Located in McHenry County, Crystal Lake has all the big city trappings you’d expect from a city roughly 45 miles from Chicago, yet it still retains much of its rural charm. While staying in Crystal Lake, you can pop into a variety of parks and recreation areas to relax and play, like the 140-acre Veteran Acres Park which offers a nature center, a rotary building and a rotary warming house. Other parks include the Winding Creek Park, Ken Bird Park, Lippold Park, Moraine Hills State Park , Edgewater Park and of course Crystal Lake Park. The Three Oaks Recreation Area has a beach and offers sailboat rentals. Please note: it is required you can prove your ability to sail, a requirement you can reach by taking the sailing class they offer.
One of the more novel excursions you can only make in this area is the museum dedicated to famed Dick Tracy creator Chester Gould who lived in Woodstock, Illinois. The Museum is housed in Woodstock’s historic Old Courthouse on the Square. Displays include Gould’s historic documents, original artwork, correspondence, photographs and hundreds of memorabilia, including his drawing board and chair. The 140-acre parcel Wingate Prairie Nature Preserve was named Veteran Acres in honor of the homecoming veterans of World War II. Approximately four miles of multi-use trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers year round with cross-country skiing available in winter. The preserve offers hands-on exhibits as well as a variety of programs that have instilled the need for natural preservation in McHenry County.
A juxtaposition of Christmas, rides and wildlife showcased at Santa's Village Azoosment Park in East Dundee. The Azoosment Park has nearly twenty rides and attractions, hundreds of exotic and farm animals in an interactive environment and of course an interactive Santa environment where you can pose with the Christmas figurehead. We can’t promise there’ll be time for everything you want to do in this sparkling city but when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Crystal Lake, IL, but we’ll guarantee you’ll feel good when you get there, courtesy of comfortable accommodations, great amenities and kind hospitality. Book a room online now!