Summary of Attractions in Zion, Illinois
Zion, a city with a unique historical context, was founded at the onset of the 20th century as a religious settlement by the affluent faith healer John Alexander Dowie. Almost all properties and enterprises in Zion were under the ownership of his church, which governed every facet of the residents’ lives, including their choice of marital partners.
The decline of the church occurred in 1942 when Dowie’s successor, a proclaimed flat earther, admitted to misappropriating church funds, after having exerted oppressive control over the congregation for nearly four decades. Visitors can learn about this intriguing legacy at Dowie’s Shiloh House, while the contemporary Zion presents itself as an appealing lakeside community, featuring expansive parks and several operational farms that invite visitors during the autumn season.
1. Illinois Beach State Park
The majority of the shoreline in Zion is home to this ecologically diverse state park, encompassing over 4,150 acres split into two sections (north and south).
The beach serves as the primary attraction for visitors, featuring approximately 6.5 miles of shoreline, accessible via the Zion Bike Trail.
Beyond the sandy and pebbly beaches, the park showcases remarkable biodiversity characterized by black oak savanna, wetlands, dunes, and prairies.
In total, over 650 plant species have been cataloged on the dunes, and to explore these ecosystems, there are circular trails in both northern and southern sectors.
2. Dungeon of Doom Haunted House
Located near Illinois Beach State Park, the former Briquette Factory serves as the backdrop for one of the nation’s most renowned haunted houses.
The Dungeon of Doom operates on weekends from mid-September through Halloween, continually pushing the boundaries of what haunted house experiences can offer.
When you are not being frightened, you will admire the extraordinary talent and creativity evident in all aspects, from set design to acting, makeup, soundscapes, and props.
The Dungeon of Doom provides a chilling experience lasting an hour, celebrating many years of thrills.
3. Edge of Escape Rooms
In the same venue, the creators of the Dungeon of Doom Haunted House have utilized their expertise to develop a captivating escape room experience.
With meticulous attention to detail, Edge of Escape Rooms provides an engaging and highly interactive setting, complemented by exceptional service.
Featuring realistic props and themes, the two rooms here include puzzles that even seasoned escape room participants may find surprising.
As of this writing, the two available rooms were titled Time Machine and Tunnels Under London, accommodating 2-9 players with adjustable difficulty settings, all presented in a steampunk aesthetic.
4. Shiloh House
To comprehend Zion’s intriguing origins, a key starting point is the restored 24-room estate belonging to its founder, John Alexander Dowie (1847-1907).
This evangelist and faith healer tasked Chicago Architect Paul Burkhardt with designing this residence, which reflects a blend of the Queen Anne style and Swiss chalet influences.
Dowie occupied this home from 1903 until his death in 1907, and for more than half a century has served as the headquarters for the Zion Historical Society.
Visitors can view significant items including collections of Dowie’s writings, decorative arts, photographs, his pulpit and lectern, office furnishings, Scottish lace from the church-operated factory, and a dress belonging to Dowie’s wife, throughout this accessible building.
5. Shiloh Park
Situated to the west of Dowie’s mansion, this expansive 132-acre park features a variety of recreational amenities within or nearby its grounds.
Distinguished for its majestic boulevards, Shiloh Park serves as Zion’s primary location for community outdoor events, with the highlight being the 4th of July Festival, which features carnival rides, activities for children, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Family-oriented events also take place in the park during Halloween and Christmas, making it advantageous to stay connected with updates from the Zion Park District.
In terms of sports, Shiloh Park has basketball courts, four tennis courts, two baseball diamonds, and several smaller softball fields, along with a children’s playground. Nearby, there is Shiloh Park Golf Course, the Zion Park District recreation center, and Port Shiloh Pool, available for summer use.
6. Kroll’s Fall Harvest Farm
For generations, visiting this farm in Waukegan has become a cherished autumn tradition for local families. Kroll’s Farm consistently ranks among the premier pumpkin patches in Illinois and across the nation.
The fall festivities commence in mid-September, and for the following seven weeks, the farm offers a wealth of attractions such as a corn maze, hayrides, a petting area, and an array of pumpkins.
Pumpkins are pre-selected and available in various shapes, sizes, and colors, alongside bundles of corn stalks, straw bales, Indian corn, and gourds.
On select summer evenings, Kroll’s Farm also hosts outdoor movie nights, allowing visitors to interact with farm animals, enjoy food from local food trucks, and settle down for a classic film in a picturesque setting.
7. Hosah Park
Nestled between the two segments of Illinois Beach State Park, Hosah Park is a tranquil lakeside haven characterized by dunes and wetlands, recognized as a Ramsar site.
This sanctuary’s ecological significance stems from the unique ecosystems fostered by the rich soils found in the damp areas between the dunes.
