Enjoying Chain O Lakes Area Guidebook
Favorite Local and Lake Restaraunts
These are a few of our favorite places to eat in the area. We hope that you love them too.
Like Mexican Food, good drinks and amazing sunsets? This is a great place for that.
15 personas locales recomiendan
El Puerto Mexican Restaurant
200 Forest AveLike Mexican Food, good drinks and amazing sunsets? This is a great place for that.
Dockers
33 W Grand AveBest Sunday brunch and great views!
Great deck views, and we love the shrimp and drinks. A must when boating
25 personas locales recomiendan
Famous Freddie's Roadhouse
164 Park AveGreat deck views, and we love the shrimp and drinks. A must when boating
Another must when boating. This has good food, drinks, volley ball courts, piers, and more...
15 personas locales recomiendan
Captain's Quarters
38283 N Bolton PlAnother must when boating. This has good food, drinks, volley ball courts, piers, and more...
Looking for a great Italian and Seafood restaurant? Look no further. Hidden Gem!
Zaza’s Steakhouse and Italian Eatery
69 S Washington StLooking for a great Italian and Seafood restaurant? Look no further. Hidden Gem!
Take a little boat ride down the river to McHenry and eat outside at Vickie's Place. Great views, watch the boats pass, and enjoy great food.
Vickie's Place
1211 N River RdTake a little boat ride down the river to McHenry and eat outside at Vickie's Place. Great views, watch the boats pass, and enjoy great food.
This is the last great restaurant on the river before the Locks and the Damn. Love this place. Good eats and drinks.
10 personas locales recomiendan
The Snuggery in McHenry
801 N River RdThis is the last great restaurant on the river before the Locks and the Damn. Love this place. Good eats and drinks.
Another great lake restaurant not too far from the house.
13 personas locales recomiendan
Port of Blarney
27843 W Grass Lake RdAnother great lake restaurant not too far from the house.
This is one of the hottest breakfast places around. Excellent food!
12 personas locales recomiendan
Whistle Stop Cafe
15 E Grand AveThis is one of the hottest breakfast places around. Excellent food!
This is a great local restaraunt with great food, drinks, and atmosphere. Great in all seasons, but we usually go herein fall and winter
Timothy O'Toole's Pub Lake Villa
10 W Grand AveThis is a great local restaraunt with great food, drinks, and atmosphere. Great in all seasons, but we usually go herein fall and winter
Great Italian food and atmosphere in the local area. We love this place and mainly go there in winter.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Paisano's
5614 Broadway RdGreat Italian food and atmosphere in the local area. We love this place and mainly go there in winter.
Want a romantic night out on your stay with us? You have to make it to Bimbos in McHenry. 5-star
9 personas locales recomiendan
Bimbo's Italian Restaurant
1318 Riverside DrWant a romantic night out on your stay with us? You have to make it to Bimbos in McHenry. 5-star
Fabulous lake restaraunt with a great fish fry and specials. This is best accessible by boat, but you can get here by land too. It gets very busy here on weekend nights so expect a long wait and enjoy some drinks.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Fairmont Shores
37641 N Lake Shore DrFabulous lake restaraunt with a great fish fry and specials. This is best accessible by boat, but you can get here by land too. It gets very busy here on weekend nights so expect a long wait and enjoy some drinks.
Sunset grille is a NEW fabulous restauranton the Chain O Lakes with wonderful views, food and service. The owners also own "The Grove" in Spring Grove, Il, so they know the restaurant business.
Sunset Grill Antioch
25276 West Grass Lake RoadSunset grille is a NEW fabulous restauranton the Chain O Lakes with wonderful views, food and service. The owners also own "The Grove" in Spring Grove, Il, so they know the restaurant business.
Kraby J's
Great drinks and Crab Legs every night except Friday nights. Fish Fry on Fridays.
In recent year, one of our favorite places to go on the lake by boat. You can get there by land too. This is a secret gem with good food and great specials on the weekend. Great bartenders for drinks too.
After the Fox
1406 Riverside DrIn recent year, one of our favorite places to go on the lake by boat. You can get there by land too. This is a secret gem with good food and great specials on the weekend. Great bartenders for drinks too.
This is a nice little local place with great food, most of which is made from scratch for an amazing taste. It has some video gaming to enjoy, and TV's behind the bar to keep up with sports. Video Juke Box to tune into your music.
Johnny's Pizza Cafe
This is a nice little local place with great food, most of which is made from scratch for an amazing taste. It has some video gaming to enjoy, and TV's behind the bar to keep up with sports. Video Juke Box to tune into your music.
Night Life Near Fox Lake
Want to get out at night and experience some partying on the Chain? Here is a few good places
You can only get here by boat, and its only open in the summer, but this place can get crazy at night. We go here once a boating season. It is fun. Usually live bands there every weekend.
