420 for up to six people Monday through Thursday; $460 for up to six people Friday through SaturdayAugust is the season for king salmon and brown and rainbow trout. You can take advantage of the lake's bounty by getting a group of friends together for a five-hour tour. TMA Charters runs morning, afternoon and even night outings."This time a year it can be advantageous on a full moon to go out late at night," said Captain Les Wood. "Salmon are night feeders so we use glow as bait."No experience is required and equipment and fishing licenses are provided. Each person can take home a maximum of five fish. They'll clean and fillet them for you, but bring your own cooler, plus food and drinks for the trip. Reservations are required and weekends sometimes fill up months in advance. If you're looking to spend a full weekend with a line in the water, you can also choose from a variety of two- to four-day packages including accommodations for $229 to $445 per person.Kayak Chicago Lake PaddleInfo: North Avenue Beach, North Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (630) 336-7245, kayakchicago.comHours: 1 to 3 p.m. Friday through SundayPrice: $50Give your arms a workout while taking in views of the Chicago skyline on a two-hour kayaking outing. The session starts with an orientation on basic strokes, safety and rules of the water. Guides are with you the whole time so it's very beginner friendly. Classes are limited to 20 people and tend to sell out in advance. All of the equipment is provided and many boaters like to hang out at North Avenue Beach for a while after they get back."Be prepared to get a little wet and be out in the sun and we take care of the rest," said owner Dave Olson.Flirty Cupcakes CruiseShoreline Sightseeing, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 222-9328, shorelinesightseeing.comHours: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10Price: $30An evening cruise on Lake Michigan is always sweet, but this outing includes champagne and a sampler of four cupcakes along with the view. Passengers can also meet Tiffany Kurtz, owner of the Flirty Cupcakes brand of sweet treats. Normally you can only get her cupcakes by using Twitter or Facebook to find the next location of her big blue truck, which dispenses sugar around Chicago.The 45-minute boat trip includes a cash bar and a 10 percent discount on dinner before the cruise at Harry Caray's Tavern at Navy Pier.Chicago Air and Water ShowInfo: Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, Chicago, (312) 744-3315, chicagoairandwatershow.usHours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14 and 15Price: FreeThe 52nd annual lakefront spectacle is the largest free show of its kind in the United States. Gawk as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels break the sound barrier while maneuvering their fighter jets. Another big highlight is the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, who jump from aircraft 12,500 feet up, rushing toward the ground at up to 120 mph. You can get a play by play on all of the performances by tuning into WBBM 780-AM.Tall Ships ChicagoInfo: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (312) 595-7437, navypier.com/tallshipschicagoHours: 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 24; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 through 28; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 29Price: $15 to $20; $9 to $15 for kids ages 3 to 12A display of 20 historic sailing ships from around the world kicks off with a parade at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, as the ships make their way to dock. Basic admission gets you onto the festival grounds, where you'll find food vendors, live music, dance performances, nightly fireworks shows at 9 p.m. and kids activities.From Wednesday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 29, you can pay an extra $5 to $6 to board more than 15 ships for tours. You also have the chance to take a ride on the visiting ships for $44 for an hour or $54 for 90 minutes. The sailing trips are always popular so make your reservation in advance.False20001317The 6½ miles of shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion entices those who want to hike, bike or run. False