This spring and summer I plan on taking my son to do as many day trips as possible. I want to try new experiences and visit new places to report back to you what I liked with some tips and ideas along the way!
My son Mavrick is 2, he is at the age where he really is obsessed with any type of transportation. Planes, trucks, tractors, semis, and trains. We always get stopped by the Amtrack Train in town and he asks so many questions. “Who is on that train?” “Where is it going?” “Why is it so fast?” “Why is it so loud?”
I decided to surprise Mav with a ride on the train. I wanted to make it a short trip, so we went to Bloomington-Normal, IL, and had breakfast, walked around downtown, and played at the Children’s Discovery Museum. Here’s the breakdown of the trip below.
Stop #1- Amtrack Station Lincoln, IL
Since life is rough these days without a nap, I booked the early morning train to leave Lincoln around 6:50AM. The trip home was around 11:30AM getting us home right at lunchtime and perfect timing for my wore-out toddler to nap! There are trips at all times throughout the day, so I suggest picking what’s best for your age children.
Stop #2- FOOD!
The train station for Bloomington is in Uptown Normal and right next to the Children’s Museum. The museum didn’t open until 9 am, so we decided to stop for breakfast at a local café. We chose Coffee House & Deli. There was a decent coffee crowd there. They have only a full vegetarian menu so keep that in mind! Some other options within walking distance include:
●The Rock Restaurant- Mediterranean and American cuisine
●Maggie Miley’s- Authentic Irish Food
●Windy City Wieners- Hot Dogs, Italian Beef, & Sandwiches
●Pub II- Appetizers, Burgers, & Pizza
And then, of course, a special treat after the museum is always needed. Theos Microcreamery and Insomnia Cookies are right next door!
Stop #3- Children’s Discovery Museum
This 3-floor museum is filled with hands-on exhibits that stimulate sensory play, imagination, and inspire the love of learning through play. There is a toy store at the entrance filled with toys that encourage children to engage in creative play, and problem-solving, and help build their attention span.
- Children Under 2 FREE
- Adults & Children $8
Stop #4- Take a Walk!
We had some time to burn before the train arrived, so we visited some local shops uptown. We grabbed a bag of popcorn from The Garlic Press and took a stroll around the circle.
Once we got home Mav was exhausted. He really enjoyed riding on the train. We will do this day trip again when the weather is a little bit warmer and try out different places next time.
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