In the 1993 movie, "The Sandlot," it is revealed that two of the characters, Squints Palledorous and Wendy Peppercorn, eventually get married and have nine kids. The two met at the public pool. These aquatic centers and pools in Lake County are not just recreational spots, but they are the very places where many of us have made fond summer memories. They are the heart of our summer experiences, just like they were for Squints and Wendy.
There is an expanded look at summer fun here in the land of the lakes. See the summer fun guide in Lake County by clicking here.
Splashing in the water when the temperature is hot and taking advantage of the short period we spend in the pool before fall hits is a Midwestern pastime. We've put together a list of aquatic centers and pools here in Lake County.
The Gurnee Park District facilitates the Hunt Club Aquatic Center. You can dive into all amenities, including seven waterslides, a zero-depth entry to acclimate to the water, and an interactive play area for younger guests. Guests are welcome to enjoy refreshments at the Cattail Café. You can spend time under the cascading waterfall or test your speed and endurance in the lap pool. Sand volleyball courts and a private pool rental space are also available for parties. If you don't want to enter the aquatic center, a free spray-ground outside the facility makes it easy to cool down from the summer heat. Continue here for more information.
Weekdays and weekends, June 9-August 5, weekends only August 19-September 4; Sun.-Sat.: 12-7 p.m. Day rates: $13-$17. Hunter Club Aquatic Center, 900 N. Hunt Club, Gurnee.
Suppose you are looking for a conveniently located, inexpensive, fun-filled outdoor swimming pool for you and your family. In that case, Adler Park Swimming Park in Libertyville is the place for you! Adler Park includes diving boards, three water slides, and a giant sandbox for your children. Two lap lanes are available during public swim hours. Also, the Riverside Pool is in Libertyville. Both pools are available for rental. More details are available at the website: Learn more.
Adler Park Swimming Pool: Weekdays and weekends, May 25-August 11, weekends only August 12-September 2; Mon.-Sun.:11 a.m.-6 p.m. Day rates: $9-$17. Adler Pool, 1500 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
Riverside Pool: Daily, May 25-August 11: Mon.-Sun:11 a.m.-6 p.m. Day rate: $7-$12. Riverside Pool, 870 Country Club Dr., Libertyville.
The Esper A. Peterson Foundation Family Aquatic Center in Grayslake has something for all ages. There is a sand play area, zero-depth entry, and a frog slide for infants and toddlers. For teens looking to spend time in the water, there are a 120' body slide and 180' tube slide, an in-pool climbing wall, and a basketball hoop. Adults can relax in over 300 lounge chairs in the shade or sun. There is an area set up for concessions and lap lanes, too. Their website has more details.
Weekdays and weekends, June 1-August 18, weekends only August 24-September 1; Sun.-Sat: 12-8 p.m. Day rates: $16-$18. Esper A. Peterson Family Aquatic Center, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake.
Port Shiloh Pool in Zion was built in 1955 as a traditional public bathing facility. There were two swimming wells, one with diving, a bathhouse and a pump house. A complete renovation was done in 1993, turning it into a family aquatic facility. The updates included a zero-depth pool, a lane pool, tube slide and body slide. Outside of the water, there is a lawn area and concessions. Port Shiloh Pool is available for rent for birthdays and family reunions. Visit zionparkdistrict.com/swim for more information.
Open daily June 8-August 11; 1- 6 p.m. Day rate: $8. Port Shiloh Pool, 1501 Shiloh Blvd., Zion.
After 30 years, the Family Aquatic Center at Vernon Hills Park District closed its doors at the end of the 2023 season. Welcome the new Turtle Creek Waterpark in its place. There are three slides, two pools, and a lazy river. Guests can still enjoy refreshments from Bobo's Poolside fast diner. A new 7,500 square foot sprayground is set to open mid-summer at the waterpark with a dump bucket, interactive play features, and many water sprays. For more details, click here.
Open daily, June 1-August 11; Mon.-Fri.: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun.: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. August 5-11; Noon-5 p.m. Day rate: $14-$18. Turtle Creek Waterpark, 635 N. Aspen Dr., Vernon Hills.
Since opening in 2006, the six-acre family water retreat in Mundelein, the Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center, has been cooling off patrons in the warm summer months. The facility has an AquaClimb Water Wall, a tube slide, a nearly 23,000-gallon diving well, and a main pool with a floating critter walk. Plan your visit and get additional details by visiting their website.
Open daily, June 1-August 11; Sun-Sat.: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Day rate: $15-$20. Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic, 1461 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein.
In Deerfield, you can cool off at Mitchell Pool. With a six-lane, 25-meter pool that ranges from two to five feet in depth, there is an ADA-accessible ramp for all guests to use. There are one- and three-meter diving boards and a drop slide. A separate wading pool has geysers, water cannons, and a slide. Deerspring Pool offers a six-lane, 50-meter Olympic-size pool ranging from 3 to 5 feet deep, ADA-accessible stairs, and a portable, accessible chair lift. Deerspring Pool also features a water slide and a zero-depth wading pool. A new addition to the pool in Deerfield is the Deerspring Sprayground. They offer slides and interactive spray features with above and ground-level water spraying. Visit the Deerfield Parks website for more details.
