The quiet subdivisions of Holiday Hills
Holiday Hills consists of quiet subdivisions less than 9 miles from Crystal Lake's attractions. “The village has an almost-rural atmosphere,” explains Cornelia Wismer, a local real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Natural areas like the lakes and Moraine Hills State Park are a big draw for homebuyers, but you’re also just a short drive away from the amenities in Crystal Lake and McHenry.” Chicago locals began constructing in this pocket of McHenry County in the 1930s as a summer destination on the shores of Griswold Lake. The population eventually grew as more Chicagoans began laying down roots in the countryside suburb. Today, Holiday Hills is largely desired for its proximity to some of Lake County’s most popular hubs.
Modest homes surrounding Griswold Lake
South of Moraine Hills State Park, modest ranch-style homes and split levels line the relaxed residential streets of Holiday Hills. Investment properties neighbor renovated homes ranging in price between $200,000 and $600,000. Homebuyers can expect to find square lawns extending to the street, where the only traffic is that of nearby residents and school buses. A mix of paved and gravel driveways lead to attached and detached garages, with plenty of space for multiple vehicles. Proximity to Griswold Lake is a massive draw in its surrounding subdivisions, where lakefront homes offer panoramic views and private docks. While most properties sit close together on lots of a quarter acre or less, a sense of privacy is granted through the occasional wooded grove.
A landmark state park
Moraine Hills State Park flanks Holiday Hills to the north, where more than 10 miles of trails make it a popular destination among hikers, bikers and cross-country skiers. Defiance Lake, one of the only undeveloped glacial lakes in Illinois, rests in the park’s heart, most notable for its fishing and boating opportunities. The Stickney Run Conservation Area is a lush nature preserve with several walking and biking trails just north of Prairie Grove. But, of course, Crystal Lake is a massive draw for homebuyers. The Main Beach is ideal for swimming, boating and summer events like the Thursday-night concert series and Independence Day fireworks.
10,000 steps at Woodman’s Food Market
Amenities aren’t hard to come by, but they’re typically found only in neighboring communities. The village of Wauconda is about 6 miles southeast of Holiday Hills, offering Jewel-Osco and a handful of eateries. Whisk Bakery and Coffee is a from-scratch kitchen with kitschy décor, while The Side Lot Brewery serves classic gastropub fare with handcrafted cocktails and ambient outdoor seating. Many, however, opt to head north into Volo for Woodman’s Food Market. “If you walk from one end of the store to the other, you’ll get like 10,000 steps in just from grocery shopping,” explains Beth Hunt, a 16-year local and Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. “I mean, they have two entire aisles just dedicated to frozen pizza. No lie, you’ll find like 200 different types of salad dressing.” Closer to home, Kief’s Reef provides a beach bar with live music on the weekends, serving rum buckets on the in-house sand volleyball court.
Commuting to the Metra
Residents of Holiday Hills are positioned between three nearby Metra stations: Crystal Lake, Pingree Road and McHenry. Though the commute to McHenry is just 6 miles, many opt to head 9 miles south to Pingree Station for the expansive commuter parking lot. Each guarantees about an hour’s ride to Downtown Chicago, while those preferring to take their personal vehicles can expect a 52-mile commute on Interstate 90. Chicago O’Hare International Airport is about 37 miles east on the same route. Car dependence should be expected for local travel, as the nearest bus routes are confined to McHenry. The closest emergency room is at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, about 5 miles north off Route 31.
Five campuses, one diploma
The McHenry Central Consolidated School District 15 serves Holiday Hills, beginning at Edgebrook Elementary School, which enrolls kindergarten through third grade with a B on Niche. Fourth and fifth graders attend Duker Elementary, which earns a B-minus. With the same grade, McHenry Middle School invites students to begin their athletic and extracurricular journeys before continuing on to McHenry Community High School. Earning an A-minus on Niche, the high school offers more than 80 athletic teams and clubs, from language honor societies to e-sports leagues. Families can expect their students to attend two separate campuses while enrolled: East Campus for freshmen and West Campus for upperclassmen.
