The luminous Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is finally making its enchanting way to Illinois, just an hour outside of Chicago, starting October 3. Tickets are vanishing quickly for this incredible event! Created by Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and hosted at YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside, it’s the perfect fall escape. So how do you get there? Here are some easy options for making the trip. Grab your tickets now so you don’t miss out on the adventure.
How To Get To The Forbidden Forest Experience In Illinois
🚆🚙 Train & Rideshare Combo
- Metra + Taxi/Rideshare from Downtown Chicago
- Take the Metra Milwaukee District North (MD-N) Line from Chicago Union Station to Ingleside Station. The ride takes about 1 hour and 30–35 minutes.
- From Ingleside, YMCA Camp Duncan is just a 5-minute drive (under 2 miles) by taxi or rideshare.
🚙 By Car or Rideshare
Driving Directions from Chicago
- Head north on I-94 (Tri-State Tollway).
- Take the Route 21 (Milwaukee Ave.) exit, turn right (south) onto Milwaukee Ave.
- Turn right onto Route 120 (Belvidere Rd.) and head west.
- Then turn right onto Hwy 12 / Rand Rd.
- After merging onto US-12/Rand Rd. from IL-120, look for the camp entrance about ¼ mile ahead on the right side of Hwy 12. Secure your spot!
Rideshare Directions
In your Lyft or Uber app, set the destination to YMCA Camp Duncan, 32405 N US Highway 12, Ingleside, IL 60041. Pro tip: Check both Lyft and Uber. Prices can vary, and sometimes one has a deal or lower surge pricing.
Estimated Driving Time
It’ll take around an 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic and your departure point in Chicago. Fares would be around $90–$120 one way, depending on traffic and demand. Ready for your roadtrip to the Forbidden Forest? Snag tickets now!
Parking Cost
As for parking, you can pre-pay for just $10 online here, or pay $15 once you arrive to YMCA Camp Duncan.
Weekend Getaway: Places To Stay
Now that you know how to get to the Forbidden Forest Experience in Illinois, why not turn your trip to the enchanting experience into a weekend escape for a bit of extra magic to your fall plans? YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside is about an hour north of Chicago, making it the perfect excuse to enjoy a cozy overnight stay. Here are a few nearby hotels whether you’re looking for a hotel with boutique charm or a full-service resort.
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort (Lincolnshire) 🛎 About 37 minutes from Camp Duncan
Hotel Indigo Chicago–Vernon Hills 🏨 Around 35 minutes away
DoubleTree by Hilton Libertyville–Mundelein 🛎 About a 27 minute drive
Hampton Inn McHenry 🏨 Roughly 20 minutes from Camp Duncan
The Harry Potter Forbidden Forest experience has popped up just outside of cities like D.C., NYC, Austin, Melbourne and Singapore, and now you can check it out not far from Chicago. Here’s what people who have visited are saying about the whimsical experience:
💬 Itza V.– ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Worth every dollar, such an amazing experience and my fiancé loved every part. It’s even more fun in the dark when the lights make the forest even more thrilling. I would recommend 10/10.”
💬 Lizze K. – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “So well done! Worth the money and the drive. The Forbidden Forest will not be easily beaten.”
💬 Ryan S. – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“We had a great time. The music and effects were awesome. It is not too long so take your time and enjoy. Few interactive attractions for the kids. Definitely did them as well. A few of the staged scenes are epic. Perfect for any true Harry Potter fan.”