Location: Elgin
Top Things to do in Elgin
What to do and see in Elgin, Illinois (IL): The Best Things to do
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. Bluff Spring Fen
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By GuatemalaCiclista - Chicago, United States
Authentic feel. Not like most parks that have been Disneyfied. This is a real, brush my bare calves with grasses, nature walk. The only other folks out there were the studious environmental types classifying dragonflies. This trail ain't for the grandparents nor the rambunctious 5 year olds. It is peaceful and deserves quiet contemplation. Trail begins at the backend of the Bluff City Cemetery. There is an 8 car lot to park in. Please take out your trash.
2. Side Street Studio Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Side Street Studio Arts was founded by Tanner Melvin and Erin Rehberg in 2013 as an outlet for the Elgin arts scene. Currently under the direction of Amanda Harris, Melvin, and Rehberg, Side Street's mission is to provide educational and creative resources and an accessible space, run by artists, encouraging all aspects of the artistic process from creation to curation.
3. Gail Borden Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By lariv017
Great place for learning, studying, & even renting audio/visual items. One of the nicest libraries I've ever been in as well!
4. Escapade 360
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
Escapade 360 is Elgin's premier escape room. Located approximately 35 miles west of Chicago, Escapade 360 is the perfect complement to a night out, before or after dinner or drinks. Our family-friendly themes are fun and safe for guests ages 12 and up, and your group is sure to be talking about your experience for days afterward. Come experience a journey from the everyday!
Reviewed By retrosmith - Springfield, United States
We went to Escapade 360 on a Thursday night and played all three of their games. We had a great time in ALL of them! We've done several escape rooms and in fact owned an escape room business ourselves. Most of the escape rooms I've played in feel exactly like what they are: A half-hearted attempt at an experience made solely to cash in on a growing trend. You can usually tell immediately when you're at one of these. The place looks like what it is, an abandoned office building or suite. The shadow of the room's former occupant's name plates is still clearly visible on the door. The "attic" setting consists of seven boxes piled in the corner of what is otherwise... an office. There is essentially zero effort made in the name of immersion, and it's also normally FAR too small for the number of people (read: paying cattle) they want to cram into it. Escapade 360 is NOT that place. Each of their rooms has been painstakingly detailed to fit its theme and to put the players in the setting. These owners love what they do and it shows! The puzzles are unique, the props are fantastic, and the difficulty is well spread out, from the easier Da Vinci room to their newest and *very* much harder candy factory. The Sherlock Experience fits neatly in between. Take it from an escape veteran and former owner: this is the best escape room in the area, bar none. Can't wait to see what they bring in next!
5. BumbleBee Play Cafe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Allen21096 - Chicago, United States
We thought that we would see what the BumbleBee Play Cafe was all about one weekday, so while we were with my 3 year old granddaughter, we went there. The BumbleBee Play Cafe is a large building in a large shopping center mall. I'm not sure what type of business had been in the building before. There is plenty of parking available in the lot. When you walk in, you'll notice a cafe that is separated from the play area and another cafe that is actually between the two play rooms. One of the playrooms is designed for toddlers and the other is designed for slightly older kids. The staff is very efficient, helpful, informative & helpful.. They are very safety conscious and they do everything for the safety of the kids, including wristbands on the adults. There are also six separate party rooms, should you want to do a party there. Besides the typical tube crawls and slides, there is a grocery store play house, a fire station play house, a kitchen playset, a restaurant play station and a variety of ride-ons. They don't allow you to bring in food or beverages for regular play, though I'm not sure about how it works for parties. There is plenty of snack or light foods for both kids and adults. The pricing is really good and parents & grandparents are free. There are the usual waivers to sign. This is a great, comfortable and safe environment if you are looking for a place for kids to play on a day when the weather is too hot, rainy or cold.
6. Elgin History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By I3564WGmarkd - Chicago, United States
In a historic building just off Dundee Avenue or Route 25 the museum is easy to get to. The first floor is dedicated to the origins of Elgin and its founders. More interesting to me is the second floor that emphasizes manufacturing in Elgin, some old Elgin High School memorabilia and more. There are Elgin steel kitchens, Elgin Outboards, Elgin Coffee, Elgin bandsaws and the Elgin Watch Company represented there. Some exhibits are permanent some look like they change. I didn’t make it to the third floor to look at old photos. For the $3 admission I’m sure I’ll be back.
7. Fatzos Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
8. Art & Soul on the Fox
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Elgin's Art & Soul on the Fox is held the first weekend of August in downtown Elgin. It is a collaborative effort of the City of Elgin and Art for All, a 501c3 art club in Elgin. The event features artists, artisans, Food Trucks, live stage entertainment, a KidsZone with fun and hands on activities, and additional artists inside Elgin ArtSpace Lofts. The event runs from 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
9. Riverside Drive Promenade
10. Fisher Nuts Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
We carry over 200 bulk items, including nuts & nut mixes, snacks & trail mixes, dried fruits, chocolates, baking ingredients, a variety of wrapped & unwrapped candies, and fresh grind-your-own nut butters. We proudly offer our full line of Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest, Southern Style Nuts and Squirrel Brand packaged products!
Reviewed By Paradise494907 - Elgin, United States
We always enjoy visiting the fisher nut factory outlet. The prices are great and the samples are even better!
TAGS
