If you’ve always dreamed of living in Mayberry, McHenry may be the next best thing. The community has beautiful lakes, streams, and forest preserves, but perhaps most notable here is the friendly nature of its residents.

In addition to an amiable community, residents enjoy the community’s friendliness along with shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. The town’s Main Street has undergone a transformation with a microbrewery, rebuilt historic theater, and several new shops. Veterans Memorial Park in the center of town hosts weekly free concerts and entertainment in the warmer months, as well as Fiesta Days Art and Street Fair, a 10-day festival with music, parades, food, and car shows.

Surrounded by natural lakes, streams, and grassy hills, McHenry is home to Moraine Hills State Park. In addition to dozens of city parks, the Prairie Trail runs right through the center of town from Crystal Lake and connects to trails nearly up to the Wisconsin border.

Commuters have daily service to Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago thanks to the McHenry Metra station.