June 18

Find us on Facebook and Instagram JUNE 2018 23 Within the walls of this amazing resort that houses 457 guest rooms, the decor is in tune with a Northwoods theme, based off Northwoods trees and skylines. Inside lies a 100,000 square foot indoor waterpark with an additional 40,000 square feet to feature an indoor dry play area. Great Wolf Lodge is an enviable and perfect retreat for families of all sizes. General Manager, Keith Furnas, says that the waterpark in par- ticular will bring together families for play, fun and bonding, and out- side of the park, the lodge itself offers a spectacular array of options for both children and parents to make the most of their stay. “We think we have a range of appealing attractions for the entire fam- ily,” Furnas said. “Within the waterpark, we have a lazy river, a wave pool, an activity pool, children’s slides, raft rides, and slides of varying degrees of thrill. The whole family should enjoy a stay here, because when the children are playing we have options for the adults to un- wind.” These adult-friendly options include Barnwood, a restaurant that gives parents the chance to indulge in an upscale dining experience where everything is made fresh, from farm to fork. Located outside of the lobby, Barnwood offers braised ribs, steak and grilled chicken that is sourced from local farmers, and their beverages have been coordinated to include fine wine from local vendors and wineries. Yet another op- tion for adults is The Watering Hole, a bar located within the waterpark, where parents can watch as children shoot down two exciting, adrena- line-pumping slides that are brand new to Great Wolf Lodge — The Triple Thunder and The Rapid Racer. “These two slides are not only new to Great Wolf Lodge, but also to North America,” Furnas said. “The Triple Thunder is definitely a thrill ride, one with steep drops that spin you around, and The Rapid Racer is a dueling race ride, bringing the racers together so folks can see each other as they race. It’s a great option for older children and their mother or father.” After the day is over and parents wish to spend quality time together, the lodge offers a few added indulgences. An evening at the Grand Lobby, for example, is a relaxing time when adults gather around an ex- pansive fireplace to watch as their children are entertained through story time. Or, should the family be sleepy, parents can opt to head di- rectly to their room, where Great Wolf Lodge offers a Wine Down serv- ice, where wine is brought directly to the rooms for parents to drink in peace while the children sleep. As another added amenity, the lodge will offer Camp H.O.W.L. (Habitat of Wild Learning) that will showcase a variety of activities for the family to enjoy together both during the day- time and evening. “We’re very excited about Camp H.O.W.L.,” Furnas said. “It’s a new attraction and a new concept for Great Wolf Lodge. It’s a space where kids can go play and also learn something. It’s an interactive program that guarantees fun for kids, while adults can do what they please. The purpose of all that we do here at the lodge, and with Camp H.O.W.L., is to bring joy to families. In the evening, we have areas that convert to spaces that are parents-free, where children stay with our team, and we provide them with dinner and educational programming, giving mom and dad time for themselves.” It appears that LaGrange’s newest resort will leave no stone unturned. “We look forward to having guests come and pursue our purpose of bringing families together,” Furnas said. “We hope you join us soon.” ^