East Suburban McHenry - Crystal Lake, IL Area Guide

The town of McHenry began as a prairie frontier settlement after Major William McHenry led an expedition through the area in 1832 during the Black Hawk War. The brief but bloody battle against the Sauk tribe over a controversial 1804 treaty included many future leaders, including Abraham Lincoln, Zachary Taylor and Jefferson Davis.

After the war, European newcomers settled on the site of an old Indian ford along the Fox River, where the Potawatamie tribe had once hunted and fished. Settlers arrived on the wagon trail, now known as Route 31, and log cabins dotted the area. Industry followed, bringing a sawmill, a hotel and a ferry boat to the prairie hamlet. Early residents catered to tourists from Chicago and boasted that McHenry was the gateway to the Great Lakes. In 1854, local politician George Gage helped to secure a railroad route along his own lands on the western edge of town. The arrival of the railroad spurred growth, and factories sprang up, churning out pickles, vinegar, beer and cigars. The newly expanded area was given the name Gagetown, later changed to West McHenry. The two towns competed for industry and residents before finally incorporating in 1872.

By the turn of the century, farming families mingled with the vacationers who built summer cottages on the riverbanks and sent postcards of McHenry's scenic canals, where boats cut through watery fields of lotus blossoms. After World War II, new industries came, such as metalworking and electronics, and provided jobs to fuel growth. The population rose steadily from 2,000 residents in 1950 to nearly 27,000 in 2010. Though you won't find famous politicians or poets in this small community, the McHenry-born John Brzenk grew up here, who the Guinness Book of World Records later named the greatest arm wrestler of all time due to his four-time World Championship wins.

Though the area lacks museums and theaters, the McHenry Historical Society in nearby Union, Ill. invites visitors to go back in time, letting kids tour the Gannon log cabin and the old Pringle School, or climb to the attic, where they can dress up in 19th century clothing that awaits them in an antique trunk. As the holidays approach, local families here gather in the historic downtown to light the town's Christmas tree, sing carols, ride horse-pulled wagons and do a little early Christmas shopping from the holiday vendors that join the festivities.

Every July, the whole town celebrates Fiesta Days with a week-long party of carnival rides, fair food, raffles and good old-fashioned competition at Petersen Park, including races and a bag tournament. Live bands play and a bike stunt show keeps the crowds cheering. The festivities end with a parade through downtown, complete with floats, marching bands, horses, gymnasts and tumbling teams.

Though the east side of McHenry doesn't have the diversity of Chicago's restaurant scene, a walkable stretch of Elm Street lets you choose from affordable Italian, Thai or pizza, along with the town's favorite barbecue joint.

Regulars return to the Hickory Pit for the smoky beef brisket and pulled pork sandwiches served with fresh-cut fries or kernel-flecked cornbread. Customers order at the counter for table-side delivery, and food arrives on papered lunch trays, a casual touch that helps locals unwind, along with a round of beers and a big screen television for game days. The high-quality barbecue menu includes platters for families and the reasonably priced favorites sometimes sell out during the mealtime rush.

Further south at the Brunch Cafe, locals come early for tricked-out versions of classic breakfast and lunch fare, like the red velvet French toast, a vividly red cake iced with cream cheese frosting and topped with strawberries, or the apple Gouda melt with sliced ham and gooey cheese on grilled apple bread. Though the eatery has no dinner menu, the affordable food, generous portions and casual cafe ambiance make it a McHenry favorite for mimosas with friends or Sunday breakfast with the family.

You'll find no nightclubs or fancy mixologists in this peaceful suburb, but several watering holes along Elm Street serve cold brews and strong drinks, including the local dive bar The Gambler, located around the corner on Greene Street. A short stroll across the river brings you to The Snuggery, where the large outdoor patio invites customers to watch the sun set over the water with a drink in hand, including peach sangria and strawberry lemonade shake-ups. Dockside parking for boats bring a marina-like feel to the bar, and a regularly changing menu features dressed up burgers, sandwiches and appetizers for the after-work crowds, such as coconut onion rings or a mahi-mahi sandwich on brioche. Expect long waits during the busy summer months when lines snake out the door for the prime waterfront tables.

