
Turn off the TV and game system, put away the phone! Summer is for fun and adventure, and our Summer Camps Guide for McHenry County is your map for summer memories.
February 5, 2025
If the thought of packed snow and big hills brings out the kid in you, or makes you want to bring your kids outside, then you'll love our Sledding Hills Guide... as much as the thought of how tuckered out those kids will be after a few hours sledding!
December 19, 2024
If you've been itching to lace up those skates and get out on the ice, then you're in luck. Before you head out, be sure to check our guide for local McHenry County ice skating rinks.
December 18, 2024
Looking for Christmas Tree Lighting near you? Craving a holiday light display or show? We've got you covered...at least if you're in McHenry County. Check out our guide to the Christmas tree lighting events & holiday light displays around McHenry County.
November 21, 2024
Bundle up the little ones and head for your closest parade route to welcome in the Christmas season! Here's our guide to the local Christmas parades happening around McHenry County.
November 19, 2024
He knows whether you've been naughty or nice, but here's a last chance to put in a good word! Grab the kids and check our guide for snapping some pictures with Santa.
November 14, 2024
Whether you've ever had a real Christmas tree or not, our guide is here to help you navigate the challenges of having real trees. Be sure to check out our list of local Christmas tree farms.
November 12, 2024
Grab your costume and your treat bag! Before you head out though, be sure to check our annual McHenry County Trick-or-Treating hours list for your local treating times and events.
October 9, 2024
Looking for Trunk-or-Treat fun in McHenry County? Look no further as our guide details trunk or treat, as well as other treating fun events all across the county.
September 25, 2024
Get all your McHenry County July 4th fireworks show information in our newest guide. We've also added parade and festival information. We have details on dates, times, locations, maps, and more. Plan your Independence Day festivities now!
June 13, 2024
Round up the family, grab chairs and blankets, and head to the movie in the park! Enjoy watching the stars on the screen under the stars in the sky with your favorite movies.
June 11, 2024
Looking for Mother's Day brunches and other ideas for Mother's Day? Be sure to check out our special McHenry County Mother's Day Guide for ways to celebrate that special someone called mom.
April 23, 2024
Grab your Easter baskets and get ready to hunt Easter eggs, snap a photo with the Easter Bunny, or even have breakfast with the Bunny! And we're here to help you find those eggs with our Easter Egg Hunt Guide for McHenry County!
February 21, 2024
Like a Christmas tale straight out of a storybook or a holiday movie, Richmond served up small town holiday charm during Richmond's Cocoa Walk and the Richmond Christmas of Yesteryear events.
December 13, 2023
Our first attendance to the Village of Algonquin's Miracle On Main tree lighting event was about as perfect as it could get. Between the great weather, lots to see, festive crowd, and grabbing dinner without a reservation or a wait on a Saturday night, I'm not sure what more you
December 6, 2023
Come along as we journey to the McHenry Christmas Tree Lighting in Veteran's Memorial Park. It was a great afternoon and evening with pretty perfect weather!
November 21, 2023
Wonder Lake's Fall Fest was the place to be for all kinds of fun, from a trunk or treat to a huge bonfire! Take a peek!
November 2, 2023
A whole lot of fun was happening at Crystal Lake Plaza's annual Halloween Family Fun Event. Did you make it into any of the photos? Check and see!
November 1, 2023
Great day for a Halloween Walk in Fox River Grove with the Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce. Check out the smiles and the great costumes.
October 31, 2023
Another successful Truck or Treat with the Crystal Lake Park District on a glorious, if not chilly, fall day at Main Beach.
October 30, 2023
It's our favorite time of year and there are so many things to do in McHenry County during fall! In fact, with so many options, it's hard to keep track, so we decided we should create a guide!
October 11, 2023
Perfect weather marked the 30th annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, and what may have been the one of the biggest ones yet.
October 3, 2023
Did you make out to play on the big hill at the Nunda Township Road District's annual Touch-A-Truck? Hope so, but if not, we've captured some of the fun.
July 31, 2023
There's a new farmers market in town, Johnsburg specifically, so come along and have a look from my recent walk thru.
July 26, 2023
Head west with us as we venture out to Marengo to visit and tour the Marengo-Union Library District.
July 13, 2023
Hop on board as we head up to the Village of Hebron for their annual Independence Day Parade.
