Top 10 Things To Do In August 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 07/28/2022
August may mean that summer is starting to draw to a close. But that does not mean that the fun ends for the season! Here are the top 10 things to do in August 2022.
We visited Volo Museum and Jurassic Gardens. You should too because they have a great offer on admission. Kids will be enamored with the animatronic dinosaurs.
Plan a weekend road trip right here in Lake County when you "Let The Ride Take You!" on Lake County Road Trips. Drive along Illinois Route 21, U.S Route 45, Illinois Route 83, Illinois Route 41 and U.S Route 12 and see all that they have to offer.
Win a chance for an overnight stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois or four free tickets to Six Flags Great America.
Be sure to hit Hurricane Harbor Chicago and Six Flags Great America with the warm weather we've been enjoying. After that, lace up the hiking boots for a (metaphorical) stroll on the Lake County Libation Trail.
Ravinia Festival is bringing the epic jams and crunchy grooves. Read on below to see who will grace the stage this month.
The Summer Camp-In at the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois is time for infinite delights and an opportunity to recharge for your “pack.” This package is an add-on to a standard booking. Included in it is the opportunity for your children to embark on the “Trailblazer Challenge.” The challenge is a fun way to collect merit badge stickers for campers to achieve the greatest title: Trailblazer!
Featured events include yoga, bingo, trivia, summer games, arts and crafts, "wolfercise", pool parties, character appearances, campfires, summer snacks, story times and dance parties. Included with the package add-on is an outdoor explorer kit that comes with vest, binoculars, magnifying glass, flashlight, a hat and whistle. This lets them embark on the Great Wolf Scavenger hunt to compete for the Trailblazer title.
The Chicago Botanic Garden has only begun to Flourish and turned 50 this year, and still looks timeless. They’re celebrating their birthday through September 25th with a variety of events. The Model Railroad Garden features 18 G-Scale model trains that run on 1,600 feet of track throughout the 7,500-square-foot garden. The Carillon Concerts are a one-hour musical performance that takes place every other Tuesday using Carillon bells. Music on the Esplanade has different musical performers every Monday and Wednesday playing a variety of tunes on the Esplanade overlooking the Smith Fountain. Another have-to-see-it immersion is the Butterflies & Blooms, which gives visitors the opportunity to place themselves among the 2,800 square foot enclosed habitat. These uniquely floral experiences all will run through to the end of August, so be sure to visit now.
Ravinia Festival is the oldest-running outdoor festival in the United States, having been established in 1904. Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 guests each year and plays host to over 120 performances & events. This year is no different with acts. August’s jam-packed schedule is highlighted by marquee performances like O.A.R., Dispatch, G. Love, Ziggy Marley, Pitbull, Sting, Culture Club, The Four Seasons, Sheryl Crow, Justin Roberts, and The Revivalists and Grace Potter.
Experience five distinct thoroughfares of Lake County and the adventures Lake County Road Trips offer when you “Let the Ride Take You!” Choose to make the trek this weekend and throughout summer via car, bike or on foot and travel on Illinois Route 21, U.S Route 45, Illinois Route 83, Illinois Route 41 and U.S Route 12.
Explore the museums in the area including Volo Museum and its captivating Jurassic Gardens exhibit, imbibe at one of the many watering holes of the Lake County Libation Trail, chase thrills and splashes at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, shop along the streets in the downtown districts of our various towns, simply bum it on a beach at one of 75 lakes in the land of lakes and so much more.
Visitors have a chance to win four free tickets to Six Flags Great America or an overnight stay at Great Wolf Lodge Illinois in Gurnee, by registering at VisitLakeCounty.org/Road-Trips. “Oh, the places you’ll go” and explore, and those sites, sounds and feels will leave you and the family with memory makers. Lake County Road Trips extend through mid-August.
Lake County loves our festivals. And it's understandable, too. Delicious food, cold craft beer, rides, shopping local merchants, seeing family & friends and supporting the local community.
With the Lake County Fair having just wrapped up, we know that you are ready to get out and keep the fun going. No matter where you are in the county or even in Wisconsin, there's a festival experience that will keep you smiling.