Visitors can navigate the sanctuary and access the beach via boardwalks and paved trails connecting to the state park.
The beach provides one of the most secluded stretches of coastline in the Chicago area, although swimming is prohibited due to the presence of underwater drop-offs and rip currents.
8. Port Shiloh Pool
A staple of summer in Zion, this outdoor swimming complex is part of a cluster of public recreational facilities located near Shiloh Park.
A community pool has been operational at this site since 1955, with significant renovations completed in 1993.
Open from early June through mid-August, Port Shiloh Pool features a zero-depth entry leisure pool, a designated lap pool, a body slide, and a tube slide.
Surrounding the complex are water play amenities, a sandy play area, a concessions stand, and a spacious lawn for relaxation.
9. Patch 22
Now well into its fifth decade, Patch 22 is a family-run operational farm located nearby in Wadsworth. The farm opens to visitors from the first Sunday in May through Halloween (Sundays only initially, followed by weekends in the fall).
During summer and autumn, children can enjoy 20-minute pony rides in the farm’s expansive pasture.
As fall arrives, the farm becomes busier, featuring thousands of homegrown pumpkins, hayrides, a petting farm, a spooky hayloft, and various seasonal treats such as taffy apples.
10. Shepherd’s Crook Golf Course
Designed by innovative course architect Keith Foster, this highly regarded public 18-hole course in Zion opened its doors in 1999.
Shepherd’s Crook features a links-style layout, drawing cues from celebrated courses such as Ballybunion and Waterville in Ireland.
The design reflects the golden age of course architecture during the 1920s and 30s in the Chicago area, showcasing bentgrass tees, fairways, and greens.
Allocate approximately 4.5 hours for a complete round and make sure to visit the clubhouse grill, which offers a scenic terrace overlooking the 9th and 18th holes.
11. Beulah Park
This park spans a tranquil hardwood forest along the banks of Kellogg Creek, which flows into Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park.
In addition to its serene beauty, Beulah Park is well-known for a network of mountain biking trails, complementing the paved bicycle path that winds along the creek’s banks.
At the eastern edge of the park is a series of BMX jumps, while the southern area, distanced from the trails, features a children’s playground adjacent to Kedron Boulevard.
A few blocks West of the park lies the Robert McClory Bike Path, extending north to south through Lake County, following the route of the former Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad.
Upon reaching the Wisconsin border, the trail transitions into the Kenosha County Bike Trail, continuing for several more miles into Kenosha.
12. Jubilee Days
Organized for over 70 years, the most significant public event on the Zion calendar takes place during the Labor Day weekend.
Jubilee Days was initiated to honor the harvest and commemorate Zion’s distinct origins. The festival includes a variety of offerings for attendees, featuring food vendors, a queen’s pageant, live entertainment, children’s activities, fireworks, and much more.
The hallmark of the event is the largest Labor Day parade in Illinois, which each year embraces a different theme and includes over 100 participants departing from Shiloh Park and proceeding down Sheridan Road.
13. Anderson Farm Orchard
One of the few remaining family-operated apple orchards in Lake County is situated in Zion, adjacent to Shepherd’s Crook Golf Course and not far from the Wisconsin border.
Established in 1979, Anderson Farm welcomes visitors year-round during the fall to offer freshly picked apples and cider.
The orchard cultivates multiple apple varieties including Red and Golden Delicious, Gala, McIntosh, Winesap, and Snowapple, and at the time of this writing, the farm had recently begun producing Rhode Island Greenings, a variety whose roots trace back to the 17th century.
14. Edina Park
Upon exiting the train at Zion Metra station, visitors are welcomed by this appealing 50-acre park, enhanced by towering mature trees.
The northern section of Edina Park offers a serene wooded experience, while the southern section near the station features a playground, two tennis courts, and a basketball court.
A unique aspect of Edina Park is the Zion Bike Trail, which connects the northern and southern portions of Illinois Beach State Park.
This pathway extends north to south for several miles, initiating at 17th Street and leading into the southern section at 29th Street, where an additional southern spur connects to Carmel Park and the Zion Shopping Center.
15. Lake Michigan Fishing Charters
The waters around the Illinois-Wisconsin border provide an exceptionally fruitful fishery, primarily for salmon and trout in Lake Michigan.
If you are interested in a fishing excursion, North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor is just over ten minutes away from central Zion and serves as a base for several fishing charter services.
The season for lake trout and chinook salmon typically runs from May to September, and with numerous options available, you are likely to find the package, vessel, and captain that meet your needs.
Some noteworthy companies include Jackpot Fishing, Migrator Charters, Diamond Ghost Charters, Renegade Fishing Charters, Breezy 1 Charters, and Son Set Charter Fishing.
