20+ Things To Do Under $1 in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 07/30/2018
"How much money does it take to make one man (or woman) happy? Just one more dollar," said one of the richest Americans ever, John D. Rockefeller. August 8 marks National Dollar Day. So we've put together a list of 20+ things to do under $1 in Lake County. There's actually some history behind National Dollar Day that is more significant than finding 20+ things to do under $1 in Lake County. Salmon P. Chase just sounds like a cool name, so we have to listen if it's a story about this person. In 1862, Chase served as the U.S. Treasurer under President Abraham Lincoln (no relation to JPMorgan Chase, but the bank was named in his honor). Chase, not President George Washington, was featured on the first $1 bill's greenback as it was first printed in the aforementioned year. You don't need a Snapple cap when you have Visit Lake County on your side. So without further adieu, Happy National Dollar Day. Let's take a look at 20+ things to do under $1 in Lake County.
- Take the family to see over 150 unique reptiles and other critters at Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest including their rattlesnake collection, lizards, snakes of all shapes and sizes, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, an assortment of frogs, a baby sloth and more. Tour: Free, Snapshots: Free.
- Frolic, swing, jump and climb at Bowen Park in Waukegan. Admission: Free.
- Watch Lake County history come alive at the Grayslake Heritage Center in Downtown Grayslake. Admission: Free; Donations encouraged.
- Test your knowledge on several hodge-podge questions during Timothy O’Toole’s Tuesday Night Trivia. Admission: Free.
- Find the freshest and locally-grown ripe fruits and veggies of the season at Lake County’s community farmers markets that include Gurnee, Zion, Grayslake, Antioch, Deerfield, Mundelein, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Vernon Hills and more. Admission: Free, Smells: Free, Food Prices: Vary.
- Bask in nature at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion which is along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Admission: Free.
- Catch a classic cruise night in a variety of Lake County communities like Mundelein and Lake Zurich or Miller’s Dog n Suds in Ingleside that feature the vehicles of yesteryear throughout the summer and fall. Admission: Free.
- Compete with some friends in a match of disc golf. There are many courses located throughout Lake County like Bevier Park (Waukegan), Keller/Sheppard Park (Deerfield), Tim Osmond Sports Complex (Antioch) and many more. Price: Free.
- Say Cowabunga as you kickflip into an Ollie in one of Lake County's skate park half pipes: Warren Township Center Skate Park, Viking Park, Betty Russell Community Park and Churchill Hunt Park (Gurnee), Jewett Park Skate Park (Deerfield), Williams Park (Antioch), Daniel Barry Memorial Skate Park (Grayslake), Waukegan Skate Park and Sullivan Community Center. Admission: Free.
- View all the fascinating natural activity by taking a tour of Illinois’ only remaining open-water quaking bog: National Natural Landmark Volo Bog State Natural Area in Ingleside. Admission: Free.
- Enjoy Lake County communities annual festivals thrown year-round like Antioch’s Summer Arts & Crafts Faire, Deerfield Family Days, Grayslake Aloft Balloon Fest, Gurnee Craft Beer Fest, Taste of the Towns in Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills Summer Celebration, Lincolnshire Arts Festival, ArtWauk in Waukegan, First Fridays on MainStreet Libertyville, Jubilee Days in Zion and many more. Admission: Free for most.
- Shop till you drop in a grand total of 510 stores in Gurnee Mills, Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, and Deer Park Town Center. Window Shopping: Free.
- Be awestruck as you take a tour of the Mother Rudd House and Museum, one of Lake County’s oldest structures. This haven for the Underground Railroad was built in 1841. Entry Fee: Free.
- Take a scenic stroll through Lake County Forest Preserves and snap a few pictures to capture the beauty. Admission: Free-$10.
- Discover molecular and cell cloning to duplicate your dollar, then escape to the magical world of chocolate at Long Grove Confectionery and experience how sweet bliss is created. Tour Admission: $2. Cloning supplies: ???
- Grab some snacks, a blanket or some lawn chairs and catch a flick in one of Lake County’s parks like Bowen and Bevier Park in Waukegan and Deerpath Park in Vernon Hills. Admission: Free.
- Learn all there is about Mother Nature as Heller Nature Center offers StoryWalk. Take a calm stroll along the Heller trail and explore. Entrance: Free.
- It's easy sliced bread, when you can get a slice of toast for under a buck at Somethings Brewing in Grayslake. Make sure you peruse the entire menu especially if you're a cake monster like this author. Slice of toast: $0.75.
- Take a dip in one of Lake County’s 75 inland lakes and go for a swim at Waukegan Municipal Beach, Illinois State Beach Park in Zion or Paulus Park in Lake Zurich, Rosewood Beach in Highland Park and others. Admission: Free.
- See local music and art talent grace the stage at your local bandshell throughout the summer in many of the Lake County communities like Zion, Antioch, Lake Zurich and more. Admission: Free.
There are always lots of free events in Lake County, too. Continue Here to find some inexpensive family fun. Click Here to view 101 things to do under $10. 
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