Discover Waukegan on Lake Michigan

Waukegan is located on the shore of Lake Michigan and combines lakeside experiences with nature and culture. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find opportunities here for a day at the beach, impressions of the landscape, and events or museums. When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home in Waukegan, the focus you want for your trip can therefore provide important guidance.

Sandy beach, dunes and plenty of opportunities by the water

Waukegan Municipal Beach offers open sandy shores, protected dunes and views of the lake. Depending on your plans for the day, you can swim, sunbathe or have a picnic there. Kiteboarding, sand soccer and beach volleyball are also among the activities mentioned. This allows you to experience your time on Lake Michigan in different ways: relaxing with a view of the water or more actively with a sport on the sand.

Municipal Beach can be reached by car, train, plane, bicycle or boat. These different ways of getting there give you flexibility when planning your trip, without requiring you to commit to a single form of transportation.

Prairie and woodland as a contrast to the lakeshore landscape

Waukegan’s natural character also includes the Lyons Prairie and Woods Nature Preserve. It is home to mesic, wet-mesic and wet prairie, dry-mesic upland forest, and dry-mesic savanna woodland as natural communities. These different landscapes create a distinct contrast to the open sandy beach and views of the lake. If you would like to experience nature beyond the water, the preserve offers another option to include in your travel plans.

Culture spanning theater, museums and local history

ArtWauk takes place on the third Saturday of every month. On that day, the downtown area becomes an outdoor gallery with pop-up exhibitions, live music and international cuisine. The event combines artistic impressions with different aspects of city life and can be a special consideration when choosing your travel dates.

The historic Genesee Theatre presents concerts, comedy and live performances. At the Waukegan History Museum at the Carnegie, you can see a permanent exhibition on Waukegan’s history from the last Ice Age through the 21st century. In addition, the Near North Historic District in Waukegan, Illinois, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. The cultural spectrum therefore ranges from individual events and local history to the historical classification of an entire district.

Choose your accommodation based on the experience you want

Waukegan is well suited to a trip that combines water, nature and culture. A vacation apartment or vacation home can serve as a base for your chosen focus—for example, days at Municipal Beach, exploring regional history, or visiting ArtWauk and a performance at the Genesee Theatre. Waukegan Harbor and Marina is also part of the local landscape. The marina has nearly 700 slips and comprehensive services for boaters.

If you would like to compare other destinations, you can also include Highland Park, Mundelein, Libertyville, Grayslake, Antioch, Lake Bluff, Lake Zurich and North Chicago in your selection.

For the broader travel overview: Lake.