A few weekends ago we spent some time in Rosemont, Illinois. Living in the Chicago area, I was familiar with Rosemont for two things. One, its proximity to O’Hare Airport and two, the convention center. Despite my preconceptions, the area seems to be getting more recognition lately, especially for families. In the end, I was very pleased and I can’t wait to explore the area some more with my family.
Places to STAY
We stayed at Aloft Chicago O’Hare, which is connected via skybridge to MB Financial Park. It’s a great budget-friendly option for families that want to be close to all the action. It’s stylish and cool, plus there’s a pool (always a plus) and a pool table!
Places to PLAY
There are tons of great options for families here. Here are a few to keep in mind:
FROZEMONT
Currently, the big winter hit is FROZEMONT at MB FInancial Park with its free ice skating at the NHL-sized rink (skate rentals $8), and for those courageous, Polar Peak, a 260 feet four-story tubing! There’s also a less steep lane for younger kids. It’s been so popular that they have extended it until March 1st.
iFLY
For adventurous families there’s indoor skydiving at iFLY. They say anyone from age 3 to 103 can “fly,” and while I was only a spectator this time it looked absolutely exhilarating!
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Bargain hunters will rejoice once they visit the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Recently voted Best Factory Outlet Center in the World , the shopping center consisting of 130 outlet stores. Most of the kids stores such as Disney and Carter’s, are ideally located by each other, which makes it convenient for parents in a hurry. Loved how art was showcased throughout the outlets. Tip: Nursing mothers take note, there is a room for you and the little one.
Allstate Arena
There’s always something going on at the Allstate Arena. In fact, a few days later my family and I were able to catch Disney on Ice presents Frozen. What a fantastic show! I know this weekend they’ll also have Monster Jam – something the boys would totally dig!
Places to EAT
Villagio
We had small bites at Villagio, an Italian restaurant and one of the two main restaurants located at Fashion Outlets Chicago. It provided a nice intimate ambiance, not to mention tasty small bites of meatballs, pizzas, and calamari. Delicious!
Hofbrauhaus Chicago
One really unique place that I must admit is truly fun for the entire family is the Hofbrauhaus Chicago, a fun German restaurant. Staying true to their Bavarian roots, most of their products are produced on-site with genuine ingredients. If it’s not authentic, then it’s imported. The delicious pretzels? Yep, they ship ’em from Germany.
Sugar Factory
For a sugar rush, the ever-so-sweet Sugar Factory has you covered. They gave us a few sweet treats – and honestly that got me hooked! I need to go there again to try out their delectable drinks at their Chocolate Lounge. Would be perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Bottom Line
Honestly, I was impressed with everything that Rosemont offered for families. I can’t wait to spend another day there!
Disclosure: Thank you to the Village of Rosemont for hosting us on this familiarization tour.
Looks like a fun place to visit! Gotta love the Hofbrauhaus, too! I have friends who live near Chicago, I’ll share your post with them.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing. There is definitely a lot to do in the area!
I had no clue there was a Hofbrauhaus in the Chicago area! I love the original in Munich and would have enjoyed going to the Rosemont location if I’d only known when I visited Chicago. Well, at least now that you’ve shared this information, I can go the next time I visit the windy city!
I only knew of Rosemont for its giant rose-decorated water tower. That’s where we’d turn off while driving from where I used to live in NE Iowa to get to my brother’s house in Crystal Lake! I’ve never explored the town — just driven through — but Frozemont looks like a ton of fun! Now we live in Vegas so doubt we’ll end up that way anytime soon. Although we will be back to Crystal Lake to visit my little bro & his fam. He’s a well-known family & pediatric chiropractor there so if you know someone who needs the wellness help for kids, moms & whole families, check out premierwellnesschiro.com & tell him I sent you!
Thanks for the info about your BIL business. We aren’t too far from Crystal Lake. Such a small world!
Thanks for stopping by!
okay you totally sold me with the sugar factory! I feel like I will now be requesting our family vacations to take place in Illinois, particularly at the sugar factory! I love hearing about travel destinations other than the “famous” ones ie: Disney anywhere, Hawaii, Europe, it’s really cool to see places that aren’t the regulars – it makes me want to travel to states I normally wouldn’t. However, you will not catch me on the ifly thing – yikes!
This post is convincing me to make a visit to Rosemont. Frozemont and iFly look like places my kids would love! And you can find me hanging out at the Fashion outlets. I hope to visit Chicago one of these days. Thanks for recommending Rosemont.
