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    Historic Downtown Long Grove

    2.8 (31 reviews)

    Historic Downtown Long Grove Photos

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    Laura N.

    I used to love downtown Long Grove. Back in the day, nearly all the shops remained, people were always walking around, and it was a lovely place to be. On occasion, I would come here just to take beautiful pictures of autumn trees or snow-covered bridges. It's was one of those picturesque kind of places. Now... it's a dying town. Most of the shops have shut down (including some awesome places I went to less than a year ago!) and the remaining few have strange hours, very, very specific kind of items, or cater to the wealthier Long Grove residents than little ol' me. Some of the stores that claim they're still open appear to be closed (like WineSplash -- bummer!). I don't know why this town is declining so much. Are people forgetting about it? Is it only busy during festival weekends? Are the items too specific & expensive? High taxes/high rent for the stores? Everyone I know seems to love Long Grove and yet, it's on the decline. I kind of doubt I'll be back again unless I'm just passing through. It's a shame.

    bridge on walking path

    Buffalo Creek Park is in back of The Village Tavern. One end of the walking path is near the Covered Bridge on Robert Coffin Road. It loops around to the Tavern Lot. I see people getting family portraits taken by the gazebo, bridge, and by the naturalistic garden (next to the picnic tables). As for stores downtown, I like Signature Popcorn, Covered Bridge Creamery, and long Grove Confectionary.

    Sherwin C.

    I love Long Grove, but I do have to agree with what many of the other reviewers have mentioned -- prices are higher, shop selection has greatly declined (with short hours), there's a lack of special items and attractions to justify a visit here, and the emptiness really detracts from the overall experience. Even with the recent Pokemon craze that brought many visitors in to utilize the densely packed set of Pokestops, that did not seem to revitalize the business community in the area. Perhaps the only restaurant that stands out now is Joanie's with excellent broasted chicken and there are a few nice places to get coffee, wine, and beer -- however this really isn't the bustling, delightful area that it was a number of years back when finding parking during the day was much more challenging. Still, it's a nice place to take a stroll or take pictures with historic looking buildings. I hope one day the businesses are repopulated again and this becomes a great destination all year around to visit.

    Me 2.

    Couple days ago I had been told how interesting is this place and I thought about the plan, but life isn't about plans all the time:) I was driving and came across the Long Grove Village, looked around and told to myself, hey, there you are... It was raining today, but I couldn't restrain myself from this wonderful, colorful, worn, historic and various cultural stores. Every single thing or store or person (salesperson) cares so much... History, years, stories etc... Because of the weather I couldn't make much but after I left I feel like I traveled in some countries... I have learned, that their festivals are more enjoyable. Of course I am gonna get more from this remarkably interesting place.

    In the park
    Carl F.

