Grayslake is a small community in Lake County, about 40 miles north of Chicago. It sits in the chain of suburbs between Waukegan and the Fox River Valley, but retains a more small-town feel than many of its neighbours, with a compact downtown and a slower pace. The College of Lake County and the Lake County Fairgrounds keep the town busy with events year-round, from the county fair in late July to craft shows and concerts.
The bike paths running along the main roads and through nearby forest preserves make for good riding. The Des Plaines River Trail passes close by, offering a longer ride through wooded bottomland. Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve, just east of town, has several miles of trails through restored prairie and wetlands — one of the better birding spots in Lake County, particularly during spring migration.
Grayslake is not a destination in itself, but if you are in the area it makes a reasonable base for exploring the Chain O' Lakes region to the north or the lakefront communities along Lake Michigan to the east. The downtown has a handful of restaurants and shops, and the weekly farmers market in summer draws a good crowd.