Major city · United States
Fox Lake
Half a day to one night if you're already in the Chain O' Lakes area; not a destination on its own. Use it as a lakeside break between Chicago and Wisconsin.
Fox Lake is a small resort town at the northern end of the Chain O' Lakes waterway, about 1.5 hours by car from Chicago. Its main draw is boating, fishing and lakeside dining. Most visitors come for a half-day or a single night en route to Wisconsin.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many businesses closed)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fox Lake911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fox Lake, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; standard precautions for a small resort town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD O'Hare International Airport (About 1 hour 15 min drive via I-294 and US-12).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealItalian dinner at Morretti's$15–25
- BeerBeer (draft)$5–8
- Budget bedVacation rental (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$250
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD O'Hare International Airport (About 1 hour 15 min drive via I-294 and US-12) · MDW Chicago Midway International Airport (About 1 hour 30 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fox Lake: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
8 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest. Biking and walking work within the compact downtown. Taxis and rideshares are available but limited.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chain O' Lakes State Park
goDoor to door: 15 min
Car, about 10 min north on US-12
Boat launch, hiking trails and picnic areas; entry fee about $10 per car.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
goDoor to door: 30 min
Car via US-12 north, about 25 min
Larger resort town with more dining and shopping.
Chicago
cautionDoor to door: 2 h
Metra Milwaukee District North line from Fox Lake station, about 1.5 h
Last train back leaves Chicago around 11 pm; check schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / lakeside
Walkable to restaurants and the lake; limited options, mostly motels and vacation rentals.
US-12 corridor
Chain motels and fast food; convenient for drivers but not scenic.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (double)1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Boat rental (half day)1 × US$150 · check | US$150 |
| Metra round trip from Chicago2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$59 |
| Trip total≈ US$325 per person per day, bed included | US$649 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger basket at Famous Freddies | $12–16 |
| Italian dinner at Morretti's | $15–25 |
| Beer (draft) | $5–8 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants and attractions close on weekdays outside summer; check hours ahead.
- Boat rentals require a valid driver's license and often a deposit.
- Mosquitoes can be heavy near the water in summer.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Fox LakeFox Lake
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Fox Lake → Chicago Union Station: about $10 one way, 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi from Fox Lake to Lake Geneva: $30–50
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fox Lake. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many businesses closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Fox Lake
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