The 10 Best Things to Do in Lake Forest, United States

December 23, 2017 Kiesha Cripe

Lake Forest is a city located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 19,375. The city is along the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the North Shore.
Restaurants in Lake Forest

1. Chicago Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022-1169 +1 847-835-5440
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 995 reviews

Chicago Botanic Garden

Just a short trip from Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre complex of flora, footbridges and waterways.

Reviewed By nimi111 - Pune, India

Loved it, just loved it! It huge, beautiful, clean, well maintained and informative. The kind of flowers and trees we saw there we amazing! And the walk in the garden is so peaceful, air is so fresh, you just want to stay there!
Must visit place

2. Genesee Theatre

203 N Genesee St, Waukegan, IL 60085-4221 +1 847-263-6300
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 218 reviews

Genesee Theatre

The historic Genesee Theatre is a 2,400 seat entertainment venue located in Waukegan, Illinois. Located along the northern shore of Lake Michigan between Chicago and Milwaukee, the Genesee Theatre is a hub of activity for Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Hosting a variety of music, comedy, and dance, the Genesee marks Waukegan as a destination for high-quality entertainment once reserved for major cities. The Genesee was built in 1927 as a vaudeville stage and movie palace before being restored in 2004 to its modern glory as a live entertainment venue boasting one of the largest stages in the Midwest, an acoustically dynamic auditorium, and a beautifully restored grand lobby for intimate and elegant events.

Reviewed By carpediem1010 - Chicago, Illinois

Over the holidays I took my parents and teenage son to see Michael Carbonero, a True TV magician. Top performance very well rounded show with humor mixed with magic tricks. My parents, upper 70's were hesitant of going to this theater, however it was a wonderful surprise how well refurbished it was on the interior decor. Very clean and comfortable. They have one small bar/concession stand which was good to grab a beer and a Sprite before the show. Parking in lot across street was a little pricey at $20 car.

3. Bannockburn Green

1301 Half Day Road, Bannockburn, IL 60615 +1 630-954-7300
Excellent
25%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 4 reviews

Bannockburn green shopping center on Waukegan Road near Deerfield, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, Trinity University. Best of Bannockburn restaurants, specialty boutiques, services, Dominick's, Walgreens.

Reviewed By illinois travelere

The slogan -- "Not Just Shopping. A Lifestyle." -- is quite the overstatement.
The tenants include a Walgreen's; a Sleepy's mattress store (which lately seem to pop up on every other corner); an Erewhon Mountain Outfitters (the name is "no where" spelled backwards); a Heinen's grocery in the former Dominick's location; Panera Bread; Marigold Maison, an Indian restaurant that features platters rather than a buffet; and a number of other small businesses.
The mall was designed in 1984 with an attractive old-tyme mill feature. The large parking lot was resurfaced this year. The previous reviewer is correct -- this is not a destination mall.

4. Marriott Theatre

10 Marriott Dr, Lincolnshire, IL 60069-3700 +1 847-634-0200
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 223 reviews

Marriott Theatre

Reviewed By Jhjani

Went with a bus group of theatre students to see Newsies at the Marriott Lincolnshire. The production was fast-paced and exciting to watch. The actors are so close and constantly moving around so everyone in the theatre could see them. The singing and dancing were very well done. Scene changes were quick as actors moved set pieces up and down the aisle. Looking forward to attending another production here, as it’s easy to get to and parking is free.

5. Market Square

664 - 720 North Western Avenue, Lake Forest, IL
Excellent
58%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Market Square

Reviewed By sde63 - Jonesboro, Arkansas

Finding ourselves driving through the villages along Lake Michigan as part of our Labor day holiday, we were surprised to chance on Market Square in Lake Forest, IL during the Deer Path Art League's 62nd Annual Art Fair on the Square.

While it was difficult for us to appreciate the charm of the Square in its own right, we can testify that it was the perfect venue for this world-class art fair that attracts upwards of 200 vendors from as far away as Florida.

We were among a throng of locals and visitors that filled the vicinity of the square - there were literally thousands attending during the two hours that we were being charmed by this experience.

