Major city · United States
North Chicago
Skip unless you're visiting the National Museum of the American Sailor or have family at Naval Station Great Lakes. A half-day stop from Chicago or Milwaukee.
North Chicago is a small Lake Michigan suburb dominated by Naval Station Great Lakes, the Navy's only boot camp. The main draw for visitors is the National Museum of the American Sailor, which is free and open six days a week. There's little else for tourists, so most travellers use nearby Libertyville or Gurnee as a base and visit North Chicago for a few hours.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, lake-effect snow)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 0
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
Emergency numbers for North Chicago911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 North Chicago, 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
- SafetyNorth Chicago is generally safe, but the area around the naval base has limited foot traffic after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, 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.
- AirportcheckORD Chicago O'Hare International (About 40 min by car (check traffic); Metra from O'Hare Transfer station to Waukegan, then bus or taxi.).
- Getting aroundA car is easiest.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealSit-down restaurant dinner$15–30
- BeerBeer (domestic)$4–7
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Waukegan Metra to North Chicago$10–15
- Budget bedHostel bed in Gurnee or Libertyville, a night, per personUS$40
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · 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 (About 40 min by car (check traffic); Metra from O'Hare Transfer station to Waukegan, then bus or taxi.) · MDW Chicago Midway International (About 1 h by car; Metra from Chicago Union Station.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
North Chicago: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
8 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°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
A car is easiest. Pace Bus route 565 connects the North Chicago Metra station to the naval base and Sheridan Road. Taxis and ride-hail are available but limited.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Car, about 10 min; Pace Bus 565 to downtown Libertyville
Walkable downtown with shops and restaurants; David Adler Music and Arts Center.
Door to door: About 20 min
Car, about 10 min; Pace Bus 565
Six Flags Great America, Gurnee Mills outlet mall, restaurants.
Door to door: About 15 min
Car, about 5 min; Pace Bus 565
Lakefront park, Waukegan History Museum, and the Genesse Theatre.
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.
Gurnee
10 min north; hotels near Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills.
Libertyville
10 min west; quieter, with restaurants and a Metra station.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Metra round-trip from Chicago to Waukegan2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Pace Bus 565 single ride2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$200 per person per day, bed included | US$400 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Fast-food meal | $8–12 |
| Sit-down restaurant dinner | $15–30 |
| Beer (domestic) | $4–7 |
| Taxi from Waukegan Metra to North Chicago | $10–15 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Naval Station Great Lakes is an active military base; visitors need a valid ID and may be subject to security checks.
- The museum is inside the base but does not require base access — enter through the Main Gates.
- Lake-effect snow can make driving hazardous in winter; check conditions before heading north from Chicago.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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North ChicagoNorth Chicago
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra from Chicago Union Station to Waukegan: about $10 one-way, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi from Waukegan Metra to North Chicago: $10–15
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is this? — How much is this?
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
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 North Chicago. 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: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, lake-effect snow) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about North Chicago
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