Had never been to this small size farm and Café/Farm market in Lake Forest. Went for breakfast and took a nice walk around the property. You can sign up to hang out with the goats, and there are also chickens and ducks. The food and my lavender latte were yummy. I will definitely be back over the summer just to walk in the beauty of nature. read more

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Went to Elawa Farm for a community dinner; truly farm to table. Chef Lee prepared a delicious chili, green pepper/onion/rice, jalapeno corn bread and a plum cobbler. This was the first chili I had made without tomatoes and beans. Local meats were used. The green peppers were picked this morning. Elawa Farm has the best community dinners. They also do cooking demonstrations. Highly recommend looking into this amazing place. read more

Such a special spot. I feel so grateful that this place exists a short drive away. We love going to buy quality meats and produce at the market, play with the goats and attend various events. Now that they have their little cafe, it's just the perfect destination. The cafe is tiny and there is always a long wait. I almost walked away when they told me it would be a 40 minute wait but another lady in line leaned towards me and whispered "trust me, it's worth it." I was honestly surprised at how delicious and unique all the dishes were. I've never seen "brothy beans and pancetta with country bread" on any menu before. I don't really eat beans and wouldn't dare order something like that at any other restaurant. But I sure am glad I ordered it here. It was perfect like everything else we tried. read more

Elawa Farm - Brothy beans - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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The Cafe is open W-Sun 8-3. There were a lot of people sitting outside on this sunny afternoon and there is dining indoors (and rest rooms) as well. The menu (breakfast and lunch) is very limited, but will return to give it a try and then walk around the farm afterwards. There are goats and chickens to visit too. read more

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Fresh, tasty and healthy - excellent vibe and beautiful surroundings on an amazing farm

Great location is the Middle Fork Savana. Walk a few miles then have a delicious meal. Then browse the shops.

This is such a nice location! They are in the process of sunsetting the wildlife rescue here, so catch it while you can! They have one of Nicholas Cage's former monitor lizards here, among lots of other cool reptiles! read more

Elawa Farm - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

They heard me and posted a "warning" about bees and wasps in their outdoor eating area The indoor seating is comfortable and the staff was much more welcoming and attentive than when I had lunch outside there two weeks ago. Thank you to Elawa for listening. read more

INCREDIBLE! This place is special let alone the food never missing. Their mission, community, market, cafe, farm, etc, is simple yet elevated. If you can't make it to a dinner, you must try the cafe at the very least! read more

Loved Elawa since I was a little kid. Great place to walk, bike, eat, explore, and enjoy one's self. Bring your kids or your friends!

The cafe is wonderful! More so the ambiance than the food. It's just so homey. When my kids were growing up, it was just an open lands with a few cages of peacocks and birds. The cafe and market are adorable. The yogurt pana cotta is amazing. It is so small, you can probably eat two or three!!! The muffins were stale and coffee not great, but the cuteness of the place makes up for that. read more

Today we visited their new cafe that just opened. The seating indoors is limited to about 10 tables but they do have seasonal outdoor seating as well as take away options. The food was amazing and served beautifully! They hire people with developmental disabilities to work at the cafe which is a wonderful plus. The staff is super friendly and helpful. You walk in and seat yourself, they provide you with a physical menu, you order & pay using the QR code at the table and the food & drinks will be promptly brought out to you. Instead of charging a 3% fee like every restaurant does these days, they let you know that they pay their staff a livable wage. We loved that!! I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a delicious breakfast and a relaxing, pleasant ambiance. read more

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Espresso. Cute place. Nice farm. Wonderful and friendly ambience. Historical. Really pretty coffee-breakfast spot.

