Long Weekend Presents Staycation Opportunities

If you’re family is opting for a staycation over President’s Weekend, you’re in luck.

Here are some great ideas to keep the entire family entertained. Sport enthusiasts, history buffs, nature lovers, and closet thespians will be happy that they spent the long weekend at home.

Family Best Bets Of The Week

  Boys' Basketball Game

• Where/When: Lake Forest High School East Campus Competition Gym on Friday (Feb. 18).Varsity game starts at 7:30 p.m.
• Why Go:  It’s Senior Night, help honor the senior players at their last weekend home game of the season. They are playing Libertyville; a little friendly rivalry always makes the game more fun!
• Pricing: $5 for adults, $2 for high school students and seniors, and $1 for kids under 12

Bowling at Fatman Bowl   http://fatman-bowl.com/

• Where/When: 13860 Rockland Road, Green Oaks. Friday, Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. (Feb. 18, 19 & 21). Bowling closed to public on Saturday.
• Why Go:  Fun indoor exercise for the whole family. Wings, mozzarella sticks, and yummy sandwiches in their restaurant.
• Pricing:  Adults, $13 for one hour; kids, $8 for one hour. Price includes bowling shoes.

Family Craft Class  http://www.chicagobotanic.org/familyprograms/index.php

• Where/When: Chicago Botanic Garden on Saturday (Feb. 19) from 9:30 to 11 a.m., or 1-2:30 p.m.
• Why Go: Explore the fascinating lives of bees, make a beeswax candle, and plant a flower that will attract bees to the garden this spring. The perfect way to spend time with your children.
• Price: $17 per child (Garden member), $20 for nonmembers. Click on link above to register.

Coyote Howl http://www.lcfpd.org/programs/index.cfm?fuseaction=programs.viewDetail&section_id=2104

• Where/When: Wright Woods in Mettawa on Sunday (Feb. 20) from 4:30-6 p.m.
• Why Go:  Share the night sky with local coyotes while exploring the forest preserve. Learn how coyotes communicate with one another and more.
• Pricing:  Lake County resident rates: adults $6, children, $3. Non-Residents:  adults $8, children $4. Register by Feb. 19. Click on the link above to learn more.

Civil War Sesquicentennial http://www.lcfpd.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=calendar.viewDetail&object_id=30625

• Where/When: Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda on Monday (Feb. 21) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Why Go: Submarines, railroads, ironclad ships, interactive exhibits, and lots of activities will be on display to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
• Pricing: Adults are $6, ages 2-17 is $2.50, ages 18-25 is $3, and free for ages 55 and up and 3 and under.

Jake’s Women at

• Where/When: The Citadel Theatre at Lake Forest High School West Campus, 300 S. Waukegan Road, on Friday (Feb. 18) at 8 p.m. and Sunday (Feb. 20) at 2 p.m.
• Why Go: Only two weekends left to see Neil Simon’s hugely entertaining dark comedy about the women in his life. A fantastic way to spend time with your older kids.
• Pricing:  Adults $35, students and seniors $32, Three-show subscription only $59.