Rebecca’s Guidebook to Waukegan and the Chicagoland Area
Food scene
Great burgers, pizza, tacos and Fish Fry on Friday nights! Also serves breakfast on Sundays!
Glen Flora Tap & Grill
938 W Glen Flora AveGreat burgers, pizza, tacos and Fish Fry on Friday nights! Also serves breakfast on Sundays!
Excellent Lebanese Food! Wonderful falafels and very friendly owners!
6 personas locales recomiendan
Papa Marcos Restaurant
622 Grand AveExcellent Lebanese Food! Wonderful falafels and very friendly owners!
Wonderful outdoor bar with food trucks! Live music Thursday - Sunday too! This is only open seasonally. Beautiful views of the harbor.
Green Town on the Rocks
175 N S Harbor PlWonderful outdoor bar with food trucks! Live music Thursday - Sunday too! This is only open seasonally. Beautiful views of the harbor.
Great local brewery and distillery with outdoor seating. They also host food vendors on a rotating basis. I've had sushi, Italian, and tacos there on different nights. Check out their Facebook page to find out who's cooking tonight!
Nightshade and Dark's Pandemonium Brewing
216 W Clayton StGreat local brewery and distillery with outdoor seating. They also host food vendors on a rotating basis. I've had sushi, Italian, and tacos there on different nights. Check out their Facebook page to find out who's cooking tonight!
Visit Louie's for excellent pizza, sandwiches, pasta, and more! Make sure to try their complementary homemade bread sticks! They are a local favorite!
Louie's Restaurant
1009 North AveVisit Louie's for excellent pizza, sandwiches, pasta, and more! Make sure to try their complementary homemade bread sticks! They are a local favorite!
No-nonsense joint offering pit-smoked BBQ, classic sides & desserts, plus a bar with local brews.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Big Ed's BBQ & Bar
4030 Northpoint BlvdNo-nonsense joint offering pit-smoked BBQ, classic sides & desserts, plus a bar with local brews.
Locally owned drive-in known for their delicious ice cream and shakes! Drive-thru or walk-up service available.
Shirl's Drive-In
2132 N Lewis AveLocally owned drive-in known for their delicious ice cream and shakes! Drive-thru or walk-up service available.
Dockside Ice Cream
38 E Madison StIce cream offered in several flavors. Get a cone and walk down the pier!
Family-run bakery & cafe serving homemade pasta dishes, gourmet sandwiches & classic desserts. #1 cafe in Gurnee, IL!
Tina's Italian Bake Shop
5101 Washington StreetFamily-run bakery & cafe serving homemade pasta dishes, gourmet sandwiches & classic desserts. #1 cafe in Gurnee, IL!
A family owned steakhouse that also features the freshest seafood, an extensive wine list, and craft cocktails.
Stevens'
401 N Riverside DrA family owned steakhouse that also features the freshest seafood, an extensive wine list, and craft cocktails.
Italian-American fare, including steak, seafood & pasta, plus a wine bar, in a casual-chic space.
Primo Italian American Cuisine
720 Milwaukee AvenueItalian-American fare, including steak, seafood & pasta, plus a wine bar, in a casual-chic space.
Vintage pizzeria serving thin-crust pies, toasted subs & Chicago-style Italian beef plus a full bar. This is a local favorite for delicious pizza. They are famous for their house-made sausage. Be sure to check this place out!
Quonset Pizza
2602 Grand AveVintage pizzeria serving thin-crust pies, toasted subs & Chicago-style Italian beef plus a full bar. This is a local favorite for delicious pizza. They are famous for their house-made sausage. Be sure to check this place out!
Busy neighborhood haunt with classic bar food & lots of craft beers on tap, plus TVs showing sports. Relax here with a brew and good pub food. A local favorite. Friendly servers and bartenders.
Green Town Tavern
110 S Genesee StBusy neighborhood haunt with classic bar food & lots of craft beers on tap, plus TVs showing sports. Relax here with a brew and good pub food. A local favorite. Friendly servers and bartenders.
City/town information
Great restaurants and bar scene. About 25 minutes away. There's too many to list- Mickey Finn's Brewery, Timothy O'Tooles, Casa Bonita, Shakou, Firkin, Ristorante Bottaio, Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe, and Egg Harbor Cafe are just a few!
8 personas locales recomiendan
Libertyville
Great restaurants and bar scene. About 25 minutes away. There's too many to list- Mickey Finn's Brewery, Timothy O'Tooles, Casa Bonita, Shakou, Firkin, Ristorante Bottaio, Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe, and Egg Harbor Cafe are just a few!
Quaint town on the bluff of Lake Michigan. Cute restaurants and a brewery in their downtown. They have a Farmer's Market on Fridays. About 15 minutes south of our location.
Lake Bluff
Quaint town on the bluff of Lake Michigan. Cute restaurants and a brewery in their downtown. They have a Farmer's Market on Fridays. About 15 minutes south of our location.
