Venues & Event Spaces near Winthrop Harbor, IL

“Let me preface this review by saying this is my first ever Google Review, which means I was really compelled by the awesome staff at the Marina's front desk ("Marina Check In" -- ?) to pen this tome. It was sweltering here in the Harbor this morning and I wasn't sure if the nice pool here at North Point Marina was part of the Yacht Club, or open to the public for a fee. That sweetheart Rachael -- with all deliberate speed -- quickly answered my first question....and that was....that I was free to pay $15 her and enter. But toddlers 2 and under were free, she said....And here I sit on this deck chair beach char that looks completely ecologically friendly as it appears to be made of injection molded recycled plastic ?

Seriously, Rachael and the whole crew of the at least 4 office workers in the front desk area were all super friendly and very knowledgeable about the Marina and it's environs...and that even includes Johnathon, who was also very helpful, despite the fact that his favorite bird is the R ed B reasted F inch ? ?

Now, no review could possibly be complete without at least a brief mention of my hoody purchase! Yes...there is a lovely selection of Hoodies on the table just to the right of the front desk...and I just loved the hoody that reads "Lake Michigan-- Unsalted." So when I could not locate my size, Rachael told me she thought she had some "Mediums" in the back ? ? ? ....actually....Rachael strongly advised to "go bigger" for the sweaty clothes...and I took her advice...much for the better. Darn good thing she found me two 2X's in the back ? ?.

And...a special shout out goes to Ashley...who tracked me down walking my bicycle over to the pool...and gave me my neatly packaged hoodies.

Thanks to the whole front office staff at the Marina!! They were all fantastic and I would highly recommend a trip to the Marina...or walking on the numerous paths here...and especially lunch, dinner or cocktails at the restaurant here at the Marina, The Tropics”

“My aunt did a proposal here and the space was absolutely beautiful! Very spacious and accommodating for a lot of different events! I will be having my baby shower here and I’m very excited to see the outcome!”

“Took My kids here now i'm taking my grandkids. Complete no brainer! Museum is free in the trolley cost a buck. Stop at the public museum.Take the trolley to the dinosaur museum! Great , educationally , for kids , lots of outdoor space!”

“Not trying to rate low nor high as I have not experience this place yet. I just want to know they closing time, whether or not it’s black owned AND if they have the products I need. Tried reaching out, nothing yet as there isn’t a number listed.”

“I have had the pleasure of working with Terry at Brittane's Event Center in Gurnee, Illinois on two occasions. Immediately I found her to be professional and an experienced event planner. She went above and beyond of me. She, her team, and event center have earned my 5 star rating.”

“This is a great museum. Lots of old, informative newspaper articles on the walls and old artifacts from the era. They have a really cool train display with sound effects. Then the middle of the museum, they show a short movie about the war in a round display.”

“My kids and I crashed the grounds of WYC to take photos for my sons Navy Graduation (10/15/2021). It was the most beautiful backdrop to our new Sailor saluting! We were greeted by Bo who graciously invited us in for a beer. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we were unable to come in...But we appreciate the offer, congratulations and hope to be back someday when we are in town again. Thank you for having us! You made Louis's Graduation extra special!”

“Perfect space for up to 80 people. Omar was very accommodating. We through my grandma a 70th birthday party and the space was so conveniently located 15 minutes from her house. Perfect space to get your creative juices flowing you can do so much with the space.”

“I brought some friends, and we had an incredible experience. The food was outstanding — especially the tacos and enchiladas, which were packed with flavor and cooked perfectly.

Maria’s Live Star has the perfect mix of great food, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere. Can’t wait to come back! ??”

“Attended a wedding reception there recently. It's smaller, intimate venue that is both classy and bright. Staff was very accommodating and customer-focused.”

“We held our annual company party at Bowlero in Waukegan again this year, and once again they did a fantastic job hosting our group. The experience was excellent from start to finish. General Manager Kim Ocasio was on top of every detail, and when we requested a few last-minute extras, she delivered on every one. Outstanding work by Kim and the entire staff. On behalf of everyone at Quality Hydraulics, Thank You! We will definitely be back!”

“I recently helped a friend set up for a baby shower 2 weekends in a row 🤭 at the American Legion, and I honestly can’t believe I didn’t know this place existed before!

It’s such a great spot for family gatherings or small events. The space worked perfectly, and everything felt comfortable and easy to work with.

What really stood out was the staff. I interacted with a few different team members, and every single one of them was welcoming, accommodating, and genuinely helpful. The service was just amazing all around.

This is definitely a hidden gem. I would absolutely rent here again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great event space!”

