LOCAL AREA

History buffs will want to plan a tour of the Colonel Palmer House just five minutes from the hotel in Crystal Lake. The home is a Greek Revival and Federalist style brick home built in 1858 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are available and it is the home of the Crystal Lake Historical Society.

Nature lovers will enjoy exploring The Hollows Conservation area, just a 5 minute drive from the hotel in Cary, IL. Visitors can trek on over 6 miles of looped nature trails or cross-country ski on two miles of groomed trails in the winter. Launch a canoe, kayak, or electric motorized rowboat and take a spin around Lake Atwood. You’ll want to pack a picnic lunch full a full day of fishing in the clear, deep waters of Lake Atwood (22 acres), Little Atwood Lake (2.5 acres) or West Lake (12 acres).

Step back to a simpler time to explore the craftsmanship and unexpected brilliance of a Civil War era architectural masterpiece – the historic Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake. The 12-acre park is an inspirational location to stimulate the senses. Learn to paint, take a culinary class, play an instrument, draw, hold a meeting or host an event! There is a lot to experience at the Arts Park!

North Wall Rock Climbing has routes and walls for everyone from beginner to advanced climbers. 1,300 square foot bouldering room, 600 square foot auto-belay and tope-rope room, plus gear shop and training. Just six minutes from the hotel in Crystal Lake, it's a great activity for groups and birthday parties.

Around Crystal Lake’s Metra station is a sensational area teeming with shops, eateries and entertainment that you cannot find anywhere else. The sheer concentration of restaurants, bars & cafes is almost dizzying, bringing you a choice of anything from Chicago-style pizza to pub grub, Italian cuisine, Mexican, contemporary American, ice cream, hot dogs, roast beef sandwiches and pancakes. In between are all sorts of endearing shops and boutiques, for antiques, chocolate, fashion, jewelry & more.

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 apply for the beach during the summer season, but you won’t need a pass to rent a boat for a relaxing paddle on the lake.