33 personas locales recomiendan
Blarney Island
27760 W Grass Lake RdYou can only get here by boat, and its only open in the summer, but this place can get crazy at night. We go here once a boating season. It is fun. Usually live bands there every weekend.
Great Restaurant in the day, but Night Club at night with DJ's
25 personas locales recomiendan
Famous Freddie's Roadhouse
164 Park AveGreat Restaurant in the day, but Night Club at night with DJ's
Another great lakeside restaurant by day, BUT party by night
15 personas locales recomiendan
Captain's Quarters
38283 N Bolton PlAnother great lakeside restaurant by day, BUT party by night
The Snuggery in McHenry
801 N River RdGreat night life and DJ's some weekends.
Get dressed up and go get some fabulous martini's and appetizers. Live music on the weekends usually.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Olive Black Lounge
5607 Broadway RdGet dressed up and go get some fabulous martini's and appetizers. Live music on the weekends usually.
Amazing place in nearby McHenry downtown to go see bands, comedians, and other performance acts. Very cool and entertaining place. Lots of other great places in walking distance from here too.
McHenry Downtown Indoor Theater
1208 N Green StAmazing place in nearby McHenry downtown to go see bands, comedians, and other performance acts. Very cool and entertaining place. Lots of other great places in walking distance from here too.
Great place to get your beach vibes on at night. The Beach House has propane firepits on the sand beach bordering the water. Nice place to spend nights on the beach and have some drinks. Amazing sunsets as well!
The Beach House
Great place to get your beach vibes on at night. The Beach House has propane firepits on the sand beach bordering the water. Nice place to spend nights on the beach and have some drinks. Amazing sunsets as well!
Water Fun Activities
Great Place to rent boats and wave-runners and have some water fun!
12 personas locales recomiendan
Jet Funn
109 Nippersink BlvdGreat Place to rent boats and wave-runners and have some water fun!
Triangle Sports and Marine, Inc.
23480 W Grass Lake RdGreat tackle and bait shop to gear up for fishing fun.
Go Kayaking on this beautiful untouched preserve creek. Call ahead for tours and outings.
Nippersink Canoe Base Conservation Area
400 US-12Go Kayaking on this beautiful untouched preserve creek. Call ahead for tours and outings.
Available only to 100 E Grand Fox Lake property guests - Rare Sand beach overseeing Mineola Bay. No parking so, you have to walk there and take a beach pass. This is private beach, so you have to be our guests to use. (This is not available to other properties located outside the HOA. If you are staying at our other properties, please scroll further to look at public beaches within driving distance.
Atwater Parkway
Atwater ParkwayAvailable only to 100 E Grand Fox Lake property guests - Rare Sand beach overseeing Mineola Bay. No parking so, you have to walk there and take a beach pass. This is private beach, so you have to be our guests to use. (This is not available to other properties located outside the HOA. If you are staying at our other properties, please scroll further to look at public beaches within driving distance.
Looking to Kayak, Canoe, or Tube the Nippersink that connects to the Chain O Lakes? Look no further than Rip the Nip for an adventure.
Rip The Nip | Rentals & Recreation
U.S. 12Looking to Kayak, Canoe, or Tube the Nippersink that connects to the Chain O Lakes? Look no further than Rip the Nip for an adventure.
The Boatyard Antioch
42125 N 4th AveNew place to rent boats, watercraft and now serve food!
Musky Mob Guide Service
8409 E Tryon Grove RdIt's simple, you want to catch game fish, this is your guy!
Looking for a great beach that is close to our properties to enjoy for a day? 25-30 minutes away is Silver Lake Beach right over the border in Wisconsin. This is a very large beach to enjoy with everything from sand, picnic tables, bathrooms, and lots of parking and water to splash in. NOTE - It is $20 Parking fee to get in, so make a whole day out of it.
Silver lake beach
Looking for a great beach that is close to our properties to enjoy for a day? 25-30 minutes away is Silver Lake Beach right over the border in Wisconsin. This is a very large beach to enjoy with everything from sand, picnic tables, bathrooms, and lots of parking and water to splash in. NOTE - It is $20 Parking fee to get in, so make a whole day out of it.
Land Activities
Our favorite movie theater in the area with comfy recliners, free refills on all sizes and everyday good prices on movie tickets.
14 personas locales recomiendan
Classic Cinemas Fox Lake Theatre
115 Center StOur favorite movie theater in the area with comfy recliners, free refills on all sizes and everyday good prices on movie tickets.
Awesome waterpark and amusement park 15 minutes away max. A whole day of fun!
135 personas locales recomiendan
Six Flags Great America
1 Great America ParkwayAwesome waterpark and amusement park 15 minutes away max. A whole day of fun!
Great place to arcade, mini-golf, go cart, batting cages, bowling and play pool!
