Top 15 Attractions and Activities in North Chicago, IL

The second most populous city in Lake County is situated on the lakeshore, south of Waukegan, recognized for its military heritage.

North Chicago is the site of the extensive Naval Station Great Lakes, which currently functions as the United States Navy’s sole boot camp.

An appealing aspect for civilians visiting the base is the impressive museum, which focuses on the life and service of sailors in the United States Navy.

The city’s prime location places it a mere distance from major attractions like Six Flags Great America, along with numerous beaches along Lake Michigan.

Just ten minutes away is the ecologically significant Illinois Beach State Park, while the Metra system and the Robert McClory Bike Path provide beneficial alternatives to vehicle travel.

1. National Museum of the American Sailor

The museum located at Naval Station Great Lakes is among ten such institutions across the country managed by the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Specifically, the National Museum of the American Sailor endeavors to encapsulate the complete history and experience of sailors in the United States Navy.

This is achieved through a collection exceeding 40,000 artifacts and records. The museum boasts a notable array of uniforms and accessories, spanning from 1900 to the present, along with an extensive assortment of items and photographs related to boot camp.

Visitors can learn about a sailor’s life from training through service, in addition to the historical significance of Naval Station Great Lakes and its contributions to the United States Navy.

2. Six Flags Great America

Ranking among the top 20 most frequented theme parks in the nation, Six Flags Great America is a convenient drive from North Chicago.

Across nine themed areas, Six Flags Great America features over 50 attractions, including 15 roller coasters.

Adventurers seeking thrilling rides will find an abundance of options, with new high-profile attractions introduced almost every season. A recent addition included The Joker, a free-spin steel coaster, offering exhilarating flips up to six times.

Moreover, the park encompasses Hurricane Harbor Chicago, a 20-acre water park that recently introduced Tsunami Surge, the tallest water coaster globally at 86 feet, reaching speeds of 25 mph.

During the lead-up to Halloween, Six Flags Great America transforms for Fright Fest, featuring chilling street performers, haunted houses, and spooky modifications to many of the rides.

3. Illinois Beach State Park

As both a beloved summer destination and an essential ecological site, Illinois Beach State Park stretches for several miles along the lakeshore, from Waukegan nearly to Wisconsin.

The park is conveniently reachable within minutes from North Chicago, housing the last remaining stretch of beach ridge shoreline in Illinois, which is accessible via extensive trails.

The dunes are home to an extraordinary 650 plant species, and beyond the shore, one can find wet prairies, marshlands, and sandy ridges cloaked in black oak forests. Naturally, the beach is a major attraction during the summer months, with 6.5 miles of coastline awaiting exploration.

For overnight activities, a campground is available in the southern unit, alongside the 96-room Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center. Caution is advised for swimmers due to the absence of on-duty lifeguards.

4. Foss Park

Among the lesser-visited lakeside parks on the North Shore is Foss Park in North Chicago. A notable reason for its lower foot traffic is its lack of a beach.

Nonetheless, it remains a tranquil and picturesque place where one can stroll to the water’s edge, listen to the waves, and watch sailboats glide by.

Foss Park spans just over 30 acres and features a band shell, seasonal concessions, baseball/softball diamonds, a skate park, picnic shelters, and a playground for children.

5. Waukegan Municipal Beach

A brief three-minute train ride from North Chicago leads you to Waukegan, the birthplace of novelist Ray Bradbury.

One of the city’s standout features is its excellent municipal beach, which is bordered by natural sand dunes. Stretching for a mile, the beach is accessible to the public free of charge throughout the summer, although non-residents may incur a parking fee.

Directly to the south lies the 1,000-slip marina, and the nearby Stiner Pavilion hosts outdoor concerts every Tuesday during the summer.

The dockside area in Waukegan provides a delightful place for a stroll, and Dockside Ice Cream is renowned for its hot dogs and diverse selection of ice cream flavors and cone styles.

6. Lambs Farm

This exceptional non-profit organization located in nearby Libertyville provides vocational and residential services for approximately 250 adults with developmental disabilities.

Members of the Lambs Farm community find employment across various attractions suitable for family outings, such as a mini golf course, amusement rides, a miniature train, and a petting zoo, complemented by a restaurant, pet store, bakery, country stand, and thrift shop.

Lambs Farm has a notable history dating back to a pet store founded in 1961 by Bob Terese and Corinne Owen, which provided rare job opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The organization relocated to its current 70-acre site in 1965, transforming a restored 19th-century barn into one of the area’s largest pet stores.

7. Robert McClory Bike Path

Extending throughout Lake County, this 25-mile bike path connects several North Shore communities, from the Illinois-Wisconsin state line in the north to the southern boundary with Cook County.

Much of the route adheres to the former path of the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, which was extended to Milwaukee in 1919 and decommissioned in the 1960s.

The trail winds through peaceful residential areas, occasionally utilizing low-traffic streets, and passes numerous parks and preserves throughout Lake County.

