Memorial Day Gas Saving Staycation Guide 2026: The Best Of What's Close To Home!
- paul3819
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Three Places That Feel Like a Vacation (Without Leaving Chicagoland)
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and you do not need a plane ticket, a hotel in Florida, or a seven-hour road trip to feel like you escaped.
Within an hour or two of Berwyn, you can:
Zipline through a 300-acre adventure park
Swim in a historic stone quarry
Relax on a sandy beach with crystal-clear water
Paddle, kayak, hike, and dine outdoors
Whether you make it a full overnight getaway or just a day trip, these destinations feel like you're a world away from the suburbs.
1. Adventure Vacation Close to Home: The Forge Adventure Park & Ziplines
If you have not been to The Forge yet, prepare to be shocked.
Located in Lemont, this 300-acre outdoor adventure park is one of the most unique attractions in Illinois.
What You'll Find
High ropes courses
Ziplines
Kayaking and canoeing
Laser tag
Archery
BMX and mountain biking
Live music
Dining and bars
Scenic quarry views
Admission
Explorer passes start around $40, while Ultimate Adventure passes start around $80 depending on activities selected.
Hours
Park grounds are generally open daily, with most activities operating from morning into early evening. Memorial Day weekend is one of their biggest weekends of the season.
Why It Feels Like Vacation
The cliffs, water, trails, and live entertainment create a resort-like atmosphere that feels more like Colorado than Cook County.
How to Get There from Berwyn
Drive: approximately 35–40 minutes
Best route: I-55 South to Lemont Road
Nearby Overnight Options
Lemont and nearby towns offer boutique inns, Air BnB, and national hotel chains if you want to turn it into a weekend escape.
2. The Best No-Car Day Trip: Centennial Beach + Naperville Riverwalk
Centennial Beach is one of the most iconic summer attractions in Illinois.
This is not a traditional pool, it is a former limestone quarry transformed into a massive swimming area with sand, zero-depth entry, diving boards, and over six million gallons of water.
2026 Opening Date
Saturday, May 23, 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend).
Hours
Monday–Friday: 11:30 AM–8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Why It Feels Like Vacation
Swimming in a stone quarry with a sandy beach and historic bathhouse feels like a destination resort.
Bonus: Spend Time on the Naperville Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is packed with:
Covered bridges
Fountains
Gardens
Restaurants
Ice cream shops
Boutique shopping
How to Get There from Berwyn (No Car Needed)
Board the BNSF Metra at any stops along the line including Berwyn.
Ride directly to downtown Naperville.
Walk approximately 10–15 minutes to Centennial Beach.
That means you can spend the entire day relaxing without ever touching your steering wheel.
3. Hidden Gem Lake Escape: Three Oaks Recreation Area
If you want a true beach-day atmosphere, Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake is one of the best hidden gems in northern Illinois.
What You'll Find
Sandy swim beach
Crystal-clear quarry lake
Kayak, canoe, and paddle boat rentals
Fishing
Hiking trails
Splash pad
Marina and waterfront dining
Hours
Park open daily from 6:30 AM to sunset.
Why It Feels Like Vacation
The water is so clear and expansive that many visitors compare it to Wisconsin or northern Michigan.
How to Get There from Berwyn And The Surrounding Area
Drive approximately 1 hour 20 minutes depending on traffic.
Extra Adventure
The adjacent The Quarry Cable Park offers wakeboarding without needing a boat.
Which Staycation Is Right for You?
If You Want... | Go Here |
Adventure, ziplining, and outdoor thrills | The Forge |
Easy train-access beach day | Centennial Beach |
Relaxing lake vibes and crystal-clear water | Three Oaks |
Memorial Day Weekend Packing List
Sunscreen
Towels
Water shoes
Swimsuit
Change of clothes
Cooler or snacks
Portable charger
Insider Tip
Book activities at The Forge and purchase Centennial Beach admission online in advance if weather looks great. Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the best vacations are the ones closest to home.
One day you are in Berwyn and beyond.
The next, you are ziplining over quarries, swimming in a historic stone beach, or lounging by water so clear you forget you are still in Illinois.
No airport. No TSA. No stress.
Just summer.
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