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    Sock Monkey Museum

    5.0 (26 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM

    Sock Monkey Museum Photos

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    Appeared in Once Upon a Christmas Wish
    Taylor M.

    I was lucky to grow up in such an idealistic village with a historic downtown. I was visiting from out of state with my husband and had been wanting to check out the Sock Monkey Museum. It looked adorable and I was bummed it was closed the last time we visited since it was on a Monday, so I made sure the next time we visited from Florida it would be open! I used to go to this store as a child when it was a yearround Christmas shop which unfortunately had a fire. As we walked in, we were welcomed by an employee who told us that they house the world's largest collection of handmade sock monkeys, certified by Guinness World Records. All of the employees here were very friendly and added to the small town feel and ambience. An employee even offered to take a picture of us when she saw us taking a selfie. I was pleasantly surprised that the entire first floor was open with no admission. The first floor has a gift shop and some museum exhibits with the vintage monkeys everywhere. It is free to explore the downstairs and has interactive displays as well as a machine where you can make and dress your own sock monkey for $24. I wanted to explore the upstairs portion of the museum, but we were meeting friends at the Village Tavern for lunch and we did not have enough time. The entrance fee for the upstairs is very reasonably priced ($6 for ages 12+) and includes a guided tour. They also do children's birthday parties! Take an afternoon, visit the Sock Monkey Museum, and explore historic downtown Long Grove! You won't be disappointed! I just wish we had some to see the upstairs and buy some popcorn, but I will make sure we have more time to explore next time.

    Cute monkey couple
    Alicia G.

    Absolutely phenomenal experience. I've never been particularly interested in sock monkeys, but I learned so much about them and now I'm OBSESSED! This place is filled with so much love and joy. Just a wonderful place to visit, regardless of how much you care about sock monkeys. One of the employees showed us some of her own hand-sewn sock monkeys and we "adopted" one! One of the happiest moments of my life. I'm so glad my husband and I stopped by. Highly recommend!

    This guy is stuffed with sawdust
    Linda P.

    If you like monkeys, have children, or like antique toys you must must must go to the museum! It was so much more than my adult daughter, the monkey lover, and I expected. The staff were amazing and told us all kinds of stories about the monkeys. We got a lesson on the history of socks as well as sock monkeys. There was so much to see and learn. I'd definitely go back. You can have birthday parties there and they hold classes on how to make the monkeys too.

    Rebecca A.

    We just had our son's 8th birthday party here. We had the whole place to ourselves. They saw the museum, did a scavenger hunt, then stuffed their own monkey or stuffed animal friend and picked out an outfit. The staff were awesome! Super friendly and helpful. It's very reasonably priced. Everyone had a blast. I was so unique and memorable, plus you are supporting local.

    Part of the gift shop
    Sherwin C.

    One of the most unique museums you're likely to run across, the Sock Monkey Museum will definitely bring a smile to your face and leave you with many stories to tell your friends and family. It's definitely one of those places that you'll need to see to get the full experience, which includes lots of great history and education about sock monkeys. The staff is also very friendly and willing to answer any questions you have. Definitely make a visit to here if you're looking for something fun filled for both children and adults.

    Ice cream is sold at the Sock Monkey Snack Company during the off-season.

    This is a review of the Sock Monkey Snack Company which is located next to Covered Bridge Creamery. The popcorn store changed ownership and name last year. The popcorn is the same quality as before. It appears that when Covered Bridge Creamery is closed (during the off-season), the ice cream that is normally sold at that store (10 flavors) are sold at the Sock Monkey Snack Company. There are a couple other snacks sold besides popcorn (e.g. trail mix, candy). You can buy the popcorn in a sealed bag, or buy the popcorn from the bins for a popcorn cup or popcorn bag. The flavors in the bins are the more basic flavors. The Sock Monkey Snack Company is currently open Fri.- Sun. in the afternoon.

    Photo opp time!
    Selma L.

