Visitor's Guide to Beautiful, Historic Elgin, IL!

Bob & Beth
Visitor's Guide to Beautiful, Historic Elgin, IL!

History of Elgin

The City in the Suburbs embodies the touchstones that make us celebrate the past, enjoy today, and be ahead of the curve for tomorrow. Elgin has a quality of life and accessibility that are unusual for a city, including cultural, entertainment, and recreation opportunities not available in other Chicago suburbs. Founded in April 1835 by the Gifford brothers on their trek west and attracted to the Fox River, Elgin was named after the Scottish hymn "The Song of Elgin." The city is known for its historic architecture and landmarks from the Victorian era, including some fine examples of homes in the Queen Anne style. Many of the most remarkable homes once belonged to National Watch Company executives. Many interesting Sears Catalog Homes arrived in Elgin as kits from 1908 to 1940, and original cobblestone homes built by the earliest settlers still stand. They can be seen in Elgin's historic districts, two of which are recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Please check out the City of Elgin’s website to learn more about the dining, shopping, and upcoming events: https://exploreelginarea.com
Elgin
The City in the Suburbs embodies the touchstones that make us celebrate the past, enjoy today, and be ahead of the curve for tomorrow. Elgin has a quality of life and accessibility that are unusual for a city, including cultural, entertainment, and recreation opportunities not available in other Chicago suburbs. Founded in April 1835 by the Gifford brothers on their trek west and attracted to the Fox River, Elgin was named after the Scottish hymn "The Song of Elgin." The city is known for its historic architecture and landmarks from the Victorian era, including some fine examples of homes in the Queen Anne style. Many of the most remarkable homes once belonged to National Watch Company executives. Many interesting Sears Catalog Homes arrived in Elgin as kits from 1908 to 1940, and original cobblestone homes built by the earliest settlers still stand. They can be seen in Elgin's historic districts, two of which are recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Please check out the City of Elgin’s website to learn more about the dining, shopping, and upcoming events: https://exploreelginarea.com

Food scene

A quaint spot in an 1892 building serving creative American cooking steaks, chops, seafood, pasta, schnitzel & old-fashioned ice cream treats. *Dine-In *Take-Out Address: 43 Dupage Ct, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 1 Minute Drive
Al's Cafe & Creamery
43 Dupage Ct
A quaint spot in an 1892 building serving creative American cooking steaks, chops, seafood, pasta, schnitzel & old-fashioned ice cream treats. *Dine-In *Take-Out Address: 43 Dupage Ct, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 1 Minute Drive
Upscale, brick-walled pub serving hand-cut steaks, seafood, pasta & burgers in a relaxed setting. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 219 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.5 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 2 Minute Drive
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Elgin Public House
219 E Chicago St
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Upscale, brick-walled pub serving hand-cut steaks, seafood, pasta & burgers in a relaxed setting. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 219 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.5 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 2 Minute Drive
Upscale Japanese Restaurant serving Sushi, Soups, Noodles, and full Entrees. Kubo focuses on quality and experience. Great for a romantic night out! *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 70 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 1 Minute Drive
Kubo Sushi and Sake Lounge
70 South Grove Avenue
Upscale Japanese Restaurant serving Sushi, Soups, Noodles, and full Entrees. Kubo focuses on quality and experience. Great for a romantic night out! *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 70 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 1 Minute Drive
Thin-crust, Neapolitan Inspired pizza baked in an authentic wood-fired brick oven is the centerpiece of a simple menu served in a premiere casual atmosphere. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 64 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 2 Minute Drive
Bricks Wood Fired Pizza
103 E Front St
Thin-crust, Neapolitan Inspired pizza baked in an authentic wood-fired brick oven is the centerpiece of a simple menu served in a premiere casual atmosphere. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 64 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 2 Minute Drive
Spacious, wood-beamed, family-oriented American tavern serving steaks, burgers, pizza & craft beers. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 214 Walnut Ave, Elgin, IL 60123 Distance: 0.8 Miles - 15 Minute Walk or a 4 Minute Drive
The Walnut SpeakEasy
214 Walnut Avenue
Spacious, wood-beamed, family-oriented American tavern serving steaks, burgers, pizza & craft beers. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 214 Walnut Ave, Elgin, IL 60123 Distance: 0.8 Miles - 15 Minute Walk or a 4 Minute Drive
Sustainable coffee shop serving high-quality coffee and espresso drinks, teas, small plates, and fresh pastries/baked goods. Dairy and Lactose-Free options; Vegan and Gluten Friendly. *Dine-In *To-Go Address: 51 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 2 Minute Drive
Viator Coffee Co.
51 S Grove Ave
Sustainable coffee shop serving high-quality coffee and espresso drinks, teas, small plates, and fresh pastries/baked goods. Dairy and Lactose-Free options; Vegan and Gluten Friendly. *Dine-In *To-Go Address: 51 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 7 Minute Walk or a 2 Minute Drive
Brightly colored coffee & sandwich shop with breakfast fare, a Dr. Who theme & weekend events. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 176 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 9 Minute Walk or a 3 Minute Drive
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Blue Box Cafe
176 E Chicago St
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Brightly colored coffee & sandwich shop with breakfast fare, a Dr. Who theme & weekend events. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 176 E Chicago St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.4 Miles - 9 Minute Walk or a 3 Minute Drive
Authentic Mexican restaurant with delicious food, lovely atmosphere, and great prices. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 415 Summit St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 1.1 Miles - 21 Minute walk or a 4 Minute Drive
El Paraiso
415 Summit Street
Authentic Mexican restaurant with delicious food, lovely atmosphere, and great prices. *Dine-In *Take-Out *Delivery Address: 415 Summit St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 1.1 Miles - 21 Minute walk or a 4 Minute Drive

