Cary

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Cary is a village located within the Algonquin Township, in McHenry County. Encompassing a total area of about 6 square miles, the community is best known for its pleasant environment and well-kept neighborhood area.

The village boasts a variety of local restaurants and establishments and proximity to nearby towns offering more in dining and entertainment. Residents much appreciate Cary’s spacious homes and extensive backyard outdoor spaces, offering scenic views and access to the nearby Fox River. Click here for more

Location

Cary and Oakwood Hills are northwest suburbs of Chicago and located in McHenry County approximately 50 miles and a one hour commute to the downtown Chicago Loop.

Neighboring suburbs include Trout Valley, Fox River Grove, Fox River Valley Gardens, Lake Barrington, Algonquin, Prairie Grove, Holiday Hills, Island Lake, and Crystal Lake.

Both Cary and Oakwood Hills are located west of the Fox River and within the vicinity of many lakes and bodies of water including Vulcan Lake, Lake Killarney, Silver Lake, and Slocum Lake.

History

The Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad began to build tracks from Chicago to Janesville, Wisconsin in 1853. As construction moved through Crystal Lake in 1855, local farmer William Cary put out a sign to establish a townsite northwest of the Fox River.

In the 1880’s, dairy farmers benefited from the railroad station established in Cary and became a big portion of the milk supply in Chicago. By 1903, the area known as Fox River Valley opened a dairy bottling plant in Cary.

Fox River Valley became a popular destination for vacation rentals and attracted Chicagoan’s looking to escape the urban city. The west bank of the Fox River in Cary progressed into a chain of vacation resorts run by family-owned businesses.

The area also became known for the open gravel pits and gravel removal. The expansion of these pits have caused tension with the growing residential neighborhoods in Cary.

The community of Oakwood Hills began as an area of resorts and vacation homes on Andersen Lake (later renamed Silver Lake). Throughout the 1950’s, residents considered incorporation to improve road conditions and became incorporated in 1959.

Transportation

Parking in Cary and Oakwood Hills is convenient and plentiful. For Oakwood Hills parking is prohibited between 2am and 6am. For any overnight guests needing to temporarily park on the street, call (815) 444-9453.

Similar to Oakwood Hills, Parking in Cary also prohibits residents to park overnight on streets from 1am to 6am and between November 1st and March 31st to allow for snow removal. Some residents will be given special permission to park overnight.

Transportation in Cary includes a senior bus service and a pace bus service known as ‘Dial n Ride.’ Call (800) 451-4599 or visit the Pace Bus website for more information.

Being so far north of Chicago, Cary residents use commuter trains to access the city of Chicago for daily commutes or weekend trip for shopping and entertainment. Union Pacific Northwest Metra Train Line run service through the northwest suburbs and to the Cary Metra Station.

The Cary Metra Station includes parking available to commuters and an agent selling tickets in the waiting room. The Northwest line runs service between McHenry Metra Station and Harvard Metra Station and Chicago Ogilvie Transportation Center.

The Cary Walk Score is relatively high in the downtown area with a 71% walkable score. The average score in Cary is 51% making the whole of Cary car-dependent. The Oakwood Hills area is even more car-dependent with a 18% Walk Score.

Nightlife

Cary nightlife consists mainly of small bars and pubs filled with locals mostly centered around the Metra Station making it convenient to stop after the commute from downtown Chicago.

One of the oldest establishments in Cary is a local pub. Established in 1896, Cary Public House is one of the local favorite bars for lots of beers on tap and a menu full of burgers and sandwiches and a fish fry every Friday. 208 W Main Street, Cary, IL 60013 (847) 639-7244.

Another great nightspot is the Broken Oar Marina Bar and Grill. Located in Port Barrington, the Broken Oar is both a marina and a bar & grill located on the Fox River. Locals recommend the Bloody Mary’s made fresh and sitting in the outdoor patio during nice weather for views of the river. 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Cary, IL 60013 (847) 639-9468.

Wool Street Grill and Sports Bar is a great place for music, entertainment, drinks, and delicious food. Wool Street is also family-friendly with a kids menu and a banquet room with great services and prices. The menu includes many great dishes like “french dipped” prime rib, Texas BBQ beef, Bass ale burger, veggie burgers, and much more. 800 Feinberg Court, Cary, IL 60013 (847) 462-9665.

Located near the Cary Metra Station, The Tracks is known for having the best burgers in town. The Tracks also has a long list of beers and daily specials including a fish fry on Friday’s. The tracks offers a relaxing and cozy as well as an outdoor patio for drinks in the summertime. 108 W Main Street, Cary, IL 60013 (847) 639-6064.

Entertainment

Cary shopping includes many family owned and operated establishments. Businesses like Periwinkle Flowers, Ziegler’s Ace Hardware, Wedding Belles, Essence Antiques, Hot Rod Music, and Fox River Glass & Mirror are just a few of the stores and shops in Cary.

For a large shopping mall, Cary residents travel to Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee. The mall includes many retail shops and a large food court with many options for dining. The mall has several department stores including Macy’s, Sears, JCPenney, Kohl’s, and Carson Pirie Scott.

The nearest movies theater is the Regal Crystal Lake Showplace Stadium 16 Theater in Crystal Lake. The regal includes dozens of movie screens, full concessions and movie theater popcorn, and comfortable stadium seating.

Raue Center for the Arts is located in nearby community of Crystal Lake near the Metra Station and offers free parking to all guests. Raue is famous for performing arts including theater and music. 26 N Williams Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 (815) 356-9212.

Restaurants

Burrito Grande is a great place for Mexican takeout. The burritos are custom made and allows each customer to pick all the toppings. Other menu items include quesadillas, tostadas, mango salsa, taco salads, and homemade chips and salsa. Burrito Grande is a newer establishment in Cary but quickly becoming a favorite restaurant. 140 Crystal Street, Cary, IL 60013 (847) 516-1799.

For a sit down Italian restaurant, Galati’s Pizza and Pasta is a favorite for Cary residents and is located in downtown Cary next to the Metra Station. Galati’s has a beautiful and casual dining room, a bar, take-out, and delivery services. The dine-in menu includes Italian dishes like baked mostaccioli, tortelleni, maniciotti, and speciality pizza like the BBQ, Hawaiian, veggie, and stuffed pizza. 7 Jandus Road, Cary, IL 60013 (847) 516-3663.

Generoso Pizza is another great place for delivery or dine-in pizza. When ordering pizza, crusts can be thin, pan, stuffed, Chicago-style deep dish, double dough, or Sicilian style stuffed pizza. Generoso’s menu also includes sandwiches, burgers, salads, and Italian pasta dishes. 1006 E Algonquin Road, Algonquin, IL 60102 (847) 854-1700.

Other Cary dining and restaurants include places with American cuisine like Chris’ Coach House Restaurant, Cary’s Family Restaurant, and Tony V’s II. Many of these restaurants include fast food, small dining rooms, and takeout.

Festivals/Parks

Cary festivals provide fun and family-friendly entertainment every year. Fall Family Fest takes place every September and includes hayrides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin patch. Every fourth of July weekend, the Cary Summer Celebration features a beer garden, tons of food vendors, live music, fireworks display, and admission is free.

The Cary Park District was established in 1971 and maintains community parks through Cary, Trout Valley, Fox River Grove, Oakwood Hills, Lake in the Hills, and other areas of McHenry County that are incorporated. Check the Map of Community Parks to see neighborhood parks in all of these communities.

Cary parks also include the Kraus Senior Center and the Cary Community Center. Both centers provide fun activities and programs for adults and children in the community. Athletics programs and classes keep children active and learning all year round.