Top Beach Park Venues

WEDDINGS All of our weddings are completely customized and our five star culinary team will create individualized menus for you and your guest to enjoy. Our venue is exclusive in the way that we only book one event per day so it truly is your special day. The rustic elegance, five star catering, and attention to details makes ThunderHawk a premier wedding destination. GOLF + CHARITY OUTINGS The game of golf strengthens and builds relationships with clients and co-workers. Whether it is a beer-simmered brat at the turn, a boxed lunch on the course, or cocktails and dinner on the patio, Food For Thought provides exemplary service and outstanding cuisine for your outing. We will tailor-make your day an event that will impress clients, enrich employee experience and be uniquely remembered. CORPORATE + SOCIAL EVENTS Whether you are entertaining clients or employees, our delicious food and attentive service contributes to the success of your event. We consider ourselves your partner and always ensure that you receive the best value. We strive to make each corporate event the most impressive your company has ever hosted.

Our venue is a 17,000 sq ft 5 story Pyramid House surrounded by a 28 ft deep moat. Inside the Pyramid the first floor will be available for rent with new construction. Approx 1600 sq ft. Outside we have a 4000 sq ft heated tent with a fully stocked bar and newly constructed bathrooms.

• Spaces for 160 Guests
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Meeting Space

Located at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, Maggiano’s Little Italy provides a welcoming backdrop for both celebratory and professional gatherings. The menu features handcrafted pastas, signature Italian-American entrées, and classic desserts served in plated or family-style formats to suit your event. Private and semi-private dining rooms offer flexible layouts for rehearsal dinners, corporate functions, birthdays, and holiday celebrations, all supported by a dedicated team who assists with menu selection and event coordination. Full bar service, curated wine options, and off-site catering capabilities ensure every occasion is thoughtfully planned and seamlessly executed.

Not currently accepting rental inquiries. Please check out other options to visit the farm whether its a seasonal festival, our Farm Store, a community class, or summer camp! www.libertyprairie.org Our 95-acre holistically managed farm uses regenerative farming best practices, grows USDA-certified organic produce, and supports people, plants, and animals thriving together. We believe healing the planet heals people.

• Spaces for 150-300 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Set within the native landscape of Greenbelt Forest Preserve, this community gathering place expresses the relationship between culture and the natural world through events and nature and history education programs. The trails around the Center lead to an interpretive nature pond and link to additional preserve trails. The building also offers exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces, including two classrooms, a divisible multi-purpose room, two community art galleries, and an outdoor amphitheater. Large windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding natural setting.

Love It Events is the all-in-one platform connecting engaged couples, event planners, and venues. We make it easy to discover stunning wedding and event venues, connect directly with vendors, and streamline the planning process. With powerful tools like venue matching, lead generation, and premium listing options, Love It Events helps venues grow their business while giving couples the confidence to plan unforgettable celebrations. Whether you’re a couple searching for the perfect venue, a planner managing multiple events, or a venue looking to attract more bookings, Love It Events brings everything together in one simple, modern platform.

• Spaces for 34-75 Guests
• 2 Restaurants
• 1 Outdoor

Farm-to-table American cuisine in a welcoming, neighborhood setting. Our menus celebrate locally sourced ingredients from Midwest farms and producers, thoughtfully prepared to highlight the best of each season. Everett Farms offers a variety of inviting spaces for gatherings of all sizes — from intimate dinners and family celebrations to large corporate events and weddings. Enjoy our huge enclosed patio, perfect for year-round dining, or one of our two full bars featuring handcrafted cocktails, local beer, and a carefully curated wine list. Each of our three connected spaces can be reserved individually or combined for a fully private event experience, complete with custom menus and flexible layouts to suit your group’s needs. There are no rental or room fees, just a simple food and beverage minimum customized to your event. With plenty of free on-site parking, warm hospitality, and a menu that captures the heart of modern American dining, Everett Farms is the perfect North Shore destination for any occasion.

All white interior Event Hall rebuilt after local riots with beautiful high ceilings and elegant lighting. Pearl white walls reflect the rustic brown stained flooring and all white stage accompanied by simple to use audio and micrphone capability. White and black tables and chairs that allow you to create your ideal colored decor for any occasion such as speaking events, conferences, baby showers, meeting, dance classes, gender reveal, birthday parties and more. We are surrounded by wonderful picturesque libraries, churches and parks with eclectic restaurants and touristic attractions. We have numerous add on to help your event stand out, such as Event services, photography services, 360° photo booth service, large games and so much more.

