Their bright red parkas popping against a backdrop of sunlit snow on a chilly, early March afternoon, George and Wendy Richardson pointed toward a northwesterly field on their 500-acre farm.
Soon enough, that sea of melting snow will give way to brilliant oranges, deep reds, bright pinks, purples, yellows and golds as the 300,000 tulip bulbs planted there begin to emerge.
Thirty different varieties with names like Apricot Impression, Golde...READ MORE!
Cold weather is officially here. Take advantage of the winter season by exploring the vast outdoor adventures McHenry County has to offer. Whether it’s sledding with the family, ice fishing with friends, or hiking a candlelight trail there are winter activities and outdoor recreation for everyone.
Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing & Winter Hiking | Map
The McHenry County Conservation District offers two weekends of candlelight cross-country...READ MORE!
We’ve been “All In for Illinois” during the pandemic, but as we hit the unofficial start of summer, we’re ready to enjoy our state safely. Check-in every Tuesday for an Illinois Road Trip Round-Up on themed topics showcasing eighteen destinations across Illinois. This week, we’re touring some of the state's top golf courses! So pack up the family, bring your masks, and get ready for a road trip!
VISIT MCHENRY COUNTY
Chapel Hill...READ MORE!
Celebrate the mothers in your life and support local business.
We know that your Mother's Day festivities may look a little different this year, but we wanted to put together a list of where you can get the best local gifts and to-go brunches to make her feel special.
Brunch at Home
750 Cucina Rustica
7 Jandus Rd
Cary, IL
847-829-4993
750cucinarustica.com
Family dinner for Four: $109.90
Rustic Italian Salad
Penne Vod...READ MORE!
McHenry County, IL Scenic Roads
The Scenic Roads program was established to recognize both roads and the surrounding features that create their character (the road corridor). The program applies to all roads located in McHenry County, including city streets, residential streets, and rural roads. Completed application forms will be reviewed by the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission consists of representatives from throughout McHenry...READ MORE!
Theatre 121’s Production of Matilda The Musical
Theatre 121 presents Matilda The Musical at the historic Woodstock Opera House from March 6th-22nd.
Matilda – the Musical is based on the children’s novel of the same name by Roald Dahl and adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The cast of 24 is under the direction of Jordan Rakittke (Artistic Director), Aaron Gomez (Assistant Director), Sa...READ MORE!
Take a drive in the country and put this address in your GPS:
16105 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock
(Photo by: K-Adams Foto)
It’s the best place to start your Autumn Drive adventures as neighbors offer antiques, crafts, food and fun. Local farms in rural McHenry County open their barns to offer you fall produce, honey, jams, soaps and vinegars for the 32nd year.
October 18 – 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, in rural Wo...READ MORE!
Tourism to McHenry County Contributing to Record Economic Growth in Illinois
McHenry County generated $8.32 million in local tax revenue and $256.33 million in visitor expenditures
Tourism spending increased by 3.6% in McHenry County in 2018 over the previous year, attracting $256.33 million in local spending and helping to contribute to record economic growth in the state, tourism officials said.
McHenry County’s tourism success is credited with...READ MORE!
McHenry County is home to the best fall family fun in the state! You’ll never have to look far to find farmland fun – plan an afternoon at an apple farm, get lost in a corn maze or find the perfect produce at one of our u-pick produce farms. You won’t find experiences like these in downtown Chicago.
Friday:
Arrive & check in: We have some pretty amazing accommodations in McHenry County! Looking for a comfortable hotel with all the...READ MORE!
See a water show like no other!
You may have seen water ski shows in other places. But we bet you've never seen anything like the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team. This 140-plus-member team, consisting of members ranging in ages 5 - 65, is a five-time National Show Ski Champion and has placed in the top five in the nation every year since 1996.
Grab a lawn chair or your favorite beach blanket and head out to Wonder Center Beach in Wonder Lake (located at H...READ MORE!
It's an American tradition, fireworks on the 4th of July!
Don't have plans yet? Check out our full list of every firework show in McHenry County this Independence Day!
Most shows begin at dusk.
Saturday, June 29
Marengo Summerfest
Location: 101 Franks Rd, Marengo
Live bands, activities, beer, food, vendors and more! Festivities start at noon.
Wednesday, July 3
Cary Summer Celebration
Location: 1200 Silver Lake...READ MORE!
Great events happen in McHenry County
Looking for McHenry County's best summer events? Well you're in luck, we are home to some of the best festivals the summer has to offer. Many are family friendly and some are perfect for a night out with friends. No matter what you're looking for, let us help you plan the ultimate summer right here in McHenry County!
