Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      Hot off the minds of Midwest travel writers: a fresh look at where to eat, drink, play and stay around the region. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    At Wisconsin supper clubs, the steak is served rare and the traditions are well done. Like the brandy in an Old-Fashioned, these timeless institutions only get better with age.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    This sleeper hit of a weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Are—and is basically a vehicle for Parmesan and garlic toast. No complaints! (The alternate version, with ham and cream, is excellent too.)
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    With visions of dinner parties and game nights dancing in their heads, a Chicago couple renovated their historic (and first) home, one DIY project at a time.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    Author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf shares how to make blooms last longer—and repeat.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Buses, trains and very few automobiles—check out these out-of-the-ordinary holiday lights displays.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Travel
  3. Illinois
  4. Where to Play, Shop and Eat in Crystal Lake, Illinois

Where to Play, Shop and Eat in Crystal Lake, Illinois

By Writer Kit Bernardi June 01, 2012
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Crystal Lake: Where to eat
Visitors to Crystal Lake will find a great sandy beach, eclectic shopping and standout dining.
Start Slideshow

1 of 4

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Something special

Something special

Shouts of kids huddled around a sand castle float out over Crystal Lake, wafting up through the air, over tiny sailboats and family-powered pedal boats. Scenes like this play out from Memorial Day through Labor Day in Crystal Lake (population: 40,733), a historic town located 50 miles northwest of Chicago.A lot of people living in Chicagoland think of Crystal Lake as just another suburb. But residents here know they have something special: independent businesses along Williams Street, family-friendly parks and beaches, and top-notch restaurants.You can take the Metra train to Crystal Lake from downtown Chicago, but to enjoy both the beach and the downtown shops and restaurants, it's best to drive. What you find will remind you of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin-before it became an überpopular spot.Click ahead for our favorites places to play, shop and eat in Crystal Lake. For more info, contact the McHenry County Convention and Visitors Bureau. (888) 363-6177; visitmchenrycounty.com

1 of 4

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 4

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crystal Lake trip guide: Where to play

Crystal Lake trip guide: Where to play

Three Oaks Recreation Area recently opened in a former quarry near downtown and offers a new place to swim, boat and fish. A playground and spray park entertain little ones, and hiking trails lead through 28 acres of wildflowers. Admission charged. (815) 459-2020; crystallakeparks.orgSailboats glide across 240-acre Crystal Lake while lifeguards survey the Main Beach's roped-off swimming area. A restored 1929 beach house offers locker rooms, concessions and hourly boat rentals. Admission charged. (815) 459-0680; crystallakeparks.orgThree-story Charles Dole Mansion overlooks the shady waterfront park where families picnic. The Italianate mansion anchors Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, a hub of creative activity all year. During the July 4 weekend, the complex holds a Lakeside Festival, with a carnival, restaurant booths, concert and tours of the mansion. (815) 455-8000; lakesidelegacy.org

2 of 4

3 of 4

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crystal Lake tour guide: Where to shop

Crystal Lake tour guide: Where to shop
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Out of the Box

Feel at home with the contemporary furniture, salvaged architectural remnants, lamps and graphic artwork at Yours and Meyn, Simply Designed. (815) 455-2500; yoursandmeyn.comThird-generation shoe shop Heisler's Bootery sells shoes, boots and sandals from brands such as Red Wing, SAS and Propet. (815) 459-0171; heislersbootery.comLa Bellissima sells classy lingerie and loungewear; we love the comfy-cute Munki Munki PJs. (815) 477-3404; labellissima-online.comFind affordable gifts and home accessories at Out of the Box. (815) 444-7446; outoftheboxstore.comFor 30 years, Wickham Interiors has decorated fine McHenry and Lake county homes with classic furnishings, posh window treatments and tasteful accents. (815) 455-6202; www.wickhaminteriors.comShop for jewelry, clothes or purses, or slip into fashion-forward flip-flops, painted clogs and casual dress shoes at Ms. Bossy Boots. (815) 444-6856;LuLu's Wiggin Out teems with girly accessories, swimsuit cover-ups, boutique tees and jewelry. (815) 356-9900; luluswigginout.com

3 of 4

Advertisement

4 of 4

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crystal Lake: Where to eat

Crystal Lake: Where to eat

The Andresky family dishes forest mushroom soup, crab cakes, crispy brick-roasted chicken and grilled rack of lamb at longtime favorite 1776. Patriotic-theme folk art decks the interior. (815) 356-1776; 1776restaurant.comCheery French bistro Benedict's La Strata whips up red velvet pancakes topped with vanilla sauce and fresh raspberries. (815) 459-6500; benedictseggs.comAt Le Petit Marche (pictured), baker Dawn Gerth makes breads, cookies and cakes. A crusty baguette stuffed with Gouda and fresh tomatoes makes fab gourmet picnic fare. (815) 477-3296; petitmarche.bizCarrie Curie displays her Sweet Pea Cakes like jewels in glass-domed cases at her princess-pink shop at Brink Street Market; don't leave without trying the salted caramel cupcake. (815) 477-2253; sweetpeacakestudio.com(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® May/June 2012. Prices, menus and other details are subject to change, so please check specifics  before making travel plans.)

4 of 4

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Writer Kit Bernardi

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 4 Something special
    2 of 4 Crystal Lake trip guide: Where to play
    3 of 4 Crystal Lake tour guide: Where to shop
    4 of 4 Crystal Lake: Where to eat

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Where to Play, Shop and Eat in Crystal Lake, Illinois
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.