Posts Tagged ‘Long Grove’

Fireworks and 4^th of July Activities in Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove and Long Grove Promise Patriotic Fun for All

So, you’ve looked in the newspaper and checked online for the fireworks schedules for Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills and Long Grove (click here for a complete listing).  Now, what are you going to do with the rest of the day?  Luckily for those of us that live in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, the fireworks are just the cherry on top of a great day of activities.  We’re here to give you some ideas for a  great 4^th of July.

Morning Activities

What could be more patriotic than a good, old-fashioned 4^th of July parade.  The Vernon Hills’ 4^th of July parade steps off at 9:00am at the corner of Deerpath and Atrium Drive, just south of Highway 60 and will follow a parade route south to Sullivan Drive and then west to Aspen.  I don’t know what kid doesn’t like a parade, so get your spot early and bring plenty of water.  I always bring some of the small containers of bubbles for the kids to play with while we wait for the parade to start.  The Vernon Hills website mentions some squirt gun activities, so you may want to have the little ones just wear their swimsuits. 

The Vernon Hills Public Works Department with the Assistance of Club Scout Troop 273 and Boy Scout Troop 273 will be doing a Food Drive along the parade route to collect items for the Vernon Township Food Pantry. So when you are packing your items for the parade, remember a couple non-perishable items for those in need.

Afternoon Activities

After a good parade, the 4^th of July just screams for family parties and barbecues.   From the Vernon Hills 4^th of July parade, hop on over to Timmy’s Sandwiched and Ice Cream in Old Long Grove, grab a couple of sandwiches and then head over to the Heron Creek Forest Preserve (corner of Old McHenry Rd and Rt. 22).  There you will find one of the best playgrounds in the area as well as plenty of covered picnic tables for a great lunch.  And if you had a little too much potato salad for lunch, you can always walk it off on one of the many walking paths you’ll find throughout the forest preserve.

Evening

If you’re not totally exhausted by all of you fun by now, head on over to the Buffalo Grove Festivities for evening entertainment and fireworks.  The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band will be playing at the Rotary Green, but if you have kids, I would suggest finding a place to camp out at Willow Stream Park.  It’s always more fun when the kids have a place to entertain themselves while waiting for the main event to start at 9:00 pm.

Above all else, have fun, be safe and take few moments to remember all of the soldiers that are fighting to secure the freedoms that we tend to take for granted on a daily basis.  Jot down a postcard, send a care package or just say thank you when you see a soldier walking down the street.  After all,  the fireworks are only a symbol of our independence which is fought for daily by the courageous, young men and women in the armed services.  Happy 4^th of July!

The above post was written by Tara Arnold and Judy Greenberg of the Judy Greenberg Group at Coldwell Banker.

If you would like more information about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs,including Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Vernon Hills, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com

My websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com, and www.vernonhills.homes-for-sale.com

will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!

Long Grove’s Chocolate Festival-  What a wonderful way to spend the day!

Every May, Long Grove, IL ( just a hop skip and jump from Vernon Hills) puts on a delectable homage to what has been referred to as nature’s most chemically perfect food - chocolate.    Whether it be milk, dark, bittersweet, drizzled on popcorn, coated on a strawberryor even concocted into a delicious drink (you have to try the chocolate martini) a true connoisseur loves them all equally and awaits this special weekend of gastronomic delight with baited breath.
 
As you walk along the streets of Old Long Grove, you can’t help but notice the look of pure, childhood happiness on the faces in the crowd.  After all, how can one be grumpy with a piece of chocolate cake in their hand?  And if the chocolate isn’t enough, add a stop at the wine pairings tent to create the ultimate in sinful indulgence. 
 
If chocolate isn’t your thing, don’t worry, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy.  Walk through the streets and take in the beauty of thousands of spring tulips while window shopping.  The live music tempts even the heaviest feet to get a-tappin’ and the inclusion of carnival rides, pony rides and face-painting provides parents with a perfect blend of family togetherness and personal pampering.
 
