Over in the northeastern corner of Illinois lies Lake County, a community of several cities, townships, and villages framed by hundreds of lakes and rivers and 30,000 acres of forest preserves. Its county seat is Waukegan, and other major hubs include Mundelein, Gurnee, and Lake Forest. As fall and winter set in, eventgoers can enjoy an abundance of autumnal activities and holiday happenings between meetings held at the area’s hotels and offbeat venues.
Vibe: The diverse makeup of some 52 incorporated cities and villages within Lake County makes for easy access to local experiences and history. The area was originally home to small villages and farming communities of the Native American Citizen Potawatomi Nation. The first colonial settlers arrived in 1834, and today some 700,000 residents call the county home.
Transportation: “Lake County is conveniently located halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee on Interstate 94, 45 miles from Milwaukee Mitchel International Airport and 30 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport,” explains Maureen Riedy, president of Visit Lake County. “Four Metra train lines also can whisk passengers directly from Lake County communities to downtown Chicago in under an hour.”
Venues: One of the most notable venues is the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, built in 1928 and home to historic spaces for up to 2,400 attendees. The grand Cuneo Mansion and Gardens in Vernon Hills can host up to 300, while the Lake County Fairgrounds & Event Center offers a 65,000-square-foot expo hall for large gatherings. Other options include Independence Grove’s Audubon Hall and The Barn at Timber Pointe in Hawthorne Woods.
Hotels: “Lake County offers a variety of meeting-friendly hotels, including a full-service resort and a lovely hotel on the shores of Lake Michigan,” says Riedy. The resort she notes is the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, which features 50,000 square feet of function space and access to hiking and biking trails. Illinois Beach Hotel is the only hotel in the state that sits directly on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and it provides a ballroom with stunning views of the water. Other properties to note include the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee and Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest.
Restaurants: Dover Straits Seafood House in Mundelein is a family-owned local favorite serving up a fresh selection of seafood, steaks, and pastas with space for private groups and events. Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville boasts an exposed-brick interior and a menu of pub favorites; planners can host an event in its Amber Room for up to 300 standing. Other eateries include Lindy’s Landing in Wauconda on Bangs Lake and Chessie’s Restaurant in Barrington.
Must-Sees and -Dos: “Attendees can experience fall festivals and costume parades, haunted houses, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and Six Flags Great America’s famous Fright Fest,” says Riedy. “The holidays then bring seasonal shows, dancing light displays, and visits with Santa.” She recommends holiday shopping in the historic downtowns of Libertyville, Grayslake, Long Grove, or Antioch. Stroll art galleries like Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake; take a class at Peter Patterson Glass Shop; or get outside in winter for skiing, snowshoeing, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
