McHenry residents like to BBQ on Labor Day but it’s also a great time to get in the car and go somewhere. Unfortunately, with the price of gasoline these days, many families may not want to go as far. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and go somewhere.

There are plenty of places near McHenry where you can take a daytrip for the holiday. Here are some ideas:

• Chicago Botanic Garden. If you go to the Garden Sunday, Sept. 4, you’ll be just in time for the Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale. Apparently, mycological refers to mushrooms.
• Mississippi Palisades State Park. You can sure stretch out here with 2,500 acres of natures splendor. Bring the tent and make it a campout weekend.
• Illinois Beach State Park. This park offers 4,160 acres where you can choose to swim, hike, fish, boat, picnic or even camp.
• Starved Rock State Park. At this park in Oglesby, you’ll find canyons, waterfalls and rock formations to enhance a truly spectacular natural panorama.
• Galena. A trip to Galena is a trip back in time to the days of Mark Twain and riverboats. This small river town has charm, places to shop and places to stay.
• Chicago. There are an abundance of opportunities in the big city by the Lake. The Cubs are out of town on Labor Day this year, but the Sox are playing the Twins on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Zoos. Take your choice. You have Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos in Chicago. You also have the Milwaukee Zoo across the border. Even Racine has a small but beautiful zoo.
• Great Lakes Dragaway. If you want something that will get your blood pumping, there’s always the dragstrip North of the border with Labor Day Fun Racing & Imports on Labor Day. 
• Your backyard. Of course, you could stay home, throw something on the barbeque and enjoy the company of family and friends.

If you do decide to head out somewhere this Labor day, consider having your car checked out before you go. A breakdown on the road makes for a memorable holiday but probably not what you had in mind. 

Whatever you do this Labor Day, the folks here at Performance Unlimited wishes everyone in McHenry and the surrounding area a very wonderful and safe holiday.