Visiting Six Flags, Great America

If you find yourself in the Chicagoland area, this amusement park is a fun family outing.

1 Great America Pkwy, Gurnee, IL 60031

Six flags, Great America is about an hour north of Chicago, near the Wisconsin border. It's located in Lake County, and surrounded by so many other fun things to see and do while you're in the area.

Due to the mid-west winters, the park is very seasonal and only open from about mid- April to the end of October.

If you live in the area, the season passes are worth it. You get access to the actual amusement park, plus Hurricane Harbor in both Gurnee and Rockford.

We enjoy going at various times throughout the season for different attractions. The amusement park area is our go-to during the spring and early summer. When summer really kicks-in, you can find us all over Hurricane Harbor splashing away.

Hurricane Harbor

Our favorite zones are the kids' water-playgrounds, "Buccaneer Bay and Skull Island". It's packed with water features and slides for various ages.

Being a mom, my favorite is of course the lazy river. If you're water walking you can go around unlimited times. Unfortunately if you're on a tube you can only go around once and then either wait in line again or water walk. I get it though- limited tubes, lots of people. It is a good size lazy river at least! Took about 10 minutes to go around. If you do want to invest in unlimited, uninterrupted rounds, you can rent a premium water tube at a kiosk close by.

Great America

The amusement park is fun to go back to in the fall for Boo Bash and Fright Fest.

Boo Bash decorates the areas for younger children in a much more cute/fun Halloween way. Some of the park attendants also dress in not-so-scary costumes and pass out candy, read stories, and host other fun activities.

Last season we finally remembered to catch the train, and we are so glad we did. It was a nice way to get back to the other side of the park, plus it was decked out the Halloween decorations and music. "I just love Halloween, HALLOWEEN!" My boys sang that all month long.

The areas for Fright Fest are geared more for older teens and adults. If you like haunted houses, they have numerous ones throughout the park. I've heard good things about them if you're into suspense, spooks, chills, and gore.

As a parent of young ones, and some with disabilities, I appreciate that they hold off the real Fright Fest stuff until the evening. (16+ only is encouraged after about 5 or 6pm.) It allows my kids to enjoy the park and holiday themes before the gore and teenagers really come out.

Special Mention

My favorite Six Flags trip was actually during Christmas-time when they use to have "Holiday in the Park". The park was open on select weekends with just limited areas and rides due to the cold and staff. But the park was beautifully decorated with lights, garlands, and wreaths. The classic Loony Tunes characters wore cute holiday attire and greeted you at the front gate for pictures. They also had an hourly holiday show with a tree lighting, and bonfires with smores.

Six Flags people- if you're reading this, please bring this back!!

Hope you enjoy your trip to Six Flags and the Chicagoland area. If you've been, feel free to share a comment with your favorite memory.