Hotel at a Glance: Indian Lakes Hotel

Indian Lakes Hotel makes it easy for visitors to explore Chicago, without having to stay amid the din and bustle of the city. Experience the balance of Chicago-cosmopolitan and natural vistas in an iconic setting offering oversized guest rooms. If they’re in the mood for a nightcap, they can stop by for a cocktail or beer at the onsite bar.

• In-room amenities include 37” flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and complimentary WiFi access.
• Take a dip in the indoor pool (temporarily closed)
• Distance from Chicago: 27 miles

Schaumburg, Illinois: Family-Friendly Chicago Suburb with Shopping and Nature Preserve

Schaumburg, located about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, is best known as the home of Woodfield Mall, the nation’s ninth-largest shopping center. Among roughly 300 stores and restaurants, Woodfield’s anchor attractions include an Apple Store, Macy’s, and Nordstrom. Just around the corner, The Streets of Woodfield offers a pedestrian-friendly experience with a movie theater, clothing stores, and the Legoland Discovery Center. Here, kids can tour an interactive Lego “factory” and build their own Lego creations.

Experience the outdoors at the Ned Brown Forest Preserve—popularly known as Busse Woods—a 3,700-acre expanse on the border of Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village. Bikers, joggers, and rollerbladers take advantage of an 8-mile paved loop as fishers post up around Busse Lake in pursuit of channel catfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike. The forest preserve is also a popular spot for canoeing and picnicking. Come evening, journey back to the Middle Ages at Medieval Times, a restaurant that puts on a nightly show—a jousting tournament with horseback-riding knights and falconry demonstrations.