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Tourism

No matter where you are in Lake County, there is always something to do. Whether it is visiting one of the region’s top attractions, enjoying the scenery outdoors, perusing through a charming boutique or dining at a local restaurant, be assured that it is all here! And at the end of the night, stay in one of the county’s many great lodging facilities.

Local Attractions

Hailing as the region’s most popular attraction, drawing in millions every year, Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor sits upon 300 acres of non-stop fun in Gurnee. The Great America theme park is equipped with thrilling rides, kiddie areas, food vendors, games, live shows and nightly fireworks, while the recently-built Hurricane Harbor is comprised of 26 winding water slides, a wave pool and the popular Skull Island.

Also in Gurnee is the family-friendly Rink Side Family Entertainment Center, positioned within Gurnee Mills Mall. Featuring a regulation size ice rink, 180 video and interactive games and a laser tag arena, this center has something for every age. And while in the Round Lake Beach area, check out Kristof’s Entertainment Center, complete with activities such as bowling, mini-golf, go-karts, an arcade, batting cages, dining options and evening entertainment.

The Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake is the site of a wide variety of events and entertainment spanning the calendar year — not to mention the home of the much-anticipated Lake County Fair, held the last Tuesday in July and stretching over six amusing days.

A unique facility, the 50,000 square foot Factory Paintball Arena in North Chicago is the largest indoor paintball center in the state. Made up of three distinct fields, including the Midwest’s sole indoor scenario field, this is the place for a day of active fun with friends.

Chicago’s popular professional sports teams are well-represented in Lake County, with extensive facilities such as the Chicago Bears’ Training Center (Lake Forest) and the Chicago Bulls’ Berto Center (Deerfield) each located within the area.

A short drive to nearby Glencoe will bring visitors to the beautiful Chicago Botanic Garden. Twenty-three charming and unique gardens, along with gleaming lakes, encompass this expansive site. Special events can be found here throughout the year, with summer evenings dedicated to outdoor dining and live music entertainment.

Teeming with Recreation

Seventy-five inland lakes, a location near the sweeping Lake Michigan and several sprawling rivers and more than 25,000 acres of forest preserve, plus a multitude of parks, playgrounds, ball fields, fitness centers and 37 public golf courses, provide endless opportunities for both indoor and outdoor leisure.

The award-winning Lake County Forest Preserves system currently oversees 25,268 acres of land, while providing a wide spectrum of recreational, educational and cultural offerings to patrons young and old. One-hundred and twelve miles of mixed-use trails and ponds and lakes for fishing as well as other water sports comprise this great system. Major areas not to be missed include Independence Grove (Libertyville), Ryerson Conservation Area (Deerfield), the Lake County Discovery Museum (Wauconda), the Greenbelt Cultural Center (Waukegan) and three golf courses — Brae Lock (Grayslake), Countryside (Mundelein) and ThunderHawk (Beach Park).

A haven for bicycle enthusiasts, the scenic Des Plaines River Trail stretches 31 miles in Lake County, from Deerfield to the Wisconsin border, while Illinois Beach State Park, which runs six miles along Lake Michigan, is ideal for camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, swimming and educational endeavors. The 2,793-acre Chain O’ Lakes State Park, which connects with a 3,230-acre conservation area and borders three lakes — along with the Fox River — is another top choice in outdoor recreation.

Eclectic Shopping and Delicious Dining

Premium shopping centers and districts and diverse dining establishments dot the Lake County map. Shoppers take pleasure in the scores of major retailers and quaint shops, as diners enjoy the area’s assortment of food selections.

Standing as the second largest tourist attraction in the state, Gurnee Mills Mall brings in around 23 million shoppers a year from all over the Midwest, all of which enjoy up to 70 percent off the retail sales price. More than 200 retail outlet stores, such as Off Saks Fifth Avenue, Nike, Gap, Borders and Bed Bath & Beyond, among many others, line the sidewalks of this expansive outdoor mall. In addition, a score of restaurants make up the mall’s indoor food court and surrounding area.

Antiquers in the area make sure to pay a visit to the Gurnee Antique Center, one of the Chicagoland’s largest antique malls, and the 30-acre Historic Volo Country Village, which offers five separate antique, gift and collectible malls.

Further sites for shopping delights in Lake County include CityPark (Lincolnshire), home to unique shopping and dining choices; MainStreet Libertyville, with more than 80 shops and restaurants lining the streets of this downtown area; Long Grove Historic Village, a distinct district with shops housed within beautiful historic buildings; Westfield Shoppingtown Hawthorn in Vernon Hills; and Mundelein MainStreet, which affords a long list of annual events and retailers.

Dining in Lake County is just as diversified, providing pubs, breweries, buffets, cafés, fine dining and eats on the run. Savor American favorites like pizza, hamburgers, seafood and steaks, or take a global route with flavorful Italian, Asian and Chinese dishes.

Comfortable Accommodations

More than 50 lodging facilities reside in Lake County, ranging from quaint bed and breakfasts and AAA-rated luxury resorts to palatial suites and economical hotels and motels. All situated conveniently near the county’s top attractions, restaurants and the cities of Milwaukee and Chicago, guests delight in restful rooms and top-notch amenities.

What’s more, several area hotels are equipped with conference centers and event space, ideal for banquets of all kinds, as well as an assortment of business functions.