I didn't know about this place until reading about it on YELP. What a find for a casual walk/hike and without folks running over you like they do on the forest preserve trails. Very refreshing and relaxed. Loved the history and the old refurbished buildings featuring farmers market, a reptile house, some birds and cats outside on a nice walking trail. Volunteers are happy to answer all you're questions. Bring the kids and grandkids, they'll like it and so will you. read more

Elawa Farm - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Elawa is growing in so many good ways. Besides the goats, ducks, and chickens, you can now grab breakfast and lunch there at the café. It's open Wednesday through Sunday. Also, they are running a winter market from January through April on Friday and Saturday. I love to pick up produce and foods from local vendors. I've recently been to their soup and bread night dinner and fried chicken dinner... Both were delicious and so warm and welcoming with members of the community. Go to the website to see all the classes and programs read more

What's not to love about this mini North Shore paradise? During the pandemic, my hubby and I have focused on trying to walk 2 miles a day and discover as many new outdoor walking paths along the way. Elawa is not a new stop for me, but a rediscovery. I've been to their event facility and building grounds before, but I didn't spend time exploring all the beautiful walking paths...and there are many. At first we had a confusing time trying to figure out where to start. There's a map that shows the various trails throughout the grounds. I really wanted to visit the gardens, but somehow we ended up on a different trail (still incredibly beautiful). The trail we initially walked was a carved out path of grass around 36' wide. We literally walked through the middle of wildflowers and trees. We ran into a family on the path getting their family photo taken. It was really nice to see other signs of life, and surprising, because we felt so alone out in the fields. We walked and we walked, not knowing where we would end up. It was like following the yellow brick road. After walking through the wildflower field, we came to the end of that path. At the end was a magic tree. That tree, no doubt, had been standing for a very long time. Parts of it were held up by a wire. It was incredibly spooky cool. After visiting the magic tree, we found ourselves out in an open field. We decided to walk through the open field until dusk. Through wildflower fields, past magic trees and ponds, and then through open fields. Elawa Farm is worth your time. If you combine all the paths, it's more than two miles, so plan to be there a bit. We walked as long as time allowed. Top tip: after your farm visit, take a drive through the surrounding homes. They are stunning! read more

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Wow, have lived in the North Shore for many many years and never knew about this place until just the other night. We came here for a private event and it was a night so unfortunately we didn't really get to take the whole place. Would really like to come back during the day and explore! As an event space it is fairly small but really beautiful! We were able to move between two buildings which was fun but a little chilly at the end of October. Don't think you could do a large party here especially if you need to be indoors. It is super pretty though with lots of twinkle lights strung up. There is a small parking lot right there if you drive over. read more

Elawa Farm - Vin Chicago big red event at Elawa Farm with food by City BBQ - Parks Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Gorgeous hidden gem!! The buildings, gardens, property, hiking and a wildlife center and it's free. I sometimes forget it exists but frequently remind myself I need to come back more often. A great place to go for a hike, bike ride or run. Also a wonderful spot to host/attend a private or public event. They also host a garden market from May to October. If you are in the area it's defiantly worth a visit. You won't be disappointed. read more

The farm is part of the larger Middlefork savanna preserve, and it is a unique ecological landscape and exhibit. Elawa Farm is a small set of farm buildings and fields, but there is also a reptile and wildlife exhibit, an occasional farm/baked goods store, and seasonal offerings. The Wildlife Center has some cool animals for kids to get up close to - red tailed hawks, owls, some big cats, alligators, and Nick Cage's old pet reptile that looks like a Komodo dragon but isn't. Elawa Farm is not a huge operation but the Middlefork preserve has extensive trails and nature walks; it's a few miles from end to end. There's also a playground, picnic area, and restrooms available during the day. Most important though is the landscape -- it is the rolling grassland and prairie that was here before European settlers arrived. It is well curated -- they have taken out a lot of non-native plants -- and teeming with wildlife. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts will find it a peaceful escape with some great sighting opportunities. It's well-loved by locals and weekends will have some decent foot traffic, but outside of that it's a great spot to get away from it all for a bit and, with the adjacent Lake Forest Open Lands space on the southeast edge, a lot of options to "get away from it all". Just note the hours are a little variable; check to see what's open before coming out. read more

Nice place to visit if you are up here in northern IL suburb. The animals included bobcats, owls, red fox, wolf, 2 golden python (scary), otter, and many other neat animals who don't expect in a small place like this. It was nice stop for my kids. read more

I've been here a couple of times but Absolutely LOVE this place! Simply Gorgeous and so serene !!

