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SightseeingLocal Gem

Lake County

5465 West Grand Avenue, Suite 100, Gurnee, IL 60031 · Lake County, IL

Why you should go…

Lake County, Illinois is marketed to visitors by its convention and visitors bureau, Visit Lake County, based in Gurnee. The bureau promotes the county's lakefront communities, shopping, dining and attractions to travelers considering an overnight stay in the Chicago metro area. It offers trip planning tools, visitor guides and an event calendar for the region.

  • #visitor guide
  • #day trips
  • #shopping
  • #lakefront
  • #family

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Lake County, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Volo Auto Museum

    Under $25

    A sprawling car museum and family attraction in Volo, Illinois, with classic, celebrity, and movie cars.

    8.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Chicago Northwest

    Free

    Tourism marketing office for Chicago's northwest suburbs, covering Schaumburg, Arlington Heights and more.

    21 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Santa's Village Azoosment Park

    $25–$50

    A combination amusement park and small zoo in East Dundee dating to 1959, with 19 rides and 200-plus animals.

    22 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Villa Olivia

    $25–$50

    Family ski, tubing and golf destination in Bartlett with a quad chairlift, six rope tows and an 18-hole golf course.

    26 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Lake Geneva

    Free

    Wisconsin lake resort town with a historic downtown, lakefront path, and summer estate architecture.

    28 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    St. Charles, Illinois

    Free

    A historic Fox River town west of Chicago known for its walkable downtown and riverside dining.

    33 mi awayMore like this