This is not your average shopping trip — it’s a full-blown endurance event.
At Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, you don’t just browse stores. You lace up skates and glide across an indoor ice rink.
You dive into laser tag battles that get surprisingly competitive. You challenge your crew to mini golf and swear you’ll win next round.
Somewhere between outlet deals and arcade lights, time completely disappears. One minute you’re grabbing coffee, the next you’re debating whether you have energy for “just one more thing.” Spoiler: you do.
With hundreds of stores, entertainment around every corner, and enough distractions to fill an entire afternoon, leaving in under four hours feels wildly optimistic. Come prepared.
Wear comfortable shoes. And maybe clear your schedule — this place doesn’t let you slip away easily.
Ice Skating at Gurnee Mills
Not many shopping malls can say they have a full-sized indoor ice skating rink, but Gurnee Mills is not most malls. Tucked inside the sprawling complex, the ice rink draws in both first-timers wobbling on rental skates and seasoned skaters gliding like pros.
It is one of those unexpected surprises that turns a routine shopping trip into a full-blown outing.
The rink is especially popular during colder months, though its indoor setup means you can enjoy it year-round without worrying about the weather outside. Families with young children tend to love it because kids can burn off energy while parents take a breather on the benches nearby.
Skate rentals are available on-site, so you do not need to bring your own gear. Reviewers have pointed out that the skating area gives off a nostalgic early-2000s mall vibe, which adds a fun retro charm to the experience.
If you are visiting with a mixed group of shoppers and non-shoppers, the rink is a perfect middle ground. It is affordable, memorable, and honestly one of the coolest things hiding inside Gurnee Mills that first-time visitors almost always walk away raving about.
Round 1 Entertainment Center
Round 1 is the kind of place that makes adults feel like kids again the moment they walk through the door. This massive entertainment hub inside Gurnee Mills is packed with hundreds of arcade games, bowling lanes, billiards tables, karaoke rooms, and more.
Multiple reviewers have called it a highlight of the entire mall, and it is easy to see why once you are standing inside.
The arcade section alone could swallow a couple of hours without you even noticing. Crane games, rhythm games, racing simulators, and prize redemption machines line the floor in every direction.
Bowling is a crowd favorite for groups, especially on weekends when the lanes light up with neon colors and music.
Round 1 operates as a full anchor store at Gurnee Mills, meaning it takes up a serious chunk of real estate. It is the kind of entertainment venue you would expect to find in a standalone building, not inside a shopping mall.
Prices are reasonable, and the variety means there is genuinely something for every age group. Whether you are 8 or 48, Round 1 has a way of making time disappear faster than you planned.
Outlet Shopping and Name Brand Deals
The whole reason Gurnee Mills exists is to give shoppers access to serious deals on name-brand merchandise, and it delivers on that promise in a big way. Stores like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and dozens of other recognizable brands operate outlet locations here, meaning you are getting the real stuff at prices that are actually worth getting excited about.
One reviewer shared that they picked up three pairs of Nike shoes for just $96, while another scored three pairs of sandals for $27 at a different shop. Those kinds of deals are not unusual at Gurnee Mills, which is part of why the parking lot fills up fast on weekends and especially around the holiday season.
The mall spans nearly two million square feet, making it the third largest mall in Illinois. That size means there are enough stores to keep a dedicated shopper busy for an entire day without running out of options.
Anchor retailers like Macy’s, Burlington, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Hobby Lobby round out the selection with something for every type of buyer. If bargain hunting is your sport, Gurnee Mills is the arena where you are most likely to win big.
Rainforest Cafe at Gurnee Mills
Rainforest Cafe is the kind of restaurant that makes you forget you are inside a mall. Giant animatronic animals, thunderstorm sound effects, cascading waterfalls, and lush tropical greenery surround every table, creating a dining experience that is as much a show as it is a meal.
Kids absolutely love it, and adults who grew up visiting one tend to get hit with a serious wave of nostalgia.
One reviewer mentioned being thrilled to see the Rainforest Cafe still standing strong at Gurnee Mills, noting that these restaurants have become increasingly rare over the years. Finding one still operating at full energy is a genuine treat, especially for families visiting with young children who have never experienced the theatrical chaos of a simulated jungle rainstorm mid-bite.
The menu covers classic American comfort food with themed names that match the jungle aesthetic. Burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and shareable appetizers make up the bulk of the offerings.
Portions are generous, and the atmosphere more than makes up for any premium on the price tag. If you are looking for a dining experience at Gurnee Mills that goes beyond a food court combo meal, Rainforest Cafe is the obvious choice that delivers every single time.
