Things To Do This Weekend May 26-29, 2023
By: Jeff Randolph 05/25/2023
As we move into Memorial Day Weekend, Lake County offers many things to do. Firing up the grill and enjoying a cold beverage on the deck with friends and family might be what most people have planned this weekend. Remember to venture out and enjoy some local activities too. Let's look at things to do in Lake County this weekend, May 26-29.
For a list of 25 superb Lake County satellite snaps by Google Earth click here.
The giant waterpark opens up in Gurnee. Partake in sampling some of our Lake County Libation Trail partners at a picturesque beer garden in Libertyville. They are bringing in a brigade of food trucks in Grayslake. Dazzling spectacles take place under the big top in Gurnee. There's a botanical showcase in Glencoe. Here we look at the top five things to do this weekend, May 26-29.
Take a dip in the drink, recline, relax and experience all the thrills at Hurricane Harbor Chicago. The Gurnee water park opens for the general public this weekend. The H2O haven is equipped with numerous waterslides; the main swimming area called Monsoon Lagoon, a kid zone play area that utterly soaks attendees, an interactive surf area, the world's tallest water coaster: Tsunami Surge, and so much more. So have a splashing good time this Memorial Day weekend. If you want to splash and ride, take a trip next door to Six Flags Great America and experience the 17-coaster thrill zone. Hurricane Harbor Chicago is open select days through Labor Day. For tickets, visit SixFlags.com/HurricaneHarborChicago.
Saturday-Monday, May 27-29; 11 a.m. 6 p.m. Tickets: starting at $39.99. Hurricane Harbor Chicago, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
Lake County summers have a unique taste, as do the local suds at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve. Experience this Lake County Forest Preserve District's beer flights for sippers ages 21 and older while viewing the area's natural beauty. The beer garden highlights Lake County Libation Trail partners Mickey Finn's Brewery of Libertyville, Phase Three Brewing of Lake Zurich, Liquid Love Brewing of Buffalo Grove, Half Day Brewing Co. of Lincolnshire, Tighthead Brewing Co. of Mundelein, Buffalo Creek Brewing of Long Grove, Ravinia Brewing Co. of Highland Park, and Harbor Brewing Co. and 9th Hour Brewing of Lake Villa. The Libertyville Sanctuary also offers packaged snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and lakeside seating. The Beer Garden at Independence Grove Forest Preserve runs on select days through the fall. Visit LCFPD.org for more details.
Saturday-Monday, May 27-29; 1-9 p.m. Parking cost: free for Lake County residents, non-residents: $12. The Independence Grove Forest Preserve entrance is on Buckley Road, east of Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville.
Food fanatics will go on a Food Truck Frenzy as the event returns to the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center after a few years at the College of Lake County. So whether you are considering hiring a food truck for your wedding, office, or party at home, or you want to make your taste buds dance, the Lake County Food Truck Festival, a family-friendly event, is for you. The foodie festival features 17 food trucks serving wood-fired pizza, seafood, sliders, confections, international cuisine, and more. The festivities also highlight live music by the band Chapel Hill and a beer garden. To see the participating food trucks, visit LCFairgrounds.com.
Friday, May 29; 4-9 p.m. Admission: $1. Parking: Free; Preferred parking: $10. Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1060 E. Peterson Rd., Grayslake.
"(S) He'd, (they'd) fly through the air with the greatest of ease. A daring young (wo)man on the flying trapeze." All these talented individuals from the Circus Hermanos Vazquez perform spectacular flips, turns, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, and more, with a splendid light show to match. For over 50 years, the Vazquez brothers have passed this Latinx tradition to the family. The 10-day circus event occurs outside Gurnee Mills by Bass Pro Shop. After seeing contorted humans soar through the air, take a stroll at Gurnee Mills Mall. Circus H Vazquez runs through Monday, May 29.
Friday-Monday, May 26-29; Fri. and Mon.: 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun.: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets: $30-$70. Gurnee Mills, 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee.
Witness the majesty and beauty of the Swallowtail, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Skipperling, and as many as 500 other colorful butterflies and blooms at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Butterflies & Blooms exhibition highlights species native to Africa, Asia, North America, and South America. The butterflies are housed in a 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the Regenstein Learning Campus. Visitors can see the cocooned caterpillars transform into butterflies through a window in the pupa emergence room. The exhibition is open daily through September 4 (weather permitting).
Saturday-Monday, May 27-29; 10-4:30 p.m. Admission: $6-$8. Free admission for children ages two and under. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
For a list of the top trendy Instagram locations in Lake County, click here. To see more things to do this weekend May 26-29, click here.
