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Highlighted Area Attractions

Bristol Renaissance Faire - A rollicking romp through Elizabethan England, complete with games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and shows, recreating the summer day in 1574 when the Queen visited the English hamlet of Bristol. The 9-weekend summer festival is open Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day, July 6-September 2, 2013.

Chicago Botanic Garden - One of America's premiere public gardens, the 385-acre Chicago Botanic Garden is a great nature get-away. It boasts 23 formal gardens, 6 miles of shoreline, 100 acres of woods, prairies, family activities, tram tours, restaurants, shops, festivals, special events, 600 classes per year, outreach programs, and custom designed experiential group tour packages. Easily accessible via Metra.

Genesee Theatre - The Genesee Theatre re-opened its doors on December 3, 2004 to two sold out performances of Bill Cosby, and will continue to provide the highest quality of performances including comedians, Broadway productions and national and regional musical acts. The Genesee Theatre is located in downtown Waukegan, originally a commercial port city and later an industrial center; it is now the seat of Lake County. Within short distance to Chicago and Milwaukee, and home to a culturally rich and diverse population, the city is poised for a dramatic comeback.

Founders Park - Opened in 2004, this is Beach Park's first public park. Located off of Holdridge Avenue behind Howe School, the park hosts a range of activities including baseball, soccer, walking/jogging paths, a playground and a picnic shelter. Concession stand, restrooms and parking are also available. Future plans include a recreation center.

Great Lakes Naval Station - Naval Station (NAVSTA) Great Lakes and the Recruit Training Command are located on the shores of Lake Michigan, approximately 35 miles north of Chicago. Naval Station Great Lakes, is also home to the U.S. Navy's only Recruit Training Center. The largest military installation in Illinois NAVSTA Great Lakes includes 1,153 buildings on 1628 acres and uses 50 miles of roadway to provide access to the center's facilities. Since its founding in 1911, the Naval Station has prepared men and women for duty in Naval Service. The Commander, Navy Region Midwest, is a flag officer responsible for Navy activities throughout a five-state area that includes Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio. In a time of reduction in American Naval Forces, the Great Lakes complex is one of the few military installations that continues to expand. NAVSTA Great Lakes, is also home to 19 of the Navy's Technical service schools.

Gurnee Mills - Gurnee Mills features the best names in manufacturers’ and retail outlets including OFF 5TH – Saks Fifth Avenue, Gap Outlet, Liz Claiborne; high quality entertainment venues including Gurnee Marcus Cinema, Rink Side Sports, Serpent Safari Reptile Zoo; and various themed restaurants.

Illinois Beach State Park - The Illinois Beach State Park is the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state. There are more than 650 species of plants in the dunes area alone, making for wonderful sights while on a nature stroll. The park offers activities including bike rentals and hiking paths, picnicking, fishing and swimming. The  Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center is located within the park boundaries.

Lake County Forest Preserve - Relax and have fun in your clean, safe Forest Preserves, located just minutes from home or work. A variety of award-winning facilities and programs await you in over 24,000 acres of peaceful, natural settings. Each season offers new opportunities to learn and enjoy.

Lake Michigan Charter Fishing - Enjoy the beautiful blue of Lake Michigan aboard one of over one hundred charter fishing boats on the Lake County harbors of Waukegan and North Point. Waukegan Harbor is home to the Harbor House, one of the best places to find a charter during the different seasons. You will find the Coho running in the late spring, Lake Trout biting in mid-summer, and the Chinook come home to spawn in late summer and early fall. Whatever time of the year you go, you'll find expert charter fishing captains ready to make your time on the water a great one. For information on charter fishing opportunities and hotel information, please contact Geoff Oman at the Lake County, Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau at 847-662-3933.

North Point Marina - North Point Marina, Illinois' newest and largest marina. Located 5 miles north of Illinois Beach, this full-service marina has 1,500 slips, a boat service center and food concession. This is also the location of the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club.

Ravinia Festival - Ravinia Festival is the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, jazz, pop, chamber ensembles, dance, musical theatre, and kids programming. Groups welcome. Catering available. Pavilion and lawn seating. Open beginning of June through mid-September.

Shepherd's Crook Golf Course - Public golf facility. Number of holes: 18; Par for course: 72. Located at 351 Green Bay Road, Zion, IL. For more information, call 847-872-2080.

Six Flags Great America - Six Flags Great America is also home to Superman-Ultimate Flight -- A unique coaster that lets you soar through the sky like a Super Hero! In addition to this incredible ride, the park has a variety of out of this world coasters including Viper, Batman The Ride and Raging Bull, the world's first hyper-twister coaster! In total, the park has nearly seven miles of thrilling coaster track! As the Midwest’s newest and most extravagantly themed outdoor water park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a Caribbean paradise boasting hundreds of wild and wet water activities and hours of fun for all ages. The water park is FREE with Six Flags Great America theme park admission.

Thunderhawk Golf Club - Public golf facility. Number of holes: 18; Par for course: 72. Nestled on 244 beautiful acres of forest, marsh and prairie, this is the first public course to achieve Audubon Signature Sanctuary certification. Golfers can spot bluebirds while playing one of the hottest course in the Chicago area.

The Tempel Lipizzans - Developed exclusively by the Hapsburg monarchy for its use during times of war and peace, the Lipizzan is the true horse of royalty. Four hundred years of selective breeding have made the Lipizzan one of Europe's oldest breeds of horse. The Lipizzan's historical and cultural development enhances its mystique. Physically capable of withstanding the demands of the Airs Above the Ground, this baroque mount was bred to perform haute ecole dressage at the Spanish Riding School and owes its survival to the intervention of American General George S. Patton during World War II. Watch these splendid horses perform at nearby Tempel Farms.

Van Patten Woods Canoe Launch - Paddle down the scenic Des Plaines River or fish along its banks at one of five Canoe Launches provided by the Lake County Forest Preserves. All launch areas offer canoe access to the river, shoreline fishing, trail connections to the Des Plaines River Trail, information kiosks with trail maps and other publications, and parking. If you put in here, the next Canoe Launch is at Wadworth Road, 6.25 miles downstream.

Waukegan Harbor -  Waukegan Harbor offers you a beautiful lakefront and marina with promenade, park, nearby public beach, and slips to accommodate any craft from sailboats to luxury cruisers throughout a full boating season from April 1st to November 1st.

Zion Park District (Shiloh Pool) - This park has many recreational opportunities for relaxation and fun including golfing at the Shepherd’s Crook Golf Course, an 18 hole championship course, swimming, a zero-depth pool, water slides, indoor ice skating, special events and a variety of other activities taking place over its 752 acres.