Discover North Chicago: History, Nature and Recreation

Explore North Chicago according to your travel interests: topics range from the history of the U.S. Navy and local history to hiking, nature, golf, beach activities and cycling. Each destination offers a different focus, helping you pinpoint the purpose of your trip and tailor your search accordingly. For an event-related stay, the event date also matters.

Naval and Local History

The National Museum of the American Sailor is located at 2531 Sheridan Rd. in North Chicago. It collects, preserves and interprets the history of enlisted personnel in the U.S. Navy. Its exhibits tell their stories from the colonial era to sailors serving today. For travel planning, it is important to know that the museum remains completely closed to the public due to renovation work. Check its reopening status before your trip before planning a visit.

Another link to local history is Holy Family Church at 1840 Lincoln St. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 2003. Naval Station Great Lakes borders North Chicago. It opened in 1911 and is the U.S. Navy’s largest training facility, as well as the site of its only boot camp. The years refer to different milestones: 2003 is the date the church was added to the Register, and 1911 is the opening year of the Naval Station. Thus, a specific Register listing and the history of a training facility stand side by side as distinct historical topics.

Hiking and Nature in Greenbelt

Greenbelt combines hiking with nature observation. It has five miles of hiking trails, and birds and wildflowers can also be found there. The trail distance gives the hiking options a concrete scale, while the flora and fauna provide an additional connection to nature. This brings together two distinct interests: getting active on the trails and experiencing the nature found in Greenbelt.

Golf, Beach and Bike Path

For golf enthusiasts, Foss Park Golf Course, also known as “Foss Park,” is a public 18-hole course in North Chicago. Foss Park Beach is open for swimming and wading; check its current status before your visit. The Robert McClory Bike Path runs through North Chicago and continues to the Wisconsin border. These options offer different activities: golf at a course, swimming or wading at the beach, and cycling on a path that runs through the city to the state border. So plan your trip around whichever of these activities matters most to you.

Gospelfest as a Travel Date

The Greenbelt Cultural Center hosts Gospelfest every year. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the event dates for your planned travel period.

For the overall travel overview: Lake.