    We enjoyed a very nice afternoon here with our son. He is 1 and was so fascinated with all of the different sock monkeys and exciting exhibits. There's just so much attention to detail! Everyone was super nice and welcoming. Definitely recommend!!!

    My nanny kids and I had the BEST TIME! The ladies working were lovely and so sweet! They made the experience so great and were so helpful! My nanny kids loved looking around at all the monkeys and especially loved stuffing their first monkey! They even celebrated with a homemade banana bread cake :)

    Who knew this Great little museum was in northern Illinois. The young lady that gave us the museum spiel was enthusiastic and very interesting. Tiny museum, but only $6 for entry.

    tracy f.

    We had a super fun day in Long Grove! The Sock Monkey Museum is such a gem! The museum is $6 for adults $4 for kids. I was surprised by the caliber of information and graphics in the museum, they do such a good job! Who knew sock monkey history is so fascinating?! We stuffed our own sock monkeys and picked out little outfits. They have other animals you can stuff as well - it is like a local Build a Bear. I'd much rather go here! They host parties and do other crafts too. The gift shop is great. The staff is fun and kind. To make a day of it, there is an ice cream shop and candy shop a block away, plenty of breweries and places to get lunch in the area, and a great forest preserve and playground at Heron Creek Forest Preserve.

    The Pink
    Tammy K.

    So charming, I saw the sign at Ohare airport and I have always loved sock monkeys and supporting local business! This is a must see, museum, store, & adventure that is nostalgic and even little rooms you can host parties in to make your own. I will be back. Long Grove is charming.

    What a fun place. We had a very enjoyable afternoon at the workshop. Great for all ages. Posted is a picture of Floyd. The museum was very informational. Don't hesitate to do a workshop.

    Sophia V.

    great birthday party's and more, cute Elvis monkey I love really entertaining great birthday party's and more, cute Elvis monkey I love really entertaining

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

    How sweet! Take the tour, its worth the $6 to learn about the history. Problay cheapest thing in the whole store/gift shop.

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    2 years ago

    We (5 kids ranging from 8-16, and 4 parents) had an absolute blast. Would HIGHLY recommend

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    Ask the Community - Sock Monkey Museum

    Review Highlights - Sock Monkey Museum

    The first floor has a gift shop and some museum exhibits with the vintage monkeys everywhere.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Volo Museum - Volo Museum! (keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Volo Museum

    4.0(318 reviews)
    13.6 mi

    What a fun and unique experience right in our backyard of the burbs. When you walk in you wouldn't…read moreeven know what to expect and as you walk through the museum it gets better with more history and more fun cars and exhibits to look at. From modern movies to historical sites, there's a little of everything. Heck you can even see Herbie there, or get on to a WWII car. I took my dad who isn't one for museums, and he had nothing but great things to say. He enjoyed looking at all of the war artifacts and even mentioned some that he saw growing up and shared some of his experience. Needless to say, this museum is great for all ages, boys and girls. So many great photo opps too! Can't wait to come back again soon!

    The Volo Museum exceeded my expectations. There are five (5) showrooms of just vintage, specialty…read moreand historic cars and other vehicles. This is truly the place to visit for those that adore the quality and design of old vehicles of every spectrum. The Volo Museum is a treasure trove of fond memories, sparking our minds to recall for example The Good Humor man or a childhood Faris wheel or a family car long part of our distance past. The Titanic exhibit was well done as was the War Museum. Outstanding! Going to the Volo Museum in the off season or January as we did have many definite advantages. Kids are in school and it is practically empty of the mobs of people that could be there at peak times. There was very little interruptions of people getting in the way of taking fabulous pictures and being able to view every exhibit calmly, unobstructed and at your own pace. There is a lot to be said about freedom of movement without a crowd. Yes, you couldn't do much outside because it was closed for the cold season but most of the fantastic exhibits are on the inside. I would suggest arriving at 10am because you'll need most of the whole day to see everything and you'll want to see it all. We saw everything except the Jurassic Park display, but we were told it was pretty much for kids. We had no kids with us, plenty of adult things to do here. We ate in the car along the way as there isn't very many good dining options in the off season at the museum. The Volo Museum is super clean and well maintained. I highly recommend the Volo Museum!