“I had my wedding at Encore in June and it was such a beautiful night and a wonderful experience working with the Encore team. They take time and care in your event and really work to ensure you are getting everything you want. I was able to speak to the chef to ask questions about the menu and had some specific asks, which they accommodated. They are a great value, especially in an industry where costs can easily get out of hand. they worked with me and made adjustments as needed throughout the almost 2 years from when I signed the contract to my event. The venue is beautiful! I had the Rose room which was perfect for my 75 person wedding. We used the outside gazebo for the ceremony and took pictures on the beautiful golf course. The food was outstanding! All of my guests complimented the food, with some saying it was the best food they've ever had at a wedding! I would happily have another event at Encore. They really were a dream to work with and made planning a large event so easy. Highly recommend if you are looking for a wedding venue!”

“The venue is nice, and the food is pretty decent. A huge drawback is the sign isn't lit and isn't obvious of how to get to it at night because it's right next to the Brat Stop.”

“I love this place; modern, clean lanes and scoreboards, and welcoming atmosphere. Some of my best games are bowled here ????❤️, come have some fun ?”

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My name is Charrie and I own Luxcharrie Events. I have to say—Lakehurst Banquets is truly one of the most beautiful, well-organized, and well-maintained venues I’ve ever stepped into. The space is absolutely stunning, and their event packages are top-tier.

This is exactly what an event hall should be! I can't wait to host an event here myself after seeing it firsthand. Even though I was only there to do a setup for a client and not the actual renter, the staff was so pleasant and accommodating. They allowed me to complete my work with ease, and I was blown away by the service and professionalism.

I’m definitely recommending this venue to everyone I know. If you’re looking for a space that’s elegant, organized, and professionally run—book it! You won’t be disappointed.

— Charrie, Luxcharrie Events”

“I give 10 stars for service. We went for naval graduation. The girl at the front desk was beyond helpful the whole time. I’m pretty sure her name was Jamie. She got us set up with a shuttle so we could get to and from base cheaply and FAST. Anything we asked, she was knowledgeable and quick to answer. She is literally an all star and made our trip sooo enjoyable and amazing. I’ve never had service like this before. Also, a huge shoutout to George. He was amazing fixing the hot tub for us when the warmer went to sleep and bringing us supplies when requested. Literally 50/10!”

“I have been dealing with COMMUNITY ACTION 4 MANY YEAR'S!!!! GOD BLESS ALL THE STAFF!!! VERY PROFESSIONAL & PERSONNEL!!! A BIG SHOUT-OUT 2 KATHY BROWN, AIMIE, PAM & THE REST OF THE STAFF, AT THE WATER STREET OFFICE & ALSO ERIKA & GREGORIO AT THE WASHINGTON STREET OFFICE!!!! 4-EVER IN MY HEART!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS & A SAFE & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR COMING UP SOON!!!!”

“Great experience, very comfortable and clean. The room had a full sized refrigerator with ice maker. There is a stovetop with typical basic cooking utensils and of course plates and bowls and a dishwasher. I didn't take advantage of this, but they do invite guests to come borrow a Crock-Pot or other items from the front desk.

The unit had a little more floor space than I was expecting, with a comfortable bed, desk to work at and chair for lounging.

My only cause for complaint was that when a tornado rolled through and the sirens were going off and every phone was sounding an emergency alarm, the staff made no attempt to direct anyone to a safe place. If anything, the lady at the desk seemed a little amused. There were places in the hotel that were safer to wait it out, but the lobby (so much glass that could break) was full of guests and every time someone set off the automatic door, great gusts of rainy wind blew in. When I spoke with people who were staying at other locations in the area, they told me that staff in these other hotels had directed them to a designated tornado shelter. This was the only aspect of service that I found lacking, but it's a pretty important one!”

“Been here a few times.
This had been consistently clean, effectively staffed and with securing seats prior to arrival, made our experience all that much better.
Heck! Even our popcorn and sodas were waiting at our seat prior to the movie starting.”

“Lots of stuff to do . Didn't know this was here . Indoor !! Bar and snack and the vending machines got the good mtn dew voltage!
Parking lot was plentiful. Bathroom were nice , but those steps to the front entrance are a work out lol.”

“The lobby and exterior are beautiful but the rooms were basic and dated. Most of the staff was friendly and helpful, others didn’t seem to want to be there and it showed.”

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Super Stay at Hotel Gurnee!
The rooms were spotless and comfortable — clearly well-maintained. The desk manager was exceptionally friendly and welcoming from check-in to check-out. Stephanie at the bar deserves special mention — super friendly, professional, and makes fantastic drinks! The owner is often on the premises, personally making sure guests are happy, which adds a rare, hands-on touch. The whole place has a genuinely warm and inviting atmosphere. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Gurnee!”

“I recently hosted my child's birthday party at the Launch and I have to say, the manager, Gustavo, went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. From helping me book the party package to making sure all the kids were having a great time, the manager was always on top of things.They were extremely attentive and accommodating, making sure all the kids were safe while still having a blast. The manager even helped coordinate food delivery and made sure the party room was set up perfectly for us.Overall, Gustavo’s attention to detail and excellent customer service really made the party a success. I would highly recommend hosting a party at Launch and working with their wonderful manager. Thank you for a great experience!”