Located just a little over an hour away from Chicago in Utica the
Grand Bear Lodge is Illinois' first indoor water park! And, it's right
down the street from an area that most Chicagoans are already familiar
with -- the Starved Rock State Park!
"Of course, it's Starved Rock, two-and-half million people have
been coming out to this area for years, so it's all about the activities,
the outdoors and kids having fun," said Dave Smiley, General Manager.
The main attraction at this fun-packed resort is, of course, the
24,000-square-foot indoor water park where skin-drenching fun can
be had all year long.
The biggest thing making a splash at the park is the 'Big Bear
Run Adventure Raft Ride.' It's America's first motion and sound
adventure watercoaster, with six high-tech themes to thrill riders
on their decent down a four-story, 330-foot slide.
"I love the slides because they're all like lights and you get
to pick if you want to go on the thunderstorm one and all kinds
of other stuff," said Elizabeth Zickterman, Chicago Ridge.
Even when you are ready to dry off, the thrills go on at the Grand
Bear Lodge! You can get wild in the Cave Arcade or tee off at the
Canyon Creek 18-hole miniature golf course! But, if you're looking
for some heart-pounding thrills, then check out the Enchanted Forest
Amusement Park where you can find the eclipse -- the only extreme
ride of its kind in the country.
The $90-million, 62-acre property is perfect place for a quick
getaway from the city! You can choose to stay in one of their oversized
rooms -- a vacation villa with all the amenities to make it feel
like home or, if you're coming with a big group, 18-person log cabins
are also available. And, from family dining to a bar for the grown-ups,
there's something for everyone at the Grand Bear Lodge!
"It's just a nice place to get to in the wintertime when the kids
are dying to get out of the house, it's a nice place to go they
love to swim and a little summer here in the winter time," said
Dan Reilly, Oak Lawn.
For more information:
Grand Bear Lodge
2643 North IL Route 178
Utica, IL 61373
(866) 399-3866
www.grizzlyjacksresort.com
