Things To Do This Weekend May 14-16, 2021
By: Kelli Smith 05/13/2021
Get ready for a delicious weekend in Lake County! Friday marks the beginning of the 2021 Lake County Restaurant Week: 10 Days to Savor. Visit any of our 65 partnering restaurants, appreciate exquisite cuisine and check in to win foodie prizes and an overnight stay at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.
To learn more about 2021 Lake County Restaurant Week, click here.
Between savory meals, cruise to the Volo Auto Museum, party on Blarney Island, soothe your sweet tooth and admire the beauty of local art in Waukegan in this weekend's edition of the top 5 things to do in Lake County, May 14-16, 2021.
Savor for ten days as Lake County Restaurant Week kicks off this week. The delectable foodie event is the perfect opportunity to explore new places to dine or enjoy old favorites. Each participating restaurant will be offering either a pre-fixe menu or an exclusive restaurant week dining offer. This 10-day event features 65 land of lakes restaurants. The fare holiday only happens once a year, so make your reservations early. Visit Lake County, the area’s convention and visitors bureau, shifted the festivities to mid-spring to allow for more expansive outdoor dining, vaccination-driven confidence, and fully-serviced operations that were more available for diners to enjoy with greater freedom and incentives. Unique cuisine lovers have the opportunity to win various prizes, while supporting Lake County local restaurants. Text "SAVOR" to 224-706-1133 to check-in at three or more participating dining locations, and enter to win an overnight stay at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort which includes a golf package at Crane's Landing Golf Course. Besides the Lincolnshire resort’s package, restaurant visitors have a chance to win gift cards to select Lake County restaurants While devouring the delectable fare across the county this weekend, share your experience on social media using #LakeCountyRW. Lake County Restaurant Week: Ten Days to Savor runs through Sunday, May 23.
Friday-Sunday, May 14-16; Hours vary at each location. Lake County area.
Start your engines and cruise over to Volo Auto Museum. Gaze at the 33 unique exhibits including “TV & Movie Cars,” “Antiques Outboard Motors,” “Military Exhibit” and more. Be the first in Lake County to go back in time at the opening of their newest exhibit, “Jurassic Gardens.” Your youngsters can marvel at the size and sound of each larger than life dinosaur and become a paleontologist in training while discovering millions of fossilized prehistoric skeletons at the Dino-Dig. Race to the big wheels and hop in the “Boogie Monster” for an elevated ride at the Volo Monster Truck Exhibit. On the auto museum’s campus stands Volo Antique Mall. Shopping fanatics can peruse and discover the vintage pieces including formal furniture, collectibles, retro items and other various decor and memorabilia. Due to COVID-19, train tours, all food and Show Biz Pizza will be closed for the season. Active military personnel in uniform and children ages five and under receive free admission.
Friday-Sunday, May 14-16; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Admission: $13-$20 per person. Admission into Jurassic Park: $16 per person. Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Rd., Volo.
Set your watch to island time at Blarney Island’s opening weekend in Antioch. This premiere summer party spot is located a mile offshore on the Chain O’Lakes. The boating bar is packed with live music, adult beverages, entertainment, boat drag races on Thursday evenings and fun each weekend. On Saturday, drink by the lake with vacation vibes from local ‘90s hybrid band, Shytown, and Antioch-grown rock collective Boy’s N’Toy’s. Sunday’s live entertainment features acoustic rock, pop and country act, Judson Brown Band. Take a trip a mile away from reality for a family friendly, spring break destination by day, and a nightclub by dusk. If you don’t have a boat, parties can take the shuttle service setting sail from Port of Blarney for a $10 roundtrip.
Saturday-Sunday, May 15-16; noon - midnight. Shuttle admission: $10 per person. Port of Blarney/Blarney Island, 27843 W. Grass Lake Rd., Antioch.
Chocolate is always the answer, no matter what the question is. Visit Historic Downtown Long Grove at the For The Love of Chocolate: Long Grove’s Bite-Size Celebration. Due to COVID-19, the southern Lake County village has tapered its usual celebration of the Long Grove Chocolate Festival. The tasty weekend is filled with demonstrations, classes, presentations, experiences, vendors and more. Learn about the history of chocolate and how it is made, while sampling on a plethora of bite-sized treats from various local shops in Long Grove. Attend an immersive demonstration or gaze at the chocolatiers while they sculpt the sweet treats into unique creations. The cocoa bean-inspired fest is also highlighted by distinctive presentations like “Chocolate For Your Soul” yoga, libation mixology featuring the confection, using the dessert for cosmetology and a ton of other unique demonstrations. The chocolate party features live acts including golden oldie performer Tony Ocean on Friday, eight performances on Saturday with headliner swing singer John Ludy Puleo and the Grant Milliren Duo and seven Sunday shows highlighted by main event, country band Hello Dave. The celebration runs through Sunday, May 16..
Friday-Sunday, May 14-16; Fri.: 5-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Admission: $20-$45. Chocolate Expo Sessions: $15 per demonstration. Historic Downtown Long Grove, various locations, Long Grove.
This week's Art Wauk featured artist Tim Flynn setting up for this weekend's show at the Harbor Gallery hope you can make it.
Posted by Waukegan Harbor on Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Admire the beauty of local art in downtown Waukegan at the May ArtWauk event. Painters, sculptors, muralists, photographers, jewelers, engravers and other creators will feature their unique pieces. The art on display is concocted by locals and designers outside of the land of lakes. Many Waukegan galleries and establishments will feature a series of different exhibits. May’s featured artist is Tim Flynn, a Chicago native and current resident of Waukegan. His designs are showcased at the Harbor Gallery and range from sculpture work, object work and acrylic painting. Flynn has a personal relationship with objects and creates many of his pieces with found treasurers. Stop for a drink at the Lake County Libation Trail partners Nightshade and Dark Pandemonium Brewing and Oppidan Spirits will serve delectable drinks for adults ages 21 and older. While running alongside Lake County Restaurant Week, visit the participating eateries in the City of Progress like Win Win Restaurant & Bar and Green Town Tavern. Take in everything Waukegan Main Street has to offer with free admission and full access to a variety of galleries, eateries, shops and more.
Saturday, May 15; 5-9 p.m., Free admission. Waukegan Arts & Entertainment District Downtown Waukegan, Genesee Street, Waukegan.
If you want to spice up the 'gram with picture-perfect food, click here to learn about the most Instagrammable foods in Lake County.
