This city is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. Waukegan, IL to Waukegan is one of the oldest communities in Illinois. The Potawatomi Indians once owned this land. It was first visited in 1673, from that point it became a French trading post, known as Little Fort. The name was changed to Waukegan as the settlement became larger. The people no longer felt the word little properly described their community and renamed it Waukegan, from the Potawatomi word meaning fort or trading post. Waukegan became a certified city in 1859. Unfortunately, there are not many sites to visit that exhibit the city’s original Indian culture.


This city does offer a great deal to see just the same. Not only was it the filming location of such movies as Groundhog Day, The Ice Harvest, and Batman Begins, it is also filled with museums and parks. Waukegan Harbor provides a relaxing environment for the whole family. If you are just looking for a peaceful place to sit and watch the sailboats go by this is a great place to go. You can also take the day to lay out in the sun and suntan or go fishing. On a clear day you can sit on the Waukegan Harbor and view the Chicago skyline in the distance.

The harbor in Waukegan, IL is home to the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, as well. The museum first opened in 1987 under the name of the USS Silversides and Maritime Museum. It got this name due to the fact it featured the World War II Naval Vessel, USS Silversides. This ship was initially commissioned in 1941, eight days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This vessel was used to sink 30 ships and damaged an additional 14. When Waukegan, IL to Waukegan acquired its second naval vessel, now located in its harbor, its name was change to the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum. The second ship to be brought to Waukegan and restored to its original condition was the USCGC McLane, which was first commissioned in 1927 to enforce prohibition laws. During the Second World War this ship was sank and it was later recovered from its underwater resting place in 1969. This museum also features displays portraying our U.S. Naval history and provides tours of the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

Inland you will find the Waukegan Park District. This 720-acre area includes most of the other attractions available in Waukegan, IL to Waukegan. This park district includes 46 neighborhood and community parks. A number of these parks have softball and baseball fields, basketball courts, soccer fields and tennis courts. The majority of the parks include playground equipment for the children and picnic shelters. Within the Waukegan Park District you will also find the Bowen Park Theatre. A part of this theatre is the Jack Benny center, which provides courses in professional music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. The Bowen Heritage Circle also provides educational, historical and craft programs. The Haines House Museum Historical Society also located in Bowen Park. It is a historic farmhouse built in 1843 and was once home to Chicago Mayor, John C. Haines.


The Genesee Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Waukegan, IL to Waukegan. In recent years the theatre has featured such artists as Ringo Starr, Jewel, and Led Zepplin. When this vaudeville theatre originally opened in the 1930’s it encompassed 44 apartments as well as 11 retail store spaces. If shopping is what you are looking for though you’ll want to visit Gurnee Mills. This shopping center is a huge mall offering over 200 stores to choose from. With so much to choose from you will be able to find something to entertain anyone in your family.