Hey everyone,

my daughter's soccer team will be advancing in their tournament to the finals being held in Waukegan at the Waukegan Sports Complex at the end of the month.

Is there anyone familiar with the area and can give some do's and don't for the area? We're not sure of the hotel yet,haven't gotten that info as of today,but my wife and daughter will be flying into O'hare and renting a car w/ another family from the team.

I just want to keep them from wandering into someplace they shouldn't be and maybe pick up a few ideas for them to check out if time allows.

Thanks for any advice and such,

mike

 

Waukegan is north of ohare. And about 45 minutes from ohare. You are far enough from the city to where I would not be too concerend. Just like any towns it has its good and bad areas but nothing to be scared of. Gurnee is next door with six flags and grunee mills mall. There is plenty to do in the area.

 

I've exact directions, if you'd like them, but if you rent a car at O'Hare, it'll have a GPS in it - just punch the address in: 3391 W. Beach Rd. Waukegan, Il. 60087.
Biggest problem you'll have is getting on 294 north - watch the exits! While driving a Limo, we used to call that exit 'crash corner' as there was always accidents there.
294 is a tollway, and a PIA unless you've change!
The area is O.K. where you're going, and there's many good resturants and hotels in the area around the tollway exits. Lotsa cops around there, too!
Try to stay west of the tollway.
No worse than Jersey - relax!
Google it - lotsa info.

 

Waukegan has some pretty rough areas too. I have a client I go to there from time to time, her house is a very nice older place in the middle of a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by ghetto. Just use common sense and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Waukegan? Ghetto? I guess all towns can have their rough parts but i never thought twice of waukegan as being remotely dangerous - good luck to your dsughter - all three of mine play travel too

 

Yeah, it's kind of like Elgin and Rockford, big enough to have their fair share of not so great areas. I'm sure nothing like the west side of Chicago, but still not the sort of place I'd walk around at night. Just saying, in case Mike was planning an evening walking tour.

 

Hey all,

thanks for the replies.

Found out last night the hotel they will be using is in Glenview,Il.

As far as the tolls go, here in NJ we use an electronic pay company called EZPass,do you have anything like that up there?

again thanks for the help,

mike

 

It looks like you can use your EZPass here.
http://www.illinoistollway.com/tolls...s/about-i-pass

Glenview is midway between Chicago and Waukegan. Nice area. You should be good to go. Also, you are 15 miles away from Long Grove. Some shopping for the girls and a muscle car show on the 28th. I don't think you could convince them to go to Volo Auto Museum, about 30 miles away.

 

I lived/worked in Glenview for about 15 years - great area, no ghetto!
Hard to believe they'd book you there, as it's about 30 - 45 minutes from Waukegan.
I've seen the 120/Grand Ave. exit back up onto the tollway if Great America is busy!
Your tollway pass will work, but must be registered to the plates on the car.

 

You can use alternate routes to avois six flags traffic. Usually the exit before . And the gps will re direct you. I avoid that exit at all cost's we spent 1 hour. Trying to get into six flags.

 

Agreed.
Waukegan is a craphole. Scores a 19 for safety out of 100.
Typically most military bases are in shoddy areas. However, it's no Detroit.
(Or NW Indiana, which you'd think was Detroit)

Scroll down to the pie graph, and come to your own conclusions.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Waukegan-Illinois.html
Daytime, you'd be just fine. Stay away from the Walmarts.
Personal observation here but those seem to attract the trash of all areas.

Be thankful, someone had some experience and sense.