Guide to the Village of Long Grove
By: Jonathan Jones 12/07/2016
The Village of Long Grove is famous for its charm. This is your guide to Guide to
Long Grove.
The distinguished town specializes in district stores and boutiques, exceptional art and home décor, antiques and scrumptious dining options. The businesses, office, shops and restaurants are housed in historic structures connected by cobble stone walks lined with seasonal lush gardens.
This town has a mixture of suburb and country-town atmosphere. The Lake County town was founded in the early 1800’s by German farmers who came to town to buy their supplies and have their horses shod. In 1956, Long Grove became an incorporated village and runs by the credo ‘the town flourishing with yesterday’s charm in the lifestyle of today.’
Some of its famous residents include James Wolf (folk singer and civil rights icon), Daryl Hannah (actress in movies such as Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2, Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Man, Steel Magnolias, Wall Street, Splash and Blade Runner) and former Chicago Bear Probowler and current New York Giants Kicker Robbie Gould.
They have a slew of festivities and annual events to add to their boutique shops. Here’s your guide to Long Grove – ‘a distinctive getaway close to home.
Historic Downtown Long Grove
Nestled in historic homes and buildings that date back to the community's roots in the 1800's, Long Grove's shops specialize in unique gifts, boutiques, antiques, clothing, exceptional art and home décor, and distinctive menus. Visitors can stroll down the cobblestone walkways that wind through the historic downtown and enjoy seasonal lush gardens and scenic views. And they can make it a quick trip or a day's outing, shopping and indulging their tastes with a variety of food and bakery products, cafés, and fine eating establishments. Fun and festivals throughout the year including the famous Chocolate Fest, Summer Fest, Craft Beer Days, Apple Fest and a month of Holiday Festivities to name a few.
Here are the shops and restaurants located in Historic Long Grove
Historic Long Grove Restaurants
Historic Long Grove Shops
Continue here to find more shops
Long Grove Shops and Restaurants
The Olive Tap 240 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove
Step into a world of gourmet decadence and taste the unique flavors of fresh extra virgin olive oils, flavor infused and agrumato olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars of Modena. With over 50 oils and vinegars ‘on tap,’ their knowledgeable staff guides visitors through proper tasting techniques, evaluation of taste preferences and various cooking and usage applications. The Long Grove shop’s oils are sourced from impeccably credentialed, award-winning producers worldwide. Their extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) are tested to meet or exceed U.S. and International Standards.
Sourced from the province of Modena, Italy, their aged-Balsamic Vinegars are certified and produced by the most respected artisans in the industry. The Olive Tap’s gourmet products go well beyond oils and vinegars and include locally-sourced artisan products, unique and flavorful gift baskets, bread dipping seasonings and accessories, gourmet olives, tapenades and spreads, artisan pastas and sauces, culinary sauces, marinades, jams and mustards, sea salts, peppercorns, spices and seasonings, and more! The Olive Tap is the essential destination for "foodies" and recreational cooks. Stop in today to Taste the Quality and Experience the Difference!
The Village Tavern 135 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove
As the oldest restaurant/drinking holes in the state of Illinois (and probably in the top 10 oldest in the US), Village Tavern has been in continuous operation since 1849. This family-owned restaurant, in classic road house style, has been a favorite 'watering hole' for generations. A spacious dining room and antique bar area preserve the establishment's rustic authenticity. Especially popular is the massive 35-foot mahogany bar, which survived Chicago's 'Great McCormick Place Fire' in the 1960's. The warm and friendly 'pub' atmosphere of this classic restaurant attracts locals and tourists alike. There is live entertainment six nights a week. The 19th century eatery is known for their great steaks, ½ lb. Angus beef hamburgers, hearty sandwiches and fish fry. The Village Tavern has both a lunch menu and dinner menu.
Valentino Vineyards 5175 Aptakisic Rd., Long Grove
You don't have to take a trip to California to see a beautiful vineyard. Taste award-winning vino; tour the vineyard, group and private events with food and wine, weddings, corporate events and more. Valentino produces over 20 different styles of wine. The number 20 is wild as that number of grape varieties are grown from 6000 vines at the 20-acre estate vineyard. All the wines are barrel aged in the highest quality French and American oak barrels. Valentino’s wines are low in sulfites and estate grown, produced and bottled. Wine purchases are available year-round (please call January through March).
Cool things to see
Long Grove Confectionery Co
This is the old factory where chocolate goodness is created. The factory location is now in Buffalo Grove.
Long Grove Bridge
This historic metal truss bridge is set up on the west end of Robert Parker Coffin Road over Buffalo Creek. It was originally built in 1906.
Festivals
Long Grove Irish Days Early September
Ready to celebrate the Long Grove's Irish Days, American style? Long Grove Irish Days has arrived in Long Grove. Join Long Grove as they celebrate heritage by enjoying authentic Irish cuisine, traditional Irish brews, live entertainment that features musicians and dancers, a best dressed dog competition, kiddie fun-tivities and more.
Long Grove Apple Fest Late September
At this time of year, no one can resist the succulent apples from Long Grove. The entire weekend you and the family will enjoy Long Grove’s Fall Annual Apple Festival for live entertainment, music, shopping, fine dining and so much more. For the youngsters, the Long Grove fest offers pony rides, kiddie rides and face painting. Scour the charming and historic village and stock up on apple-inspired treats
Long Grove Chocolate Fest Late May
Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate. The annual Long Grove Chocolate Festival kicks off this weekend as we celebrate the slow change to spring. Be in a chocolate lover’s paradise as Long Grove Confectionery will be in attendance as well as many vendors, live entertainment and of course your chocolatey vices. Fan-Favorite bands like 7th Heaven and American English have performed throughout the weekend on their stage in the past.
Long Grove Strawberry Fest Late June
Experiencing summer in Historic Downtown Long Grove is always a treat. The festival formerly called Long Grove Strawberry Fest then Long Grove’s Summer Fest and now it’s back to Strawberry Fest. However there’s no skimp on the strawberries. This three-day event is a ‘berry-wonderful’ celebration that offers everything from chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry martinis and desserts. The festival features live music all day on three different stages, great food, unique shopping and kid-tivities all weekend long.
Holidays in Historic Long Grove Late November-Mid December
Charming, historic downtown Long Grove is the destination for the holiday season. Visitors will enjoy a variety of family fun beginning Thanksgiving weekend through December 18. Weekends from 1pm-4pm enjoy caroling, Santa strolling around for photo ops and more! On Saturdays and Sundays enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides from 1pm-6pm. Spend $150 (before taxes) and bring the receipts to the Visitor's Center for a free gift, while supplies last
Long Grove Vintage Days Late August
There’s nothing like a day of nostalgia. Long Grove’s Vintage Days has that neatly wrapped in a bow as they will feature antique, reclaimed, re-purposed, upcycled and handmade products for attendees. The festival also includes live entertainment, elegant eats, tasty treats and delicious drinks. Also peruse the local shops and restaurants in Historic Downtown Long Grove. The event also offers hayrides, an ice cream social, pie eating, penny carnival – run by kids, for kids and so much more
Long Grove Octoberfest Late September
A weekend of authentic German eats, Oktoberfest, live entertainment, an antique tractor show and car show.
Continue here for more information about Long Grove Historic Village.