July
Lakeside Festival at the Dole
July 4 - 7
Lakesid...READ MORE!
We pass popular tourist sites like Richardson Adventure Farm every day; we may not even think of how it supports our community. But Richardson Adventure Farm and others like The Quarry Cable Park, Woodstock Square, Raue Center for the Arts and the Illinois Railway Museum are the backbone of McHenry County. These places define our community, provide our families with jobs and have given us—and milions of visitors a lifetime of memories.
...READ MORE!
The fifth day of March of each year shall be designated as the Day of the Horse, to be observed throughout the State of Illinois as a day to encourage citizens to honor and celebrate the role of equines in the history and character of Illinois, and to recognize the benefits of the equine industry to the economy, agriculture, tourism and quality of life in Illinois.
Learn more about the Equestrian Community in McHenry County and how you can experience it for your...READ MORE!
As Valentine's Day approaches we all start to think about how to spend this special day with our special someone! Whethere you're in town for a romantic getaway or you live near by here are a few ways to woo your sweetheart this Valentines Day!
Grab a bite to eat:
Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen - Gourmet comfort foods, artisan sandwiches and burgers all utilizing local and sustainable ingredients. Pair them with Duke's extensive beer ...READ MORE!
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT DINING DUSTER!
Stunning, old world charm with modern conveniences is how we would describe the Cherry Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast in Woodstock, IL. Made famous by a movie feature, the Cherry Tree B & B is more than a movie set. Built in the 1800’s, this nearly 7,000 Victorian home is owned and operated by George & Lori. George & Lori like to create experiences for their guests. This could include cocktails in the sitting room, a ...READ MORE!
From our friends at Chicago Foodie Sisters!
I’ve just returned from a fun whirlwind three-day FAM tour in McHenry County, Illinois where we visited a number of far northwest suburban communities and ate our way through each one.
Among them was Woodstock, where we stayed at an adorable bed and breakfast, The Cherry Tree Inn. (It’s the bed and breakfast that was featured in the movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray.) Our last stop of our ...READ MORE!
The holidays come to life in November and December in McHenry County. Visit The Raue Center for the Arts or The Woodstock Opera House for a show that will excite the senses and get everyone in the holiday spirit!
November 22 - December 8 - A Christmas Carol
Woodstock Opera House | Woodstock
Get the whole family into the Christmas Spirit at the Woodstock Opera House! Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys through the Christmases of Past, Present and F...READ MORE!
Ski jumping in September
September 21 & 22
Join the Norge Ski Club for the 34th Annual Norge Autumn Ski Jump! (YES, you can ski jump without snow!) This year they have been adding some awesome food to the event by combining the fall jump with a food truck festival! This is a weekend of FUN for the entire family! Come out and try some tasty food and see the jumpers FLY!
Explore the country’s FIRST apple tree maze
Royal Oak Farm O...READ MORE!
Illinois Railway Museum -
Musing on how to spend the day? Get on the right track at the Illinois Railway Museum. Spend a few hours or an entire weekend seeing the education, restoration and preservation efforts of this museum in motion. Different trains run on different days, so check the website to line up your visit so you can ride a steam train, electric street car, diesel train or trolley bus!
Volo Auto Museum -
This is a car museum worth the tri...READ MORE!
McHenry County is the perfect place to plan your perfect day!
Whether you're looking for a rustic barn wedding, a fairytale garden wedding, or a classic wedding in a banquet hall, we have it all!
Start planning your big day today!
Venues:
Plan a fairy-tale garden wedding
Imagine your ideal garden wedding: You're strolling along a luminary-lit cobblestone path. The sounds of waterfalls provide a soothing cadence...READ MORE!
February 1 - 4, 2018
Woodstock, IL
It's time to party again and again and again in Woodstock, IL at the annual 2018 Woodstock Groundhog Days Festival!
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the classic film “Groundhog Day”, which was filmed in Woodstock. The weekend celebration kicks off on Thursday, February 1 with the Awakening of the Groundhog at the historic Woodstock Opera House. On Friday, February 2 at approximately 7:07 AM, Woods...READ MORE!
At the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove, the party’s been going on for more than 110 years. This 150-feet ski jump rises high above the Fox River and offers a year-round training facility and competition venue for world-class athletes. No snow? No problem. The plastic covering on the hill creates a slick surface, even on 90-degree days.
While the athletes practice quietly throughout the year, on competition days in January and September, thousands of spectators...READ MORE!
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