“Fun with Rocky”

[rating=5]When the weather outside is “frightful” and you are looking for something to do with the kids- something “delightful”, you might consider a ride to a fun spot in Waukegan. Just a short trip East of Great America is a family entertainment center called The People’s Choice Family Fun Center. To many, this arcade of  sorts is what they call “Chuck E Cheese, on steroids”! It is huge with over 150 arcade games, indoor mini golf (glow in the dark, no less) some great food; pizza that is as good as it gets, sandwiches, including a new pretzel dog that is “to die for” as the kids say. and for the kids, a great escape from the outside world for a few hours, or the day.

Having a party? This is the place! On our visit there were a few parties gong on, and we saw that every birthday celebrant had the time of their life! That is what a party should be. Private rooms where the family can celebrate and yet, a place to run and win lots of tickets which they redeem for wonderful prizes. Our day began yesterday with my attending a kids show at Chicago Shakespeare ( see my review at Theater Reviews) and then, due to the rain, a quick adjustment in schedule. We were supposed to get out to East Dundee for our annual story on Santa’s Village, but we took the weather related detour to Waukegan and enjoyed several hours of fun and games (and I do mean games) at The People’s Choice located at 2411 Grand Avenue (route 132) in Waukegan.

Adam, Sarah and Rebecca were “raring to go”. Sarah was a bit upset about the change as she had visions of funnel cakes in her head, but guess what? Rocky’s Pizzeria (the food court at The People’s Choice has funnel cakes and Sarah’s dismay turned into a great big smile. The plan was to play games for a while, have some dinner and then head back home, but the kids were enjoying the games, the winning of tickets and we stayed for dinner and then some more games and then a bag of prizes to take home. More important than the bag of prizes is the bag of memories of a perfect afternoon. Adam remarked that the food was better than he remembered several years ago, and while he would have played golf always the athlete), winning several jackpot on the arcade games kept him in the casino. Oops! Did I say casino? Well for these kids, this is like the bigger kids taking a small trip to one of the boats or even Vegas, but with a far better return.

Everyone lies to be a winner, and at The People’s Choice, everyone is. The kids can win some big prizes. The parents ( or grandparents) some special time with the kids, and of course the memories that come from a day like this are invaluable. Make sure you get a few photos. The larger prizes are special and of course, they have a VIP club where you can join and get special promotions all year. You can also save the tickets you win for larger prizes. Adam, who plays the guitar looked at one of several that can be his for 7,000 tickedts. He did win almost 2,000 in one visit, so the large prizes are not out of the question.

Sarah, Rebecca and Adam all remarked that this was one of the best days they have ever had. Those of you who have read about our other adventures know that we have shared many of these special days, so when they told John, the G.M. (and founder) they had “the best day ever”, his face was glowing. Turns out, he is in the process of opening up mini Rocky’s in Lindenhurst and North Chicago, where the menu items will be there and some games, but maybe, just maybe, in the near future, a People’s Choice Family Fun Center will come to your area. Until then, it is worth the trip to Grand Avenue More info? Call 847-336-5700 or visit www.FunWithRocky.com. Loads of free parking and lots of special value packs.  Leave some room- they have some great desert treats as well.