Originally established as the hamlet of Wentworth, Gurnee lies on the northern outskirts of Chicago and is a popular weekend destination for residents of the “Windy City”. It encompasses one of the largest shopping malls in Illinois and a family-friendly water park, as well as the Six Flags Great America.
For a retail fix, head to Gurnee Mills, a sprawling shopping mall and outlet centre that’s among the largest of its kind in Illinois. It’s home to fashion retailers like Forever 21 and Polo Ralph Lauren, as well as the Burlington Coat Factory, Nike and Lee Wrangler. Dining options at Gurnee Mills range from the Rainforest Cafe to Buffalo Wild Wings.
No visit to Gurnee is complete without experiencing Six Flags Great America, which boasts 15 roller coasters, the comic-themed DC Universe and the Kidzopolis play area. Adjacent is Hurricane Harbor Chicago, where you'll find water slides, a lazy river and a surf simulator.
Getting there
Gurnee is around 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Chicago and 30 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Gurnee while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.