Overview
Gurnee is a village in Illinois. It sits at the midpoint between Chicago and Milwaukee. It's best known as the home of the Six Flags Great America amusement park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago water park, the Gurnee Mills shopping mall, and a Great Wolf Lodge location. As such, Gurnee sees over 23 million visitors every year.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 5 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Gurnee
Six Flags Great America
The largest amusement park in Illinois, open seasonally from April to November. One of the most visited amusement parks in North America, it features over 40 rides including 16 roller coasters across the 275-acre propert…
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
Over 25 water slides, a large 500,000-gallon wave pool named Hurricane Bay, and an interactive playground named Skull Island. Hurricane Harbor Chicago operates as a separately-gated attraction from the theme park.
Pyramid House
Actually a private home, this house is a great drive-by sight or you can tour it on a limited schedule. Its magical chakras did not save it from a fire in 2018, so tours are unlikely being offered right now.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Chicago)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MKE General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee — 40 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 94, a north-south artery linking Chicago and Milwaukee, runs right through Gurnee. Gurnee is also accessible via US 41, US 45 and Illinois 21.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Pyramid House, Six Flags Great America
- Lunch Gurnee Donuts
- Afternoon Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
- Dinner Portillo's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Gurnee has a wide variety of chain and local restaurants and eateries.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Interstate 94, a north-south artery linking Chicago and Milwaukee, runs right through Gurnee. Gurnee is also accessible via US 41, US 45 and Illinois 21.
By train
Two Metra lines serve Gurnee, albeit indirectly. The Union Pacific North Line between Kenosha and the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago serves Waukegan, and the North Central Service between Antioch and Chicago Union Station serves Grayslake. Washington Street links the two stations, with Gurnee in between.
By bus
Several Pace bus lines serve the Gurnee area, including the 565 which runs from the right near the Metra station in Waukegan all the way to the Gurnee Mills area.
By plane
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the closest airport to Gurnee. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is the next closest.
Get around
Grand Avenue, which is part of Illinois State Route 132, is the main strip of the town. Six Flags Great America and the Gurnee Mills Mall are both located on Grand. Washington Street is the other primary east-west thoroughfare.
See
Do
Do Six Flags Great America
The largest amusement park in Illinois, open seasonally from April to November. One of the most visited amusement parks in North America, it features over 40 rides including 16 roller coasters across the 275-acre property. It is home to first-of-its-kind and record-breaking rides such as Batman: The Ride, the first inverted roller coaster, and American Eagle, which remains the tallest, fastest, and longest racing wooden roller coaster in the world.
Buy
Eat
Gurnee has a wide variety of chain and local restaurants and eateries.
Eat Five Guys
Five Guys is a fast casual restaurant chain focused on hamburgers, hot dogs, and french fries.
Eat Salutos
Upscale Italian restaurant serving a wide variety of pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and unique entrees. Unlimited salad & bread-sticks can be had. One of the few non-chain restaurants in Gurnee.
Eat Tina's Italian Cafe and Bake Shop
Eat Gurnee Donuts
Donut shop popular among locals. Show up early for the best selection—they are usually out by closing time. Also serves decent coffee.
Sleep
Nearby
Waukegan
City / town · 28 listings · 4 mi away
North Chicago
City / town · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Grayslake
City / town · 5 mi away
Libertyville
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
Vernon Hills
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
Lake Forest
City / town · 7 listings · 10 mi away
Long Grove
City / town · 12 listings · 12 mi away
Fox Lake
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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