As we inch closer to the holiday season, we take a look at the top things to do this weekend November 13-15.
Continue here to learn more about Lake County Libation Month/Check-in Challenge. Searching for local brews and bites? Click here to find breweries that serve all of the eats. Wet your whistle with wines created in Lake County. Continue here to find your vino of choice. See what's left of the Lake County autumn foliageand snap scenic gram while you're at it.
Drink and eat Lake County, experience holiday nostalgia, mosey the trails of the land of lakes and shop till you drop in this edition of weekend watch.
Here are your tippy-top five things to do things weekend November 13-15 in Lake County.
Let’s toast to the Lake County Libation Trail! “It’s five o’clock somewhere,” as suds aficionados, vino connoisseurs and spirit enthusiasts will be elated with these glasses of “liquid courage.” The Lake County Libation Trail is highlighted by 23 of the most delectable flavors from locally-sourced ingredients. Whether your adult beverage is an ice-cold frothy lager, a dry red merlot or an old-fashioned on the rocks, Lake County has precisely what you need to make your taste buds dance. The November Check-in Challenge runs throughout the month. When craft drinkers arrive at a participating location, they check in using their mobile pass to show they’re in attendance. If libation-ers check into three or more participants of the Lake County Libation Trail by November 30, they are entered into a sweepstakes to win prizes (this includes during curbside pickup and carryout). The grand prize is the “Libation Package” which includes an overnight stay for two with late checkout at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, a $50 food and beverage credit at Wright’s Brew & Bistro and a sample pack of Five Eyes Honey Ale, made with honey produced at the Lincolnshire resort and brewed by Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein. Text “CHEERS” to 224-706-1133 to start. For more information, head to visitlakecounty.org/libation-trail.
Sunday, November 13-15; Various Lake County breweries, distilleries and wineries.
“Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting tingling too. It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together” at Long Grove’s Vintage Holidays. Experience the charming village’s holiday cheer and nostalgic seasonal feels with a variety of specialty shops and eateries as you enjoy the weekend festivities, which include horse-drawn sleigh rides, carolers, holiday lights and a visit from Santa Claus. Old Kris Kringle will be available to take photos with the youngsters, however, his hours have not been posted yet. The holiday tradition begins this weekend and runs through December 20.
Saturday-Sunday, November 13-15; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission: Free. Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
With infection positivity rates from the novel coronavirus surpassing the 8% threshold for the third straight day, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health suspend indoor service at bars and restaurants in Lake County. However, you can still eat and support local via curbside pickup, carry out, picking up gift cards or braving the chill and eating outdoors. Support your local cuisine makers as they will still serve the high-class fare you know and love. Restaurants we know in love like 129 Center Cut in Grayslake, Jameson Charhouse in Vernon Hills, Route 41 Roadhouse in Wadsworth, Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Lake Villa, Lindy’s Landing in Wauconda, Miramar Bistro in Highwood, El Puerto Mexican Restaurant in Fox Lake, Zin Gastropub in Lake Zurich and much more are providing foodies with top-notch carryout and curbside pickup.
Friday-Sunday, November 13-15. Various locations in Lake County.
No matter the season, we enjoy the fruits of what Mother Nature gave us in Lake County: The tall trees, the winding trails, the serene bodies of waters, the creatures and critters and the picturesque plant life. Lake County provides outdoor escapes from the shelter in place with an up close and personal live-action Claude Monet portraits. LCFPD’s (Lake County Forest Preserve District) Hike Lake County Challenge (on foot only) runs through November 30, and you can earn some hiking swag as well as explore upcoming kaleidoscopic fall colors. The stars on a clear night are spectacular. You can experience a night hike as the LCFPD has solar lit trails through late March. Hey Lake County, take a hike (or bike).
Friday-Sunday, November 13-15; Various forest preserve locations. Lake County Forest Preserves District Headquarters, 1899 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville.
“Shop the Block” and support Highland Park businesses this holiday season and you could win a gift card to a southeastern Lake County city restaurant of your choice. Visit cityhpil.com for a week-by-week list of participating retailers, deadlines and instructions for submitting your receipts. The shopping challenge this weekend features ENAZ Boutique, Babydreams, Glamour Girlz Central, Adamantem, That Spice, The Jeweled Elephant, Twinkle Twinkle Little one and more. Besides the Shop the Block effort, the Lake Michigan bordering city is pushing their outdoor activities heavily this fall with a feel-good walking trivia tour of the town, the continuation of live music and the addition of fire pits and heaters in the shared al fresco dining space in the Ravinia District of Highland Park. For the alfresco area, guests are invited to BYO-Blankets.
Friday-Sunday, November 13-15; Various locations in Downtown Highland Park and the city’s Ravinia District.
For more things to do this weekend November 13-15, continue here.
