Great Ideas for Mother's Day with the Family in Chicago!

I was thinking about Mother's Day coming up, and wondering what I'd like to do with my family on a day that celebrates me and all I do for them. Some mother's prefer the peace and quiet of a relaxing day at home, or at the spa, and I admit that would be nice as well, but for moms like me who want to enjoy the day with their family I have some suggestions. I wanted to find something fun for all of us, but something that I would find enjoyment in. I had just Googled "what to do for mothers day", and glanced at the results. I saw something posted from 2007, and thought, "I would like to find a nice list of things to do in the Chicagoland area for 2014". It's hard to find a list of good, inexpensive things for families to do for Mother's Day in the Chicago area, and especially the suburbs where I live, so I have decided to come up with a list of my own. Here's a list of ideas for celebrating Mother's Day with your family!

Mother's Day is in May, and a lot of times it's a nice day! Here are some outdoor things to enjoy.

For The Sporty Mom:

• Mini Golf: Mini golf is a fun, family friendly activity which can include children from younger ages and older children! I always enjoy a nice round of mini golf. Here are a few nice places to mini golf in different parts of Chicagoland.

Mountain View Adventure Center in Des Plaines (510 E. Algonquin Road) is a nice outdoor 18 hole mini golf course designed by the park district to a mining theme. The obstacles are moved throughout the season so it's always new and challenging even if you've been here before! From $7-$8.50, and play a second round same day for only $3! While your there you can also enjoy their batting cages and get 18 balls for $1. Open Daily April 28th-Sept 28th. Check out their website for hours of operation.  http://www.dpparks.org/ParksandFacilities/MountainViewAdventureCenter/AdventureMiniGolf.aspx

Congo River in Hoffman Estates (1325 N Barrington Rd) is an adventure. You can choose from 18 hole or 36 hole mini golf. Prices range from $6.95 to $13.95/pp which depends on what time you go and whether your paying for child or adult. The hours say it's open Fridays and Saturdays but I expect the hours may change as it gets warmer out. It's worth contacting the place to find out.
http://golfcongoriver.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/golfcongoriver

Wilderness Falls in Bolingbrook ( 145 S. Clow International Pkwy ) is voted #1 in Chicago. They have three different 18 hole course types to choose from The Bear Course, The Eagle Course, Or Maddux the Moose. Adults are $8.25 and children $7.25 with the option to play the next course for $2.00. Here you can also enjoy batting cages and get 12 pitches for as low as $1.50. Check the website for hours of operation as they are subject to change in the coming warmer months. https://www.wildernessfalls.com/

Aloha Falls in Libertyville (1800 N US Highway 45) has three different courses. The waterfall course has been called "One of the most difficult miniature golf courses in Chicagoland". There is also a cafe for refreshments! Spring Hours begin May 2. Check out their website for more details.  http://www.alohafallsgolf.com/index.html

Or for the Nature lover:

• A Nature Garden: The serene setting of a beautiful garden park is just the cure for hectic days! Enjoy the beauty of nature as you walk along the paths through the colorful scenery! 

Cantigny Park Gardens in Wheaton (1s151 N Winfield Rd):  The Garden grounds are beautiful this time of year with all the flowers budding. I did this last year for Mother's Day and it was very beautiful and calming. Walk around the grounds to the different garden areas and bring a picnic to enjoy the view from Cantigny's picnic area. Also not far from the picnic area located just north of the main parking lot is a playground for your young ones. The garden grounds are free and from May 1 to Oct 31 the hours are 7am to sunset, during those months it is $5 per car to park before 5pm and $2 per car after 5pm.  Visit their website at http://www.cantigny.org/

Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago (300 North Central Park Ave) The conservatory is open year round and is a great place to visit if you love flowers and plants! Every Sunday at 2pm they offer free introductory tours of the conservatory. Now through May 11th (Mother's Day) they have their spring flower display. Admission is free, but they do ask for a suggested donation at the door. Check to see if there are any special events going on in which you may be charged a certain fee to get in. There is also free parking just south of the main doors. For more information visit their website. http://www.garfieldconservatory.org/

Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe (1000 Lake Cook Road) The garden has 26 gardens and four natural areas including a bonsai collection, Japanese garden, English walled garden, and plant science center. The gardens are open 8am until sunset but get there early if you want to enjoy all that the gardens have to offer. They have two cafe's, a model railway garden, and a garden shop to name a few. If you go back after May 24th they even have a butterfly and blooms exhibit. At $25 per car/$30 per van, it's not a bad price to enjoy this beautiful garden, and totally worth it for a family of 4. Glencoe is a beautiful town in itself, and if you travel along lake cook road into Winnetka there are beautiful big houses to look at, and hidden parks and beaches! This is one of my favorite places in Illinois and I love their beaches, (but I will save that for another blog.) Check out the website here. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

For the Animal Lover:

• Zoos and Animal Parks-A great place for you and the family to enjoy seeing animals up close and learn about the different types that live in our backyard. 

