September 12, 2024
Meghan O'Toole
Top 11 must-visit places in Lake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest, Illinois is a quiet town in Chicago's North Shore suburbs, and it's also home to the Best Liberal Arts College in the Midwest as ranked by the Wall Street Journal in 2024. Whether you're a student, parent, alum, or just visiting, here are all the places in town you should hit up.
Fun fact: Did you know that F. Scott Fitzgerald fell in love with a Lake Forest heiress who spurned him, leading him to write the iconic American classic The Great Gatsby? The old lakefront mansion that inspired the novel still stands today.
The Lantern
The Lantern is a longtime Forester favorite bar and restaurant. You can normally find students, faculty, and staff enjoying classic pub fare alongside locals. The Lantern opened in 1934 and is still going strong as a Lake Forest favorite!
Forest Park Beach
Arguably one of the best parts about being in Lake Forest is having access to the beautiful sandy shores of Lake Michigan via Forest Park Beach! All Foresters love soaking up the sun or catching a swim (or even sailing) in the gorgeous expanse of freshwater that spans about 22,300 square miles and is 925 feet deep at its deepest point.
Hometown Coffee and Juice
Hometown Coffee and Juice opened its Lake Forest location in 2023. Here, you can get sweets, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, fresh juices, and more in a vibrant atmosphere. It's the perfect location for a quick breakfast or lunch!
Deerpath Inn
This boutique hotel was named the Best Resort in the Midwest in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World’s Best Awards, and once you see it, you'll understand why. The Deerpath Inn is cozy and homey, and you'll feel transported to the English countryside during your stay. It's an ideal spot to host an intimate wedding or even get away for a staycation!
Robert McClory Bike Path
This scenic bike path spans 25.4 miles through Lake County and intersects with other Chicago-area trails, helping riders unlock a vast map of bikeable territory. The Robert McClory Bike Path primarily follows the route of the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, which ceased operations in 1963. The path now runs parallel to the Union Pacific North Metra railway line, which is Lake Forest's direct line to Chicago.
Amidei Mercatino
Fancy strolling through a quaint open-air market and pretending you're in Europe? The Amidei Mercatino provides a charming shopping experience in a narrow brick alley, spring through fall. Find it just behind the Lake Forest town square.
Gorton Community Center
The Gorton Community Center is a hub of culture and community just a few blocks from campus. With local concerts, movie nights, yoga classes, and more, the Gorton Center is beloved for its mission to enrich the lives of the local community through cultural arts, education, and charitable service. Plus, Lake Forest College students can attend any movie nights here for free with their student IDs.
Lake Forest Metra Station
Arguably the greatest perk of being in Lake Forest is being on a train line that links directly to the heart of Chicago. The train station is just a ten-minute walk from campus, and it takes an hour to get to Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, allowing our students to make the most of being near the third-largest city in the US for fun excursions, internships, and more.
Lake Forest Cemetery
If you're the kind of person who admires a beautiful headstone and enjoys a stroll through a cemetery, the Lake Forest Cemetery is a must-see. Located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, the cemetery is tranquil and beautiful during all seasons. It is the permanent place of rest for many notable local figures, including filmmaker John Hughes, who was the mind behind beloved classics like Home Alone and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Once Upon a Bagel
Sandwiches, soups, salads, and, of course, bagels can all be secured at Once Upon a Bagel, a beloved local chain with a new location just minutes from the College. All of their bagels are freshly made and delicious, and this spot is sure to become a Forester favorite in no time.
Left Bank
Left Bank is Lake Forest's favorite place to grab a hotdog and more. With a variety of classic options, this down-to-earth spot is the perfect place for a quick and satisfying bite to eat.