Rosemont looks like a pretty cool place…hmmm, I’m already looking at flights! I have tons of family in Chicago so it’ll be fun to check out Rosemont. Shopping?? Yes, I will make plans to visit the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. I guess I’ll have to hit up Villagio since I plan on shopping! Thanks for this!
I’ve never heard of Rosemont but it sounds like a great place! We’re planning a cross-country trip, still a couple of years in the future, but this looks like it’s worth investigating.
I love the iFLY. I would love to try it. It all looked so fun. We are not too far from Chicago. It’s a definite possibility for us.
Wow! Great synopsis. Now I wanna go to Rosemont Illinois! (Those pretzels looked so yummy!)
I was Chicago last year but i didn’t know of Rosemont. Now that I do, next year when I’m in the area I can add it to my places to go. Thanks for sharing this post.
My son lives outside of Chicago and we have stayed there. Neat area for family or friends reunion. Enjoyed it and would go again. Glad to read your review. It brought back fun memories
Wow, it really does sound like a great place to visit! I love to explore new places, so visiting all these attractions would be so much fun. I would definitely be the first in line for iFly – I love trying something new!
This looks like a really fun place to visit with something for just about everyone. I would love to go down the tubing slide and do the flying. I’ll definitelycheck it out when I come back through that way.
I wish a few years back, when my husband had to travel to Chicago, we had known all these great places to check out! Gonna keep this in my file for future trips north ~ and definitely going to have one of those pretzels! 😉
Aloft is such a cute modern hotel, and I will often pick it in when going to a new city. I’ve never heard of Rosemont. I’ll put it on my “visit” list.
Thank you for lovely visit to Rosemont, Illinois. It is always nice to hear about different places from someone who has been there. Thank you for sharing. Have a Fabulous Day!!
I enjoy reading about new places to visit. Family trips can be so much fun. Thanks for sharing.
Wow looks like a cool place to visit! The coolest place I’ve been to is Mall of America last year.
I had no idea there was so much to do in Rosemont. Great food and entertainment. I’ll have to stop by on my next trip.
I love hearing about places to visit that are not the norm. I love the first-hand description, which is much more informative, than something from a slick marketing firm.
I don’t have kids, but a lot of the places you shared looked like fun even without kids! Will definitely visit a few the next time I go to Chicago. 🙂
Sounds like a lot of fun things to do in that one area! Thanks for sharing the details! 🙂
I only live about an hour from Rosemont so I’ve seen some of these things as I’ve driven through, but not all of them. I will definitely need to keep Frozemont in mind for next winter – those tube hills look awesome! 🙂
Wow, that’s a lot of neat family things to do! My kids would love Frozemont. I’ve never seen anything like that hosted by a city. Too “cool.” Looks like you had a lot of fun.
As I can see there is many things you can do in Rosemont! Hope you and your family had a great time there!
I love the pictures. I would love to experience the Polar Peak and iFly. However, when my wife I travel, we always try to find new food and new restaurants. It sounds like you and your family had a great time. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to know a few more things I can do in Illinois.
Resonant sounds like such a fun place! I love Chicago but was not familiar with Rosemont until your post. I’m adding it to the places I could take my son for a mini-vacation.
What a neat looking place! iFly looks so exciting!!
It seems like there is a LOT to do there! So many fun things to choose from I would just have to stay a while and do everything I think! I just may have to visit some time for a weekend away!
Rosemont looks like a great place to vacation. Although I am in capri pants and flip flops today. It looks a little cold there. Thanks for the tips on what to do. My kids would love visiting there.
Rosemont looks like a great place to visit! The tubing looks like a lot of fun! Living in LA our winter activities are limited unless we want to drive to the mountains. My daughter did the iFly last year on her birthday and although she enjoyed it, she said it was pretty loud. Overall, looks like there’s shortage of activities in Rosemont!
That looks like a lot of fun. I have always loved traveling and discovering new places. We love road trips because you see so much more than you would in a plane.
I am definitely not into skydiving, but I may be willing to try the iFly. I mean, if 3 year olds can do it, it can’t be too bad, right?
And I definitely want one of those pretzels!!!
What a fun place to visit! I love to travel and in fact I have been to Illinois, but just to Chicago. I have never heard of Rosemont before but your lovely photos and lively content are transporting me there! IFly and Frozemount sound like fun attractions!
I have been wanting to try the indoor skydiving place here in Houston. It looks very cool. Frozemont looked awesome too. And don’t even get me started on the candy. This was a great opportunity. Thanks for sharing.
What a great little travel guide! I’ve never been to Rosemont, but it definitely sounds like there’s quite a few fun things to do. I especially like the winter activities, as it’s always hard to find something to during the winter.
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