Market Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Market Square
Market Square
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles61 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
21
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

P5405MSdianas
Lake Forest, IL33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Business
This area has nice shops for several blocks with unique items, a delicious bakery, friendly people and quiet areas to enjoy. During the summer there are concerts and car shows along with many other activities.
Written November 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kimmarie S
Lake Forest, IL212 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Couples
Market Square in Lake Forest is the oldest planned shopping center in the country. It is filled with local boutiques, some larger chains (William Sonoma, J. Crew), and a charming center green and fountain. Lovely!
Written October 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

illinois travelere
1,760 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2020
Normally my review would spotlight the shopping/dining aspects of Market Square.
However, with pretty much everything closed in keeping with COVID 19 guidelines, I thought I'd focus on the walking-around-whilst-keeping-a-safe-distance aspects of this interesting destination/photo op.

Designed by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, it is often considered the first planned shopping center in the United States.

It features commercial/residential buildings around a central green lawn square. There is a fountain at the east end and a 1917 flag pole memorial to WWII soldiers at the west. There are shops on the first level and apartments above.

The fountain statue, "Friends," by Sylvia Shaw Judson, Shaw's daughter, was erroneously identified as "Girl with Baby on Shoulder," until 2016 when a plaque with the correct name was installed.

Shaw's design included a plethora of architectural elements such as carved wooden beams, gabled roofs, clock towers, stucco walls, sundial, weather vane, and so on in an eclectic English/Flemish/Bavarian/Baroque/Palladian/Renaissance style.

The prime location, in the center building at the head of the square (directly opposite the train station) was originally filled by the First National Bank. In 1931 Marshall Field's took over the space with its very first branch location. In 2008 new owner Macy's closed it.

The History Center of Lake Forest - Lake Bluff has an online collection of photos and postcards of Market Square from its construction to the present day.

Market Square gets 5 stars for being the perfect backdrop for a leisurely spring stroll during these pace-and-space-yourself-carefully days. There is pull-in, two-hour-limit parking around the square.

See my June 26, 2016 review for more details.
Written April 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GUILLERMO M
29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Business
It's a family restaurant that we visit often. It's located 1 mile from home and we also bring friends. Open for lunch and dinner with a great menu, parking spaces and a nice architecture.
Written May 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beemer01
Chicago, IL69 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Friends
Built in 1916, Market Square was one of the first shopping areas built to accommodate motor cars. Designed by the famous architect Howard Van Doren Shaw,The architecture of Market Square is a mix of styles, mainly English but also Flemish, German, and Italian. Materials include brick, limestone, stucco, and wood. Rooflines are broken by cross gables, dormers, and projecting bays.

Other details include half-timbering, stepped gables, scroll brackets, escutcheons, weathervanes, sundials, lions, and fruit baskets. Two clock towers dominate the square, anchoring and projecting from its north and south sides. The south tower is topped by a curved copper dome, which is Bavarian or Tyrolean in style, while the design of the north tower is more reminiscent of a European town hall, such as the one in Stockholm, Sweden.

Today it houses a range of shops, from sporting goods to high end clothing... and of course a Starbucks.
Written May 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

winofoodtravel
Chicago, IL266 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Family
Located in the quaint heart of Lake Fores, Market Square dates back to 1916. Built by famous Howard Van Doren Shaw. You can take the train from Chicago and walk to this historical gem. Get some ice cream at Sweet Pete's and take a stroll around the square and enjoy the lovely historic building.
Written August 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alexia G
Chicago, IL14 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Solo
Charming town square. Good place to window shop if you're on a budget and shop shop if you're not. J.Crew, Williams Sonoma, several clothing boutiques, and the snazziest Starbucks I've seen anywhere.
Written February 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hawkfan65
Hilton Head, SC49 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Family
Rather disappointing. Apparently this place is under new management, Food OK, soup and sandwich/sandwich and salad, but the service was so slow.....we had grandchildren with us and it was hard to keep them under control since it was past their lunch time, even with crayons.
Written May 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mary L
Lake Forest, IL105 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Friends
Designed as the first strip shopping center in America by architect Howard Van Dorn Shaw, the shopping area is so charming. Flanked by two large towers and cupolas there is a center parkway green area with benches and a beautiful statue. The shops are mostly unique and one of a kind. Patio dining is available as well as dessert shops. Lovely place to spend the day.
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

xcsk
Lake Forest, IL31 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Family
As many people have noted the significance of Lake Forest's Market Square is that is was the first planned shopping center in the US. It's creation was the result of leading citizens realizing that the existing commercial district of Lake Forest was not worthy of the other parts of town. It is worth a trip and there are a variety of shops in the square and immediate area to interest many.
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Market Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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