THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Highland Park, IL
Places to Visit in Highland Park
Tours near Highland Park
Book these experiences to see what the area has to offer.
Architecture Toursfromper adult₹4,209
Architecture Toursfromper adult₹4,639
City Toursfromper adult₹3,780
Architecture Toursfromper adult₹2,406
Halloweenfromper adult₹3,007
Architecture Toursfromper adult₹3,179
Adventure Toursfromper adult₹3,780
Food & Drinkfromper adult₹7,301
Architecture Toursfromper adult₹3,780
Attractions & Museumsfromper adult₹2,401
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Other Top Attractions around Highland Park
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Kat A56 contributionsBeautiful beach. Expensive for parking unless you live in neighborhood. Lthis is lake Michigan. Very cleanWritten 28 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ImmerWandernPalos Park, IL11,705 contributionsI have been visiting Ravinia every few years for at least 3 decades and I still endorse Ravinia as a great venue to enjoy good music in a park setting.
Founded in August 1904, Ravinia is one of the oldest music festivals in North America playing host to over 100 events each annually and to 400,000 guests. This is a sprawling complex. The vast majority of performances take place at the Pavilion, a few are held at the smaller Martin Theatre just past the main entrance as well as the Bennett Gordon Hall to the south and the small Carousel Stage on the north side.
Yes, Ravinia isn’t cheap depending on your choice of seating and event, nor is Ravinia easily accessible with the parking being such a bear and costing an additional $10-25 over of the admission ticket. The fact that parking for “classical music” is $10 and $25 for non-classical speaks volumes as to relative popularity of the two broad categories of music. I can attest to the greater attraction that pop music has. Both parking and finding a prime spot on the lawn is much less problematic with classical music performances, even if it is the world-class Chicago Symphony Orchestra onstage.
The frustrations noted by other reviewers are well-founded. I have never taken the train to and from the city, always choosing to drive or ride with someone else. I have done my share of remote parking and using the shuttle and have vowed never to do that again. It does take planning ahead and devoting essentially half a day to visiting Ravinia. The parking opens one hour before the gates open and you have to decide if showing up that early is worth it. It is for me if only to avoid having to use the shuttle. There is also less walking to the gate with all the food, chairs and assorted paraphernalia for the picnic. Early arrivals get to pick shady spots near the pavilion.
The basic admission is “General Admission Lawn”There is the option of purchasing a reserved lawn spot with guaranteed space for a specified number of people. The Pavilion ticket guarantees you seats in the Pavilion but not lawn space.
We have mostly just enjoyed the music from our picnic spots on the lawn. The music is played over speakers mounted up in the trees or on posts out in the middle of the large lawns. The times we have sat in the Pavilion we enjoyed 2+ hours picnicking on the lawn beforehand.
The gates open officially 2 - 2.5 hours the performance but the Donors Gate opens 30 minutes before that and the rest.
There are several dining options at Ravinia but we have always brought our own food and beverages.Written 5 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - illinois travelere1,565 contributionsHeller Honey is now on sale! Purchase your honey at the Center, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The cost is $11 a jar. There are also honey sticks for 25 cents each or 5 for $1.
Heller bees gather nectar from local plants, including bee balm, linden, acacia, honeysuckle and other fragrant blossoms. There is research which supports the theory that local honey-- obtained as close as possible to where you live--may help build an immunity to some seasonal allergies. There are other health benefits as well. Plus this stuff is very flavourful.
Whilst you are there, be sure to walk some or all of the three miles of trails, including the Story Trail.
See my earlier reviews (June 15, 2014; October 27, 2018; and May 27, 2020) for more details.Written 21 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Brian AChicago12 contributionsLike butter off a hot muffin indeed! The coachie is one of the great secret travel destinations in America. It is part refuge, part New Year’s Eve party, part dive into the depths of America. You can learn, laugh, love, and connect. It’s a shame the coachie is not open to the general public because you’re lucky enough to experience it, it can be life-changing.Written 22 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- illinois travelere1,565 contributionsCurrently entrance is considered trespassing and potentially dangerous. Suspected explosives were discovered in April and the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, the public is forbidden to enter. Just call it "Closedlands Lakeshore Preserve".Written 27 August 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- iTraveltheworld195Highland Park, IL1,110 contributionsDon't know who added this listing but not really an attraction and should be listed as a restaurant/bar.
Came in on a Sunday night to take advantage of the Lake County Restaurant Week special. We had never been here before, though we have tasted their beers, and were excited to give it a try.
First we ordered a flight of beers which I think was a good start. It gave a good lay of the beerland. To my surprise I liked the lager that had really nice coffee notes.
The deal was choice of appetizer, two tacos and dessert for $18. We had the burrito bites appetizer which was good and I really liked the two salsas they served with them. A red spicy one and a green cilantro one. We though dessert was going to be tres leches cake but they sold out. We had cheesecake instead. Only average but when paired with the lager it really was a mouth explosion! Love a good pairing. Who would have thought cheesecake and beer? But it worked!
Atmosphere is super casual and more down and dirty bar than I would have expected but still a good vibe. Lots of TVs around but the place is pretty small. Hope this works out for them and they are around a while!Written 5 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - illinois travelere1,565 contributionsCom Ed and the Chicago Botanic Gardens have partnered to preserve and plant in this utility corridor. On a recent August early-morning visit we saw prairie grasses, cat tails, thistles, daisies, purple clover, black-eyed susans, Queen Anne's lace, goldenrod (yes, early -- I know), grape vines, and some unidentified pink, purple and yellow wildflowers.
I mentioned the dive-bombing mother birds in an earlier review. The path north from Clavey Road is now posted with a warning of aggressive red-wing blackbird behavior.Written 9 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - illinois travelere1,565 contributionsOnce again Prairie Wolf has been selected to represent the Lake County Forest Preserves in its annual challenge, Hike Lake County.
I suspect it was chosen because it is like a microcosm of the entire system -- featuring water, prairie, wetlands, woodlands; wildflowers; as well as birds, frogs, turtles, and other animals -- in one very easy visit. The signage is good; the parking adequate.
See my earlier reviews for more details: May 2020; October 2019; September 2018; and May 2016.Written 12 August 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TravelingMamaGlvGlenview, IL297 contributionsOnce I navigated the construction in the parking lot, I was treated to color coded trails on a former golf course complete with prairie, ponds and woods. I walked over an hour and encountered only 5 other people. Look forward to returning post construction.Written 10 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dalepinkertHighland Park, IL5 contributionsA large selection of books, tapes and dvds. Wonderful service from thoughtful and capable librarians. I have several friends from different suburbs who travel, sometimes a distance, to Highland Park because of the resources and personnel. Attractive space as well. Sizeable selection.Written 7 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- illinois travelere1,565 contributionsYou can drive north on Trail Way as far as Danny Cuniff Field and park there. The road is closed to traffic beyond the tennis courts.
Continue on foot. If you follow the paved walk into Sleepy Hollow, you will have a 3-mile-plus walk or jog.
It was easy to maintain social distance today. I passed one picnicking/fishing family; a buggy pusher; two runners; several cyclists; and two dog walkers -- all of whom shared the space appropriately.
This is the former Centennial Park, which was renamed for a young Highland Park resident who died of leukemia at the age of seven. It is a wonderful memorial to a little boy who loved sports.
See my May 27, 2016 review for more park details.Written 7 May 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Daniel AHighland Park, IL6 contributionsA great local place to see the lake Michigan. It's a great walk from downtown Highland Park. We really enjoyed the walk and the view.Written 22 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