Grocery, Pharmacy & Liquor Stores

Local grocery store with pharmacy, toiletries, and liquor. Address: 1040 Summit St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 2.5 Miles - 45 Minute Walk or an 8 Minute Drive
Jewel-Osco
1040 Summit St
Local grocery store with pharmacy, toiletries, and liquor. Address: 1040 Summit St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 2.5 Miles - 45 Minute Walk or an 8 Minute Drive
Target offers groceries, toiletries, and a pharmacy. Address: 300 S Randall Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 Distance: 6 Miles - 10 Minute Drive
Target
300 S Randall Rd
Target offers groceries, toiletries, and a pharmacy. Address: 300 S Randall Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 Distance: 6 Miles - 10 Minute Drive
Nearby liquor store with beer, wine, and spirits. Address: 695 Villa St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.7 Miles - 15 Minute Walk or a 5 Minute Drive
Villa Liquors
695 Villa St
Nearby liquor store with beer, wine, and spirits. Address: 695 Villa St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.7 Miles - 15 Minute Walk or a 5 Minute Drive

Things To Do

Resembling a massive riverboat, the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin offers the best riverboat gambling, dining, and entertainment experience in Illinois. Address: 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.3 Miles - 5 Minute walk or a 1 Minute Drive
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Grand Victoria Casino
250 S Grove Ave
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Resembling a massive riverboat, the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin offers the best riverboat gambling, dining, and entertainment experience in Illinois. Address: 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.3 Miles - 5 Minute walk or a 1 Minute Drive
The Gail Borden Public Library is located in Elgin's heart, right off of the Fox River Bike Trail. This is the third largest library in Illinois and attracts museum exhibits from all over, including Looney Tunes and Lego Architecture. Address: 270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 1.2 Miles - 21 Minute walk or a 5 Minute Drive
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Gail Borden Public District Main Library
270 N Grove Ave
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The Gail Borden Public Library is located in Elgin's heart, right off of the Fox River Bike Trail. This is the third largest library in Illinois and attracts museum exhibits from all over, including Looney Tunes and Lego Architecture. Address: 270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 1.2 Miles - 21 Minute walk or a 5 Minute Drive
The Elgin History Museum is housed in an 1856 landmark building known as Old Main that was once part of the Elgin Academy campus. The building was designed in the Greek Revival style. Address: 360 Park St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.8 Miles - 12 Minute walk or a 4 Minute Drive
Elgin History Museum
360 Park St
The Elgin History Museum is housed in an 1856 landmark building known as Old Main that was once part of the Elgin Academy campus. The building was designed in the Greek Revival style. Address: 360 Park St, Elgin, IL 60120 Distance: 0.8 Miles - 12 Minute walk or a 4 Minute Drive
Explore the Arts & Entertainment District in Elgin! The arts scene in Downtown Elgin thrives with numerous performance groups and organizations offering a wide variety of entertainment such as the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Children's Theatre, Side Street Studio Arts, and many more. Visit https://www.downtownelgin.com/places/category/arts-entertainment-elgin/ to learn more.
Downtown
Explore the Arts & Entertainment District in Elgin! The arts scene in Downtown Elgin thrives with numerous performance groups and organizations offering a wide variety of entertainment such as the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Children's Theatre, Side Street Studio Arts, and many more. Visit https://www.downtownelgin.com/places/category/arts-entertainment-elgin/ to learn more.