There are the obvious Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo, which are great and I totally recommend, but if your looking for something a little more low-key that won't be an all day affair look no further.

Cosley Zoo in Wheaton (1356 North Gary Ave) is a great local zoo on the smaller size. They have many Illinois native wildlife to see from cows, sheep and horses to foxes, raccoons and bobcats! It doesn't take long to walk through the whole zoo but you can take all the time you want. There are duck feedings offered daily from 10-10:30 am and again from 3-3:30 pm for $1/serving. You can also pay to enjoy an up close bobcats training session for $12/pp from 11-11:30 am.  They also offer do-it-yourself backpack tours for $2 per pack, and it's a great way to enjoy the zoo differently, especially if you've been here before. They also have a small gift shop, picnic areas, and in nice weather a concession stand. Cosley Zoo is a great place to go with the kids on Mother's Day or any day. Parking is free and there is a $5 entry fee for non-resident adults and free for kids 18 and under. Visit the website at  http://cosleyzoo.org/

Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn (525 S. Park Boulevard) is a rehabilitation center for Illinois wildlife. Here you can see 80 native animals such as eagles, owls, foxes and raccoons. They have a visitors center, gift shop, and nature trails. Willowbrook is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Visit their website at http://198.46.91.100/~willow34/ .

Randall Oaks Barnyard Zoo in West Dundee (1180 N. Randall Rd) is a little on the smaller side, but it has some really cool animals. The cool thing about this zoo is that you can also feed all the animals. For just $1 you can get some pellet food for the animals. They also have pony rides for $4.50/pp, and a picnic area and park just outside the zoo. Also located at Randall Oaks Park are horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and a disc golf course. Open daily May 5-Oct 13 from 9am to 5pm. The non-resident fee is $4/pp and children under 2 are free. To find out more visit their website. http://www.dtpd.org/Zoo/general-information.htm#

Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora (1000 Ray Moses Dr) Open year round from 9am to 5pm this free zoo has a wide variety of animals, over 41 different species, and some you won't see at most small local zoos. They have bald eagles, cougars, wolves, otters, and even a small reptile house with large snakes, and alligators. They have a visitors center where you can learn about the mastodon, and get snacks from the vending machines. Near the zoo is the sunken garden, which is definitely worth a look, especially in May when the tulips are blooming, and a playground for the children. See more about Phillips Park Zoo at their website http://www.phillipsparkaurora.com/Zoo_08232c233a0060bc.html or their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Phillips-Park-Zoo/109007222516630.

If your looking for something you can enjoy indoors here are a few ideas!

Pilot Pete's Restaurant and Bar- Located at the Schaumburg Airport this is a restaurant where if you get a seat near a window you may be lucky to catch a private plane take off or land while you eat. It's very enjoyable for the younger crowd! If it's nice out you can step out and watch after you eat! Their menu prices range from under $10 to up to $20+. They have brunch menu items from 11am to 2pm and most are budget friendly, such as a stack of 6 pancakes for $5.95. Their kids menu has a variety of items to choose from which include soda and a scoop of ice cream. On Mother's Day they are offering free champagne or mimosa's to the mom's and juice for the kids. It's a cool little place where you can eat and enjoy watching planes. Visit their website. http://pilot-petes.com/

Picture Show Movie Theater- (Bloomingdale) This is a great place to go with the family. Movies here are just $1.75 and the concessions are better priced than most theaters. The movies here are older and sometimes even on DVD, but if you haven't seen some of these hit movies in the theater because of the price, here is your chance! I love this theater because it is inexpensive, but it also usually gets most hit movies in and even shows some movies in 3D. As far as kids movies go they are currently playing Frozen and The Nut Job. If you decided to you can ditch the kids for the night after all the Mother's Day festivities and go with the husband or your own mother. http://www.moviefone.com/theater/picture-show-bloomingdale/2544/showtimes
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The Field Museum-Chicago-The field Museum is a great place to go with the kids where the whole family will enjoy something. The tickets are a bit more pricey than most activities I have listed here, but there is a lot to do. Expect to pay $31 for adults and $21 for kids ages 3-11  and $25 for seniors for an all access pass. Or the cheapest you can pay is $18 for adults, $13 for children and $15 for seniors for the basic package. Parking will also cost you around $22 for the day, but there is also the option of taking the train but be aware the train schedule is limited on Sundays. The field Museum has a dinosaur exhibit, an Egypt exhibit, Ancient Americas, Special exhibit Wonder's of the 1893 World's Fair, their newest special exhibit Biomechanics, and of course Sue the T. Rex. There is lots to do at the museum and if you up for it, it's a cool place to enjoy your family! http://fieldmuseum.org/

Another cool idea to consider:

Boat Tour of Chicago: Take a boat tour of Chicago. The Classic Lake tour is a nice way to see Chicago without spending the outrageous prices of the big boat tours! This 40 minute tour teaches you about Chicago's history and famous landmarks while you enjoy a view of the skyline. This tour launches from the Navy Pier docks, and for $17.50 for adults, $15.50 for seniors and only $6.50 for children 12 and under it's a more manageable price for those who want to enjoy a Chicago boat tour but don't want to pay the higher fees. While your there you can enjoy some of the attractions navy pier has to offer before or after your tour including the children's museum, the crystal gardens, and the stained glass museum. If you want to go even cheaper but enjoy the views of Chicago from the water, try a water taxi that will take you from navy pier to the opposite side where the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum are located.  Check out Shoreline Sightseeing's page for the lake tour  http://shorelinesightseeing.com/cruisestours/skyline-lake-tours/laketours/ or for water taxi information http://shorelinesightseeing.com/watertaxis/ and to learn more about the attractions at navy pier go to http://navypier.com/.

And lastly, we all gotta eat right? Here are some restaurants to do it at:

Red Apple Pancake House: $$ ( 414 S Schmale Rd Carol Stream) Great for breakfast, brunch or lunch!! Open from 6am to 3pm this is more than just a pancake house! This family owned restaurant serves dishes from eggs and pancakes for breakfast to quesadillas and sandwiches for lunch! I personally love their cheese and ham omelets and blackberry crepes! They have good prices and a variety to choose from. Check out the Red Apple and it will be worth it! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Apple-Pancake-House/360249695760

Rainforest Cafe: $$$ With three locations in Chicagoland this is a fun place to take the kids, and everyone will enjoy the food with their various menu items! You can choose from burgers, seafood, chicken, pasta and more.The kids menu (10 years and under) also has a good variety for all types of eaters! While dining you get beautiful views. The inside is decorated like a rainforest with fish tanks and all. Kids and adults will enjoy the beautiful display of fish, and the thunderstorms that go off every so often. This is a unique experience when it comes to restaurants. The food may be a little more pricey, but it's worth the extra cash. Locations in Chicago, Gurnee, and Schaumburg. Visit their website for details and a menu (unfortunately they do not list prices).
http://www.rainforestcafe.com/

Seven Dwarfs- $$ (corner of Roosevelt & President-Wheaton, IL) This diner-style restaurant has breakfast, lunch, and dinner! The menu is extensive so your sure to like something! The kids menu (12 and under)  is a bit on the small side though, so it may be a better option for older children. It can accommodate all group sizes so if your going out with your parents and your children this should fit your needs! With over 60 years of experience they know what they're doing, you're sure to enjoy yourself! Visit the website for menu and directions.
http://www.sevendwarfsrestaurant.com/index.html

Village Tavern and Grill: $$ The Tavern's menu includes items you don't normally see at your average restaurant, including chicken finger salad, swedish meatball sliders, and pot roast. Not to mention their "world famous" chicken fingers and award winning chili. The kids menu (12 and under) has a nice variety, and for a low price includes fries and drink for most menu items. Their meals range in price, but most items are under $10 with some items, such as the ribs, being as high as $18. There is also a full bar for those of you who'd like to order a glass of wine, or mimosa. There are two locations to chose from; Schaumburg and Carol Stream. Carol Stream also has an outdoor dining area if you'd like to enjoy a nice day. Visit the website, or call for special needs or questions. http://www.villagetavernandgrill.com/

Blueberry Hill Pancake House:  $$ Home cooking just like mom's! Perfect for Mother's Day! With 6 locations in the Chicagoland area you may be surprised to find one near you! They have a custom breakfast option that starts with 2 eggs any style and a half-order choice of different types of pancake and a meat for only $7.59. For breakfast they have pancakes, crepes, waffles, skillets, omelets, and more. For Lunch choose from a variety of sandwiches, burgers, wraps, chicken, or salads. I did not notice a kids menu, but there are plenty of menu items to choose from so your kids could share a plate, or if they're big eaters there are items they would enjoy, otherwise this may be a place for older kids. Visit http://www.blueberrybreakfastcafe.com/index.html for locations and menu items.

I hope that this list may have helped you to find a great place to spend your Mother's Day. There are plenty more things I could have listed including all the places doing Mother's Day brunches but they were all pretty expensive, and I want this list to get out to you before Mother's Day. This may not be as complete of a list as I wanted but in such short time I was not able to do as much research as I would have liked. I hope this list at least sparked an idea for you. Also if you didn't like this list at all I am sorry, I know I at least would enjoy any one of these things on this list. Some of you may just prefer a quiet day at home or at the spa and that is a perfectly good way to spend the day as well. Thanks for reading!