Green Lake Family Aquatic Center

This is my number one favorite thing to do out of all the places I go for a cheap and fun summer day out with my family. I think i must of spent my entire summer getting my tan on while the kiddies played in the water. This aquatic center is outdoors and includes a lazy river, tube slide, and water playground feature with a water slide. They have water cannons, and a huge bucket that dumps water on the whole playground. Let me say it was a shock when this happened to me the first time and i think the lifeguard really got a kick out of it, I was not expecting a huge wave of water to splash down on me, but now that I'm smarter and I listen for the warning bell and move out of the way so the kids can have fun.  Now, I have had people tell me in the past that they did not want to go to this place because they thought it would be overrun by... well to say the least people who don't know how to act right in public but this is totally false. There is a wide dynamic of people who come here but one of my favourite things is that it is very family oriented with mainly mommies and kids running around. Its very rare to see a man who's not working here which makes it a great place to feel comfortable in your bathing suit. They have a shallow end great for tots and babies that has a few water features, they also offer free tubes to enjoy on the water slide and lazy river which is great when most places want ten bucks a pop. There is also a concession stand which I cant honestly say I have visited but i do know they offer chips, chocolate bars, ice cream and sodas at a low cost. Better yet to save you money just pack a lunch because the pool has massive umbrellas with reclining chairs where you can sit out of the sun and enjoy a afternoon snack. I can bring my two kids and pay less than $8 for a day totally filled with fun.With the prices being $5.00 for 13 and older, $3.00 for kids 4-12 and free if your under 3 this place is a steal! and highly recommended on my list of fun to do's in Chicagoland! 

1100 River Oaks Drive 

Calumet City, IL 

708-862-1891 

fpdcc.com/recreation/swimming/

South Chicagoland

Hey everyone!
so this is my first post on my first blog on under $10 and I'm very excited. Actually its my first blog post ever so i just wanted to start off by writing a little about why I'm doing this and also by inviting you to add any ideas, suggestions or places you know of. Many of the little gems I find are located in South Chicago land being that this is the area I live in and i kind of feel as if the South side is a somewhat neglected place that may people find uninteresting. I have had the idea to write about the great places I have found for over a year now and it all started last year when I decided to go on a hunt to find guilt free pleasures for myself, my husband and my kids. I'm in school and as many of you may know there is no time to work when you have a family and a full time academic career so my budget is very limited and the time it takes to discover these places can get very aggravating so I really hope everyone enjoys what I am giving and also lets me know of any other amazing places you know of I have tons of places I want to write about and really want to get the word out on these places and I would also loves to give tips on ways to save money so anyone with any ideas feel free to leave your comments :)