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Crystal Lake is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. Named after a lake 1.6 miles (2.6 km) southwest of the city's downtown, Crystal Lake is 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Chicago. [3] The population was 40,269 as of the 2020 census. [4]
- Downtown Crystal Lake
- Crystal Lake Main Beach
- Veteran Acres Park
- Three Oaks Recreation Area
- Raue Center For The Arts
- Lakeside Arts Park at Dole Mansion
- Colonel Palmer House
- Prairie Trail
- Crystal Lake Farmers’ Market
- Crystal Lake Brewing
On the fine old streets around Crystal Lake’s Metra station is a sensational central business district teeming with shops, eateries and entertainment spots that you cannot find anywhere else. The sheer concentration of restaurants, bars and cafes is almost dizzying, bringing you a choice of anything from Chicago-style pizza to pub grub, Italian cui...
The city’s first park sits on the west shore of the eponymous lake where you’ll find an exceptionally clean sandy beach backed by the gorgeous historic bath house. The water at Crystal Lake is as clear as when it earned its name some 200 years ago, and you can come to swim or lounge on the sand from the start of June through Labor Day weekend. Fees...
To stretch your legs after a meal downtown you simply head for this expansive park a couple of blocks to the north. Veteran Acres Park brims with sports facilities for tennis, basketball, softball and basketball, but is also ideal for more sedate activities. Walking paths lead around the shore of a little lake, which has a preserved wetland area th...
The south side of Crystal Lake is home to a series of mostly exhausted gravel quarries that were worked until the end of the 20th century. Since 2010 one such site at the long abandoned Vulcan Lakes has been transformed into a remarkable space for outdoor recreation. The breadth of activities on offer at the Three Oaks Recreation Area is staggering...
A downtown mainstay since 1929 is this 750-capacity theater built for vaudeville and movies. Initially known as “El Tovar”, the venue catches the eye for its adobe-style walls and terracotta tiles. The auditorium is special too, evoking a courtyard with the twinkling night sky overhead. As with many downtown theaters the building went into decline ...
A few steps from the lakeshore you’ll find this mansion built in the 1860s by the prominent businessman Charles S. Dole. No expense was spared on construction, with Dole hiring European craftsmen to produce the woodwork, parquet floors and interior fittings. Throughout the late 19th century Dole would host lavish parties here, and even built a spur...
Colonel Gustavus A. Palmer (1805-1884), who served in the Patriot War of 1838, was granted a substantial amount of land in McHenry County in 1845 for his service. When he incorporated his holdings with the nearby village of Crystal Lake, he helped found the city as we know it today. Palmer had a successful career as a farmer here, and the house tha...
This 25-mile shared use trail stretches north to south through McHenry County along the right of way of the old Chicago and Northwestern Rail Line. The Prairie Trail runs from Algonquin, south of Crystal Lake, to a little way short of the Illinois-Winsconsin state line. The path isn’t difficult to find in Crystal Lake as it runs parallel to Main St...
At Depot Park next to the Metra station there’s a small but diverse farmers’ market every Saturday morning, June to October. This is a fine place to come for fruit and vegetables as they come into season, and you’ll have the added satisfaction of buying them directly from the grower. Also for sale are flowers, herbs, plants, cheeses, meats, eggs, j...
Crystal Lake has its own craft brewery and unlike many this can be found downtown by the Metra station, as opposed to some industrial park on the outskirts where most tend to be located. Crystal Lake Brewing prides itself on its approachable yet distinctive beers, staying faithful to the heritage of its various brews by using the appropriate ingred...
- Maria C. Crystal Lake, IL21 contributions. Get away for a Hike in Nature. Beautiful day for a hike through Veterans Acres and Wingate Prairie. Begin behind Nature Center and follow through to Wingate Prairie.
- Sophia M. Cary, IL20 contributions. Fun place to spend a summer evening. This place is great for summer fun! They have live music on the weekends and host great events as well!
- Lori C. Cary, IL5 contributions. Hidden Gem for Bouldering in Crystal Lake, IL. This is a climbers gym. No frills but the people are great and lots of routes of all levels.
- Ashley H. 1 contribution. So amazing!!! Wow!!!! We had our sons 10th bday here and it was so awesome!!!! The kiddos and parents loved it! We had Gracelyn to help with my sons party!
- Maria C. Crystal Lake, IL21 contributions. Get away for a Hike in Nature. Beautiful day for a hike through Veterans Acres and Wingate Prairie. Begin behind Nature Center and follow through to Wingate Prairie.
- Sophia M. Cary, IL20 contributions. Fun place to spend a summer evening. This place is great for summer fun! They have live music on the weekends and host great events as well!
- Lori C. Cary, IL5 contributions. Hidden Gem for Bouldering in Crystal Lake, IL. This is a climbers gym. No frills but the people are great and lots of routes of all levels.
- Ashley H. 1 contribution. So amazing!!! Wow!!!! We had our sons 10th bday here and it was so awesome!!!! The kiddos and parents loved it! We had Gracelyn to help with my sons party!
Aug 24, 2024 · Crystal Lake, a charming city in Illinois, offers a mix of natural beauty, historical sites, and modern attractions. Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or just looking for a fun day out, Crystal Lake has something for everyone. Let's dive into the top 30 must-visit places in this delightful city.
The Crystal Lake Park District oversees the 238-acre Crystal Lake and its two beaches, many local parks, and numerous recreational facilities and programs. Crystal Lake has so much to offer including an award-winning public library , state-of-the-art healthcare, live theater and musical entertainment , top-rated schools , and much more!
About Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake History; Crystal Lake Restaurant Guide; What to Do in Crystal Lake; Construction Projects. Stormwater Solutions ; Downtown Enhancements; Development Projects & Requests; Citizen Support Center; Helpful Maps; Community Calendar; Resident Information. Downtown and Commuter Parking; Crystal Lake Residential ...
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