Located at the intersection of Hwy. 53 and Hwy. 83, the Long Grove Chocolate Fest is a perfect day-trip for anyone in the North Shore area. Whether you live in Vernon Hills, or Highland Park, Illinois , Long Grove is a quick drive.    One quick insider tip: municipal parking is free, but scarce.  Go across Hwy. 53 to The Crossings neighborhood for additional free parking less than 1/2 from the festival (click here to see more about The Crossings neighborhood or to view available homes for sale). And of course, come hungry and leave room for dessert!

Vernon Hills Area Golf Courses

Wednesday was the first day of  Chicago’s Golf season.     The weather was absolutely  beautiful  and many serious golfers in the Vernon Hills area were seen at the links.  Serious golfers in the Buffalo Grove area  were also  playing, Thursday and Friday also.  Why weren’t they at the golf course on Saturday? I’ll tell you why…  It was snowing!    One day the weather was 65 degrees and sunny, the next day 30 degrees and snowing.  Vernon Hills  weather- oh well!

Although  I was busy with an out of town client  and couldn’t play golf this week, I’m really looking forward to hit the links the next time  the weather in Vernon Hills  is above 60 degrees.

Ready to start golfing? Vernon Hills has 2 public golf courses

Golf is the time that I’m able to spend time as close to nature as possible. I can experience lush green grass, beautiful flowers, trees, and wildlife.  While golfing, I have seen everything from herons to  llamas, and coyotes as well as a goose giving birth on the golf course.   Golf is the time I can laugh with my friends, and spend quality time  with my husband.  Golf is  also the time I can be without a phone,  ( at least I try )   Lastly, golf is the time I even get some level of  exercise and have fun doing it.

The game is both challenging and frustrating at the same time.  If you get to know me, you will know that I love challenges.  Just like I enjoy finding the perfect home for each of my clients or selling a home in the shortest amount of time for the highest price, I love the challenge to develop the perfect, consistent swing. Unfortunately I’m far from that level now.

For those of us who live in Vernon Hills, Long Grove or a contiguous suburb, there are so many excellent courses to play golf within a 15 minute drive.     Although  the Vernon Hills area has such a short golf season, its fun while it lasts.  Golfers from Chicago appreciate  every day the sun is shining and the temperature is greater than 62 degrees.

I have a compiled a list of golf courses in the Northwest Suburbs within 15 minutes from Vernon Hills.

Public Golf Clubs in the Vernon Hills, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove area….

The Arboretum Club is located at 401 Half Day Road in Buffalo Grove.  The course is lushly landscaped.  It is approximately 100 acres of rolling fairways, large varieties of trees and wildflowers.  My only advice when you play this course is to bring a lot of balls- there are a lot of water holes.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club is located at 1211 New Wilke Rd. in Arlington Heights.  This course also has a lot of lakes and sand traps.  Their excellent design and manicured greens make for a quality golf course.

Buffalo Grove Golf Club is located at 48 Raupp Blvd in Buffalo Grove is one of the finest municipal facilities in the area.  The course features bent grass greens and bluegrass fairways and tees.

Countryside Golf Course is located at 1 Pine Meadow Lane  in Mundelein.  The Prairie Course, with bent grass tees, wide-open greens and sand bunkers offers golfers a chance to challenge their game. The Traditional Course, with bent grass tees and tree-lined fairways, offers golfers scenic and challenging rounds of play.

Cranes Landing Golf Club is located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire in the Marriott Resort.  Cranes Landing features scenic vistas of the Des Plaines River, tree- lined fairways and water challenges on 14 holes.

Nickol Knoll Golf Course is located at 3800 N. Kennicott Ave in Arlington Heights.    If your kids need a place to play or you working on your short game, this is the place to visit in town.  All holes are par 3, but it is one of the most unique par-3 courses you will ever play.

Old Orchard Country Club is located at 700 West Rand Road in Mount Prospect.  It is one of the best-conditioned and challenging courses in the Chicago area. Old Orchard Country Club is a mature and challenging course with narrow fairways. The terrain is slightly rolling, and water hazards come into play on at least nine different occasions.

