Things to Do in Channahon

Designed to mimic the French palace of Versailles, Rialto Square Theatre's magnificent interior awes showgoers with its gilded opulence. In the regal inner lobby, a 20-foot, 250-light chandelier—dubbed The Duchess—illuminates a circular series of delicate reliefs that depict allegories of man triumphing through labor and scenes from Greek mythology. A scaled-down replica of Paris's Arc de Triomphe leads from the lobby to the rotunda, adding to the space's grandeur and commemorating miniature Napoleon's victory at the adorable Battle of miniature Austerlitz.

Anyone can take on a new persona at Halloween, but very few people earn the right to keep theirs throughout the year. Rich Oltmann is one of those people. To game manufacturers and arcade owners around the world, he’s known simply as the "Guru of Games," a nickname earned through years of designing and manufacturing whiz-bang games of skill. While his creations grace game rooms across the world, many can be found only among hundreds of other ticket-spewing consoles in the Haunted Trails Amusement Park arcade.

In addition to Oltmann's games, Haunted Trails Amusement Park hosts entertainments including two 18-hole miniature-golf courses, three go-kart tracks, batting cages, and rides. In the Frightmare Haunted House, visitors tour a two-story maze populated by terrifying clowns, reapers, and creatures that scare teenagers by making them choose a college major. An onsite restaurant helps guests refuel after putt-putt challenges, and a party room hosts gatherings ranging from birthdays to holiday bashes.

Against the backdrop of Bouncin Bonkers’s brightly painted walls, sock-clad children spring, bounce, and slide across inflatable structures in two arenas, letting out joyous shrieks and giggles under the watchful eyes of parents. Air-filled palm trees sway over obstacle courses, and rubber floors protect against errant tumbles or kid-seeking coconuts. Inside two private party rooms, guests of honor hold court from an inflatable throne as friends flock along benches, enjoying soda and snacks from a variety of party packages.

Family Fun Zone packs a spectrum of entertainment catering to ages 14 and under into one hub complete with roller-skating rink, laser-tag arena, and an arcade. Multicolored lights sweep over the roller rink where birthday-party guests practice figure 8s or 44s, fueled by pizza and soda. Visitors transition from gliding to ducking beneath laser rays, and watchful parents can enjoy free WiFi from the comfort of the snack bar. Guardians also dole out tokens for the arcade, where glowing machines spit out tickets to a soundtrack of buzzing TVs and family-friendly music.

Since 1998, ProCamps Worldwide has bridged the gap between pro athletes and their fans with a variety of instructional youth camps and fantasy camps for adults. More than 100 professional and Olympic gold-medal athletes have lent their wisdom during camps conducted across the country. For instance, the NBA's leading scorer, Kevin Durant, dishes details on his skills at a camp in Oklahoma, and Super Bowl champion and Packers linebacker Clay Matthews teaches the careful choreography of backfield disruption in Wisconsin. At fantasy camps, John Calipari and Bill Self—the two coaches who squared off in 2012's NCAA title game—give campers tours of their programs' hallowed halls.

The family running Bounce U Up understands how important playtime is to a child's development, both mentally and physically. Because of this, they have created a space where children can not only expand their imaginations while scaling a plush wall and crawling through air-filled obstacle courses complete with tunnels and slides, but also burn off excess energy and hone motor skills. The center also accommodates groups looking to celebrate birthdays. Additionally, the center offers private Nerf War Parties—held after hours—where kids bring their own Nerf guns and roam the bounce center freely settling disputes over rights to the jungle gym.