Sightseeing

Nature preserve on the Fox River with an abundance of hiking trails, a boat launch for kayaking and canoeing, picnic areas & historic sites. Address: 35W003 State Rte 31, South Elgin, IL 60177 Distance: 5.5 Miles - 14 Minute Drive
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
35W003 State Rte 31
Nature preserve on the Fox River with an abundance of hiking trails, a boat launch for kayaking and canoeing, picnic areas & historic sites. Address: 35W003 State Rte 31, South Elgin, IL 60177 Distance: 5.5 Miles - 14 Minute Drive
Lush riverside nature preserve featuring a boat launch, bike trail & a picnic shelter located alongside the Fox River. Bring a boat or a pair of binoculars for an inspection of this preserve and all its natural inhabitants. Address: 701 N Williams Rd, Carpentersville, IL 60110 Distance: 7.2 Miles - 17 Minute Drive
Fox River Shores Forest Preserve
701 N Williams Rd
Lush riverside nature preserve featuring a boat launch, bike trail & a picnic shelter located alongside the Fox River. Bring a boat or a pair of binoculars for an inspection of this preserve and all its natural inhabitants. Address: 701 N Williams Rd, Carpentersville, IL 60110 Distance: 7.2 Miles - 17 Minute Drive

Neighborhoods

The Elgin Historic District contains an excellent collection of late 19th and early 20th-century residential architecture located to the east of the downtown area. Visit https://historicelgin.com/elgin-historic-district to learn more about the homes and to view a map of the historic district.
Elgin Historic District
The Elgin Historic District contains an excellent collection of late 19th and early 20th-century residential architecture located to the east of the downtown area. Visit https://historicelgin.com/elgin-historic-district to learn more about the homes and to view a map of the historic district.

Shopping

Chicago Premium Outlets is an outdoor mall located 16 miles south of downtown Elgin. It has over 160 stores such as Adidas, Coach, Nike, kate spade new york, Vera Bradley, Restoration Hardware Outlet, and more. Address: 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd, Aurora, IL 60502 Distance: 16.5 Miles - 33 Minute Drive
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Chicago Premium Outlets
1650 Premium Outlet Blvd
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Chicago Premium Outlets is an outdoor mall located 16 miles south of downtown Elgin. It has over 160 stores such as Adidas, Coach, Nike, kate spade new york, Vera Bradley, Restoration Hardware Outlet, and more. Address: 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd, Aurora, IL 60502 Distance: 16.5 Miles - 33 Minute Drive
Spring Hill Mall is a shopping mall in West Dundee, Illinois. The mall's anchor stores are Kohl's, Barnes & Noble, and Cinemark with brand-name retailers, casual eateries & a movie theater draw crowds to this mall. Address: 1072 Spring Hill Ring Rd, West Dundee, IL 60118 Distance: 6.5 Miles - 15 Minute Drive
Spring Hill Mall
1072 Spring Hill Ring Rd
Spring Hill Mall is a shopping mall in West Dundee, Illinois. The mall's anchor stores are Kohl's, Barnes & Noble, and Cinemark with brand-name retailers, casual eateries & a movie theater draw crowds to this mall. Address: 1072 Spring Hill Ring Rd, West Dundee, IL 60118 Distance: 6.5 Miles - 15 Minute Drive
Shop 10,000 square feet of one-floor shopping bliss, offering a diverse selection of merchandise, including antiques, collectibles, specialty items, unique gifts, home decor, and furniture. Address: 701 S State St (Rt 31) Elgin, IL, 60123 Distance: 1.9 Miles 30 Minute Walk - 6 Minute Drive
State Street Market Shops
701 North State Street
Shop 10,000 square feet of one-floor shopping bliss, offering a diverse selection of merchandise, including antiques, collectibles, specialty items, unique gifts, home decor, and furniture. Address: 701 S State St (Rt 31) Elgin, IL, 60123 Distance: 1.9 Miles 30 Minute Walk - 6 Minute Drive