Labor Day Staycation Ideas

It's the official end of summer. Still considering how to make the most of your Labor Day weekend?

As gas prices nudge their way toward $4/gallon again, here are some recommendations for "staycations," local getaways to some great locations:

• Volo Auto Museum: A virtual car hall of fame, the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois, features some of the biggest names on four wheels, including the Batmobile, the "Dukes of Hazard" General Lee, Knight Rider's Super Pursuit KITT Car, Doc Hudson from "Cars," the "Beverly Hillbillies" truck, the "Scooby Doo" Mystery Machine, Sponge Bob Square Pants ' Boatmobile, and many, many more. A new Trolley Tour takes you all over the museum’s grounds. The museum also includes car sales, car shows, five antique malls and the Betty Boop Grill & Beer Garden Restaurant.
• New Buffalo, Michigan. Located just 90 minutes from Chicago, New Buffalo offers a beautiful lakefront day getaway. After a day at the beach, grab dinner at the popular Stray Dog or Redamaks, then finish it off with ice cream from Oinks. 
• Arlington Park. Every Sunday is Family Day at Arlington Race Track. Kids can enjoy free pony rides, a petting zoo, and themed weeks including “Legoland,” “Fiesta in the Park,” and “Brookfield Zoo Day.” And of course, don’t forget the horse races!
• Navy Pier. Make a day of it on the lake and leave the car behind! Take the BNSF Metra Train to Union Station, and from there take a relaxing water taxi ride over to Navy Pier. Once you’re there, enjoy free variety showcases, magic shows, jugglers, singers, dancers and the Navy Pier Buccaneers at the Family Pavilion Stage. Cirque Shanghai Supreme, a production featuring motorcycle wire acts, sword fighting, tumbling, juggling and more appears through Sept. 5 at the Pepsi Skyline Stage. Take in a play at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, rent bikes to ride along the lake front, ride the Ferris Wheel, play miniature golf or enjoy a cruise along Lake Michigan.
• Indiana Dunes State Park. This 2,182 acre state park in Chesterton, Indiana, includes three miles of beach along Lake Michigan. The star attractions – the sand dunes – lie beyond the shoreline towering 200 feet above the lake. The park offers camping facilities for overnight stays.