Location: Elgin
Top Things to do in Elgin
10 Things to Do in Elgin That You Shouldn't Miss
Elgin (/ˈɛldʒɪn/ EL-jin) is a city in Cook and Kane counties in the northern part of the U.S. state of Illinois. Located roughly 35 mi (56 km) northwest of Chicago, it lies along the Fox River. As of 2013, the city had a total population of 110,145, making it the eighth-largest city in Illinois.
Restaurants in Elgin
1. Santa's Village Azoosment Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Celebrating Family Fun! Santa's Village AZoosment Park offers kiddie and family thrill rides, a barn and petting zoo, domestic and exotic animals, live shows, games, shops, and restaurants Open May through October. One admission price includes all activities - rides, shows, animal encounters and attractions! Free Parking. Santa's Village AZoosment Park is conveniently located in East Dundee, IL minutes from I-90. Great for Group Outings, Family Reunions and Birthday Parties! Season is May- October
Reviewed By mkernus - Chicago, Illinois
We had a blast with our 7 and 4 year old grandchildren. They loved having so many rides to choose from and we enjoyed the all rides included admission price. The park was immaculate and the rides are in pristine condition. Most rides are nostalgic and from other kiddie parks which makes it very nostalgic. My husband and I commented several times at how nice the park looked (lovely summer plantings, koy pond and all the buildings were freshly painted.
One of the many highlights of the day was getting to visit Santa Claus. He has his own beautifully decorated summer house and each family has a private visit with him. Santa was so sweet with our grandchildren.
Thank you to the owners of Santa Village for restoring this park and making it a magical place. I would say this might be the top kiddie amusement park in the U.S.
2. Epic Air Trampoline Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By andrea c
DON'T GO TO EPIC AIR. I went there today to have my daughter turn in her free 1 hour of jumping and they are not honoring the pass. She got this from the principal. They would do nothing for me not even any money off. They stated they stopped the program on Friday, even though the pass says the end of September. They said that teachers in the district were saving them for their own kids and not passing them out. When I stated that wasn't the case with my child they didn't care and said no you can't use them. DO NOT GO HERE THEY WERE VERY RUDE. They claim they sent a note out to all the U46 schools about it but that is not the case. So sad for a company to be that way and for some teachers in the district to be spoiling it for those that earned the reward.
3. Sears Centre Arena
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
I already have submitted a review on Sears Centre Arena. It has been published. Why did TripAdvisor place this subject on my website again? They don't bother to explain their mistakes or oversights. They do a lot of dumb things. This is just one of them. But, for the record, Sears Centre Arena has became a popular venue for high school basketball in Illinois, a site for sectional and supersectional competition. The students and players love it because it is much larger that a high school gym and offers a big-time feeling, like playing in United Center or Madison Square Garden. And there is plenty of parking. The facility is very convenient, located just off the I-290 expressway in Hoffman Estates.
4. Gail Borden Public Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By SandiMcClure - Elgin, Illinois
When I first saw the Gail Borden Public Library I was so impressed with the building. And the location near the Fox River adds to its beauty. The amenities offered by this library to the community are extensive. Of course you can check out books, but they also offer classes on how to use various types of computers, they offer educational programs and hold community meetings there. It is a resource of unlimited information. Elgin is so fortunate to have such an amazing library.
5. Fox River Trolley Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Marcin C
I appreciate what the volunteers are doing there. They offer a nice ride on the weekends during the season and around December also do the Polar Express gig for kids. If you don't like old electric trains, you will not be thrilled but it's still a fun thing to do with the kids of if you're bored and can't find anything better to do.
6. Elgin History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Anna G - Chicago
Your fist stop in Elgin should be here. You will learned about very rich Elgin history. But also you can find broschures and maps for other local attractions.
This museum is small but staff very friendly and helpful. Before I came here I knew about Elgin watches and I highly recommend this museum to learn more about Elgin National Watch Company. But there is more interesting desplays here (like for example about company manufacturing famous compacts) and more...
Entry donation for adults $3. It is open Wednesday- Saturday 11AM to 4PM. Great to visit with kids. Free parking.
7. Panic Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By jeffreyelefano - Tampa, Florida
New location! Professional staff. Since the place just opened there wasn’t too much signage but surprisingly it was booked out! We could see why as the game room was kind of scary and excellently done! The great reviews this place has you just have to see for yourself. Grab 5-6 friends and definitely make a night out of it!
8. Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 222 reviews
Measuring 400 feet long and 100 feet wide, this picturesque riverboat features 16-foot ceilings and more than 1,000 slots and a variety of table games.
Reviewed By Mink52 - Waukesha, Wisconsin
We we happy to see that the casino had been updated since our last visit- and that it was 100% smoke-free. There was an ample selection of slot machines and gaming tables, and numerous waitresses and cleaning staff throughout. They do not have self-serve stations set up for free soda and coffee, which I think is kind of cheap.
