If you plan a trip to Illinois, make sure you take time to explore the small town of Elgin. It’s a beautiful city with an intriguing history and plenty of things to do. Elgin, Illinois, is located in the northwest portion of Cook County and along the Fox River. The city has a population of 115 000 and is 35 miles west of Chicago. There are a lot of great things to do in this beautiful town.
One of the highlights of your visit to Elgin is going museum hopping. You can start at the Elgin Public Museum, which features two floors of exhibits. There’s also the Elgin History Museum, which covers local and Native American history. Another stop is the Gail Borden Public Library. This library is located in a former fire station and offers free Wi-Fi and a cafe. You’ll find children’s activities, music performances, and talks during your visit.
Elgin History Museum
The Elgin History Museum has permanent and rotating exhibits on the history of Elgin. It is located in a historic building and is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
Aside from the permanent exhibits, the museum offers guided tours. Visitors can schedule a tour by contacting the Elgin Area Historical Society. This organization also conducts regular and annual meetings. In addition, the society works on educational programs and a summer history camp.
The Elgin History Museum is a repository of historical photographs in the community. Many pictures are available, including those taken by local photographer Elmer Gylleck. His photo collection comprises 3,500 black and white images of Elgin, Illinois.
Aside from the museum, visitors can also visit the Reber Research Library. The Elgin Area Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Elgin. Their archive is rich in materials and contains over 30,000 items.
Fox River Trolley Museum
If you want something exciting and educational in the Chicago area, visiting the Fox River Trolley Museum is a great choice. This museum has several antique trolleys that are still operational, including the oldest electric interurban car in the country. It also has a few special events for visitors to enjoy.
You can tour the forest preserve or ride a historic trolley. The trolleys are operated by volunteer docents eager to share their love for the museum. They will guide you through the museum’s 450-year-old oak trees and tell you all about the history of the trolleys.
The museum is located in South Elgin, Illinois, at 365 South LaFox Street (Illinois Route 31). Admission is free for children under three years old. Children from three to eleven are charged $5, and adult admission is $8.
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
If you want a unique way to spend a summer day, the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve in Elgin, Illinois, has you covered. This small but significant forest preserve features some right paved and unpaved paths and a handful of expensive picnic areas. Some shelters boast fireplaces, while the rest offer a nice view of the Fox River.
The Duerr Forest Preserve also contains the most significant natural waterfall in the state. Blackhawk Falls is a whopping eight feet in the water. Getting to the falls involves a bit of a detour off Route 31, but the journey is worth it. There are plenty of other exciting attractions in this area, including the Fox River, where you can take a dip and a brisk walk or a leisurely bike ride.
Festival Park
Festival Park is one of Elgin’s best places for kids to play and have fun. It features a splash pad, a fountain, a playground, and other exciting amenities. The park is also home to a bike repair station and other useful features.
Festival Park’s fountain, which runs during the summer, is an excellent way for kids to cool off. However, it is not open when COVID-19 restrictions are applied.
A nearby restaurant, Buckinghams Steakhouse, serves a tasty selection of meats and fish. Other features at the casino include table games, roulette, and blackjack. There is also a museum and a gift shop. In addition, several historic sites, including the Castlemuir Depot and the Fox River Trolley Museum, can be visited.
If you plan on visiting Festival Park, you might consider getting a special event permit. You can get information on how to do this by visiting the Elgin Parks website.
Elgin Public Museum
Elgin Public Museum is the oldest museum building in Illinois. Its mission is to advance education through science, technology, and cultural programs. The museum offers several seasonal and year-round educational activities for children and adults. Among its more unique exhibits are a farm zoo and an interactive playroom.
Aside from its natural history displays, the museum has an impressive collection of one-of-a-kind Elgin memorabilia. This includes Elgin Road Race memorabilia, Carl Parlasca Native American Collection, and E. Maude Native American Collection. In addition to its displays, the museum has an interactive museum store with rare and unusual Elgin items, such as a pair of ear-shaped squid shells and an octopus with human eyes.
The museum features over 15,000 natural history specimens and boasts many exhibits and displays geared toward families. In addition, they offer a variety of educational programs based on scientific topics such as zoology, paleontology, ecology, and anthropology.