• Spaces for 12-300 Guests
• 3 Restaurants

Le Colonial Lake Forest is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920's. Heralded as "an escapist’s paradise," the famed French-Vietnamese institution is designed to capture Vietnam's era of romance and soft architecture in the heart of the charming Market Square of Lake Forest. Le Colonial opened its doors in July 2022, in a historical two-story structure originally built in 1901 to serve as the community’s fire and police station. The free standing building includes over 12,500 square feet of lavish palm-filled dining and picturesque banquet event space, as well as a large outdoor garden for alfresco dining and lounging by the Parrot bar. "We carefully source our ingredients from locally owned farms in each of our locations. Through our partnerships, we not only ensure the freshest and highest quality of ingredients to create flavor bursting fare (more nutrients, minimal pesticides, safer food supply) but also support the local communities. Indeed, we believe the value of a restaurant goes beyond pleasing the palette and is measured based on its positive impact on our local communities." - CHEF HASSAN OBAYE, CULINARY DIRECTOR AT LE COLONIAL

• Spaces for 190 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

Our mission is to create an unforgettable experience with exceptional service to our clients, providing close attention to details in our inventive cuisine and food presentations, all within in a unique and timeless setting. Weddings: The essence and style of your event will be embodied in everything we do to assist in the planning process from creating the perfect menu to tabletop design. Our wedding specialists rely on a variety of skills and experience and will be familiar with every aspect of your event to ensure a smooth, unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Corporate Events: The essence and style of your event will be embodied in everything we do including catering, table settings, lighting, floral arrangements, room décor and entertainment. At the Armour House, the food, quality, presentation and taste is of utmost importance. We source sustainable and local whenever possible, utilizing the finest of ingredients in order to make your special event the best possible. We have available for your convenience a Wedding Catering guide, but your options do not end here. We are happy to personalize any menu for your event. The Armour House is an historic, private venue so an appointment is necessary for a tour. To schedule an appointment with a member of our catering staff, please contact us through the inquiries page for more information and to confirm available dates.

• Spaces for 35-309 Guests
• 1 Theater
• 5 Event Spaces
• 4 Meeting Spaces

Since 1972, Gorton has been proud to enrich the lives of residents through cultural arts, education and charitable service. Today, Gorton is one of only a few privately-funded community centers in the United States and serves as a unique partnership between community volunteers and The City of Lake Forest. Gorton Community Center, a private nonprofit 501c3 organization, relies on the generosity of area residents and business to support building improvements, programs and services which are offered in the historic building owned by the City of Lake Forest.

• Spaces for 60-120 Guests
• 1 Event Space

Built in 1908 by the famed architect, Howard Van Doren Shaw, Glen Rowan House features elegant spaces for any occasion. The main floor of the house can accommodate as few as 10 for an intimate dinner and up to 120 for a cocktail reception. The second floor features a conference room for six people and three overnight rooms, each with a private bath. The extensive grounds are ideal for picnics or tented events up to 250 people.

• Spaces for 18-478 Guests
• 1 Restaurant
• 4 Hotels
• 3 Ballrooms

The Deer Path Inn has been hosting events for over 85 years, making them experts in exceptional service, dining, and hotel accommodations. The Deer Path Inn is located in Chicago's North Shore in the Lake Forest community. The Deer Path Inn is styled after a 15th century English manor house, complete with thick oak beams and stucco walls in the interior. While keeping its rustic charm and romance, the Deer Path Inn was recently renovated, incorporating top of the line amenities. For couples looking for a venue full of Old World charm, the Deer Path Inn is an ideal, cozy spot for a wedding. Guests can enjoy strolls around the English gardens, afternoon tea in the The English room, and much more at the Deer Path Inn.

For a comfortable stay just 40 minutes from downtown Chicago, choose Residence Inn Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa—one of the premier hotels in Lake Forest IL. Conveniently located off I-94, our hotel is minutes from the Great Lakes Naval Station, Six Flags Great America, and major employers like Grainger, AbbVie, Brunswick, Abbott, and Pfizer, plus the Conway Park business campus. Near the Lake County Forest Preserve District, with Fort Sheridan and Lake Michigan just 15 minutes away, plus access to Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall & Chicago Botanic Garden. Our dog-friendly, apartment-style suites feature modern kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, sofa beds and spacious living areas. Enjoy complimentary parking, free Wi-Fi, and a free hot breakfast buffet. Relax in the indoor pool, stay active in the fitness center, or play in the billiards room. Host up to 30 guests in our 950 sq. ft. meeting space or grill on the outdoor patio. Discounted room blocks are available for weddings, meetings, and youth sports teams.