For live music, head down the river to catch acoustic rock, bluegrass, funk and jazz jams at Mackey's Hideout, a friendly, no-frills bar on the edge of town. Newcomers can pick from 93 bottles of beer on the wall. The bottles on display include small batch breweries and hard-to-find craft beers, such as Firestone Double Jack IPA, as well as Three Floyds on tap. The clientele makes its own music on Thursday karaoke and Monday open mic nights, and outdoor tables provide a comfortable spot to kick back on summer nights while the music drifts by.

Though daily life in eastern McHenry does require a car, a downtown district with wide sidewalks allows for leisurely strolls past restaurants and stores, along with street parking for errands. If you find yourself in need of a ride, the McHenry Cab Company can pick you up promptly, and McHenry Limousine has a fleet for special occasions. Don't waste time trying to hail, as cabs never venture this far north and Uber drivers aren't likely to heed your call.

For public transit, the Metra commuter rail stops here and brings you to Chicago in a little over an hour on the Union Pacific-Northwest line. However, the limited service caters to commuters and has no weekend schedule, so some residents drive to the Crystal Lake station nearby for more flexible train service. Pace buses provides public transportation to the neighboring towns, with route 806 providing service to Crystal Lake and route 807 to Wood Stock.

Getting around town by car is easy, though reaching a major interstate takes time. Route 31 runs north-south through eastern McHenry and brings you to I-90 after about 30 miles south. Route 120 runs east-west through the heart of town and crosses I-94 after about 20 miles east. Plentiful parking around the big box shopping stores makes errands easy, and McHenry's business districts have two-hour parking, some paid and some free.

Though the streets of McHenry have only a few dedicated bike lanes, the eastern part of town includes several long trails, including one that follows the railroad tracks all the way through town and beyond. A bike-friendly route on Bull Valley Road brings cyclists to the Moraine Hills State Park, where hilly and flat loops provide hours of exploration.

Many small parks dot the eastern section of McHenry, sprouting up along the creeks, ponds, and quiet residential streets. Downtown, the gazebo in Veterans Memorial Park provides a gathering place for weddings and town-wide celebrations, along with a playground for kids. Several larger parks let residents relax on the grass or amble through the woods, including Miller Riverfront Park and Cold Springs Park. Just over the river, Moraine Hills State Park includes over 2,000 acres for biking, fishing and exploring the bogs in the wetlands area.

During the warm months, families pack up the car for a day at the Petersen Park beach along McCullom Lake. Residents swim in the shallow lake for a $1 daily admission, and small boats rent for $6 an hour. The park doesn't welcome dogs, but families can fish for bluegill and largemouth bass in the stocked lake, and a good-sized population of northern pike provide large catches. In mid-summer, Petersen Park hosts the annual Blues Festival, when blues, brews and barbecue take over the grassy lawns to raise money for the local Rotary Club. Past headliners have included Dave Weld, the Moods, and Melvin Taylor, and local vendors dish up everything from pulled brisket and rib tips to charred corn on the cob and funnel cakes. A no-holds-barred cook-off pits amateur brewers and home cooks against one another to win bragging rights and the title of Best BBQ and Best Home Brew.

The affordability and safety of eastern McHenry attracts those who enjoy lower prices on everything from groceries and gas to housing prices, saving an average of 15 percent when compared to Chicago. Rents also fall well below Chicago prices, with a one-bedroom apartment in McHenry renting for an average of $750 monthly compared to the city-wide average of $1,800. Most McHenry residents own their homes, and the largely single-family housing stock includes a number of newer developments that help keep down costs for first-time buyers.

A wide selection of affordable big box stores along Richmond Road make it easy to run errands in eastern McHenry, including Target, Kohl's, TJ Maxx and Home Depot. In the historic downtown, shoppers browse from a small number of boutiques, including florists, jewelers and several thrift stores.

Shoppers save big at the Pink Door, where the well-organized selection of used clothing caters to adult women, along with some home goods. Old World Coin invites you to peruse silver dollars and early coppers for a glimpse into America's past, along with rare buffalo nickels and draped bust dollars that reach into the thousands. The shop also has auctions on weekends and trades in gold bullion.

For groceries, many residents in eastern McHenry prefer the Meijer on Richmond Road for its competitive prices and good selection. Closer to downtown, an Aldi has low prices and a constantly rotating selection, while customers like the family-run Angelo's for fresh produce. The McHenry Farmers Market is held from January to June. During the summer, the Summer Band Concert series is held in conjunction with the market. The farmers market is held every Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park. This shady park is the ideal location to pick up fresh produce, plants, baked goods, and frozen beef, along with artwork produced by local artisans.