    Man, I'll bet Historic Downtown Long Grove used to really be something. Today, not so much. ... Unless you have a fetish for vacant storefronts with realty signs postering the windows. It's a shame because it was a really beautiful day to go exploring, but coming here was actually pretty depressing. Time... it hasn't been kind to this once bustling little downtown. Apparently it used to be a lot more fun, and while I was hoping that was still the case, my personal neighborhood tour of the area today proved otherwise. Many of the storefronts were empty, and even the ones that did have businesses occupying them had me wandering over and over and over and over again how the hell they stay open selling the extremely niche items they sold and at the prices they sold them. And honestly, I'd say Historic Downtown Long Grove is leaning more towards the title of Dilapidated Downtown Long Grove at this point. The one and only store that really stood out to me as being cool and worth while (also the only store I saw any other people in and buying things from) was the antique shop located in a lower level of an outdoor shopping area just of the main drag. That place was mega cool, but the two Irish shops located a quarter-mile from each other, the Christmas shop that sells X-mas items year round at a full and non-discounted price, and stores selling odd knick-knacks that you'd see on the random shelves at HomeGoods, only at Bloomingdale's prices. Oh, wait - there was one more cute place. A little coffee shop. My grandma asked to use the bathroom and the woman said they didn't have one. What? But you serve food? And beverages? The woman working then explained that even when she has to go to the bathroom, she has to hold it until someone she knows comes in so they can watch the store while she goes to another storefront down the street to use the loo. Not even Mayberry does that sh*t. So strange. I'd even done a little research before heading all the way up to area, wanting to make the most of a day spent trying to patronize businesses, and had my mind set on going to a place called WineSplash that was recommended and highly rated on Yelp, only when I walked up to the door, it was locked and there was a sign that they'd 'Be back at 12:25'... it was 3:15. They're regular hours posted say they're open from 12-9pm and their facebook page mentioned nothing about not being open when they should have been. And why would they have put a sign up saying they'd be back at a certain time, and then 3 hours after that time, still not be back or open? Part of me actually got worried and thought, 'Oh god, what someone is in there and got murdered or something?', because that's usually my first thought, but then I saw a review one person had written that the very same thing that had happened to me today, had happened to them TWICE in the past where the shop should have been open based on their posted hours, but wasn't, and the sign on the door noted that they'd be back at a certain time, and while it was 5 hours after that time, the shop was still not open. Perhaps someone's been splashing in a little too much wine? Either way, it made sense why some of these businesses have closed over the years if that kind of thing is taking place. I'd like to go back to check out that antique place again, but it's just too out of the way to make the trip worth while and even if one of their many annual festivals (Apple, Strawberry, Ice, and Chocolate fests) was taking place, I probably wouldn't bother as I've heard those have been on the decline as well. It was mildly neat to check out one time, but unless some major changes take place, I likely won't be back.

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    11 years ago

    Wow, Long Grove has gone so far down hill that they are not having a farmers market this year! Dead and almost forgotten.

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    Review Highlights - Historic Downtown Long Grove

    The covered bridge is pretty to look at and has been renovated many times after being hit by busses that are too tall to clear the bridge.

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    Chicago Botanic Garden - Dahlia Joy 2024

    Chicago Botanic Garden

    4.6(1.2k reviews)
    10.8 mi

    5 stars for the Chicago Botanic Garden!…read more This was my first visit today, and I highly recommend you check it out if you enjoy nature, plants, being outdoors, walking paths and wildlife. I checked it out in the spring where everything is coming back to life - beautiful! Plenty of greenhouses and walking paths with flowers and plants to check out, but I think the best time to come visit here would be in the summertime so you can see everything fully in bloom and the waterfalls going. A very peaceful, unique place to visit - I'd recommend you check it out if you like nature at all, or just see it at least once!

    As always, my visit was perfect. No matter the season, it is always beautiful…read more Parking is plentiful. It makes the experience so easy. The lady at the gate was pleasant and welcoming. Walking in, everything is bright and cheerful. The staff easily answers questions and gives direction. We came for the Orchid Show. This time the theme was a fun, retro theme. The music was perfect and all of the installations were fantastic! I could tell they spent a lot of time creating the experience. We also stopped into the cafe for lattes. They were brewed perfectly. The dining room is bright with a ton of windows. Lastly we visited the gift shop. Wow! It is spacious and beautiful. They have so many pretty things. It is a perfect place to purchase a gift for someone you care about or for something for yourself.

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    Chicago Botanic Garden - Botanical Gardens

