Quality of Life

Waukegan is more than just the houses and businesses within its city limits. The community prides itself on the many services, attractions and cultural outlets it provides residents, including a public school system with unique programs tailored to our diverse population, a well-developed park district, a recreational harbor, and numerous local and regional attractions.

Area Attractions

Feel like taking in a live show? Want to take a charter fishing boat cruise? How about joining a new state-of-the-art gym, The Fieldhouse, in Hinkston Park? Or maybe you just want to walk along the shore of Lake Michigan. You can do all this and so much more in Waukegan!

Local attractions include:

• The Genesee Theatre recently underwent a $23 million renovation and now offers residents a multitude of live shows and performances. Recent performers have included Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Lee Ann Womack and Dora the Explorer – Live.

• The Waukegan Charter Boat Association offers world-class salmon and trout fishing along the western shores of Lake Michigan.

• The Waukegan Municipal Beach, featuring one mile of sand that is groomed daily along with some of the only remaining natural dunes in the area, is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Recreational activities include swimming (lifeguards patrol the designated swimming area), sunbathing, picnicking and sand volleyball. The Waukegan Municipal Band performs weekly concerts in the lakefront band shell during the Summer.

• The Bowen Park Opera and Bowen Park Theatre companies entertain crowds throughout the year with their performances.

For additional local and regional attractions, click HERE.

Waukegan has an ideal location, offering the benefits of a small community while larger metropolitan areas are only minutes away! Chicago, home of the Magnificent Mile, the Art Institute, renowned restaurants and theatres, numerous professional sports teams, Navy Pier, The Field Museum and much, much more is only 35 miles south of Waukegan. Drive down the shore of Lake Michigan or hop on the Metra train to spend a day in the City. Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, is a quick 60 miles north of Waukegan. Travel north to enjoy Summerfest, a yearly summer music festival, the Wisconsin State Fair, German Fest or take in a Brewers game!