Although the Cajun term "lagniappe" - "something extra" - is not generally heard in the environs of Chicago, it is a most fitting expression of the superb added blessing that Lake Forest's Market Square and the Deer Path Art League's 62nd Annual Art Fair was to our Labor Day trip along the Illinois shore of Lake Michigan.

6. National Musuem of the American Sailor

610 Farragut Ave, Building 42, North Chicago, IL 60088-2915 +1 847-688-3154
Excellent
49%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

National Musuem of the American Sailor

As an official Department of the Navy Museum under the Naval History and Heritage Command, the National Museum of the American Sailor’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of the United States Navy’s Enlisted Sailor for the benefit of the US. Navy and the people of the United States. NMAS will fulfill this mission by: •Serving as a vital part of the heritage training process for all Navy recruits and connecting them to the Navy’s long tradition of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The institution also plays an important role in the Navy community by hosting naval traditions and activities that promote Naval Heritage to the greater community. •Collecting and exhibiting United States Naval history that is accurate, complete and unbiased. •Preserving the physical legacy and historical experiences of the Navy’s Enlisted Sailor for the benefit of the United States Navy and the general public. •Anticipating the United States Navy’s future historical needs by creating strategies and policies for the selection and acquisition of historical material. •Developing innovative and inspirational educational programs and exhibits that broaden and deepen public knowledge and appreciation of the significance of the United States Sailor.

Reviewed By Jasmine G - West Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Visited while I was waiting after my husband's pass-in-review (graduation) from bootcamp. It was nice to learn more about the history of the base and see displays and pictures of what they do during training. Museum is small, but has a lot packed in for Sailor's loved ones to see. The day we went there happen to be the Naval Band playing some swing music.

7. Independence Grove Forest Preserve

16400 W Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048-5133 +1 847-968-3499
Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 108 reviews

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Reviewed By camn21252 - Libertyville, Illinois

Lots of people love Independence Grove, which is most apparent on the weekends when the parking lot is full and there are no picnic sites available. Park is sometimes overrun with bicycles, trikes and strollers making it hard to walk and get around. If you like busy parks and crowds, this is for you. If you like quiet and more natural areas, other Lake County Forest Preserves are much more enjoyable.

8. The Art of Beer

316 Green Bay Rd, Highwood, IL 60040-1338 +1 847-423-8638
Excellent
68%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

The Art of Beer

Reviewed By Hpmicks - Highland Park, Illinois

This is a really cool concept. Lots and lots of craft beer. I went here for a ladies night out. At the Art of Beer you can sip your beer like a fine wine. Not only can you sidle up to the bar and order a full foaming bottle/draft/glass of liquid gold but they have plenty of tasting pours to sample! Beers that taste like chocolate or raspberry or malted milk or apples or just about any flavor you can imagine!

If you are a beer aficionado then you must must stop here and check it out!

9. North Shore Distillery, LLC

13990 W Rockland Rd, Green Oaks, IL 60048-9724 +1 847-574-2499
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

North Shore Distillery, LLC

Visit our Spirit Lover's Paradise! We make amazing spirits by hand here at the first craft distillery in Illinois, and we love sharing them with people. We offer spirit tastings, amazing cocktails, snacks, and more, and we host a variety of events too. We are open Wednesday to Sunday - check our website for hours, events and more!

Reviewed By ChicagoTrish_D - Chicago, Illinois

North Shore distillery is a premium distiller of small batch craft spirits. Each batch of spirits is fermented, blended and distilled onsite. You can sit at the bar or lounge and taste vodkas, gins, rums, aquavit and absinthe or enjoy a cocktail. They even offer...MoreThank you so much! We love it so much when people really get what's special about us, and even more when they write about it publicly. Thanks again!

10. Wildlife Discovery Center

1401 Middlefork Dr, Lake Forest, IL 60045-1589 +1 847-810-3663
Excellent
76%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Wildlife Discovery Center

Reviewed By Lisa K

The wildlife discovery center is a hidden gem! It has lizards, snakes, crocodiles, birds of prey and even a bobcat. If you come at the right time, you can watch them train the siamese crocodiles, which is really cool! It is very interactive, more so in the summer when they have space to let the turtles out for kids to touch and they can bring the snakes outside and such. But very awesome all year round!

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