July 3, 2023
If you didn't make it out to this year's Cary Summer Celebration, we saved some photos for you. And if you were there, take a look...you might be in one of those photos.
July 1, 2023
Never underestimate the tenacity of children or the value of a penny. Come check out this unique library that was built, in part, with a million pennies and houses a 100-plus-year-old butterfly collection.
June 29, 2023
Buckle up because this Library Lovers Expedition visit is heading beyond our boundaries...county that is, but it will be an adventure you won't want to miss our exploration of the Wauconda Library.
June 9, 2023
River East Public Library may be the smallest library in the county, but they also have a few things that no other library in the area has to offer.
May 4, 2023
As libraries evolve, they have taken on more services and offerings to meet the needs of patrons. One of the newest areas of expansion areas can be seen in Algonquin's Makerspace.
April 27, 2023
The Huntley Library underwent a tremendous renovation over a year ago and what has come out on the other side is more than just a physical transformation.
April 12, 2023
Journey up, or down, Route 31 to the McHenry Public Library for a tour of the resources they have to offer as well as some unique programs.
April 6, 2023
Join me as we journey to the Johnsburg Public Library for a tour, a little Library Lovers Expedition scratch-and-win activity, and a chance to meet Sparky Butterscotch, a real character.
March 14, 2023
The Woodstock Public Library has some pretty amazing sights to see that might make you forget for a second that you are in a library.
March 13, 2023
The Cary Area Public Library continues to reshape what they offer to better suit their patrons. From the Seed Library to the Library of Things, they are about more than just books.
March 9, 2023
Just a stone's throw away from the Metra station, the Fox River Grove Memorial Library has something for all ages. Come along as I tour the library and learn about how they serve the Fox River Grove community.
March 8, 2023
Explore the Crystal Lake Public Library and learn about the origins of the popular Library Lovers Expedition, as well as discover materials, programs, and services you had no idea the library offered.
March 7, 2023
What's that up in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, it might just be a ski jumper with the ski jump tower in the background...and yes, that actually is a plane in the background! Join us on this exciting adventure of ski jumping at the
February 16, 2023
Check out this special edition camera roll with photos from the first day of the 118th Norge Ski Club Winter Tournament.
February 12, 2023
Get your dose of Christmas spirit with these photos from downtown Crystal Lake for the Festival of Lights Parade, tree lighting, arrival of Santa, and a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane.
November 30, 2022
If you close your eyes, you can almost hear the roar of the engines as the cars worked their way around Meadowdale Raceway. Today though, you'll mostly hear some traffic from Hwy 31, the occasional sounds of mountain bikers, and nature. But you can still explore the old track.
November 9, 2022
Crystal Lake Plaza was once again home to a party of zombies, princesses, fighter pilots, an array of video game characters, and much more on Saturday as their annual trick-or-treating event returned.
November 1, 2022
Amazing weather, two weekends in a row for events at Main Beach in October?! I don't know what the odds are for that, but I do know that it was great to enjoy another fall day where a coat was optional. And these trick-or-treaters definitely enjoyed showing off their costumes!
October 31, 2022
Explore the magic as Witches & Wizards of Woodstock returns once again to serve up magic, fantasy, and fun for all.
October 26, 2022
Crystal Lake Park District brought the Northwoods of Wisconsin to Main Beach for a day with lumberjacks, family fun, food trucks and a beer garden. Thanks to the unseasonably warm, weather, flannel shorts may have been preferred over flannel shirts. Needless to say, from the countless photos taken, no one
October 25, 2022
What do you get when you combine vintage classic cars with trick-or-treaters? Perhaps the wildest car show or most unique trunk or treat you've ever seen.
October 13, 2022
Johnny Appleseed made his appearance again in downtown Crystal Lake for the Johnny Appleseed Festival, and brought some amazing weather with him. Until next year, here are some photos to tide you over!
October 4, 2022
Closing out summer with a trip to the Lake in the Hills annual Summer Sunset Festival. We checked out the carnival on Sunday and fun times were had! If you didn't make it, check out our photos to see what you missed.
September 7, 2022
It takes more than a little rain to keep us away. But you can enjoy these photos from the Open Air Farmers Market+ At The Dole from the comfort of your own home, regardless of the weather.
August 10, 2022
While you wait...take a walk around the Lakeside Festival. At least that's what I did ahead of Crystal Lake's annual Independence Day Parade, and here are some photos to prove it!