6 personas locales recomiendan
Kristof's Entertainment Center
421 W Rollins RdGreat place to arcade, mini-golf, go cart, batting cages, bowling and play pool!
This is a great ski hill to take your friends or family to have some wintry fun in the snow!
69 personas locales recomiendan
Wilmot Mountain Ski Resort [CLOSED for 19/20 Season, Office Hours Only]
11931 Fox River RdThis is a great ski hill to take your friends or family to have some wintry fun in the snow!
Beautifully maintained 18 hole course within 10 minute drive of the properties. I golf there a few times a year and always have a great time.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Fox Lake Country Club
7220 State Park RdBeautifully maintained 18 hole course within 10 minute drive of the properties. I golf there a few times a year and always have a great time.
Great Wolf Lodge | Illinois
Great if you want a waterpark day.
Great place to go shoot some guns and doing something on a rainy day. Ask for Jeff, tell him Steve and Willow sent you. Have a banging time!
RMG Guns & Ammunition
Great place to go shoot some guns and doing something on a rainy day. Ask for Jeff, tell him Steve and Willow sent you. Have a banging time!
One of the coolest Automotive Museums around with thousands of rare and exotic and famous cars. Also a new Dinosaur exhibit and area. Great place to tour if you never been here before. Allow 3-4 hours min. Its a big place and very spread out.
37 personas locales recomiendan
Museo de Autos Volo
27582 Volo Village RdOne of the coolest Automotive Museums around with thousands of rare and exotic and famous cars. Also a new Dinosaur exhibit and area. Great place to tour if you never been here before. Allow 3-4 hours min. Its a big place and very spread out.
Shopping Malls
2 mile long mall of everything you want. Only 10 minutes away.
47 personas locales recomiendan
Gurnee Mills
6170 W Grand Ave2 mile long mall of everything you want. Only 10 minutes away.
Hawthorn Mall
122 Hawthorn CenterUpper End Mall about 20 minutes away.
Outlet Mall about 20 minutes away for some good deals
59 personas locales recomiendan
Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets
11211 120th AveOutlet Mall about 20 minutes away for some good deals
You will simply love the Riverwalk. Shopping yes, but near the River makes it even more fun.
McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes
You will simply love the Riverwalk. Shopping yes, but near the River makes it even more fun.
Sightseeing
Chain O Lakes is a great place to hike, horseback ride, exercise, Fish, Camp, RV, swim and observe a nature.
Chain-O-Lakes State Park
Chain-O-Lakes State ParkChain O Lakes is a great place to hike, horseback ride, exercise, Fish, Camp, RV, swim and observe a nature.
Beautiful forest preserve that has hiking, fishing and nature watching! There is a 1.9 mile trail. You can also bring bikes and head out on longer trails.
Grant Woods Forest Preserve
25405 W Monaville RdBeautiful forest preserve that has hiking, fishing and nature watching! There is a 1.9 mile trail. You can also bring bikes and head out on longer trails.
Parque Estatal Moraine Hills
1510 S River RdGreat Hiking, Biking Trails, and more.
Public Beaches within Driving distance
The Chain O Lakes is beautiful to enjoy, but very private, so hard to find a public beach. This is a list of public beaches within driving distance of our properties to enjoy in the warmer months.
Lake Geneva beach is a great place to go and enjoy the day with some beautiful waters, things close to do, and the downtown are really close to enjoy.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Lake Geneva Public Beach
Lake Geneva beach is a great place to go and enjoy the day with some beautiful waters, things close to do, and the downtown are really close to enjoy.
Lake Mary Beach
Lance DriveGreat beach with clear waters. Rocky bottom, so bring water shoes if you have some.
A great view of the lake. Sand real-estate as well as grass, bathrooms not bad, restaurants and resorts nearby. Great for daily visits as well as multiple days. Great boating and fishing just across the Illinois/Wisconsin line. 10 bucks for the beach admission, prolly about the same for 5 to 6 hours of parking.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Fontana Beach
South Lake Shore DriveA great view of the lake. Sand real-estate as well as grass, bathrooms not bad, restaurants and resorts nearby. Great for daily visits as well as multiple days. Great boating and fishing just across the Illinois/Wisconsin line. 10 bucks for the beach admission, prolly about the same for 5 to 6 hours of parking.
This state park along Lake Michigan has wonderful natural dunes. There are also woods, wetlands, and a great assortment of birds, animals, and plant species. Unfortunately, a large part of the beach has been lost to erosion, but there are still sandy stretches on which to sunbathe.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
North Sheridan RoadThis state park along Lake Michigan has wonderful natural dunes. There are also woods, wetlands, and a great assortment of birds, animals, and plant species. Unfortunately, a large part of the beach has been lost to erosion, but there are still sandy stretches on which to sunbathe.