Major city · United States
Highland Park, Illinois
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Highland Park: 4–6 h for Ravinia Festival or beach, plus travel time from Chicago.
Highland Park is a North Shore suburb of Chicago with a summer music festival, a small beach, and Frank Lloyd Wright homes. It is reachable by Metra in about an hour, so a day visit from Chicago is enough; add a night only if you want to stay for a concert.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (festival season, warm beach weather)
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited festival events)
- Airport
- ORD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Highland Park, Illinois911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Highland Park, Illinois, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; typical suburban precautions apply.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire · 911 ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) (20 min drive) south).ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) (20 min drive) south).
- Getting aroundMetra Union Pacific North Line to Highland Park station (≈1 h from Chicago).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (local café)$3–5
- Budget bedBoutique inn room (double), a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedBoutique inn room (double), a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedBoutique inn room (double), a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) (20 min drive) south)ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) (20 min drive) south)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Highland Park, Illinois: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metra Union Pacific North Line to Highland Park station (≈1 h from Chicago). Pace buses serve neighborhoods and downtown. Walking is easy along Sheridan Road.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Forest, Illinois
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Metra northbound, about 5 min from Highland Park
Historic downtown and lakefront.
Glencoe, Illinois
goDoor to door: ≈15 min total
Metra northbound, about 7 min
Scenic shoreline and small park.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Highland Park
Boutique inns and B&Bs within walking distance of Ravinia and the beach; suitable for one night if attending a concert.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–$100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–$180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Boutique inn room (double)1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Metra round‑trip fare (Chicago ↔ Highland Park)2 × US$12 · check | US$24 |
| Ravinia Festival ticket (average concert)2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$305 per person per day, bed included | US$609 |
2026 estimate; flights and car rentals excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (local café) | $3–5 |
| Ice cream at Ravinia | $4–6 |
| Parking at Ravinia Beach | $2–3 per hour |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ravinia Station only operates on concert days; check the festival schedule.
- Parking at Ravinia Beach is limited; arrive early in summer.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire
- 911
- Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Highland Park, IllinoisHighland Park, Illinois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
US consular services are in Chicago; nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Chicago → Highland Park: about $12 each way (check schedule)
- Taxi downtown → Ravinia Beach: $15–20 (approx.)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (Excuse me)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (How much is it?)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (Where is the restroom?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Highland Park, Illinois. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug (festival season, warm beach weather) · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited festival events) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Highland Park for Ravinia Festival concerts that run after 8 pm.
- Include a bike‑share option for quick beach visits.
Sources
Ask about Highland Park, Illinois
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