I have been volunteen for kitchen and garden a couple of times. I went here with dear friend for doing some volunteer work. The place is beautiful, serene and safe. The staff is welcoming & sweet. We were new to this stuff and they were humble and patient to explain us everything. We worked in their organic garden, to clean weeds for peppers. It reminded me of my childhood days. The kitchen activity although was a bit monotonous but we learned about various recipes and andpreperation style. The food items that these people sell are organic, fresh and made with great care and cleanliness. read more

Hard to describe but worth knowing. In 1998, the Cityof Lake Forest acquired a 16-acre parcel of land, including the original farm complex buildings that were part of an early 20th century gentleman's farm, known as ELAWA FARM. This purchase created an opportunity for a unique partnership of public and private organizations to collaborate in the preservation and use of this property. These groups offer a range of nature-based events, events and ecological projects. From a mom perspective, the thing we use the most is the terrific playground. Yep. amid the garden, birding, nature preserve and adult-focused classes, there is an awesome playground! And it's located right next to the wonderful Middlefork Savana, where you can explore different regions -- savanna, swamp, prairie. Oh I could go on and on. Others organizations hosted at Elawa Farm include: The Garden at Elawa Farm; Lake Forest Open Lands Association; The Center for Conservation Leadership and The Wildlife Discovery Center. If you're new to the region or just haven't explored the area much, be sure to jump on to Elawa Farms website. There are always great classes. Or just throw (not literally!) the kids into the car and get some fresh air on the playground :-) read more

So, this spot gets a 5 for how pretty it is, but I had to knock off a few stars since we spent a freezing night here at an event. We drove up and it is definitely beautiful - a great spot for an event. There is a small parking lot (not sure where they put overflow as the homes nearby have plenty of signage NOT to park). We, luckily, got a spot easily as we were there right when the event started. The barn is beautiful and I like the rustic feel. However, we were there on an evening that was approximately 30 degrees and I could not find evidence of heat. I was wearing a dress as was appropriate for the event, but I was forced to wear my wool winter coat for the entire evening. When we were inside the buildings, it was a smidge warmer, but not significantly and the walk to and from the bathroom was so frigid that I was shivering. I'm not sure if this is usual for the winter or not as I know this venue is open all year round, but it was truly cold. So, if you are planning something in the winter, it will be gorgeous, but make sure you talk to them about heating options! It could have been due to the unseasonable temps that day and they weren't prepared, I'm not sure, but that was the one bit of negative on an otherwise perfect day/space that I had to knock off some stars for. read more

This place is amazing! My husband and I have lived in Lake Bluff for over almost two years now and had no idea this place even existed! It's really well maintained and the staff is super friendly and helpful. We got to pet a few turtles, snakes and passed on the tarantula! Unfortunately the bobcat was sleeping so we couldn't see him, but the hawk in the outdoor cage is worth the trip. What a wingspan!! They have a poison our room full of snakes, reptiles, and other creepy crawly things. We didn't stay in this room for very long! There is a nearby park for the neighborhood and an awesome walking/running trail just beyond the parking lot. They also have a beautiful party room if you want to reserve it for special occasions. I would love to have a birthday here or some other celebration. read more

The other reviews already say it all. I always take my son here on visits home. He's remembered most of the animals' names. Aside from that, Elawa has an excellent playground and their Open Lands paths make for a nice walk on any type of day. read more

We held a rehearsal dinner in the barn for 45 people and filled the space comfortably. Even though it was August, we were comfortable as the barn is air conditioned and we were allowed to keep the doors open to the paddock area where we had cocktails and a lovely view. The on site rep that night was very helpful with setup and tear down. The restrooms (one for men, one for women with several stalls) were clean and spacious. The barn has plenty of light, both natural and twinkly inside and out. Only about 1 or 2 elec outlets in each wall. Free wifi. read more

