Lake County, Illinois, is the crown jewel of the Prairie State when it comes to travel entertainment. It’s tucked away in the extreme northeastern corner on the shores of Lake Michigan and is one of the top destinations for out-of-staters in the Great Lakes region.
These 10 activities should be at the top of your to-do list so you get the full Lake County experience.
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1. Illinois Beach State Park
Lake County’s main attractions are the numerous lakes and natural areas. The most popular spot is Illinois Beach State Park, the county’s main beach during the summer. It runs for about six and a half miles along Lake Michigan and consists of wetlands, prairies, sand dunes and black oak woodlands.
Thanks to the diverse landscape, the park hosts a great variety of activities aside from relaxing on the beach. There are hiking and cycling trails, public campgrounds, amazing fishing spots and even cross-country skiing areas in the winter.
2. Six Flags Great America
There are many Six Flags locations in the United States, but Lake County is home to the best one of them all. Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is a 304-acre amusement park with 53 rides — including 16 roller coasters and four water rides — that attract 3 million visitors every year.
The most popular tourist attraction is the Sky Trek Tower, which takes riders to a 285-foot elevation and is the largest freestanding structure in the county. On a clear day, you can glimpse the Chicago skyline about 40 miles away.
3. Volo Museum
The Volo Museum started as a simple farmhouse in the 1800s, but today, it’s a complete automobile museum and antique mall that boasts one of the largest collections of classic vehicles in the nation. It features more than just cars. It also consists of boats, planes, trains and military transport.
Volo has also become much more kid-friendly recently, adding a 15,000-square-foot animatronic dinosaur park and providing party packages for large groups. It’s open 362 days a year, so you should have no problem finding time to add this stop to your schedule.
4. Gurnee Mills
Gurnee Mills is one of the largest shopping centers in Illinois, boasting just under 200 stores and attracting 20 million visitors every year. Its most popular establishments are the Top Shelf Ice Arena, Gurnee Marcus Cinema and the massive Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. This place is more of a cultural center than a typical shopping mall.
A big reason for Gurnee’s popularity is that travelers can use public transportation from Chicago, which is about an hour away. There is a constant influx of people from the Windy City and other metropolitan areas nearby.
5. Genesee Theatre
The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan is a historical site and performing arts center. Its original construction occurred in 1926, and the same building has served as a popular venue for various artists ever since. Check out the upcoming performance schedule to find comedians, musical groups, light shows and special holiday celebrations.
6. Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake County’s Wildlife Discovery Center is another popular outdoor-oriented attraction and includes the largest public rattlesnake exhibit in North America. The center specializes in education, providing programs for all ages that cover topics such as wildlife conservation, biology and ecology. More than 200 species are on display, so you might spend the entire day here if you have a passion for animals.
7. National Museum of the American Sailor
The Navy has a rich history in the Lake County area, which the National Museum of the American Sailor puts on full display. It has artifacts dating back to colonial America and covers all the naval conflicts on U.S. soil. The Naval Station Great Lakes is just a few miles south and is the Navy’s headquarters for training recruits.
8. Market Square
Market Square in Lake Forest is considered the first planned shopping center in United States history. It’s so old that nobody knows the definitive date of its founding. Locals started shopping here in the 1860s and haven’t stopped since. You can find dozens of family-owned stores and restaurants here and get the best food Illinois has to offer.
9. Tighthead Brewing Co.
Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein is widely regarded as the best beer spot in Lake County. A 4.8-star rating with more than 300 Google reviews is a testament to the brewery’s success. It famously offers a seasonal beer calendar that allows patrons to select the best recipes year-round and has plenty of taproom events, including trivia nights and live music performances.
10. Quentin Road Christmas Pageant
If you’re visiting Illinois during the holiday season, you must check out the Quentin Road Christmas Pageant. This show takes you through the entire life of Jesus Christ, from the nativity to the resurrection, telling the story of Christmas. The runtime is only 90 minutes long, so you can easily fit this show into your schedule.
Enjoy Your Stay in Lake County
Lake County doesn’t have the big-city allure of Chicago, but it does have big-city activities. You can visit monumental shopping centers, see nationally acclaimed performances, explore the area’s rich history or simply immerse yourself in the outdoor scenery. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll be sure to enjoy your stay in Lake County.