    Botanical Gardens

    Chicago Botanic Garden - Bracken June 2024

    Bracken June 2024

    Chicago Botanic Garden - 4/24/26

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    4/24/26

    Deerfield Historic Village

    Deerfield Historic Village

    4.3(4 reviews)
    8.0 mi

    It's unfortunate that Deerfield Historic Village has such limited hours as the buildings have great…read moredisplays within them with lots of details about the history and a broad timeframe of history covered between them. The Caspar Ott Log House really takes you back to 1837 with an impressive array of items such as a bed, dresser, toys, chairs, table, and other items from the area. This is definitely impressive in the comprehensiveness and presentation, as well as being the oldest standing building in Lake County. Outside of Volo Auto Museum, I'm not sure if I've seen as many antique vehicles and farm equipment as there is in the Carriage House. It's a really great experience to be able to view these magnificent vehicles up close and see all the unique details that went into their construction. I also enjoyed seeing the large selection of historical farming tools. The Sack House has a wonderful assortment of items from the early 1900's, once again really giving me a feel for what life may have looked like back then with an impressive assortment of art, common household items, fully furnished bedrooms, and lots of signs with explanations The Brand Luther House has a nice visitors center with a neat set of displays that show an eclectic mix of history covering everything from music to Sara Lee. The volunteers here were very helpful in explaining some details in different buildings. Finally, the Little Red Schoolhouse is a neat replica of a one-room school house complete with small desks, a stove, old books and map. Though it was built in 1981, the old furnishings and items really give a feeling of stepping back in time. Overall, definitely worth a visit for any history lover. A great free experience with well designed displays.

    The historic village in downtown deerfield is home to various historic cabins which rest on a small…read moreplot of land. The historically society opens the doors to the cabins Sundays during the summer months and pulls out the old wagons and lets you tour the inside of each dwelling. The volunteers are helpful and offer some history for those who inquire. It's not a site I would go out of my way to visit or recommend but a nice piece of history to walk thru if you happen upon it while strolling around deerfield.

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    Deerfield Historic Village
    Deerfield Historic Village
    Deerfield Historic Village

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    Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve - Des Plaines River flooding 4/23/26

    Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve

    4.5(23 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    There was a family event here so we decided to come check the place out. Even though my kiddo is…read moreonly two, she liked seeing some of the stuff they had on exhibit and they also had coloring pages and whatnot. We got here near the tail end of the event, so we didn't spend much time inside and went walking along the little trail where they had signs up with information about turkeys spread out through a little loop around the woods. It's a lovely preserve, and I'll bet it's particularly beautiful in the spring and summer. The building is small but sufficient to have some programs and there are bathrooms here. There are a few outbuildings as well; I'm not sure if there are programs there too or not. There's a good deal of parking here. Keep an eye on their calendar to have an excuse to come out, or just spend some time wandering the trails in peace and quiet.

    This place is stunning. My neighbor told me about it and I promptly took a drive up here that…read moreafternoon just a few days after "peak" fall colors. It's amazing. I wasn't adequately prepared because it was a spur of the moment decision, so I didn't have a jacket or warm enough clothes, so I didn't stay or walk around too long. (And sadly their giftshop didn't have any sweatshirts -- I would've bought one if they had because it would've solved my problem. So, note to Ryerson: sell sweatshirts in the fall!). I've since come back here for an art exhibit (see my review on the Brushwood Center page for that info). I cannot wait to return again in the spring and definitely multiple times next fall. I want to explore it all.

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    Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve
    Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve
    Ryerson Woods Forest Preserve

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    Town of Fort Sheridan

    Town of Fort Sheridan

    5.0(1 review)
    9.8 mi

    Fort Sheridan was originally developed as a US Army installation in the late 1800s, and it has…read moresince been designated as a US historical landmark property. Fort Sheridan was officially closed in 1993 and portions were renovated and sold as private residences. The Town of Fort Sheridan, divided between Highland Park and Highwood, consists of ninety-four historic buildings on 640 acres of prime Lake Michigan property. The center is the 54 acre, oval parade ground and the 228 foot tower. The Town of Fort Sheridan is unique on the north shore due to its proximity to the beach, the lake, the forest preserve, its landmark status, walking paths, historical significance, stopping point for migratory birds, and more. Things I've seen: the thin red line at the horizon before sunrise which blooms into a red and purple sky; coyotes sauntering down the street at dusk; black and brown squirrels tossing nuts from the trees; hawk circling overhead and the early warning system of screeching bluejays; rocky pebble beach with thundering waves; the lake which can be a cold grey or cobalt or Caribbean blue; walkers, runners or racing jersey wearing bicycle packs; eye contact with a family of deer silently watching; red fox scrambling out from under a bush; technicolor display of leaves in the fall; butterflies and dragonflies in the meadow; other moments that may have significance to me but more than 100 years ago someone is standing where I'm standing and experiencing the exact same thing.

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    Town of Fort Sheridan
    Town of Fort Sheridan

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    Historic Downtown Long Grove - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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