I have to say that the slot machines had the worst odds of any we have played in some time. Never lost so fast nor had so few big payoffs in recent memory. That will keep us from coming back for some time.
9. Riverside Drive Promenade
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By SW1138 - McHenry, Illinois
This Riverwalk is the tops! It is absolutely beautiful! Gazebo's, Patriotic areas (with flags and memorials), gardens all about, pedestrian paths and bicycling paths. I have been there a few times now, during and just love it. I intend to go at night one day as I see on their website it lights up. This is a perfect place for picnics, weddings, entertainment and more. I never would have thought Elgin would have something so beautiful. This city has really tried to build up to a place where people will want to come. They have a wonderful library that is a must see too, and a sports complex to die for! They have it all.
The only negative is you will occasionally see homeless folks laying on a bench or sitting on the path, but they all seem to be harmless.
10. GAT Guns & Firing Range
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Tundraclown - Chicago
Well known to shooters throughout the NW suburbs, GAT bills itself a gun superstore, and – from what I have seen, compared to its competition it largely is. Situated on two floors, the ground floor contains a retail area where ammo is sold – standard stuff like .22 lr, 7.62 x 39, .223 and 5.56 etc….but they have weird stuff as well, like Makarov rounds and rare stuff that was more common place 100 years ago. They also have cleaning supplies, gun safes, range glasses, ears, etc – there is a small counter selling knives and swords and another selling a significant variety of magazines. Ammo prices are competitive – sometimes one can find things cheaper at Wal-Mart, but usually GAT is pretty low. The sell both brass and steel but they only allow brass on their range.
Upstairs, it is another story….a very large selection of assorted guns. The first portion of the floor includes racks of holsters, pouches, straps and such. There is a small air gun counter with various air pistols and rifles. There is also your gun purchase counter. So, here is what I would say – the staff are super friendly and competent…but if there are even 3 people in line at this counter, you are going to wait…my experience is typically 10 to 15 minutes for each person to get through the line – so multiply that by however many people are in front of you. All gun purchases, pickups and drop off’s for owned guns is done here – there is no way to avoid it. If there are two people working the counter, you are in luck, if there is just one you’re going to be there a long time. They have checkout stations for like 4 or 5 staff members, but I have never seen more than two people working the counter.
The other portion of the upstairs is firearm central….new inventory includes a range of semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, as well as hunting type rifles and shotguns. It’s a great selection, from American folks like S&W, Kel-tech, Kahr and such, to FNH, HK, Walther, Glock, Sig, Taurus for pistols and your Remington’s, Bernelli’s, Mossberg’s, Winchesters etc on the rifle rack. The middle section of the room has gun cases and gun accessories. The rear of the room is mostly tactical stuff, A big range of AR Variants, AK variants, M1s, IWI, Uzi and even a few Barretts if you have the cash for those.
There is a used hand gun case with things like almost new Berretta 92s, to weird CZ’s from the 50’s and historical arms like DWM lugers, Nabos and even some junky looking InterTech’s from the 1980’s…finally, on the north wall, you have a lot of historical arms…trap door rifles used during the Indian Mutiny and such, Argentinian Mausers…There are also three used rifle racks which I like to pick through…some of the inventory on these racks is junk, but you get lucky every now and again – not unusual to see moisins, arasakas, carcanos and an array of obscure shotguns that are fairly dated.
The shop is usually pretty busy, but if you can find a service associate who is free they are pretty knowledgeable and if they don’t know, they usually know who does and will call that person over.
Alright, so the range….the range is downstairs and is divided in two – there is a handgun range (very popular) and a rifle range (which always seems deserted)…they have a large array of rental guns, especially handguns. There is a somewhat lengthy sign in process if there are a few people in line….but the range is well maintained and a nice facility. Please note, to use the rifle range – all shooters must be seated – no standing…they say it is for safety, but it seems so weird and unnatural to me, so I don’t use the rifle range.
For handguns though, it is a great experience…please note, what I have found is indoor ranges are similar to movie theaters in the sense that they get very crowded if the weather is crumby or if it is a national holiday or something…so a good time to go would be on a beautiful sunny day when you want to be outside or during like the super bowl or something….I can usually always get a lane here, but sometimes the line can be quite long.
Overall GAT is a great facility and would be my primary go to, but they make you sit down to use the rifle range which is beyond lame. Also, their staff are great, but I often feel like they are understaffed – particularly if you are looking for a salesman or god help you if you are trying to buy a gun….you will be in line FOREVER…oh, and don’t know about other people, but I get no bars on my phone at GAT (not their fault), so I can’t even surf the net while standing in line.
GAT also has a large array of classes – everything from basic gun safety, to CC to courses tailored to women and tactical courses – I have never taken one here, but they seem popular.
Prices on stuff is competitive, selection is great, service is friendly, hand gun range is great…..not enough staff, long lines at gun checkout and range sign in and a rifle range I refuse to use due to the sit down rule.
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