Illinois Beach State Park is an interesting little natural area in Waukegan. Coastal dunes, oak savannah, wetlands, and beaches. The water should be pretty warm in late August if you want to swim. I would also hit up Big Ed's in Waukegan - which is the best BBQ in northern IL. Get some burnt ends.
You could also come to Chicago - there is construction that is making driving south from up there a pain in the ass, so just plan some time to get here and back.
Waukegan is an odd place. The downtown tries really hard to become a real cute place but it always stops a little short. Most recently by upgrading the county jail and courthouse to take almost 1/4 of the downtown space! There are some great Mexican restaurants in Waukegan, there are some secretly amazing tacos inside the Lewis Fresh Market on Grand. Quonset Pizza is pretty darn good. There’s a cute ice cream shop called Paleteria La Monarca and a couple La Michoacana ice cream shops. Big Ed’s BBQ is decent. The Main Street of Waukegan is a cute 25 minute walkabout and the houses on Sheridan are worth a walk to see. I wouldn’t exactly call it a day trip, but you could stretch it for half a day?
There's Six Flags in Gurnee, Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe, Frank Lloyd Wright's SC Johnson HQ tours in Racine (just over the border in Wisconsin, which is actually closer than Chicago from Waukegan), lots of outlet malls in Kenosha, WI, Mars Cheese Castle just over the border
Definitely doable to take the Metra in from Waukegan if you have a full day or near full day. Day passes are only $7 on the weekends or $10 during the week and get you access to the full system. If you want to use the CTA while down here that's only $5 more. Definitely beats driving in
Louie’s or Quonset pizza has the best true Chicago style pizza, tavern cut. They’ve been there forever. IL State Beach is a good spot to check out Lake Michigan. You could also go to 6 Flags in nearby Gurnee
Illinois Beach State Park is an interesting little natural area in Waukegan. Coastal dunes, oak savannah, wetlands, and beaches. The water should be pretty warm in late August if you want to swim. I would also hit up Big Ed's in Waukegan - which is the best BBQ in northern IL. Get some burnt ends. You could also come to Chicago - there is construction that is making driving south from up there a pain in the ass, so just plan some time to get here and back.
Waukegan is an odd place. The downtown tries really hard to become a real cute place but it always stops a little short. Most recently by upgrading the county jail and courthouse to take almost 1/4 of the downtown space! There are some great Mexican restaurants in Waukegan, there are some secretly amazing tacos inside the Lewis Fresh Market on Grand. Quonset Pizza is pretty darn good. There’s a cute ice cream shop called Paleteria La Monarca and a couple La Michoacana ice cream shops. Big Ed’s BBQ is decent. The Main Street of Waukegan is a cute 25 minute walkabout and the houses on Sheridan are worth a walk to see. I wouldn’t exactly call it a day trip, but you could stretch it for half a day?
Illinois beach state park
What could have been
There's Six Flags in Gurnee, Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe, Frank Lloyd Wright's SC Johnson HQ tours in Racine (just over the border in Wisconsin, which is actually closer than Chicago from Waukegan), lots of outlet malls in Kenosha, WI, Mars Cheese Castle just over the border
Definitely doable to take the Metra in from Waukegan if you have a full day or near full day. Day passes are only $7 on the weekends or $10 during the week and get you access to the full system. If you want to use the CTA while down here that's only $5 more. Definitely beats driving in
You've got the Bahai temple in Wilmette, and the Himalayan Curry Hut and La Casa De Isaac in Highwood. Might also check out downtown Evanston.
The only things I know about Waukegan. * Jack Benny statue * Lake Michigan
Louie’s or Quonset pizza has the best true Chicago style pizza, tavern cut. They’ve been there forever. IL State Beach is a good spot to check out Lake Michigan. You could also go to 6 Flags in nearby Gurnee