Marcus Theatres at Gurnee Mills
Having a full-service movie theater inside a shopping mall is a feature that turns a quick errand run into a complete day out. Marcus Theatres at Gurnee Mills is a proper cinema with multiple screens, offering the latest blockbusters in comfortable seating with all the popcorn and snacks you expect from a quality movie experience.
The theater makes Gurnee Mills a practical destination for date nights, family outings, or rainy Saturday afternoons when you want to stay busy without venturing to multiple locations. Catch a matinee before shopping, or wrap up a full day of outlet deals with an evening film.
Either way, the convenience of having it all in one place is hard to beat.
Marcus Theatres is known for delivering a solid cinematic experience with well-maintained facilities and a strong lineup of current releases. The location inside Gurnee Mills means you are never far from a restaurant or snack option if you want to eat before or after the show.
Multiple reviewers have listed the theater as one of the top reasons they keep coming back to the mall, especially when they want to make a full day of it without driving all over town.
Bass Pro Shops at Gurnee Mills
Bass Pro Shops is not your typical anchor store, and the one at Gurnee Mills is a destination all on its own. What makes it genuinely unforgettable is the live trout stream running right through the store.
Real fish swim through a carefully designed indoor waterway while shoppers browse fishing rods, camping gear, hunting equipment, and outdoor apparel all around them.
One reviewer called the live trout stream the best part of their entire visit to Gurnee Mills, saying they would love to have it in their home. That reaction is pretty common from first-time visitors who walk in expecting a regular sporting goods store and instead find themselves standing in front of an actual aquatic habitat inside a mall.
Beyond the trout stream, the store is enormous and packed with gear for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Whether you are into fishing, hunting, hiking, or just browsing rugged outdoor fashion, Bass Pro Shops delivers an experience that feels more like a nature attraction than a retail store.
The rustic decor, taxidermy displays, and sheer scale of the place make it one of the most talked-about stops in the entire Gurnee Mills complex. Plan extra time for this one.
Two Food Courts and Diverse Dining Options
Fueling up mid-shopping-trip is easy at Gurnee Mills because the mall offers not one but two full food courts, plus a handful of sit-down restaurant options scattered throughout. The dual food court setup means you are rarely far from a meal no matter which end of the massive Z-shaped mall you happen to be exploring.
The food court variety leans toward quick-service options that work well when you are in between stores and do not want to commit to a long sit-down meal. Reviewers have mentioned a decent mix of choices, including familiar fast food names alongside some less common vendors that give the courts a little personality beyond the usual chains.
For a more relaxed dining experience, restaurants like Rainforest Cafe and Giordano’s give visitors a reason to slow down and actually enjoy a proper meal. Giordano’s, famous for its deep-dish Chicago-style pizza, is a crowd favorite that several reviewers mentioned by name with clear enthusiasm.
After hours of walking the nearly two-million-square-foot mall, sitting down with a hot slice of deep-dish pizza feels like a well-earned reward. The dining options at Gurnee Mills are varied enough that you will not go hungry no matter what kind of food you are craving.
Kids Play Area and Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Bringing young children to a mall can be exhausting, but Gurnee Mills has put real thought into making the experience manageable and genuinely fun for families. A dedicated kids play area gives little ones a space to run, climb, and burn off energy while parents catch a breath on the surrounding benches.
One reviewer noted the play area is conveniently located near Starbucks and OshKosh, which is either a coincidence or a stroke of genius.
The play area features soft flooring and colorful equipment sized appropriately for toddlers and young kids. It is the kind of spot that parents end up being grateful for after an hour of pushing a stroller through store after store.
Kids who would otherwise melt down from boredom get a reset that makes the rest of the trip much smoother for everyone involved.
Beyond the play area, the entire mall maintains a family-friendly atmosphere with clean facilities, accessible bathrooms near every major entrance, and security personnel visible throughout. Strollers navigate the single-story layout without any elevator hassles.
The combination of entertainment options like ice skating, arcade games, and mini golf alongside dedicated kid spaces makes Gurnee Mills one of the more thoughtfully designed family destinations in the greater Chicago area.
Special Events and Seasonal Activities
Gurnee Mills does not just sit still between regular shopping days. Throughout the year, the mall hosts special events and seasonal activities that give visitors even more reason to show up.
Holiday setups, themed weekends, and community events pop up regularly and transform the usual mall experience into something worth planning around.
Checking the mall calendar before your visit is genuinely worth doing. You might land on a weekend with extra activities for kids, giveaways, or performances that make the trip feel extra special.
It is the kind of bonus layer that turns a regular outing into a full-on memory.