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School bells ring. Are you listening? In the lane, buses honking.

Classrooms in sight, but no homework fights. During a final summer getaway.

OK, slightly less poetic than the holiday rendition, but the point is this: Carve out some time for one final family trip, a last hurrah to remember before the kids head back to school.

A staycation will get the job done, but if you’re hoping to stretch your legs a bit, the Illinois Office of Tourism has a few ideas to get you started.

Trip the road historic. America’s most iconic road is calling. Pick up Route 66 in downtown Chicago and drive until the kids start bickering. Then pull over for some munchies to mellow everyone out. The historic highway runs 300 miles southwest through Illinois and passes by eateries like Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant and Bakery and Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield (home of the world’s first corn dog on a stick), and the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac with tons of memorabilia and history about the love of the drive.

Water shed? I’m down. Illinois and our neighboring states are not short on water parks that entertain and amaze the young’uns. So, pick one and be prepared for a bit of damp fun. Raging Waves Waterpark in Yorkville is our state’s largest, according to the tourism office, with 19 water slides, a wave pool and lazy river, among other attractions. Test your luck on the behemoth Wonambi slide. But hop to it; Raging Waves closes after Labor Day.

Trade Wi-Fi for sci. Curious kiddos have the perfect place to roam at the Kidzeum of Health & Science in Springfield. The 25,000-square-foot space aims to educate youth on the importance of healthy habits, both individually and as part of a community.

Board a boat (beyond Lake Michigan). Yes, we know Chicago has a thing for water. And we’re kind of a big deal on the scene thanks to our architecture river cruise ranking among the world’s best travel experiences. But there are other bodies of water to explore throughout the Land of Lincoln. I&M Canal Boat Rides offers mule-pulled boat rides (no, really). And tours of the Illinois and Michigan Canal (America’s first National Heritage Area), run through October. Once aboard the vessels, which look like 1840s canal boats, a tour guide shares bits of history about Illinois that you may or may not already know. Not feeling buoyant? Bike along the waterway for more than 7 miles. Bring your own wheels or ride a communal bike.

Park yourself somewhere green. Take in the foliage and green space offered by Matthiessen State Park in Oglesby. Soak in the rock formations, vegetation and wildlife we don’t get in neighborhoods and cities. Make a memory to cherish by rounding out the day with a family meal at the park’s picnic facilities.