Mitchell Pool: Open daily, June 8-September 2; Mon.-Fri.: 12:30-8:30 p.m., Sat.: 12:30-7 p.m., Sun.: 12:30-5 p.m. Day rate: $11-$13. Mitchell Pool, 951 Wilmot Rd., Deerfield.
Deerspring Pool: Open daily, June 1-August 11; Sprayground, Mon.-Fri.: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat.: 12:30-7 p.m., Sun: 12:30-5 p.m. Day rate: $11-$13. Deerspring Pool, 200 Deerfield Rd., Deerfield.
Built in 2013, the Antioch Aqua Center features a 20-foot water slide, vortex whirlpool, grand staircase, zero-depth entry, play structure, six-lane 25-meter pool, diving board, and bathhouse. The pool is open every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, except for a few dates when it is closed for special events or swim meets. To get up-to-date information, visit the Antioch Parks website.
Open daily, May 27-September 2; Mon.-Sat.: 12-7 p.m., Sun.:12-6:30 p.m. Day rate: $8. Antioch Aquatic Center, 739 Main St., Antioch.
This summer, the team at Hidden Creek AquaPark at the Park District of Highland Park is hosting 100 Days of Fun Summer Events. They'll have duck races, contests, games, and more. You can take advantage of their drop slide and six-lane lap pool or just lounge in some chairs on their large deck and lawn areas. There is a new Splash Pad for ages six and under. Check out the AquaPark's webpage for more details.
Open daily, June 3-August 11; June 10-August 13, Mon-Fri.: 5:30-8 a.m., Sat.-Sun.: 5:30-10 a.m. for lap swim, Mon.-Fri.: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for Splash Pad and open swim. August 12-September 2, Mon.-Fri.: 5:30-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun.: 5:30-10 a.m. for lap swim, Sat.-Sun.: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for open swim, Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for Splash Pad. Hidden Creek Aquapark, 1220 Frederickson Pl., Highland Park.
The Aquatic Center at Peterson Park in Vernon Hills has a wading pool, slide and main pool to utilize during summer. A concession stand is on-site with slushies, fresh-popped popcorn, nachos, and slushies. For more info, continue here.
Open daily, May 25-September 2; May 25-August 9, Mon-Fri: 1-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun.: 12-6 p.m., August 10-Sept. 2, Mon.-Fri.: 5 p.m.-Dusk, Sat.-Sun.: 12-6 p.m. Day rates: $7-$10. Peterson Park Pool, 16652 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Vernon Hills.
Paulus Park Beach is open Memorial Day weekend, May 27, and closes Labor Day weekend, September 4, with Breezewald Beach opening on May 30 and closing on August 6. Paulus Park has a sprayground, and Breezewald Park Beach is home to Sunset Pavilion, which has a playground and spectacular views while strolling through nature. Breezewald Park Beach is only open to Lake Zurich residents. Daily beach opening times vary and are weather-dependent. For up-to-date beach status, click here.
Paulus Beach: open daily, May 25-June 2, Sun.-Sat,: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., June 3-August 4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., August 5-9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., August 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and Sept. 1-2, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Paulus Park Sprayground: May 27-Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Paulus Park Day Rate: $9-$11. Breezewald Park Beach is free and open to Lake Zurich residents only. Paulus Park Beach, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich. Breezewald Park Beach, 125 N. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich.
In Gurnee, Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, is a waterpark with more than wet and splash-filled fun. The family-size bowling lanes, indoor miniature golf, and enormous redemption arcade are great places for friendly family competition and laughter. This ultimate staycation retreat is home to 400 suites with many different styles. Reservations and details can be found at their website, www.greatwolf.com/illinois.
Open year-round. Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Day rates: $50-$100 per person. Great Wolf Lodge Illinois, 1700 Nations Dr., Gurnee.
Splash, twist, and slide at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago in Gurnee. They take it to the extreme with the world’s tallest water coaster, Tsunami Surge. Reserve a cabana and relax in style without worrying about having to stake your claim poolside. Hours for the waterpark fluctuate, so it is advised to check the website the morning of the day you plan to visit. Their website is: www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborchicago.
Open daily until August 11, weekends only August 17-September 2; Sun.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Day rates: starting at $29. Hurricane Harbor Chicago, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor has beautiful views, a quiet environment, and a heated kid-friendly pool. It’s the perfect place to sit, relax, and enjoy the scenery at the largest marina on the Great Lakes. Pool parties can be thrown at the pool as well. Details are available at npmarina.com/explore-north-point/#pool.
Open daily, May 27-September 2; 11-7 p.m. Day rates: Mon.-Thurs.: $10, Fri.-Sun.: $15. North Point Marina, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor.
Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort has a lot of amenities that are offered to campers. The campsite is spread over multiple acres around the beautiful Fish Lake in Volo. There is a heated family swimming pool, kiddie pool, and hot tub. A section of Fish Lake is roped off for swimming on weekdays. Daily admission to the beach is available. Pools and hot tubs are for campers only. For more details, visit www.fishlakebeach.com/admission/beach.
Beach and lake are open to the public on weekdays, May 28-September 20; Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Day rate: $6, kids under 3 are free. Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort, 32223 N. US Highway 12, Volo.
For five things you can't miss at Volo Museum, click here.
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