Keylime Cove Waterpark Resort

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Kristi

Last week I got the opportunity to tour the Keylime Cove Resort in Gurnee for the first time. I was extremely impressed with all the amenities the resort had and I left wishing the resort had been around when I was a kid.

Growing up my family would often take an annual trip to the Wisconsin Dells in the winter to stay in one of the various indoor water park resorts there. As much as I enjoyed our family trips to Wisconsin Dells when I was younger, I would have rather skipped out on the long drive to stay at Key Lime Cove, which is a short twenty minute drive from my house and right next to Six Flags Great America!

Lost Paradise Indoor Waterpark

The atmosphere of the resort is inspired by the Florida Keys. The bright tropical colors and island themed shops and restaurants instantly transported me to a warm sunny paradise. With a full service spa, water park, arcade, and plenty of dining and shopping options there is something for the whole family to enjoy.

"Duval St." Shopping, Dining & Entertainment!

The 65,000 square foot indoor Lost Paradise Waterpark includes a lazy river, thrilling water slides, lagoon hot tub, kiddie pool and water playground! During my tour I had a delicious lunch at the Crazy Toucan Bar and Grill. The menu included a variety of island inspired dishes. The prices were affordable and the food was excellent! I cant wait to book a weekend stay at Key Lime Cove so I can take advantage of all the amenities this tropical resort has to offer right here in Lake County!

Taste of Lincolnshire

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Kristi

As much as I love going downtown for the annual Taste of Chicago i’m just not sure if it’s worth it this year to endure the crowds when the taste of Lincolnshire is happening this weekend right here in Lake County. This seems like the perfect opportunity to meet up with friends and family after work to enjoy a drink and sample dishes from local favorite restaurants. Some restaurant vendors this year include: Egg Harbor Cafe, El Barrio, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Luke’s of Mundelein, Eddie Merlot’s, Philly G’s, Smokin T’s and many more. Besides tasting samples from some of my favorite restaurants I look forward to discovering new places to eat out. What better way to discover new potential dining options then getting a “taste” of the menu first. With friends from out of town visiting this weekend this is the perfect opportunity to give them a “taste” of a variety of restaurants in the area instead of sticking to just one.

Taste Of Lincolnshire 2011

In addition to all the dining options there will be plenty of entertainment for the whole family. The Juke Box Band will kick off the celebration on Friday night at 5:30, followed by the Downhome Sophisticates. Entertainment of Saturday will include a bag tournament, cooking demo, wine tasting, and of course live music. To keep the kids busy there will be a bounce house, face painting and a clown show. Every year the celebration seems to grown bigger and bigger. With a packed entertainment schedule and so many excellent restaurants to choose from this Taste of Lincolnshire is sure to be the best yet!

Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Kristi

Growing up I spent every 4th of July at the Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks at Deerpath Community Park. I am pleasantly surprised to hear how much this event has grown in the past few years since the friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation took over the event in 2006. The event is now completely run by volunteers and all proceeds go to the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation to support year round recreation programs. In the past few years award winning entertainers including The Village People, KC and the Sunshine Band, Eddie Money, and Rick Springfield have played at this event!

Songwriter and guitarist Kenny Loggins will be playing at the annual Lake Forest Festival and Fireworks this year. With the fields opening at 5:00 pm entertainment includes feature film Sixteen Candles as well as an annual pie eating contest. Kenny Loggins will begin playing at 8pm and the night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display. The event will be catered this year by Lovells of Lake Forest for VIP pass holders to enjoy food and beverages. Tickets are available to Lake Forest & Lake Bluff residents for only 10$. Spending the 4th of July at Deerpath Community Park has always been a family tradition of mine and it’s so wonderful to hear how much the event has grown in the past few years.

Kenny Loggins will be playing at the Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks this year!

Lake Forest Farmers Market

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Kristi

Growing up in Lake Forest I would go to the Lake Forest Farmers Market every Saturday afternoon with my parents. I haven’t visited the Farmers Market in years since i’ve been away at college. Last Saturday the Farmers Market opened up for the season. I finally took the opportunity to go back and relive the experience as a grown adult. The Farmers Market was just as wonderful and exciting as I had remembered it to be.