Known for great restaurants- be sure to make reservations if you visit on a Friday or Saturday night. It can get busy! Be sure to check out Froggy's and Longitud 315.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Highwood
Known for great restaurants- be sure to make reservations if you visit on a Friday or Saturday night. It can get busy! Be sure to check out Froggy's and Longitud 315.
Lovely town to visit for the day. Tons of restaurants, shops, local deli's, coffee shops and more. Be sure to drive or bike around the neighborhoods too- there are so many beautiful homes to see!
6 personas locales recomiendan
Lake Forest
Lovely town to visit for the day. Tons of restaurants, shops, local deli's, coffee shops and more. Be sure to drive or bike around the neighborhoods too- there are so many beautiful homes to see!
Vernon Hills
Shopping and restaurants galore!
Charming downtown area with amazing restaurants, breweries, and stores!
7 personas locales recomiendan
Grayslake
Charming downtown area with amazing restaurants, breweries, and stores!
Great downtown area with locally owned restaurants, bakeries and stores. Enjoy a walk right along Lake Michigan.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Kenosha
Great downtown area with locally owned restaurants, bakeries and stores. Enjoy a walk right along Lake Michigan.
Known for locally-owned shops and restaurants right on the lake!
119 personas locales recomiendan
Geneva Lake
Known for locally-owned shops and restaurants right on the lake!
Sightseeing
Thrills and entertainment for all ages! Roller coasters, shows, games, food, and more!
135 personas locales recomiendan
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America ParkwayThrills and entertainment for all ages! Roller coasters, shows, games, food, and more!
Bowen Park
1800 N Sheridan RdGreat, huge park with a large playgrounds, trails, and picnic areas.
Large open gym area, fitness center, walking track, and aquatics center. Adult and children classes offered!
Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center
800 Baldwin AveLarge open gym area, fitness center, walking track, and aquatics center. Adult and children classes offered!
Beautiful forest preserve with walking trails and fishing piers.
23 personas locales recomiendan
Independence Grove Forest Preserve
16400 Buckley RdBeautiful forest preserve with walking trails and fishing piers.
Known for its beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan!
15 personas locales recomiendan
Illinois Beach State Park
1 Lake Front DrKnown for its beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan!
Volo Bog State Natural Area
28478 Brandenburg RdCheck out this beautifully renovated theater for concerts, stand-up comedy, ghost-tours, and more. Acts include Melissa Etheridge, Kenny G, Postmodern Jukebox, The Fray, Teresa Caputo, Peppa Pig Live, Jay Leno, and Jeff Foxworthy, to name a few.
16 personas locales recomiendan
Genesee Theatre
203 N Genesee StCheck out this beautifully renovated theater for concerts, stand-up comedy, ghost-tours, and more. Acts include Melissa Etheridge, Kenny G, Postmodern Jukebox, The Fray, Teresa Caputo, Peppa Pig Live, Jay Leno, and Jeff Foxworthy, to name a few.
69 personas locales recomiendan
Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort [CLOSED for 19/20 Season, Office Hours Only]
11931 Fox River RdJack Benny Plaza
West Clayton StreetStatue honoring Jack Benny, famous actor and entertainer from Waukegan.
Shopping
Upscale outdoor shopping mall with department stores, brand-name fashion retailers & chain eateries.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Westfield Old Orchard
4905 Old Orchard Shopping CenterUpscale outdoor shopping mall with department stores, brand-name fashion retailers & chain eateries.
Local shopping mall with entertainment such as Dave & Busters, AMC Hawthorn 12 movie theater, and Glow Golf.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Hawthorn Mall
122 Hawthorn CenterLocal shopping mall with entertainment such as Dave & Busters, AMC Hawthorn 12 movie theater, and Glow Golf.
Illinois' largest indoor shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Marcus Theaters, 60 to Escape: Escape Games, Tilt Studio family entertainment center and more!
47 personas locales recomiendan
Gurnee Mills
6170 W Grand AveIllinois' largest indoor shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Marcus Theaters, 60 to Escape: Escape Games, Tilt Studio family entertainment center and more!
Outdoor outlet mall with great stores!
59 personas locales recomiendan
Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets
11211 120th AveOutdoor outlet mall with great stores!
Coffee scene
Great for a nice cup of coffee! They have special drinks and yummy pastries!
Drip and Culture - Socially Minded Coffee
Great for a nice cup of coffee! They have special drinks and yummy pastries!
Consejos para la ciudad
Qué empacar
Midwest Weather
The weather in the Midwest can change every day. Be prepared with a rain jacket, long sleeves, shorts, t-shirts and more!
Cómo moverse
Rental Car is a good idea
While it is possible to travel around Waukegan and the Chicagoland area using public transport, it's best to rent a car.
You'll need a car to get to the grocery store and other area amenities. It's easy to get an Uber but that will get expensive if you plan to travel around a lot. There are Pace buses as well but it will take more time. You could use a bicycle to travel to the train station.
If you do decide to rent a car, contact us! We have cars available to rent.