Huntley can be explored through two distinct themes: history at the historic Town Square and specific sports and recreation options. A self-guided tour, the fields at Tomaso Sports Park, and championship golf open to the public offer different highlights. When planning your visit, it helps to decide first whether local history or recreation is your main focus.
Local History at the Town Square
For history enthusiasts, the self-guided tour of the historic Huntley Town Square is a practical starting point. Its historic details include buildings and memorabilia from different periods. First Congregational Church was built in 1863 by a congregation that had already existed for ten years. It is the oldest continuously used church in McHenry County.
The Old Village Fire Bell was mounted on a metal tower in the square and used to summon volunteers to fight fires. In 1968, it was replaced by a siren. The present-day gazebo on the Town Square was built in 1994 using labor and materials donated by local businesses. The dates mark different chapters: the construction of the church, the switch from a bell signal to a siren, and the building of the present-day gazebo.
Field Sports, Recreation Trail, and Golf
Tomaso Sports Park has seven soccer/football fields and six baseball/softball fields of various sizes. The park also has a recreation trail. This means it offers several field sports, as well as a trail as a separate recreation option. When weighing the options, you can start by considering your personal preference: soccer or football, baseball or softball, a recreation trail, or golf.
Pinecrest Golf Club offers a different kind of sport: its 130 acres feature 18 holes of championship golf open to the public. The acreage and number of holes give the golf offering a clear scope. By comparison, Tomaso Sports Park is characterized by its different field sports and recreation trail. The two locations therefore appeal to different interests, without being part of a combined program.
Events and Other Recreation
Huntley Fall Fest is an annual three-day community celebration in Huntley and has been running for more than 21 years. The 2026 edition was scheduled for September 25–27; those dates have already passed. The 2026 edition was also set to include a family carnival with rides for all age groups. If you are planning a later trip, check the dates for the relevant edition rather than treating the September 2026 dates as upcoming.
Stingray Bay Family Aquatic Center offers Starfish swim lessons. Ray’s Cafe is the center’s snack stand and is open daily from 12:15 to 18:00, weather permitting. If you are counting on the snack stand, it is a good idea to check for current updates, as its operation depends on the weather.
On Fridays, The Grille at Pinecrest offers “Fish Fry Fridays.” Together with Ray’s Cafe, these provide two different dining options to plan around: a Friday offering at The Grille and daily, weather-dependent opening hours at the Aquatic Center.
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