Before you create your seventh-month schedule, scour the top 10 things to do in July.
July is the summer’s warmest month. Find your adventure this summer at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago, a community festival, one of the serene bodies of water Lake County offers and more.
This summer, don’t just take a road trip, Let the Ride Take You to the beauty, history, nature and discovery of the land of lakes. Click here to learn more about Lake County Road Trips, and continue here to view more information about
Scroll down to see Lake County’s top 10 things to do in July.
Lake County Road Trips showcases five different experiences via car, bike or hoofing to create an adventure on Illinois arterial highways Illinois Route 21, U.S. Route 45, Illinois Route 83, Illinois Route 41 and U.S. Route 12. Take in the scenery on a new road and see where it leads. The places you’ll discover will leave lasting memories you’ll want to experience again. But first, choose your ride. A car ride on a summer's day. A bike on a fragrant forest path. Kayaking on a serene river. Boating, then docking at a lakeside restaurant. Or, strolling down a quaint, boutique-lined main street. This summer, don't just take a road trip. Let the Ride Take You to the beauty, history, nature and discovery of Lake County, Illinois.
Pardon our French, but the summer festival season in LakeCounty is lit AF (of course, we’re talking about atrial fibrillation) because these box socials can make your heart get jumpy. The sun is out; the streets are vibrant with live Spotify sounds; the foodies are exploring their palate with enchanting eats and drinks, the thrill-seekers are craving carnival rides and so much more. Let's take a look at the July Festivals.
Ravinia Festival in Highland Park (Select days starting July 1) INFO»
Fox Lake Bloody Mary Trail Fest (Select Days July 1-August 1) INFO»
Ravinia is a staple of Lake County. Since 1905, the Highland Park fest has featured the top musicians in various genres, making it the oldest outdoor festival in U.S. history. As the COVID-19 crisis halted the land of lakes summer marquee music festival last year, the Highland Park mainstay makes its triumphant return in 2021. Here are a few of the July performers. Click the button below to learn about the full July schedule and beyond.
“Hurrah for the flag of the free. May it wave as our standard forever,” (cue the wicked piccolo solo). You’ll be humming everyone’s favorite Sousa “smash single,” (Stars & Stripes Forever) as you scour through our 2021 guide to the Fourth of July in Lake County. We all live for that moment when we look to the sky and anxiously await our favorite brand of boom and color spatter from a 4th of July Lake County fireworks show. Celebrate the ol' U.S. of A, land of lakes-style.
Even if you don’t own a DeLorean, you can take a trip back to the past to experience the 16th-century English Elizabethan era just over the Wisconsin border. The renowned Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha features sword fighters, maidens, minstrels and jesters. There are many photo opportunities for having the chance to meet and greet with legendary celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth and Robin Hood. The Faire also offers games, rides, arts and crafts, eats, live music and one-of-a-kind encounters with a spectacular cast of characters. Bristol, like many of the other festivities, makes its most triumphant return after a 2020 hiatus.
Great news for the thrill-seekers, young and old, Six Flags Great America has reopened its doors. The Gurnee theme park is home to 17 coasters with three of the rides making history in the “Guinness Book of World Records.” Glide down the globe’s longest wooden coaster drop, Goliath, blast through park with Maxx Force’s record-breaking launch, sprinting from 0-78 mph in under two seconds, take a spin on the world’s largest looping ride, Mardi Gras Hangover. Later this season, joining the ranks at Hurricane Harbor Chicago is Tsunami Surge, the soon-to-be world’s tallest water coaster. Take a dip in the drink, 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 and so much more. Have a splashing good time this Memorial Day weekend. This summer, the Six Flags theme park will reveal its water coaster to the park called Tsunami Surge. Hurricane Harbor Chicago is open through Labor Day.
The land of lakes is home to over 200 lakes and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, which means the beaches are in abundance. Searching for an adventure in one of the Great Lakes? Illinois Beach State Park in Zion or Waukegan Municipal Beach is your destination. Taking your little guppies for a more youngster-friendly environment? Lake Zurich’s Paulus Park Beach has lifeguards and a water playground. Take a dip and cool yourself off this summer along one of Lake County’s relaxing shores. So kick back and relax, and remember, life’s a beach!
"I want to ride my bicycle, races are coming your way." - Queen. The Lake County village hosts a new event this year called the Mundelein Grand Prix. This pedal to the metal event is a professional and amateur bike race. The Mundelein race are a piece of the nationally-renowned Intelligentsia Cup race series that runs from July 19-25. Cyclists compete on a short circuit racecourse in downtown Mundelein featuring tight turns and fast straightaways. The Grand Prix is also highlighted by a pop up beer garden, kiddie games, a Mundelein Park District-hosted community ride, live tunes, artsy activities and more. Stay tuned for more details regarding the Mundelein Grand Prix.
Do you wake up nights in a cold sweat after a nightmare with the aroma of funnel cakes? That’s either a serious medical condition or you have withdrawal from the Lake County Fair. Your wait is over as the Grayslake, nearly century-old fest comes back. Although a little scaled back due to COVID-19, your favorite elements are still attainable, like livestock, a carnival, live music, outrageously delectable fare. Stay tuned to the website to see what additional components they add to the annual county fair. Prior to the land of lakes festivities, the fairgrounds a drive-in Cabin Fever Laser Light Show. The zaps are choreographed with cutting-edge effects, high-powered lasers and dual large-screen projection. We're returning to normalcy and this sci-fi show will blast your socks off from July 22-25. Continue here to learn more.
In our area, Lake County has 46 scenic courses with pristine wall-to-wall fairways. With the beauty, complexity and elaborate terrain, Golf Courses in Lake County have hosted some of the most extraordinary talents in the PGA and LPGA. From big kid links like Veterans Memorial Golf Course at Naval Station Great Lakes, Bonnie Brook Golf Course in Waukegan to mini putts with young-at-heart adults at Par-King Skill Golf in Lincolnshire and Kristof's Entertainment Center, Lake County is a fantastic place to tee off.
For more tippy-top things to do in July, continue here. Click here to learn more about Lake County Road Trips.