- Fox Lake's National Night Out (August 2) INFO»
- Second Anniversary Party at Liquid Love Brewing (August 2) INFO»
- Lake Forest Day (August 2-3) INFO»
- Custom and Classic Car Show in Antioch (August 4) INFO»
- Waukegan Night Out and Touch a Truck (August 5) INFO»
- Venetian Night 2022 at North Point Marina (August 6) INFO»
- DOGwood Day at Lambs Farm (August 7) INFO»
- 41st Annual Festival of the Arts at Adler Arts Center (August 6-7) INFO»
- Long Grove's Vintage Days (August 6-7) INFO»
- Pirate Weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire (August 6-7) INFO»
- Gurnee Days at Viking Park (August 6-7) INFO»
- Park on Park Cruise Night in Mundelein (August 10) INFO»
- Cruisin' Lake Zurich Car Show (August 11) INFO»
- Fox Lake Fish Fest: Mayor's Fish Fry (August 12) INFO»
- Fox Lake Fish Fest: Youth Fishing Derby (August 13) INFO»
- Metal Band Festival at Gold Pyramid (August 13) INFO»
- Steampunk Weekend at Bristol Renaissance Faire (August 13-14) INFO»
- 2022 Taste of the Towns in Lake Zurich (August 14) INFO»
- Cardboard Boat Race in Fox Lake (August 14) INFO»
- Garlic Fest in Highwood (August 17) INFO»
- 11th Annual Little Bear Ribfest at Century Park (August 19-20) INFO»
- Grayslake Summer Days (August 19-20) INFO»
- Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival in Waukegan (August 20) INFO»
- ArtWauk in Waukegan (August 20) INFO»
- Harbor Brewing Company's Backyard Bash (August 26-28) INFO»
- Elote Festival in Round Lake Beach (August 26-28) INFO»
- Annual Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow in Zion (August 27-28) INFO»
- Ravinia Festival (All August) INFO»
- Bristol Renaissance Faire (All August) INFO»
- Chicago Botanic Garden Flourishes at 50 (All August) INFO»
Did you know that Volo Museum has a new Jurassic Gardens exhibit? No matter if you’re an adult with a kid that loves dinosaurs or you yourself love them, there’s no denying that taking a trip back 65 million years is a rather rad experience.
Complete with the moving animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digging and a dinosaur theatre full of prehistoric facts, you do not want the family to miss this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit. The Jurassic Gardens is a separate experience from the museum, but Volo Museum offers a pass that allows entry to both on the same day of purchase.
Everyone loves a food truck. They're a fun option because they gather in packs and you can find a unique spread of fare. They also are convenient because it's either on a plate with silverware provided or it's a finger food that can be held.
- Smokin' T's at Buffalo Creek Brewing (August 5) INFO»
- Savory Crust at Buffalo Creek Brewing (August 6) INFO»
- Fork n' Fry at Buffalo Creek Brewing (August 19) INFO»
- Food Truck FEASTival in Antioch (August 14 and 28) INFO»
- Lincolnshire's Food Truck Lunch (August 4 and 18) INFO»
- Food Truck Thursdays in Deerfield (August 18) INFO»
- Block A Food Truck Social in Lake Zurich (August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31) INFO»
- Food Truck Thursdays at the Village of Hainesville (August 4, 11, 18, and 25) INFO»
- Deer Park Food Truck Series (August 20) INFO»
Cardboard boat regattas are an American tradition and fun to watch. As a participant, it's a race to get to the finish line before you sink. As a spectator, it's a gamble if your boat or team makes it to the other side. It really is fun for everyone!
This year won't be any different as different teams will be making their own boats. Anybody is allowed to sign up for this splash-tastic good time.
There are three divisions: 11 years and younger, 12 to 18 years old and the 19 and up groups. You can enter the regatta for $15 with your own boat. For $30, your entry is covered and they give you a boat building kit to craft a vessel the day of the regatta.
When Lake County isn't having cold drink on the Libation Trail or feasting on all of the fabulous fare, we like to stay active. Lake County plays host to numerous sporting events throughout the year and this August is no different.
You have your pick of straight-forward runs or down and dirty in the mud. There are ample choices of parks and trails here in the county. Get out there and make use of our beautiful scenery while being at the same time!
- Might Kids Triathlon in Vernon Hills (August 7) INFO»
- Rugged Manic Obstacle Course at Lake County Fairgrounds (August 20) INFO»
- Alpine Races in Lake Zurich (August 21) INFO»
- Muddy Princess 5K Mud Run at Richardson Adventure Farm (August 28) INFO»
- Fort2Base Race in North Chicago (August 28) INFO»
The National Museum of the American Sailor hosts a day of LEGO® filled fun for kids of all ages. They will build ships, vehicles and more inspired by Navy machinery. Kids can pick from kits that differ in difficulty and ranges from easy, medium, hard and expert.
Alternatively, they can opt to use the museum’s free build LEGO®s to come up with their own creations. Real sailors will be on hand to share stories and knowledge of each of the ships. Children participating can enter their builds in a content win a LEGO® store card.
“Let The Ride Take You!” on Lake County Road Trips. Win a chance for an overnight stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Illinois or four free tickets to Six Flags Great America.
Visit Volo Museum and Jurassic Gardens with a great offer on admission.
Ravinia Festival is rocking a fantastic variety of artists. Check out the schedule!
Find out how to get Chicago Bears tickets for their 2022 Enjoy Illinois Training Camp.
