Things To Do This Weekend, May 7-9, 2021
By: Kelli Smith 05/06/2021
Stuff your bellies and scream at the top of your lungs this weekend in Lake County. With tasty eats at the Gurnee amusement park, Six Flags Great America, brews on Lake Michigan, specials at local shops and eateries and a trip to Lake County's most instagrammable spot, you'll be sure to have a weekend of pure excitement.
Here's this edition of the top five things to do this weekend in Lake County, May 7-9, 2021.
Fall in love at first bite this weekend at Six Flags Great America! The Gurnee amusement park is introducing their inaugural Taste of Six Flags Great America Food Festival. The foodie celebration offers delicious fare inspired by both the East and West Coasts, the Midwest, Texas, Jamaica and other international eats. For the adult thrill seekers ages 21 and older, taste the brews of Six Flags at their beer trailer. Work up your appetite and take a ride on any of the park’s 17 coasters. Reservations for park access must be made in advance online at SixFlags.com/GreatAmerica. The specialty food and beverage items at the food festival will require an additional punch card purchase, and each card comes with 12 credits. Limited reservations are available this weekend. The Great America fare fest runs on Saturdays and Saturdays through May 23.
Saturday-Sunday, May 8-9; Sat.: noon - 8 p.m., Sun.: noon - 7 p.m. Park Admission: $39.99 per person. One-day Parking: $25. Event Punch Card: $29.99 for 12 credits. Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Pkwy., Gurnee.
All aboard, train enthusiasts! This weekend the Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting their 20th annual Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America. Each G-scale model train will glide through tiny handcrafted trees, shrubs and plants. All 18 of the tiny-locomotives run over 26 bridges and coast through 50 American landmarks. Follow the miniature passenger railroad service, the Amtrak, through its journey past miniature windmills, viaducts, ponds, carnivals, cottages and more. Download and print the Model Railroad Garden Bingo online at ChicagoBotanicGarden.org and compete with friends and family in the search for four in a row on your game card. Take a break from the hunt and explore the beauty of the life size flowers at the Glencoe garden. Visit their other summer exhibition, Butterflies and Blooms, or take a ride on the Grand Tram for a tour of the 385-acre garden.
Friday-Sunday, May 7-9; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., weather permitting. Admission: $6-$8 per person. Free admission for children ages two and under. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.
MainStreet Libertyville invites one and all to their monthly celebration of First Fridays. The Lake County downtown area, free admission event is highlighted by various delectable drinks, mouth-watering eats, live entertainment and more while you peruse the Lake County local mom and pop shops offering promotional sales. Stop for a bite or refreshment at any of the many Lake County restaurant and Libation Trail partners like Cafe Pomigliano that offers a free glass of wine with dinner and half-priced appetizers until 6 p.m. To learn more about the participating shops, visit MainstreetLibertyville.org.
Friday, May 7; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Downtown Libertyville, Milwaukee Avenue.
The season of great music, lakefront views and Lake County brews is back! Green Town On The Rocks, located in Waukegan on Lake Michigan, is open for food, beverage service and enticing entertainment. This extension of Green Town Tavern, the Ray Bradbury-inspired, downtown Waukegan watering hole and eatery, sets up shop throughout the summer. Bask in the sights and beauty nestled between the City of Progress’s municipal beach and Harbor resting on Lake Michigan. Green Town on the Rocks is open on select days through late September.
Friday-Sunday, May 7-9. Fri: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m., Sat: 8 a.m. - 2 a.m., Sun: noon - 7 p.m. Green Town On The Rocks, 175 N S Harbor Pl., Waukegan.
Make the weekend unFOREgettable and visit the Naval Station Great Lakes’ Veterans Memorial Golf Course. Formerly known as the Willow Glen Golf Club, the picturesque 18-hole course with ponds, trees and streams provides a fun challenge for all. Practice your swing at their on-site driving range or with golf lessons by the course’s golf professional. Unwind and grab a bite at their clubhouse, Buckley’s Restaurant and Pub. To book a tee time, call 847-688-4593 extension 1 or download the Golf Now application at GolfNow.com.
Friday-Sunday, May 7-9; Fri.: 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat-Sun.: 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Admission: $20-30 per person. Veterans Memorial Golf Course, 2821 Great Lakes Dr., North Chicago.
To learn about the top 10 things to do this month, click here.
