The best places in Springfield to unwind after a long day of sightseeing

You did the right thing, for sure. You brought them here to learn about history, Lincoln, the Civil War – yadda, yadda, yadda. But kids are kids. And it’s a fact: All Lincoln and no play make Jack and Jill dull youngsters! How’s about a wild ride down a water slide, a spin on a gokart or a whirl on a Ferris wheel?

Take heart. There are plenty of places in town “just for fun.”

Illinois State Fairgrounds

This place understandably comes alive during the Illinois State Fair, when hundreds of thousands of people flock to Springfield for a taste of the Land of Lincoln. There are rides – both mechanical and living – games, hands-on exhibits and entertaining demonstrations such as high-divers, birds of prey, lumberjacking and more, and that’s not even touching on all the music, food, car and horse races, agricultural and craft exhibits, Conservation World, the Illinois Wines tent and on and on. The 2011 fair takes place Aug. 12-21. For more information, call 217-782-6661 or see ww w.agr.state.il.us/isf.

The fairgrounds is also home to Adventure Village, a small carnival next to the main entrance that opens in early May and runs through mid-September. Admission to Adventure Village is free, but there’s a cost for each ride. Until the fair starts, Adventure Village is open on weekends and by appointment for private parties. Call 217- 528-9207 to see whether Adventure Village will be open the day you’re in town.

Entrances to the fairgrounds are found along Sangamon Avenue and Peoria Road. The main entrance is at the corner of Sangamon Ave. and 11th Street.

The fairgrounds hosts many other events throughout the year. To find out what’s up, check out the calendar in the back of this Visitor Guide.

Knight’s Action Park and Caribbean Water Adventure

Springfield’s largest water-theme and amusement park has bumper boats, water slides, pedal boats, a Caribbean Wild River ride, a wave pool, a four-story spine-tingler known as the Devil Ray, and a giant bowl-shaped swisher aptly named the Royal Flush. For landlubbers, Knight’s Action Park has go-karts, batting cages, a challenging miniature-golf course, laser tag, a driving range and plenty of places to sit down for a bite to eat.

Each activity has its own set of prices and hours. However, there are packages that include multiple activities. Knight’s Action Park’s hours change with the time of year, so call ahead at 217-546-8881 or visit the website, www.knightsactionpark.com. At many area tourist attractions, you’ll find Knight’s Action Park fliers that offer coupons and discounts. For operating dates go to www.knightsactionpark.com. To get to the park, take I-55/72 south out of Springfield then west on I-72 to Veterans Parkway. Take Veterans to Woodside Road (left), Woodside to Chatham (left), and Chatham to Recreation Drive (right).

Route 66 Drive-in

Just like the old days, only with better sound quality: the Route 66 Twin Drive- In, with two screens showing double features weekends April through October and every night from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. In keeping with tradition, the first show is usually for the kids, the second more for the grownups. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for kids ages 3-12.

The drive-in is located at 1700 Recreation Drive, next door to Knight’s Action Park. For more information, call 217-698-0066 or visit the theater’s website, www.route66-drivein.com.

Boulder Creek Fun Park

This entertainment center, just off Dirksen Parkway north of Sangamon (2400 Hilton Head Dr., first light after Sangamon, take a right), has miniature golf, batting cages, “Bankshot Basketball” and a driving range. After the fun, cool off with ice cream or frozen yogurt. Boulder Creek is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily April 1 through Nov. 1. Birthdaypackage discounts are available. For info, call 217-525-2400.

Lake Springfield

Boats allowed on Lake Springfield include canoes, motorboats, pontoons, rowboats and sailboats. Jet skis, are also allowed.

About 15 sport fish species can be caught in Lake Springfield. Fishing is allowed either from boats on the water or from any public portion of the shoreline. There are two posted public fishing areas: at the Dividing Dam and the Sunset View Fishing Area (on East Lake Drive just south of the zoo turnoff). In addition, there is an unposted fishing pier between East and West Tom Madonia Parks, which is also designed for persons with disabilities.

The public beach at Lake Springfield is closed for the 2011 season, but swimming from boats on Lake Springfield is permitted between sunrise and sunset in “no wake” zones adjacent to non-leased marginal lands. Swimming within 150 feet of the shoreline of marginal lands that have been leased by the city to lake-area residents and private organizations is permitted with the lessee’s consent.

Lake Springfield Marina (217- 483-3625) rents everything from personal watercraft, pedal boats and canoes to pontoon boats and party barges. The legendary “Rock the Dock” Independence Day celebration happens July 1, with food and fun beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by major rockin’ bands starting at 7 and concludes with a smash fireworks display visible (we understand) from Saturn. Beginning May 1, the Marina is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week. For hours before May, call ahead or visit www.lakespringfieldmarina.com. Follow the directions off exit 88 on Interstate 55 south of Springfield. Lake Springfield is partly surrounded by some great parks featuring shelters, picnic tables, playground equipment and grills.

Henson Robinson Zoo

While you’re in the Lake Springfield area, be sure to visit the more than 300 wild creatures from Africa, Asia, Australia and North and South America who now reside at the Henson Robinson Zoo. From April through October the zoo is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. From Nov. through March., it’s open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every day. Admission is $3 for seniors 62 and older, $4.50 for adults 13-61, $2.75 for children 3- 12, and free to kids 2 and under. Parking is free. Food is available, or you can bring your own and have a picnic in the pavilion. For more information, call 217-753-6217 or visit the zoo’s website, www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org.

Springfield’s Incredible Pizza Co.

Opening in January, 2011, at the site of the old Kicks Family Entertainment Center, Incredible Pizza Co. calls itself a “family entertainment center based on Christian values.” The center offers indoor go-karts, mini bowling, laser tag and arcade and video games. There are four private rooms for parties, church events, banquets, showers and family reunions, plus three large dining rooms that will accommodate more than 500. The buffet features 30 varieties of pizza, plus pasta, baked potato bar, homemade soups, salad bar and desserts. 2744 S. Sixth St., 217-280-4067. Hours are Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. (Game room stays open until 9 p.m.) Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.– 9 p.m. (Game room stays open until 10 p.m.) For more information got to www.incrediblepizza.com.

White Oaks Carousel

The centerpiece of White Oaks Mall is a 70-year-old Italian-built carousel that offers kids of all ages the rare opportunity to ride a double-decker merry-go-round. The second story isn’t its only unusual feature; the carousel also has a couple of gondola seats and two “spinner” cars that older kids can crank into whirling dervishes. The upper deck features two porchstyle swings. Here’s a hint: If you want a horse that goes up and down, choose a lower-deck mount with a flower basket hanging over its head or any one of the upperdeck steeds. Cost is $2 per person.

Children shorter than 42 inches can have a parent ride with them free of charge. There are discounts for packs of six or 10 tickets. For more information, call 217-787-5302. The mall is bordered by Wabash, Veterans Parkway and Iles Avenue.

Nelson Center Pool and Ice-skating Rink

In the heart of lushly landscaped Lincoln Park, you’ll find the Nelson Center, a drab institutional building saturated with that vaguely sweaty smell of kids having fun. Inside is an ice rink that features public sessions. The Nelson Center pool is a seasonal outdoor aquatic facility that is open during the summer months between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. Supervised by professionally trained lifeguard staff, Nelson Center Pool features a twisted flume slide, diving board and separate kiddy pool that will keep your kids coming back time and time again. Nelson Center Pool also features a full service concession stand and locker rooms. For more information about skating or swimming, call the Nelson Center, 217-753-2800 or visit www.springfieldparks.org.