Pine Meadow Golf Course is located at 1 Pine Meadow Lane in  Mundelein.  Known as a fair test of golf skills for any golfer, Pine Meadow also has such picturesque beauty with its fairways lined with towering blue spruce, pines as well as wild life.

Steeple Chase Golf Course is located at 200 N. Lavista in Mundelein.   Steeple Chase is a wonderful Ken Killian design in a beautiful setting amid natural hills, lakes, woods, and wetlands. Scenic beauty, outstanding course conditions, and challenging greens will keep you coming back.

Vernon Hills has a sporty 9 hole public course and a challenging 18 hole public golf course

Vernon Hills Golf Course is located  at 291 Evergreen Drive  in Vernon Hills .  This golf course has been ranked as one of the Top Ten Best nine whole courses in the Chicago land area. The golf course features narrow fairways and small greens. The terrain is rolling with a creek that meanders into play on seven holes.

White Deer Run is located at 250 W. Gregg’s Parkway  in Vernon Hills.   Built on the famed Cuneo Estate in Vernon Hills, White Deer Run Golf Club offers the essential ingredients to an enjoyable day on the golf course. With 240 acres of rolling terrain and picturesque lakes, the golf course offers a fair challenge for any skill level. White Deer Run has generous landing areas off the tee, and immaculately groomed bent grass greens and fairways, perfect for your round of golf!

Private Golf Courses

Hawthorn Woods Country Club This private country club is located at Four Turnbury Court in Hawthorn Woods carved along Lake County’s rolling countryside.   This 7,100-yard championship golf course incorporates bent grass fairways and greens with enhanced wetlands, meandering streams and towering pine and elm trees.

Hillcrest Country Club is located at 3217 R. F. D.  in Long Grove,  Sixty-three strategic bunkers, out-of-bounds on every hole, water in-play on eight holes and thousands of mature trees assure you’ll have to work for a low score.  Yet, the golf course has a magical, almost mystical power to bring about a state of peaceful tranquility, no matter how a well or poorly one’s round is progressing.  Since I am a member here, if you buy or sell a home with me, I will invite you for a wonderful day at this very challenging course!

Kemper Lakes Golf Club is located at 24000 N. Old McHenry Road in Kildeer.   It has been recognized as one of the finest pure private golf facilities in the country.  Kemper Lakes has played host to some of golf’s greatest players and most prestigious events, including the 1989 PGA Championship, six Senior PGA Tour events, four Grand Slam of Golf events and the USGA Women’s Amateur Championship.

Ivanhoe Golf Club is located at 28846 N Thorngate Dr. in Mundelein.   Ivanhoe is unique in the Midwest featuring a rare 27-hole course made up of three separate 9-hole environments — Forest, Marsh, and Prairie. Each 9-hole course’s distinguishing surroundings and personality provide a new experience every time you play.

Royal Melbourne is located at 4700 Royal Melbourne Drive in Long Grove.   With an 18-hole parin course carved into the surrounding wetlands, ponds, prairies and trees, Royal Melbourne combines the beauty of sport with the beauty of nature. Members not only get to experience the challenge of the game the way it was meant to be played, but they get to do so in a lushly landscaped world inhabited by deer, swans, hawks and other local wildlife.

Twin Orchard Country Club is located at 22353 Old McHenry Rd in Long Grove.    This club has two 18-hole golf courses with rolling fairways boasting magnificent views of Northern Lake County from some of the highest tees and greens in the area. In addition, an ongoing multi-million dollar golf course renovation program including the installation of a state of the art irrigation system was undertaken to ensure both courses maintain excellent playability, pleasing design and appropriate level of challenge for both men and lady golfers of varying handicaps

If you would like more information (real estate or golf courses) about the Chicago Northwest Suburbs, including Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, and Lake Zurich  please do not hesitate to call me at 847-602-5435 or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com.

My websites, www.vernonhills-homes-for-sale.com and www.buffalogroveareahomes.comand my blog www.judygreenberg.com.com will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller!