Remember when you were a kid and went on some amazing field trips? Well, why not go back, this time as an adult, and bring the next generation with you? Here are 10 places you need to revisit. And there’s no parental consent form required this time.
- Graue Mill
Graue Mill/Facebook Many of us made the trip to Graue Mill, though we might not have fully appreciated it at the time. Graue Mill is a water-powered grist mill. It was originally erected in 1852. In fact, it is one of two operating water-powered gristmills in Illinois. 3800 York Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
- Six Flags Great America
Christopher Schmidt/Flickr When your science teacher makes a trip to Six Flags a necessary field trip, you know you have an amazing science teacher. Did we learn much? Not sure. But it was a lot of fun. 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031
- Capitol Building
Jeff Sharp/Flickr This capitol building is absolutely stunning from the outside, in its gorgeous French renaissance style of architecture. If you’re lucky, catch a legislative session. 301 S 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62707
- Field Museum
Mobilus in Mobili/Flickr Field Museum is one of the largest natural museums in the United States. “Sue” the dinosaur is definitely the highlight, but there is plenty of other things to see. 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
- Starved Rock State Park
Tom/Flickr With canyons, waterfalls, and many trails in 2300 acres, Starved Rock has been an excuse to explore nature for schoolkids for decades. 2668 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348
- Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo/Facebook Everyone loves a trip to the zoo. Brookfield Zoo was a favorite field trip for kids, especially the dolphin show. 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
- Cave in Rock
David Wilson/Flickr Once home to gangsters and pirates, this 55 foot wide cave is fascinating for kids to explore. 1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock, IL 62919
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory/Facebook Public tours are available on Wednesday. Come talk to a scientist and see how things are done here. There is an art gallery, and you can just fish in their ponds. Wilson Street & Kirk Road, Batavia, IL 60510
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum/Facebook Who doesn’t love the butterfly house with 200 species of exotic butterflies? There are also 100 educational programs for children. 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
- Peoria Riverfront Museum
Peoria Riverfront Museum/Facebook As the name implies, this museum has an art museum, discovery center, and planetarium. 222 SW Washington St, Peoria, IL 61602
What was your favorite place to take a field trip as a kid?
Graue Mill/Facebook
Many of us made the trip to Graue Mill, though we might not have fully appreciated it at the time. Graue Mill is a water-powered grist mill. It was originally erected in 1852. In fact, it is one of two operating water-powered gristmills in Illinois. 3800 York Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Christopher Schmidt/Flickr
When your science teacher makes a trip to Six Flags a necessary field trip, you know you have an amazing science teacher. Did we learn much? Not sure. But it was a lot of fun. 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, IL 60031
Jeff Sharp/Flickr
This capitol building is absolutely stunning from the outside, in its gorgeous French renaissance style of architecture. If you’re lucky, catch a legislative session. 301 S 2nd Street, Springfield, IL 62707
Mobilus in Mobili/Flickr
Field Museum is one of the largest natural museums in the United States. “Sue” the dinosaur is definitely the highlight, but there is plenty of other things to see. 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Tom/Flickr
With canyons, waterfalls, and many trails in 2300 acres, Starved Rock has been an excuse to explore nature for schoolkids for decades. 2668 E 875th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348
Brookfield Zoo/Facebook
Everyone loves a trip to the zoo. Brookfield Zoo was a favorite field trip for kids, especially the dolphin show. 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
David Wilson/Flickr
Once home to gangsters and pirates, this 55 foot wide cave is fascinating for kids to explore. 1 New State Park Rd, Cave-In-Rock, IL 62919
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory/Facebook
Public tours are available on Wednesday. Come talk to a scientist and see how things are done here. There is an art gallery, and you can just fish in their ponds. Wilson Street & Kirk Road, Batavia, IL 60510
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum/Facebook
Who doesn’t love the butterfly house with 200 species of exotic butterflies? There are also 100 educational programs for children. 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
Peoria Riverfront Museum/Facebook
As the name implies, this museum has an art museum, discovery center, and planetarium. 222 SW Washington St, Peoria, IL 61602
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