July 13, 2022
It was a near-perfect day for a parade. If you missed this year's Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade, then we've got over 100 photos that will show you some of what you missed, or relive what you experienced if you were there.
July 7, 2022
Celebrate the 4th and the summer kick-off with the Cary Park District's annual Summer Celebration with some music, food, and fireworks! Come along and feast your eyes on some photos from the event.
July 5, 2022
Weekly car show fun without all of the hassle and expense! If you're itching for some candy apple red eye candy, then you'll want to check out this glimpse of what you might find at a Cary Cruise Night!
June 8, 2022
Sit back and stay awhile as you flip through over 100 photos from Huntley's Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony.
June 6, 2022
Wonderful weather prevailed for the Fox River Grove Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, and we've got the photos to prove it. So if you didn't make it out, sit back and enjoy our little recap.
June 1, 2022
Cornish Park in Algonquin stands out with its clocktower, view of the dam on the Fox River, and wonderful greenspace and playground for the kids. That alone would be great, but it also benefits from being in the heart of old Algonquin within walking distance of two other parks and
May 26, 2022
Come along as we check out this historic park right off the downtown Algonquin area, just blocks from the Fox River.
May 5, 2022
What better way to spend a sunny, though windy and chilly, pre-Easter Saturday than with the hardest working bunny around! Enjoy some photos from the Village of Prairie Grove's annual Easter Egg Hunt.
April 20, 2022
Looking for something completely different? A day trip to the Shedd Aquarium may just be the ticket you're looking for. Come along and get a sneek peek of our recent journey outside the county with a day at the Shedd.
March 25, 2022
A wonderful return to art, The Dole, and life in general. Come along as we enjoy the return of art exhibits at The Dole with the "New Beginnings" show by Creative Arts Inc. students and instructors.
March 22, 2022
Grab your green and get your Irish on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! And what better way to do it than by heading to the McHenry ShamRocks the Fox. If you didn't brave the cold, here are some photos of the parade and the river to tide you over till
March 13, 2022
Are you looking for holiday and Christmas light displays? We've pulled together a list spanning McHenry County to help you get started on your journey! And we welcome any that you think should be on our list too!
December 20, 2021
Get in the holiday spirit with a stroll through downtown Crystal Lake, with a walk down Christmas Tree Lane to Peppermint Park, get in some last minute shopping, and meet up with the jolly man in the red suit.
December 15, 2021
The Crystal Lake Park District's Luminaria Walk is truly a wonderful way to experience Veteran Acres Park. It's also a great way to transition into the holiday season.
December 10, 2021
It was wet, but it was merry and very worth standing out in the cold. If you weren't able to make it out for the Merry Cary Holiday Parade & Festival, click along to see what you missed.
December 7, 2021
Be sure to save a little time in your hectic schedule for a stroll around the Woodstock Historic Square this holiday season to take in the festive light display.
December 2, 2021
Whatever you think you know about the Crystal Lake Park District, there is most likely so much more that you are missing. Come along and let's see if we can uncover a few new things.
November 15, 2021
We had fun checking out some of the Halloween decorations and some Trick-or-Treating in Marengo.
November 2, 2021
Main Beach park was a buzz with all sorts of goblins, ghouls, and superheroes at this year's Crystal Lake Park District's Truck or Treat.
October 25, 2021
If you missed this year's Annual Autumn Drive, come along and enjoy a photo tour of just a little bit of what you missed.
October 19, 2021
Downtown Crystal Lake always knows how to signal the return of fall with the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival; this year celebrating 28 years! If you missed it, we've got a taste for you here!
September 28, 2021
We all, from time to time, need a little getaway to unplug and recharge, not just the batteries, but the soul. Ironically, these kinds of trips are often closer than we think.
August 17, 2021
You'll be amazed at what Richardson Farm can do with a cornfield! Nothing like a day on the farm, picking out pumpkins, navigating a huge corn maze, ziplining across the farm, snacking on some apple cider donuts, and all kinds of fun activities for all ages! Take some time out
October 27, 2014
The Johnny Appleseed Festival celebrates the legacy of Johnny Appleseed, a famously kind and generous pioneer nurseryman who traveled the eastern Midwest in the early 1800s spreading apple trees and his religion along the way. We had our own visit from Johnny, a jolly man who talked to all the
October 7, 2014