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    Volo Museum - Volo Museum! (keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Volo Museum! (keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Volo Museum - Volo Museum! (keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Volo Museum! (keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Volo Museum - Volo Museum! (keepsmilingphoto.com)

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    Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County - Inside the gift shop

    Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County

    4.8(17 reviews)
    8.1 mi

    Our daughter was invited to the Media Preview of "Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains" special exhibition…read moreat Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County in Libertyville before it opened to the public, and we were thrilled that she invited us, her parents, to join her. It was our first time visiting the museum, and it left a lasting impression. The Dunn Museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves, recently expanded with a brand-new 3,000-square-foot gallery designed specifically for large-scale exhibitions. Alex Ross's special exhibition is the first one to be unveiled there. I found the new gallery very spacious, comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and professionally executed. Renowned for his use of gouache to paint incredibly lifelike portraits of Marvel and DC icons, Ross has elevated comic book illustration into the realm of fine art. The exhibition showcases 100 stunning portraits, each reflecting the unique personality and attitude of the character, which naturally shapes their pose. The portraits form two larger-than-life murals that fully immerse visitors, creating a perfect backdrop to step into the world of comics and pose with your favorite characters. We were so grateful and pleasantly surprise that Alex Ross was present at the Media Preview. Although he is such an iconic artist in the comic world, he is so friendly, warm, and down-to-earth. We were absolutely delighted to meet and chat with him. The museum's slogan is "Arrive curious. Leave inspired." That was exactly how I felt. I have only had casual exposure to the comic universe through superhero movies like Superman, Batman, and Spiderman, and I did not know much about the artists behind the scenes. However, after seeing Ross's work up close, I came away a true fan of Ross, with a newfound respect for his comic art! Although this is a ticketed special exhibit to the public, $5 - $10 in addition to the general admission, it is well worth the price and special trip to see it. The exhibition runs from June 29 through February 16, 2026. Go see it if you have a chance! We did not have time to explore the museum's permanent exhibits, but we certainly look forward to coming back. We did stop by the gift shop, which is well-stocked with comic books and merchandise that fans will love. There are even Heroes books and Villains books signed by Alex Ross available behind the counter for $100 each. Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains is the Dunn Museum's second exhibit featuring the celebrated artist's work, following 2019's Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross. This exhibition also supports the Preservation Foundation's "Every Acre Strong" initiative, which raises funds to help maintain and protect Forest Preserve lands, making sure they stay healthy and thriving for generations to come.

    Our daughter invited us to the media preview of Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains at the Bess Bower Dunn…read moreMuseum in Libertyville. I didn't know what to expect. It was my first time at the museum, but I walked away seriously impressed. The new 3,000 square foot gallery is well done. It's spacious, comfortable, and designed to showcase large-scale work the right way. And Alex Ross's art? Incredible. His portraits of Marvel and DC characters are lifelike, powerful, and packed with personality. The layout includes two massive murals that completely pull you into the comic world. Best part? Ross himself was there. The guy is a legend in the comic world, but down-to-earth and genuinely kind. It was a real pleasure to meet him. I've only scratched the surface of comics through the usual superhero movies, but seeing Ross's work up close gave me a whole new appreciation for the art behind it. I walked in curious and left a fan. The exhibit runs through February 16, 2026. It's a special-ticketed show with an extra five to ten dollars on top of regular admission, but it's absolutely worth it. We didn't get to explore the rest of the museum this time, but we'll definitely be back. The gift shop is great too, with plenty of comic merch, including signed Ross books behind the counter. If you're into comics, art, or just want to see something unique, go check it out.

