Worst Birthday Party Ever - Do not book group event for climbing or zipline.
Worst Birthday Party Ever - Do not book group event for climbing or zipline. We booked a birthday party for my son - with 10 climbers age 10-14 and 3 adults (which we paid $65 per person). Other adults were on the group supervising. I will start by saying - as a family, we are overly deferential to staff in support/service industries (its hard - we get it) and expect that our kids behave well in public settings. I generally let bad service go and believe a bad review is a last resort. With that backdrop and having slept on the experience, I need to share how horribly we were treated yesterday at this location. I would strongly encourage anyone considering booking a climbing or zipline experience for a group or birthday party to save their money.
Here is summary of some of our experience:
- Despite website and booking information - there was no dedicated person to help with party- no help with check-in, no one to direct people to party, no one to help group get oriented to activities.
- They were not staffed for a large group - Our group was left for 20+ minutes after watching safety video, then only one staff person helped put gear on everyone.
- One person putting gear on one kid at a time - took almost an hour. And the staff got frustrated that a bunch of tweens and teenagers were restless. They wouldn't let anyone in our group go until entire group was ready.
-The staff (all very young folks in their teens and early 20's it appeared) seemed to see the group as a nuisance and were just flat rude to kids and parents.
- There was not enough staff on tower to help. Parents were berated by staff when kids were too slow or didn't know what to do on climbing tower. Multiple staff members told us that it was not their job to help anyone.
- We were told to do cake before zip line but then had staff member berate my husband and the children (and I mean yell out loudly and rudely) for eating with harness on (despite them telling us to do so).
-There were so many other instances of the staff being rude, impatient and unkind. In fact, multiple other guest that were not part of our group commented on how horrible the staff treated us.
On a positive note, we did have one kid that did not weigh enough to climb and the manger was nice enough to let a few of us do another activity so he wasn't left out. However, the girl at check-in was so rude that I had ask to speak to the manger to get this option and then, after manager left, the girl seemed pissy that we were even accommodated (that is - group allowed to do archery golf, much cheaper, rather than climb).
I really wish I would have had my phone to record the way multiple staff members spoke to me, my husband and the group. It was shocking. I would highly encourage anyone that is considering booking a party of group event here to reconsider.
Susan Marks
This is a great place to spend the day with kids and teens. They have lots of different fun activities, the staff is friendly and helpful, and on a weekday, it wasn't super crowded. It was everything the ads say, and more. On a 90+ degree day, I especially appreciated that they had large coolers filled with ice water at almost every activity. My only suggestions for visitors is bring your own food. The one snack shop is limited and expensive. And to the Forge folks - great job! Have you considered adding a pool?
Michael Ferguson
That's was amazing...?
alberto galvez
??????
Lauren Ward
Igloo dining was incredible!
michael Mcdonnell
The Forge is a diamond in the rough.
Aron Oechsner
Good food
George Proano
Need to make reservation but was fun to visit.
Taylor B
I'm not sure how they heard about it, but one of the first things our grandchildren from California and Connecticut inquired about when they arrived for a summer visit was: "Can we go to the Forge?" Located at 1001 Main Street in southwest suburban Lemont, off I-55, The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park is what Riverview Park was to my generation before it closed in 1967. Today, The Forge is comparable to and competitive with Six Flags of America, Raging Rivers, Centennial Water Park, Chicago in Illinois and Santa's Village. Opened in July 2020. it covers 300 acres with ziplines, ropes courses, climbing towers and walls, bouldering areas, fishing, paddleboating, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking trails and other outdoor activities. The ropes course is the tallest in North America at over 120 feet. The park also features adventure dining, a beer garden, an event venue and summer camps. Interestingly, it was built on disused industrial land and flooded former Lemont dolomite quarries that straddle the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage area and abut the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The Forge Quarry, the Great Lakes Quarries and the I&M Canal are utilized as water features. Remember the Bobs, The Comet and Aladdin's Castle at Riverview? And the slogan: "Laugh your troubles away?" The Forge's slogan is "Endless fun for everyone." As 81-year-old retirees, we aren't into ziplining. But watching our grandchildren enjoy one activity after another is fun enough.
Laura Johnson
Was here for the food trucks event. Food was really tasty but I do not like this venue and won't go back. Long walk in from the parking lot. Only picnic tables were way too far from the food. No shade. Didn't like the music and it was too loud even if I did.
All of the towers were not open the day that we went, so the 2 rope course towers that were open were crowded and backed up. They also didn't have enough staff working the towers so long wait to get onto the towers. The zipline is also not 1+ miles as advertised. There's one line that's about 400 meters over the quarry and then another about 100 meter line from one ropes tower to another. Both had long wait times to get to. Staff that was there was good- but there wasn't enough staff to handle the crowd that they have in there.
Brock Reinhard
Had a great BBQ pulled pork sandwich b4 the concert. Very fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
begoodp
Laser tag in the forest was awesome! The fellows loved the Archery! The staff was attentive to teen son who got dizzy and I truly appreciated that!! My tip is take a water bottle to fill with free water they have conveniently placed. Also arrive early, so many adventures you'll need more time. Thanks Forge, this was a Fathers day to remember!!
Hashem Alsaket
Laser tag was super fun. Highly recommend. Bring at least 5 people. Wouldn't bring more than 10ish. The area is big enough for a solid 10 but 15 might start to feel crowded.
Larry Jaehn
What a great idea. My 9 year old had a blast at this place. The staff is extremely friendly and very helpful.
Worst Birthday Party Ever - Do not book group event for climbing or zipline. Worst Birthday Party Ever - Do not book group event for climbing or zipline. We booked a birthday party for my son - with 10 climbers age 10-14 and 3 adults (which we paid $65 per person). Other adults were on the group supervising. I will start by saying - as a family, we are overly deferential to staff in support/service industries (its hard - we get it) and expect that our kids behave well in public settings. I generally let bad service go and believe a bad review is a last resort. With that backdrop and having slept on the experience, I need to share how horribly we were treated yesterday at this location. I would strongly encourage anyone considering booking a climbing or zipline experience for a group or birthday party to save their money. Here is summary of some of our experience: - Despite website and booking information - there was no dedicated person to help with party- no help with check-in, no one to direct people to party, no one to help group get oriented to activities. - They were not staffed for a large group - Our group was left for 20+ minutes after watching safety video, then only one staff person helped put gear on everyone. - One person putting gear on one kid at a time - took almost an hour. And the staff got frustrated that a bunch of tweens and teenagers were restless. They wouldn't let anyone in our group go until entire group was ready. -The staff (all very young folks in their teens and early 20's it appeared) seemed to see the group as a nuisance and were just flat rude to kids and parents. - There was not enough staff on tower to help. Parents were berated by staff when kids were too slow or didn't know what to do on climbing tower. Multiple staff members told us that it was not their job to help anyone. - We were told to do cake before zip line but then had staff member berate my husband and the children (and I mean yell out loudly and rudely) for eating with harness on (despite them telling us to do so). -There were so many other instances of the staff being rude, impatient and unkind. In fact, multiple other guest that were not part of our group commented on how horrible the staff treated us. On a positive note, we did have one kid that did not weigh enough to climb and the manger was nice enough to let a few of us do another activity so he wasn't left out. However, the girl at check-in was so rude that I had ask to speak to the manger to get this option and then, after manager left, the girl seemed pissy that we were even accommodated (that is - group allowed to do archery golf, much cheaper, rather than climb). I really wish I would have had my phone to record the way multiple staff members spoke to me, my husband and the group. It was shocking. I would highly encourage anyone that is considering booking a party of group event here to reconsider.
This is a great place to spend the day with kids and teens. They have lots of different fun activities, the staff is friendly and helpful, and on a weekday, it wasn't super crowded. It was everything the ads say, and more. On a 90+ degree day, I especially appreciated that they had large coolers filled with ice water at almost every activity. My only suggestions for visitors is bring your own food. The one snack shop is limited and expensive. And to the Forge folks - great job! Have you considered adding a pool?
That's was amazing...?
??????
Igloo dining was incredible!
The Forge is a diamond in the rough.
Good food
Need to make reservation but was fun to visit.
I'm not sure how they heard about it, but one of the first things our grandchildren from California and Connecticut inquired about when they arrived for a summer visit was: "Can we go to the Forge?" Located at 1001 Main Street in southwest suburban Lemont, off I-55, The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park is what Riverview Park was to my generation before it closed in 1967. Today, The Forge is comparable to and competitive with Six Flags of America, Raging Rivers, Centennial Water Park, Chicago in Illinois and Santa's Village. Opened in July 2020. it covers 300 acres with ziplines, ropes courses, climbing towers and walls, bouldering areas, fishing, paddleboating, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking trails and other outdoor activities. The ropes course is the tallest in North America at over 120 feet. The park also features adventure dining, a beer garden, an event venue and summer camps. Interestingly, it was built on disused industrial land and flooded former Lemont dolomite quarries that straddle the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage area and abut the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The Forge Quarry, the Great Lakes Quarries and the I&M Canal are utilized as water features. Remember the Bobs, The Comet and Aladdin's Castle at Riverview? And the slogan: "Laugh your troubles away?" The Forge's slogan is "Endless fun for everyone." As 81-year-old retirees, we aren't into ziplining. But watching our grandchildren enjoy one activity after another is fun enough.
Was here for the food trucks event. Food was really tasty but I do not like this venue and won't go back. Long walk in from the parking lot. Only picnic tables were way too far from the food. No shade. Didn't like the music and it was too loud even if I did.
Restaurantji Recommends
All of the towers were not open the day that we went, so the 2 rope course towers that were open were crowded and backed up. They also didn't have enough staff working the towers so long wait to get onto the towers. The zipline is also not 1+ miles as advertised. There's one line that's about 400 meters over the quarry and then another about 100 meter line from one ropes tower to another. Both had long wait times to get to. Staff that was there was good- but there wasn't enough staff to handle the crowd that they have in there.
Had a great BBQ pulled pork sandwich b4 the concert. Very fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laser tag in the forest was awesome! The fellows loved the Archery! The staff was attentive to teen son who got dizzy and I truly appreciated that!! My tip is take a water bottle to fill with free water they have conveniently placed. Also arrive early, so many adventures you'll need more time. Thanks Forge, this was a Fathers day to remember!!
Laser tag was super fun. Highly recommend. Bring at least 5 people. Wouldn't bring more than 10ish. The area is big enough for a solid 10 but 15 might start to feel crowded.
What a great idea. My 9 year old had a blast at this place. The staff is extremely friendly and very helpful.
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