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30 Best and Fun Things To Do In Vernon Hills, Illinois


TouristWire Editors

Vernon Hills, a charming suburb located about 40 miles from downtown Chicago, is a thriving tourist spot with an abundance of attractions for visitors to enjoy.

The neighborhood has recently undergone a huge revitalization, so there are plenty of new attractions to see and explore.

It’s also known for its views of Lake Michigan and charming neighborhood feel. Visitors will enjoy shopping at local boutiques, seeing a show at the local theater, or tucking into a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants.

If you’re looking for a fun place to bring the kids, then the nearby Deerpath Park is a great choice. The park has lots of playground equipment and there are plenty of walking trails to explore as well.

For those interested in history, visit the Mundelein Heritage Museum in the neighboring town of Mundelein to learn more about the early pioneers and see military memorabilia from the two World Wars.

There are also several parks nearby that are perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.

With so much to see and do in Vernon Hills, you’ll be hard-pressed to find time for it all!

Plan your trip using our list of recommendations below so you don’t miss out on any of its top attractions

The 30 Most Popular Things To Do In Vernon Hills, Illinois

30. Big Bear Lake

5.0 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

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Credit: Luke Haruki, Google Maps

Location: Big Bear Lake Vernon Hills IL

Web Address:   https://boatinglakecounty.com/directory/big-bear-lake

29. Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home

4.6 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Jimi Wexler, Google Maps

Location: 25200 N Street Marys Road Vernon Hills IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/stevenson-home/

28. Lake Potawatomi

4.2 ★★★★☆ (5 reviews)

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Credit: Oliver Crown, Google Maps

27. Old School Forest Preserve Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

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Credit: Nikki H, Google Maps

Location: Libertyville IL

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/assets/1/7/OldSchoolTrailMap.pdf

26. Heron Creek Playground

4.7 ★★★★★ (26 reviews)

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Credit: Mell A.I., Google Maps

Location: 22890 N Old McHenry Road Lake Zurich IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

25. Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

4.8 ★★★★★ (45 reviews)

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Credit: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, Google Maps

Location: 21850 Riverwoods Road Riverwoods IL

Tel:  224 633 2424

Web Address:   http://brushwoodcenter.org/

24. Lake Minear Beach

4.5 ★★★★★ (46 reviews)

Location: 600 W Oak Spring Road Libertyville IL

Tel:  847 680 8897

Web Address:   http://lakeminearbeach.com/

23. Almond Marsh Forest Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ (46 reviews)

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Credit: Laura Olson, Google Maps

Location: 32550 N Almond Road Grayslake IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/almond-marsh/

22. Diamond Lake Beach

4.4 ★★★★☆ (88 reviews)

Location: 1016 N Diamond Lake Road Mundelein IL

Tel:  847 566 5650

Web Address:   https://mundeleinparks.org/facilities-parks/diamond-lake-beach

21. Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ (95 reviews)

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Credit: Tom Tritz, Google Maps

Location: 11403 IL 22 Highland Park IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/prairie-wolf/

20. Spring Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (130 reviews)

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Credit: J M, Google Maps

Location: 49 Oxford Dr Lincolnshire IL

Tel:  847 883 8600

Web Address:   https://lincolnshireil.gov/residents/parks-and-paths/lincolnshire-parks/spring-lake-park

19. Pine Meadow Golf Club

4.1 ★★★★☆ (133 reviews)

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Credit: Pine Meadow Golf Club, Google Maps

Location: 1 Pine Meadow Ln Mundelein IL

Tel:  847 566 4653

Web Address:   http://pinemeadowgc.com/

18. Kemper Lakes Golf Club

4.6 ★★★★★ (179 reviews)

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Credit: MARIO ESTUARDO GONZALEZ FUENTES, Google Maps

Location: 24000 N Old McHenry Road Kildeer IL

Tel:  847 320 3450

Web Address:   http://kemperlakesgolf.com/

17. Independence Grove Dog Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (305 reviews)

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Credit: Benji’s Mom, Google Maps

Location: 31531 N Milwaukee Ave Libertyville IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/dog-parks

16. Heron Creek Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (307 reviews)

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Credit: Luke C, Google Maps

Location: 22890 N Old McHenry Road Lake Zurich IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/heron-creek/

15. Potawatomi Woods

4.6 ★★★★★ (407 reviews)

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Credit: Sunil Pawar, Google Maps

Location: Northbrook IL

Tel:  800 870 3666

Web Address:   https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/potawatomi-woods/

14. Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ (444 reviews)

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Credit: Irene Loos, Google Maps

Location: 21950 Riverwoods Road Riverwoods IL

Tel:  847 968 3320

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/ryerson

13. Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (531 reviews)

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Credit: Adrian Gonsalves, Google Maps

Location: 18163 Checker Road Long Grove IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/buffalo-creek/

12. Half Day Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (537 reviews)

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Credit: 陳家傑, Google Maps

Location: 24255 IL 21 Vernon Hills IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/half-day/

11. Lambs Farm

4.5 ★★★★★ (743 reviews)

Location: 14245 W Rockland Road Libertyville IL

Tel:  847 362 4636

Web Address:   http://lambsfarm.org/

10. Par-King Skill Golf

4.4 ★★★★☆ (835 reviews)

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Credit: Par-King Skill Golf, Google Maps

Location: 21711 N Milwaukee Ave Lincolnshire IL

Tel:  847 634 0333

Web Address:   http://par-king.com/

Our Top picks

9. Lake Charles Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (57 reviews)

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Credit: Tina Fries, Google Maps

Location: 11 Greggs Pkwy Vernon Hills IL

Tel:  847 996 6800

Web Address:   https://vhparkdistrict.org/parks/lake-charles/

8. Vernon Hills Memorial Arbortheater

4.8 ★★★★★ (112 reviews)

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Credit: Vernon Hills Memorial Arbortheater, Google Maps

Location: 50 Memorial Dr Vernon Hills IL

Tel:  847 367 3700

Web Address:   http://vernonhills.org/facilities/facility/details/Arbortherter-39

7. Middlefork Savanna Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (213 reviews)

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Credit: Tom Tritz, Google Maps

Location: 1401 Middlefork Dr Lake Forest IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/middlefork-savanna/

6. Deerpath Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (399 reviews)

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Credit: Bfoz 55, Google Maps

Location: 299 Onwentsia Road Vernon Hills IL

Web Address:   https://vhparkdistrict.org/parks/deerpath/

5. Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (429 reviews)

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Credit: Pete Fussle, Google Maps

Location: 24830 N Street Marys Road Mettawa IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/wright-woods/

4. Didier Farms

4.4 ★★★★☆ (505 reviews)

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Credit: Richard Guerra, Google Maps

Location: 16678 Aptakisic Road Lincolnshire IL

Tel:  847 634 3291

Web Address:   http://didierfarms.com/

3. Old School Forest Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ (580 reviews)

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Credit: Rick Gellert, Google Maps

Location: 28285 N Street Marys Road Libertyville IL

Tel:  847 367 6640

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/old-school/

2. Century Park Arboretum

4.7 ★★★★★ (786 reviews)

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Credit: SPLONKA, Google Maps

Location: 1002 Lakeview Pkwy Vernon Hills IL

Tel:  847 996 6800

Web Address:   http://vhparkdistrict.org/parks/century/

1. Independence Grove Forest Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ (2,753 reviews)

Location: 16400 W Buckley Road Libertyville IL

Tel:  847 968 3499

Web Address:   http://lcfpd.org/ig/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Vernon Hills, Illinois! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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