Wow, what a little gem of a place. I'll dare to say that this is really one of the most underrated and wonderful secrets of the North Shore area. The property is located on a side street in the West part of Lake Forest - it's (unfortunately) one of those things that I think only locals know about, but hopefully more people from surrounding areas will take the time to visit this beautiful property. Nice, moderately sized parking lot, which actually is also the entrance to a beautiful trail and nature preserve. There's something wonderfully peaceful about the entire set-up, as you have a farm that is almost supernaturally adorable and elegant in a storybook fashion on one side and a gorgeous natural area on the other. If the initial impression isn't cute enough, the little garden market that takes place a few days a week in a restored shed is uber cute in a way that you would find something in Door County, Wisconsin or Maine. The produce is of the highest quality, but the kicker are the pastries and other freshly made items, which are so good they're almost a hit to the soul. They do take credit cards, which was a surprise. Lastly, there are also classes here and a small zoo area, which includes a number of examples of local wildlife. Amazing place and wish I would have come here sooner. A must and one of the best kept secrets of the area. read more

I just want everyone who is considering having their wedding here to look closely at these reviews. Notice the only good ones are from people who come here to ride their bike or just hang out. DO NOT! I REPEAT, DO NOT BOOK YOUR WEDDING AT THIS VENUE!!! PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! Just to update my review... the fun continues with this venue even after the wedding ended! That $500 "refundable" deposit I gave them, they decided they needed to hire someone to scrub a grease stain outside in the courtyard? When no one was cooking in the courtyard, not to meantion we were on grass. So somehow they found a person who scrubs grease stains out of grass. They also told me they needed to hire someone to pick up a piece of plywood that was spray painted and they found beer cans and a broken plastic champaign glass in the parking lot. This venue is so ridiculously crazy and lazy that it's almost comical. Clearly they don't have anyone who comes once every few days to clean their venue. I'm pretty sure the weddings they book every weekend double as their cleaning service. So basically you're paying them so that you can clean their venue when you're done with it. Lol!!! Seriously, if I could give them zero stars I would. read more

I am so glad the North Shore has Elawa Farms. Through all seasons it has been wonderfully maintained for trail-running, dog walking or photographing. I have seen white-tailed deer including a young buck, turtles, frogs, and dozens of birds not to mention all of the native vegetation. They have a reptile and bird education center and lovely vegetable garden. What a gem! read more

My daughter had her wedding there this past weekend. As beautiful as the grounds are I could never recommend this venue. A couple of months before the wedding they tell us to encourage our guests to car pool as there was no street parking. They had enough parking for the number of guests we had but the farm was also open to the public. When someone spends nearly $2000 I think their guests should get top priority. From the time I arrived to the end of the event I was constantly approached by the staff with something negative. They had more ridiculous rules. We had rented the barn and grassy area. The night before it had rained leaving the grass still quite wet. When I informed her we would still be setting up outside I got a disapproving look. They didn't want our group using a cart to take the chairs out to the ceremony site for fear of it damaging the weed infested grass. They didn't rope off the area we rented while we were setting up and visitors to the farm kept walking in on us during set up making it quite uncomfortable. We couldn't get into the kitchen for quite some time as it was locked. They had a padlock on the refrigerator. They complained our caterer didn't clean up after themselves. I checked the kitchen and it was not left in bad shape but I told her I would make sure it was taken care of. For this she pulled me away from the wedding. Couldn't she wait til we were tearing down and addressed it at that time? It was a struggle to get permission to store the boxes we brought the props into some other room so we were stuck leaving some of the boxes in the barn where we were serving the food and having the dancing. They didn't even supply garbage bags. Apparently we were to bring our own. It was a struggle to get them to agree to supply us with even a few bags. For the cost I feel they could have at least supplied the garbage bags. The wedding itself turned out beautiful but no one should have to deal with so much extra stress when throwing an event as important as this. It gets 2 stars for its beauty. read more