Walking through the market surrounded by colorful produce you can’t help to notice the variety of mouth watering scents lingering in the air. You will find local produce featuring seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy products sold directly off the trucks.

New Location of Lake Forest Farmers Market

The market features local chefs and specialists selling a variety of treats including: swirl cupcakes, pies, homemade ice cream, appetizers, dips, salsas, homemade granola, fresh squeezed lemonade, hot fudge sauce, and even homemade marshmallows. Some of the vendors this season include : Geneva Lakes Produce, Flamin Fury Peaches, Twin Gardens, Door County Whitefish,Wildtree Herbs, Franks Karma Cafe, Mrs. Clark’s Toffee, All About Appetizers, Maggies Munchies, Apple Holler, The Cheese People, Lake Forest College garden, Parterre Kitchen,Mama Jen’s Pasta Sauce, and so many more!

The Lake Forest Farmer’s Market offers a variety of unique products that can’t be found anywhere else. Now located at the East Lake Forest Metra Station’s southeast parking lot the Lake Forest Farmers Market is bigger than ever before. The Market is open every Saturday from 8am till noon through October. With all the tasty treats to sample I guarantee you will not leave on an empty stomach or empty handed.

Independence Grove

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Kristi

With all the beautiful weather we’ve had in Lake County lately there is no excuse not to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. On your next day off pack up the whole family and head to Independence Grove in Libertyville! Centered on a 115 acre lake surrounded by prairie and woodlands Independence Grove is not your average forest preserve. With over 5 milesof trails visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, rollerblading, and exploring

If you start to get hungry after a long bike ride stop by the cafe located right next to the visitors center. With a convenient walk up window the cafe offers a variety of entrees, snacks beverages and ice cream. In the afternoon heat the swimming beach is the perfect place to cool off and dig your toes into the sand. The beach house offers lockers, restrooms, and showers. There are also beach chairs, and umbrellas available for rent.

View of the Lake

Independence Grove really does have something for everyone to enjoy. The Children’s Grove Playground offers a safe area for children to play. At the Marina Boat & Bike Rental stand you can rent a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, fishing boat, comfort bike, surrey bicycle or adaptive trikes. If your into fishing the concession also offers bait, tackle, and fishing licenses.

If your not completely worn out by the end of the day, stick around for one of the outdoor Summer Concerts. Blues, reggae and pop artists will be playing at the Millenia Pavillion every Tuesday night all Summer long!

Take the flight that defies gravity on Six Flags Great America’s newest coaster X Flight

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Kristi

If you haven’t done so already, hurry over to Six Flags Great America to experience the thrill ride of a lifetime on the revolutionary, wing coaster X Flight. With no track above or below you will feel like you’re are flying on the wing of a plane speeding through extreme turns and flips. You sit in pairs, suspended on either side of the track with your feet dangling. Nearly 3000 feet of twisted steel with 5 inversions, including a zero-g roll, in-line roll and barrel roll, guarentees you 3 minutes of a non-stop, adrenaline-pumping fun. One of the most intense moments on the ride is an extreme fly-through where the coaster speeds straight twoard a cement structure before making a last-minute vertical flip to fit through a keyhole cut-out. X Flight adds to an already impressive coaster line-up becoming the theme park’s 14th coaster.

Soar on X Flight all season long with a 2012 Season Pass, now on sale for $64.99 for four or more. Season pass holders now also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Season Dining Pass. With the Season Dining Pass you can enjoy lunch and dinner anytime you visit the park. You pay once at the beginning of the season and eat all year for just $59.99. Each meal includes an entree and a side order from a wide variety of restaurants all over the park. If a day of thrills makes you hungry be sure to take advantage of this exclusive offer designed especially for season pass holders who visit often.

Check out the video of us thrillseekers at Visit Lake County facing our fears and riding the brand new X Flight coaster at Six Flags Great America!

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