• Spaces for 50-350 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks

Immersed in lush greenery a nd formal gardens, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens is a historic mansion and museum that combines old world elegance with Venetian style architecture. Encompassed with neoclassic statuary, the mansion embodies pure opulence. Located 40 miles north of Chicago in scenic Vernon Hills, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens stands as a monument to old-world elegance. Make your wedding day one to remember at Loyola's Cuneo Mansion and Gardens! Signature wedding packages are available through any of Loyola’s four preferred caterers. The rental fee allows for exclusive use of the property and self-guided tours of the mansion are offered during cocktail hour.

Unequal parts of lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars. The city of broad shoulders, Chicago. Blind, reckless determination. They all came together in 1993, when Sam Elias, our founder, moved from Florida to Chicago and opened up what the people were demanding: 4,000 square feet to bump cars, slam dunk, cross check, laugh, eat, drink, and simply…have fun. A needed release from the daily 9 to 5 grind and Tuesday bowling night, our first location in Lombard, Illinois was so popular, we opened up another factory of fun near downtown Chicago as well as Vernon Hills. But the people demanded more. So we delivered. To the delight of adrenaline junkies and lovers of unadulterated fun everywhere, we added laser tag arenas with multiple levels, billiards, bowling, and arcade games. The people were now content. But we aren’t! We are always looking to increase the dopamine level in ALL of our guests! Not only can you get your game on with WhirlyBall, bowling, and other games, you can also get your food and drink on with our inventive cocktails, curated craft beer selection, and elevated bar fare from our chef-driven menu. We also encourage our guests to sit back, relax and enjoy sports and entertainment on multiple TV’s located throughout our space for your viewing pleasure!

• Spaces for 200-250 Guests
• 1 Hotel
• 1 Ballroom
• 1 Waterfront

Illinois Beach Hotel sits within Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois — the only hotel in the state located directly on Lake Michigan and the last remaining undeveloped stretch of the lake's shoreline in Illinois. Positioned roughly 50 miles north of Chicago, the property offers guests and event attendees direct access to a sandy beachfront setting that is otherwise inaccessible in the region. The hotel's primary event space, the Grand Ballroom, accommodates up to 200 guests and is suited for weddings, quinceañeras, bar and bat mitzvahs, corporate gatherings, graduation parties, anniversaries, reunions, and holiday events. Wedding packages include bar setup, tables, linens, stemware, flatware, china, banquet chairs, complimentary WiFi, and complimentary parking. In-house catering options and bar packages are available for all events. On-site guest rooms — many with lakefront views — allow event guests to stay on property, and Nolan's Restaurant provides dining for overnight guests and event attendees alike.

• Spaces for 150 Guests
• 1 Event Space
• 1 Country Club

The Clubhouse at HeatherRidge is a golf course event venue set on a nine-hole layout in Gurnee, Illinois, where flowing creeks and ponds wind through seven of the nine holes. Opened in 1975, the property has grown into one of Illinois's well-regarded nine-hole facilities, offering both indoor and outdoor settings for weddings, banquets, and private parties. The newly renovated Clubhouse features a Waterfall Lounge and dance floor and accommodates up to 150 guests. Outside, the Cabana Bar and Grill provides a relaxed open-air gathering space with views of the course grounds. Whether hosting an indoor reception, an outdoor ceremony, or a combination of both, the venue's surroundings — mature trees, manicured fairways, and scenic water features — lend a natural backdrop to any celebration.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

The Adler Arts Center is a stunning and one-of-a-kind location for small, intimate gatherings. With space for anything from a wedding or baby shower in the ballroom and sun porch to an exquisite nighttime cocktail party spread throughout the house, The Adler Arts Center is the ideal location for your special occasion. The Adler Estate was the home of architect David Adler, who lived there for many years. From 1918 until his death in 1949, he resided at this residence. The Adler Arts Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an architectural jewel that demonstrates Adler's passion for Colonial Revival architecture while also incorporating Classical Revival and French Renaissance Revival elements, as well as numerous signature design features. A rich bespoke interior with elaborate woodcarvings and the blazing warmth of light from another age will greet you and your guests as they walk through the door.

At its core, ELAWA FARM is an innovative public-private collaboration devoted to the preservation and maintenance of a rare combination of natural environment, created landscapes, as well as architectural and historic structures. It was in 1998 that the City of Lake Forest purchased a 16-acre tract of land that included the original farm complex buildings that were once part of a gentleman's farm dating back to the early twentieth century, known as ELAWA FARM. This acquisition, which was made adjacent to the environmentally valuable Middlefork Savana, provided a chance for a unique combination of public and private entities to work in the preservation and use of this land, which was previously underutilized. Elawa Farm is currently operated by the Elawa Farm Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Middlefork Savana is a section of the Lake County Forest Preserve, which is located in northern California. Elawa Farm is the ideal location for your wedding, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, engagement party, or other special event of any size or scope.