Sunscreen on, smiles wide. Summer boredom? Take a backslide! Lake County's bursting with giggles and glee — this blog's your scoop on the coolest things to see.
Explore the vast nature settings, from sandy beaches and sunny prairies to lush forests and trails along the bog. Fill your belly with delicious eats and treats. Catch live music and theatre performances or catch a favorite movie this summer outdoors. Play pickleball, mini-golf, laser tag and so much more. Summer's the perfect time to bond with the family. Take advantage of all the adventures Lake County offers.
Lake County's natural beauty and diverse attractions make it the perfect place for an extended vacation. So let the ride take you to the land of lakes and take advantage of summer fun the land of lakes has to offer. Here's our Kids Summer Fun Guide for Summer 2025.
Outdoor fun
Explore our beloved land of lakes on the road — check out five road trip adventures to get the full Lake County experience. Post your adventures to social media for a chance to win our Reel Lake County Challenge and some amazing prizes. INFO»
It's not called "the land of lakes" for nothing... Check out the many beaches in Lake County and take a dip in Lake Michigan or one of the inland lakes' beaches. INFO»
Make lasting memories at summer festivals in Lake County. Dance to live music, indulge on delicious food and refreshing drinks, enjoy your favorite carnival rides and more. Check out all the summer festivals in 2025. INFO»
Take in the summer tunes at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. INFO»
And, for your long game, visit any of these Lake County golf courses. INFO»
Experience the mobile eats your taste buds are craving incommunities throughout Lake County — check out the food truck events happening this summer. INFO»
Car enthusiasts, don't miss out on all the hot rods, muscle cars and more on display at car shows in the land of lakes. INFO»
Turn back time and travel just north of Lake County to the 16th century at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. INFO»
Compete with some friends in a disc golf match. There are many courses located throughout Lake County, like Bevier Park (Waukegan), Keller/Sheppard Park (Deerfield), Adler Park(Libertyville) and Tim Osmond Sports Complex (Antioch). INFO»
Explore Fort Sheridan Beach while you take a hike on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and U.S. National Landmark defunct army base in Lake Forest, Highwood and Highland Park.
Floral arrangements and butterflies go together like peas and carrots. Visit Zion for the Zinnia and Monarch Festival. INFO»
Use the hook, line and sinker technique as you cast for a fishy face.INFO»
Bike, walk, blade, skate or run theDes Plaines River Trail, stretching 31.4 miles of beautiful Lake County trail. INFO»
Get your toes tapping or relax for a flick under the stars as Lake County cities, townships and villages provide visitors and residents alike with concerts and movies in the park throughout the summer. INFO»
Summer's the perfect time to learn a new sport — don't miss the World's Largest Pickleball Lesson in Highland Park. INFO»
Staring fondly into the eyes of a constellation is a celestial sight. Make a wish upon a star in the land of lakes with one of these locations INFO»
Cheer on the kids as they land an ollie in one of Lake County’s skate park halfpipes and bowls: 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.
Explore nature on an adventure at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. INFO»
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.
Old Lake County had a farm – E-I-E-I-O. Meet the sheep, goats, horses and other animals at Lambs Farm. INFO»
Meet some of Lake County's public service professionals, explore police and fire vehicles and enjoy fun games at National Night Out in Fox Lake and Waukegan.
Receive a taste of Native American heritage and learn of their history at the annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow in Zion. INFO»
Frolic, swing, climb and splash at Bowen Park in Waukegan. INFO»
Indulge your sweet tooth at the MainSweet Libertyville Dessert Walk in the village's downtown area. INFO»
Don't be a cornball; visit Round Lake Beach for live tunes, food trucks and a carnival at the Elote Festival.INFO»
From Ferris wheels to funnel cakes, there’s something for everyone at the 96th annual Lake County Fair. INFO»
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling, and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies at Chicago Botanic Garden's "Butterflies & Blooms" exhibit. INFO»
View the zoom of speedy cyclists at Chicago Grit, formerly known as the Intelligentsia Cup in Mundelein.INFO»
Keep Cool Indoors
Marvel at the cartoon cars and Disney memorabilia while scouring for fossils on campus with some rather large lizards at Volo Museum and Jurassic Gardens. INFO»
Bump, collide and compete against your friends in the unique bumper car sport, WhirlyBall. Everyone’s favorite lacrosse/basketball/bumper car fusion game. INFO»
Every time a bell rings, a prospective pilot gets their wings. In the Gurnee facility's airplane simulator, extreme Flight Simulations (figuratively) provide individuals with frequent flyer miles. INFO»
Your little slip-and-sliders can have some summer fun in the Northwoods-themed waterpark and accommodation in Great Wolf Lodge Illinois. Don't forget to play a little mini-golf, wall climbing and get into the dance party with the wolves. INFO»
Cool off and catch a flick at the Summer Movie Clubhouse Series in Deer Park Town Center. INFO»
Visit the National Museum of the American Sailor and learn the storied history of our proud service people at sea. INFO»
"Just keep swimming!" Treat the family to a live performance of "Disney's Finding Nemo" at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. INFO»
For a chef-lead experience preparing kid favorites, join The Joyful Gourmet in Libertyville or Taste Buds Kitchen in Bannockburn for their hands-on classes.
Launch into the air with activities both on the ground or off at Launch Gurnee. INFO»
Give your kiddie a one-of-a-kind experience at the Sock Monkey Museum in Long Grove, featuring the world's largest handmade sock monkey collection, interactive exhibits on sock history, DIY sock monkey crafting and a charming gift shop offering unique finds.
Celebrate the end of summer break and get ready for a new school year at Hawthorn's Back to School Bash and Market.INFO»
Explore the Heroes and Villians gallery exhibit at the Dunn Museum and see some of the coolest portraits of your favorite superheroes. INFO»
WINTER OUTDOOR GUIDE
ROAD TRIPS
Volo Museum
Family-Friendly Dining
Breakfast/Brunch
Lakeside Dining
MainStreet Libertyville
Historic Downtown Long Grove
Downtown Highland Park
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Hyatt Deerfield
Visitors Guide
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