Family fun is an indispensable part of the Chicago Southland lifestyle and the area offers plenty of opportunities for healthful outdoor recreation throughout the year.

Area families enjoy the year-round activities offered by thousands of acres of forest preserves and nearly 40 local park districts. Local parks have swimming pools, tennis courts, picnic areas and playgrounds, and other facilities for outdoor fun. The park districts offer year-round recreation programs, competitive sports, and other activities for residents of all ages. The forest preserves have nature trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, picnic groves, water sports, golf, and a variety of special events. Camping trips to area forest preserves and private campgrounds are also popular.

Chicago Southland is a veritable golfer's paradise with some 33 superb courses scattered throughout the area. Cog Hill in Lemont was given a five-star ranking by Golf Digest Magazine and is among the nation's 50 finest courses. Cog Hill has four 18-hole courses, including the famed Dubsdread, home of the Western Open.

The area's many miniature golf courses and several privately-owned family entertainment centers attract Chicago Southland families. Balmoral Park in Crete and the Stickney-Cicero area's Hawthorne Park, attract droves of horse-racing fans. Those who like the thrill of gaming can find it aboard the 1,000-passenger riverboat casinos in Joliet. And, of course, residents can easily see Chicago's professional sports teams in action.

Dining out is another popular pastime for Chicago Southland families. Almost every one of the 71 communities has its ìlocal favoriteî restaurant or pub. Throughout the area is the widest possible choice of menus, from fast food to the ethnic and gourmet entrees of fashionable restaurants.

Chicago Southland visitors find plenty of comfortable places to stay. They range from quaint bed and breakfast establishments enveloped in history to modern motels and hotels with all the amenities for a business trip or family vacation.

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