The Stroll

During the summer time there is nothing better than to take in a little window shopping, people watch and take a nice long walk with the Family. These are my Top 3 places to visit that are family friendly, ,have nice restaurants, activities for the kids and are packed with other parents with little ones.

1. Lincoln Park Zoo

   Its free and you can spend the whole day there. We love to take our own lunch and picnic in the park while we people watch. You can stroll through the Zoo, leave and come back. You can also sneak into any of the establishments in the area for a diaper change. It being pretty busy on the weekends, nobody will ever question you.

http://www.lpzoo.org/



2.  Downtown Naperville

  Naperville was voted one of the best towns/cities in America to live a couple years ago.  It is only about a 45 minute drive from Chicago and if you plan it during nap time it goes by real quick. There are the same restaurants as you will find on Rush Street in Chicago minus the 40 somethings looking to pick up the 20 somethings. Aka - Viagra Triangle.
  
   There is a newly constructed "River Walk" that goes for a couple miles right through the heart of the entertainment district. It takes you past the public swimming pool that if about 5 acres big and has its own beach. I t also takes you by a 10 story "bell tower" that is surrounded by a large park to play in or take you own lunch to picnic at. Note- public bathrooms with changing tables!

 
http://www.naperville-carillon.org/



3.  Lake Geneva

A great summer town filled with restaurants, shopping and of course the beach. We visit here about once a month and is just an hour and a half away. Again, plan the drive during nap time. The people are super friendly and you can take a long walk along the lakefront with the stroller. There is a boat house in the center with public bathrooms.

Just across the street is a large playground area and most weekends an art fair or some kind of fair going on with a lot of other young parents with their kids in the same boat as you. Its Wisconsin too, so don't shy away from sneaking into a pub for a quick cocktail and not get too many stares.

http://www.lakegenevawi.com/