For added convenience, the Metra line runs parallel to much of the trail, providing an option to hop on a train if time runs short or if one requires a break. At the northern trailhead, the path merges with the Kenosha County Bike Trail, while to the south it connects to the Green Bay Trail.

8. Heinz Orchard

Located nearby in Green Oaks, Heinz Orchard is a small, family-owned orchard that has welcomed visitors for a U-Pick season every September for over 70 years.

Heinz Orchard is straightforward, offering only high-quality apples amidst picturesque surroundings.

Various apple varieties are cultivated here, including McIntosh, Jonathan, Empire, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. The farm’s website keeps visitors informed regarding the seasonal availability of their favorites.

There are no admission charges at Heinz Orchards, provided that at least one member of your party purchases a bag (1/2 peck or 1 peck).

9. Lake Bluff

The affluent village of Lake Bluff is situated less than ten minutes south by vehicle, a short Metra ride, or an easy ride along the Robert McClory Bike Path.

Located on E Scranton Ave, near the station is an appealing downtown area featuring a village green. Within a few blocks are cafes, a microbrewery, a wine bar, alongside American (Maevery Public House), Mexican (The Otherdoor), and vegan (Be Market) dining establishments.

A selection of shops, including a florist, adds to the area’s charm, along with a bike shop for those traveling along the Robert McClory Bike Path.

Visitors can enjoy the fall foliage at the Village Green, and a brief distance south lies Artesian Park, which hosts the Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market on Friday mornings, from early June through early October.

10. Independence Grove Forest Preserve

The principal feature of this preserve, located just west of North Chicago, is a 115-acre lake that was reclaimed from a former gravel quarry.

This land was acquired by the county in the 1970s and underwent a lengthy restoration process before Independence Grove Forest Preserve was opened to the public in 2001.

There are 7.1 miles of trails meandering around the lakeshore, which subsequently connect with the Des Plaines River Trail to the west.

From spring through fall, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and fishing boats for delightful excursions on the lake. Additionally, a summer concert series is offered at Millennia Plaza located on the southeast shore.

Do not miss a visit to the modern Visitor Center, which features captivating natural history exhibits. During suitable winter conditions, activities such as ice skating, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing are available at the preserve.

11. Foss Park Golf Course

This public 18-hole golf course is accessible to non-residents and has been established for nearly five decades, recognized as one of the best-kept secrets within the Chicago golf scene.

Renowned for its consistently maintained conditions and manicured greens, Foss Park Golf Course is a par 72 course, measuring a total yardage of 6,839 from the championship tees.

This relatively hilly course features a slope rating of 126, with elevated greens offering scenic views throughout. For the past decade, the course has hosted the Foss Park Open in June, drawing some of the top golfing talent from the Midwest.

12. Greenbelt Forest Preserve

Situated within a highly urbanized area, this 600-acre preserve on North Chicago’s northwest side serves as an oasis, featuring a fascinating location and a compelling narrative.

The Greenbelt Forest Preserve is bisected by Green Bay Road, historically utilized as a pathway by Native Americans and later by fur traders during the 18th century.

This road follows the sub-continental divide, defining the point where rain falling to the east drains into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while rain collected on the western side heads towards the Gulf of Mexico.

The preserve offers five miles of hiking trails (four miles designated for biking and cross-country skiing), enhanced by informative interpretive signage. In spring and summer, visitors will be treated to stunning displays of wildflowers like mayapples, blue-eyed grass, and shooting stars.

13. Old School Forest Preserve

Following snowfall in winter, this Lake County preserve offers an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Visible from I-94 on the east side, the preserve’s most remarkable feature is its sledding hill, which has delighted generations since the land’s acquisition from the defunct Bradley School in the mid-1970s.

Old School Forest Preserve encompasses just under 550 acres, featuring landscapes where mature oak woodlands transition into expansive prairies.

August is another exceptional time to visit, as native prairie plants such as purple milkweed and golden alexanders flourish.

14. The People’s Choice Family Fun Center

Established in 1984, this family entertainment center in Waukegan has recently relocated to a new venue.

Spanning 43,000 square feet of indoor space, the center operates every day of the year, offering a captivating world of amusement for children, featuring an arcade, token redemption games, and an 18-hole blacklight mini-golf course.

Over 150 machines comprise the arcade, bolstered by a redemption counter stocked with more than 1,000 prizes ranging from plush toys to sweets.

Within the center is Rocky’s Pizzeria and Ice Cream Shoppe, which also has a second location on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in North Chicago.

15. Lake Carina

Managed by Lake County, this small lake adjacent to the Des Plaines River is a beloved fishing spot. Anglers can fish from the shore or dock, and non-motorized boats are permitted.

Lake Carina is renowned for its largemouth bass fishing, as well as bluegill, with a minimum length limit for bass set at 15 inches and a daily limit of one fish.

Running parallel to the river on the eastern bank is the Des Plaines River Trail, which commences just north in Wadsworth and tracks its course through nearly all of Lake County and portions of Cook County.