Check out a sky full of colorful kites at the LBI Fly International Kite Festival. Photo by Wayne Herrschaft
Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Best Things To Do with Kids
Hit the fields to pick a perfect pumpkin at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm. Photo by Elizabeth Mae Photography/courtesy of the farm
Best Pumpkin Patches in New Jersey for Families in 2025
More than 100 wild and crazy scarecrows are on display in downtown Cranford during the annual Scarecrow Stroll. Photo by Barbara Paciello/courtesy of Downtown Cranford
Halloween and 17 More Things To Do in NJ with Kids October 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors
Blackwood Pumpkin Festival
GUIDE
Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for New Jersey Kids
Beautiful blooms are just the start of the fun at Holland Ridge Farms Fall Flower Festival. Photo by Patrick Marini/courtesy of the farm
Best 2025 Fall Festivals and Fairs in New Jersey
Take a stroll past more than 6,000 hand-carved Jack-O-Lanterns at the Jack O’ Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium. Photo courtesy of the event
Best Halloween Events in New Jersey 2025 for Kids and Families
With more than 18 miles of trails to explore, Duke Farms is a beautiful backdrop for a fall day trip. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
26 Best Fall Day Trips from New Jersey for Kids
Head to Johnson's Locust Hill Farm for apple picking and tons of fall-themed fun. Photo by Lisa Warden
Apple Picking in New Jersey: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals for Kids in 2025
Party with the animals this month at Cape May's Boo at the Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Cape May County Zoo
Top Free Halloween Events in New Jersey 2025: Trunk-or-Treats, Parades, and More Fun
Outhouse orchards corn maze
GUIDE
NJ Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2025
Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day
Romp with the triceratops and other dinos at Field Station: Dinosaurs in Leonia. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate New Jersey Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NJ
Admission to the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton is completely free. Photo by Lisa Warden
100 Free Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Rainforest Cafe
Themed Restaurants in New Jersey for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Make a splash at a Jersey Shore waterpark, like Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins
100 Things To Do at the Jersey Shore with Kids in 2025
Attractions at Morganville's Play Big Zone include arcades games and a 2,000-square-foot obstacle course.
20 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in New Jersey
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for New Jersey Kids
The Battkeship New Jersey is an amazing hands on experience for families. Photo by Lisa Warden
Best NJ Children's Museums in South and Central Jersey
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for New Jersey Kids
At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
Budget-Friendly Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey: Drop-in Play for $25 or Less
Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
The Best New Jersey Zoos and Aquariums to Visit with Kids
New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids
The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
Best Playgrounds in New Jersey Worth the Drive
Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Meet the Animals at these New Jersey Petting Zoos and Animal Farms
Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
Atlantic City with Kids: 34 Top Things To Do in Atlantic City, NJ
The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
Best Family Fun Centers & Indoor Amusement Parks in New Jersey
Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
22 Best Things To Do in Princeton, NJ, with Kids
At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
18 Top Birthday Party Places in New Jersey for Kids
Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
  VIDEO
Visiting American Dream Mall in New Jersey: 26 Fun Things To Do and Tips For Your Visit
Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Northern New Jersey
Hike 1.6 miles to reach the dramatic beauty of South Mountain Reservation's Hemlock Falls. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Easy Waterfall Hikes in Northern New Jersey for Kids in 2025
Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
Great Day Trips to New Jersey State Parks and Forests
The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
Free Admission for Kids at 50+ Top New Jersey Family Attractions
Cruise in the Playmobil Fire Truck during your trip to Toys
Top Free Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey: Free Places to Play Indoors
Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
Top Attractions in New Jersey: Best Things To See and Do With Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
GUIDE
New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide
Kick off the spooky season at Halloween House Freehold, where the focus is on fun, not fear. Photo courtesy of Halloween House Freehold
Oktoberfests, Street Fairs, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey

10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park
Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park
10/14/20 - By Maureen Wilkey

A number of Chicago's outdoor adventure parks are open from spring into the fall. These parks offer zip lines, aerial ropes courses, suspended bridges, and sometimes climbing walls, too.

Many of these adventure parks could become part of a larger weekend trip or a special birthday trip, especially when your Chicago kid finally hits the height requirement! 

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Take in the view from above at the Forge Lemont Quarries. Photo courtesy the park
Take in the view from above at the Forge Lemont Quarries. Photo courtesy the park

Adventure Parks within one hour of Chicago

Bison's Bluff Nature Playground

Part of the Vera Meineke Nature Center, this playground has play features designed out of nature or made to mimic nature such as a rock bluff, a cliff face, a flowing stream, and a beaver dam. Kids can also explore a 3-mile nature trail. READ MORE

Go Ape Bemis Woods

This nature center offers tours of its treetops via zip line, suspension bridge, obstacles, and Tarzan swings. Families can choose between the Treetop Adventure, featuring 43 obstacles at heights of up to 45 feet, or the Treetop Journey, with 21 obstacles up to 30 feet high. READ MORE

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Ropes courses, zip lines, and climbing walls are just the beginning of the adventure at this outdoor adventure park. Families can also enjoy live music and outdoor movies near the Lemont Quarries. READ MORE

Deep River Aerial Park

Reopens in 2021
Kids and grown-ups can play at their own level on ladders, bridges, suspended climbs, tight ropes, canopy platforms, and zip lines at this Northwest Indiana adventure park. READ MORE
Zip-line or hit the aerial walkways at Boundless Adventures Wisconsin. Photo courtesy the park
Zip-line or hit the aerial walkways at Boundless Adventures Wisconsin. Photo courtesy the park

Adventure Parks within two hours of Chicago

Zip Rockford

Tour Rockford via air with Indiana Jones-style suspension bridges and zip lines. Families can also enjoy night zip-lining and seasonal zombie tours. READ MORE

Lake Geneva Ziplines and Adventures

Nine unique zip lines and a high ropes course take families on an adventurous exploration of Southeast Wisconsin. Outdoor education and team-building experiences are also available. READ MORE

Boundless Adventures Wisconsin

Kids ages 7 and up can challenge themselves through obstacle courses, low- or- high-speed zip lines, bridges, balance beams, and more at this aerial adventure park in Southeast Wisconsin. READ MORE

Rum Village Aerial Park

Ascend ladders, traverse bridges, balance across tight ropes, and cruise down zip lines at this South Bend, Indiana aerial park. Night climbs are also available throughout October. READ MORE

Long Hollow Canopy Tour

Thrilling canopy tours near Galena include a UTV ride, balance bridge, and zip lines that reach up to 40 mph at a length of 1,250 feet. Families can also enjoy the tree-based challenge course with unique elements to match different skill levels.  READ MORE

Zip Chicago

Zip down eight different zip lines 85 feet above the river valley at this central Illinois adventure park. Some tours include dual racing lines and suspension bridges. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: