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Waukegan is the seat of Lake County, Illinois, a lakefront city of about 89,000 people roughly 40 miles north of Chicago. Founded on a bluff above Lake Michigan, it grew into an industrial port and is famous as the hometown of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, who based the Green Town of his stories on it, and of comedian Jack Benny.
Downtown's showpiece is the Genesee Theatre, a restored 1927 movie palace that hosts concerts and comedy, with a statue of Jack Benny nearby. Bowen Park, set in a wooded ravine, holds the Haines House Museum of the Waukegan Historical Society, while Ray Bradbury Park preserves the ravine the author loved as a boy.
On the lakefront, the harbor and its lighthouse sit beside Waukegan Municipal Beach, one of the widest sandy beaches on the Illinois shore. The Robert McClory Bike Path runs through town, and Illinois Beach State Park, Gurnee and Chicago's North Shore are all within an easy drive.
A grand movie palace from 1927 in downtown Waukegan, restored with its ornate lobby, chandeliers and gilded auditorium. Today it hosts concerts, comedians, tribute bands and family shows. Check the calendar and book ahead, then arrive early to admire the interior before the show.
A bronze statue of comedian Jack Benny, who grew up in Waukegan, stands downtown near the Genesee Theatre, showing him with his famous violin. It is a fun quick stop and photo spot. Combine it with a walk along Genesee Street and a look at the theater facade.
A small lighthouse at the end of the harbor's breakwater, marking the entrance to Waukegan Harbor. Walking out along the pier gives great views of the lake and the shoreline. Stay off the pier during storms or high waves, when it can be dangerous.
A historic park set in a wooded ravine near downtown, with walking paths, gardens, a stream and the Jack Benny Center for the Arts. It is a peaceful green escape and especially pretty in fall. Paths can be steep and slippery after rain, so wear good shoes.
A ravine park dedicated to Ray Bradbury, who played here as a boy and wrote about it in Dandelion Wine. Trails lead down through the woods along a small creek. It is a lovely pilgrimage for readers of his work. Combine it with a walk past his childhood neighborhood nearby.
A long paved rail trail that follows a former interurban railway route through Lake County, passing through Waukegan on its way between the North Shore suburbs and the Wisconsin border. It is flat and easy for cycling or walking. Access points are found throughout the city.
The Waukegan Historical Society's museum in a 19th-century house inside Bowen Park, with exhibits on local history, the lakefront industries, Ray Bradbury and Jack Benny. It is small and friendly. Opening hours are limited, so check before visiting.
A long, wide sandy beach on Lake Michigan with dunes, a bathhouse and lifeguards in summer, quieter than the beaches closer to Chicago. It is great for swimming, sunbathing and kite flying. Lake water stays cool well into summer, so check conditions and flags before swimming.
The city's harbor and marina, with boat slips, a fishing area and lakefront paths that give wide views over Lake Michigan. Charter boats head out for salmon and trout fishing in season. It is a pleasant place to watch boats and sunsets, combined with a visit to the beach next door.
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Photo: Joseph Gage from Yorkville, IL, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
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