The Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Chicago Bears Training Camp Fan Experience at Halas Hall
By: Jonathan Jones 08/20/2021
"You're the pride and joy of Illinois. Chicago Bears, BEAR DOWN."
Visit Lake County partnered up with Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Chicago Bears Training Camp this year, running through August 25.
This is the first time the Chicago Bears Training Camp is open to the public at Halas Hall in Lake Forest - right in our backyard.
The National Football League organization allows fans to enter the Lake Forest facility to view practice.
Camp visitors must park at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills and are shuttled to and from Halas Hall. Monster of the Midway aficionados are encouraged to venture around the Lake County mall to experience the lavish accommodations, dining and shopping options and more. Continue here to view the guide.
Upon entering the pigskin sanctuary, you can get a clear view of the giant Ursidae threshold in the distance as you enter the practice facility area.
Outside of the practice areas, Chicago Bears nation is in the air. Young and old can set up under center as QB1, bark your calls, drop back and train like an NFL hurler. Across the way, it's wideout land. Amateur receivers can dive for the quarterback pass after running their post slant route. Your partner in crime can grab video of your ESPN Top 10 moment for the diving TD snag.
Maybe Xs and Os aren't your forte, and you need strength and conditioning. Test your flex and cardio with training ropes from BEARS Fit.
You're also met with the storied history of the century-plus old establishment. Take a selfie with a life-sized bobblehead of Sweetness or the Maestro of Mayhem. Snap a gram of the helmets and legendary jerseys in the makeshift locker room. Finally, get a C painted on your face at the face painting booth of the Kid's Club.
The T-formation franchise also has a DJ on-site playing many bangers that slap, a concession stand serving delectable eats, refreshing drinks and libations and a gift shop.
Now for the main event. Halas Hall featuring your favorite players.
Halas Hall has been a fixture in Lake Forest since 1979. The complex was named after long-time owner and coach of the Bears, George Halas, and was located on Lake Forest College's south campus. Since 1997, the Bears have called this new location by the I-94 Tri-State home. They also have an indoor field space named after the late Hall of Fame tailback Water Payton Center. Inside this state-of-the-art facility showcases more NFL training exercises.
Two football fields are located right outside the main Halas Hall complex, while fields 3 and 4 hugs the train tracks on the east end of the grounds.
When you get into the stands, you see these massive men appear from the entrance. Clearly, it's a bit more challenging to remember who's number is who's with the transition of NFL jersey numbers as running backs, receivers and tight ends can now wear any digit from one-to-49. Defensive backs are also permitted to wear numbers one-to-49 and linebackers can wear any number between one and 59 and 90-to-99.
However, many of the stars have returned with their same numbers, i.e., Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (still #52), receiver Allen Robinson II (still #12), running back David Montgomery (still #32), defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (still #96) and linebacker Roquan Smith (still #58). One notable change is that pro bowl safety Eddie Jackson changed from #39 to #4.
Fans really get a vibe of the energy flowing and the hunger rising for the Vince Lombardi Trophy as they run through drills. Players and fans alike react wildly during big pass plays as if they were at Soldier Field. The players cheer each other on as if they're on an actual game's sideline as the camaraderie builds for the season.
You can't help but note the new kid on the block, Justin Fields, the organization's quarterback of the future, who was drafted at no. 8 in the 2021 NFL Draft. When Fields steps up under center, you the supportive slogans from the fan base as the peanut gallery murmurs about the Ohio State University standout.
Whether you're a football fan or not, the experience is like no other. There are three days left of training camp, but unfortunately, all tickets are spoken for 2021. Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Chicago Bears Training Camp will run Aug. 23-25 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Continue below to view our TikTok post, and get your tickets early for 2022's edition of Chicago Bears Training Camp at Halas Hall. Also, continue scrolling to see where you can watch the Monsters of the Midway in the land of lakes. Enjoy the 2022 NFL season, Lake County!
Northern Lake County Venues to Watch the Chicago Bears
Black Lung Brewing 2217 N. Illinois Route 83, Round Lake Beach
Bill’s Pub North 18945 W. Washington St., Third Lake
Chrissoula’s Restaurant 602 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
El Puerto Mexican Restaurant 200 N. Forest Ave., Fox Lake
Giordano’s Pizza Gurnee 7105 Grand Ave., Gurnee
Green Town Tavern 110 S. Genesee St., Waukegan
Green Town on the Rocks 175 N. Harbor Pl., Waukegan
Harbor Brewing Co. 811 Sheridan Rd., Winthrop Harbor
Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Biergarten at North Point Marina 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor
Light the Lamp Brewery 2 S. Lake St., Grayslake
The Lodge of Antioch 899 Main St., Antioch
Main Street Social 608 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
Mickey Finn’s Brewery 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
Only Child Brewing Company 130 Tri-State Prkwy., Suite 124, Gurnee
O’Toole’s of Libertyville 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
O’Toole’s Lake Villa 10 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa
Port of Blarney 27843 W. Grass Lake Rd., Antioch
Primo Italian American Cuisine 720 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee
Quonset Pizza 2602 Grand Ave., Waukegan
Route 41 Roadhouse 38902 N. U.S. Highway Route 41, Wadsworth
The Shanty Restaurant 38985 N. U.S. Highway 41, Wadsworth
Timothy O’Tooles’s Pub Gurnee 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee
The Vine Martini & Wine Bar 101 Center St., Grayslake
Zümbier Brewery 3232 W. Monroe St., Waukegan
Southern Lake County Venues to Watch the Chicago Bears
Bill's Pizza & Pub 624 S. Lake St., Mundelein
Bluegrass Restaurant 2636 Old Deerfield Rd., Highland Park
Bosacki’s Brewery 610 E. Hawley St., Mundelein
Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. 360 Historical Ln., Long Grove
Chessie’s Restaurant 200 Applebee St., Barrington
Claim Company 506 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
Copper Fiddle Distillery 532 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich
Disotto Italian Restaurant 310 Green Bay Rd., Highwood
Dover Strait Seafood House 89 E. U.S. Highway 45, Mundelein
Half Day Brewing Co. 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire
Kuma’s Corner 925 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Miramar Bistro 301 Waukegan Ave.
Maggiano’s Little Italy 307 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
Park Street Craft Kitchen and Bar 14 E. Park St., Mundelein
Ravinia Brewing Company 582 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park
Scotty’s on Sheridan 810 Sheridan Rd., Highwood
Scotty’s on 21 700 N. Milwaukee Ave. #132, Vernon Hills
Side Lot Brewery 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda
Slyce Coal Fired Pizza Co., Highwood 254 Green Bay Rd., Highwood
Slyce Coal Fired Pizza Co. Vernon Hills 913 Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Slyce Coal Fired Pizza Co. Wauconda 127 N. Main St., Wauconda
Tighthead Brewery 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein
The Village Tavern 135 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove
WhirlyBall 285 Center Dr., Vernon Hills
Wild Onion Brewery 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Barrington
Wright’s Brew & Bistro 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire
If you're looking to get your youngster started on the Chicago Bears path, continue here. To see a full list of eateries in the land of lakes where you can watch the Bears game, click here. If you have tickets, and are going to Halas Hall in Lake Forest this week, continue here.