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    Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County - Portraits of popular well-known superheroes

    Portraits of popular well-known superheroes

    Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County - Turn right: Hallway leading to the "Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains" exhibition at the new space

    Turn right: Hallway leading to the "Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains" exhibition at the new space

    Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County

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    Kohl Children's Museum - Crane time!

    Kohl Children's Museum

    4.1(266 reviews)
    10.6 mi

    This place is great with a caveat - your kids need to really be in the sweet spot for it. Like, 2-5…read moreyears old. Also, prices are now up to $20 per person, whether an adult or child. Last time I was here I was amused to see the grocery store was a Whole Foods and the sandwich shop was a Potbelly's, but I guess those sponsorships have expired and everything's kind of generic now. Kids won't care but I thought it was fun. The main draw of this place is the sheer amount of variety they have. Kids can play with toy cars, instruments, water, trains. They can paint, build things, read. They can pretend to be a vet, build a house, grocery shop, run a sandwich shop (oh I guess I mentioned those). There's a whole bunch of little science-y things, and some areas that rotate periodically. Toddlers and young kiddos have a blast, but I feel it'd be hard to keep older kids engaged. It also feels pretty pricy, especially charging parents, though I didn't know you could save a couple bucks buying online ahead of time. Parking is mostly easy but it is a popular place so be prepared to have to do some conflict resolution at times.

    This children museum is a bit of a hike for us. We have to drive at least 50 minutes but our girls…read morelove the grocery store (resembles Whole Foods) and sandwich shop (resembles Potbelly) exhibits so we would suck up the drive. We have the Dupage Children Museum (DCM) family circle membership and Kohl Children Museum used to be the one of six in-network museums with free admissions. However, it is no longer the case as of the summer of 2025. Now with our DCM family circle membership, we will receive a 50% discount from the full general admission fee. It is still a good deal. Our girls would usually spend at least two hours here. We have visited Kohl several times over the years and I generally find it best to arrive at the early morning, members-only hour because there will be less people and less chaotic. And also because we have visited so many times during different months, we noticed they rarely change up the exhibits.

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    Kohl Children's Museum - Couldn't stop laughing!!

    Couldn't stop laughing!!

    Kohl Children's Museum
    Kohl Children's Museum

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    Jurassic Gardens - Spinosaurus skeleton

    Jurassic Gardens

    4.3(6 reviews)
    13.6 mi

    A very fun experience for a dinosaur lover. We spent around an hour here, and we even circled back…read morelater in the day. The attached gift shop is full of Dino themed trinkets for the perfect souvenir. The staff were very friendly and were a joy to talk to. The mini golf was definitely built for kids, but still a nice way to pass the time. A heads up for folks with sensory issues, it's very loud in the building. A pair of ear plugs is a must to those sensitive to sounds or consider taking advantage of their designated sensory friendly hours. Absolutely would go again.

    I brought my 3 year old son here. It is part of the Volo Auto Museum. We went on a Sunday and the…read morewhole place was quite crowded, but the Jurassic Gardens portion wasn't too bad. We bought tickets in person. It was nice that kids under 5 were free or it would have been quite expensive. You can buy tickets just to Jurassic Gardens or part of a combo ticket. My son loved the dinos! At 3, he thinks they are real. He insisted we go back through the exhibit 5 times. There is a fossil dig area in the front - it's not that impressive but there are bones for kids to find. There is an arcade inside with lots of claw machines. You also have to exit through the gift shop, which is always such a "pleasant" experience with little ones grabbing. We got a free mini golf ticket for purchasing at the gift shop, but we didn't use it since my son is a bit too young for mini golf. There is a nice park outside and benches. I'm not sure if you can bring food from the restaurant outside, as it's all fenced off. We enjoyed the experience for having younger kids and will probably be back again, having a big Dino lover.

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    Jurassic Gardens
    Jurassic Gardens - Jurassic Gardens playground

    Jurassic Gardens playground

    Jurassic Gardens - Carnasaur

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    Carnasaur

    Sock Monkey Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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