Top 16 Things To Do In Elgin, Illinois

1. Learn about 19th-century America at Elgin History Museum

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Immerse yourself in a historical experience like no other at the Elgin History Museum, a non-profit organization started by local authors and historians in 1961. Housed at the 1856 landmark ‘Old Main’ building, the museum exhibits include timeless artifacts from Elgin National Watch Co. and Elgin Road Race memorabilia. Here, you’ll be able to get an interesting overview of Elgin’s history as well as a snapshot of the significant community experiences. Be a part of Elgin’s rich heritage and don’t miss out on this piece of history!

Elgin History Museum

Address: 360 Park St, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Elgin History Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 11am - 4pm (closed from Sun - Tue)

Price: Free

2. Have some bowling fun at Elgin Lanes

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Have a good old time with family or friends at Elgin Lanes, a 30-lane AMF bowling center. Family owned and operational since 1965, there are no restrictions on how much fun you can have at this bowling alley. Choose from a birthday party, daily specials or bowl leagues, for the more competitive experience. Have a roller coaster time at the bar and concession area, dabble in some video poker and billiards if bowling’s not your thing; there is something for everyone here!

Elgin Lanes

Address: 401 Shepard Dr, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Elgin Lanes

Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 11:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 10pm; Tue - Wed: 11am - 10pm; Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri: 9am - 11:30pm (closed on Mon)

Price: From 3 USD per game, per person

3. Enjoy a meal at Al's Cafe & Creamery

Al’s Cafe & Creamery is a beautiful cafe, housed in a fascinating Victorian-style historical building, that has been serving coffee and food to Downtown Elgin for over three decades! You’ll feel comforted in their warm and inviting interiors. Bite into yummy sandwiches, have a sip of good old chocolate, strawberry or vanilla malt, or choose from impressive classic dinner items like steaks or shrimps, representing the best of American and European cuisine at Al’s. Do also look out for specials like Scandinavian month and Oktoberfest. This place has global appeal yet it is proudly local.

Al's Cafe and Creamery

Address: 43 Dupage Ct #6421, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Al’s Cafe & Creamery

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon)

4. Watch a live performance at Elgin Art Showcase

Check out Elgin’s newest performance and gallery space in the vintage Professional Building, which has been operating since 2007. Located in the heart of downtown, overlooking the Fox River, they have made a name for themselves as curators of visual art and cultural performances. As a versatile performance and visual art space, they showcase both artistic performances and art exhibits and installations. So you are sure to find something that catches your fancy.

Elgin Art Showcase

Address: 164 Division St, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Elgin Art Showcase

Price: 15 USD

5. Have ribs, steaks and much more at Alexander's Cafe

Alexander may have wanted to conquer the world, but you don’t need such ambitions to conquer the wide variety of dishes at Alexander’s Cafe. They serve classic favorites like baby back ribs, charbroiled steaks and juicy prime ribs, along with delectable burgers and fresh fish. You can also indulge in sumptuous ice creams and desserts, or pause time with a cocktail at the full-service bar,

Alexander's Cafe

Address: 1725 N State St, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Alexander’s Cafe

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6:30am - 10pm; Sun: 7am - 9pm

6. Grab your popcorn and watch a movie at Marcus Cinemas

When you are not in the mood to venture outdoors much, grab that hot popcorn and relax in the comfort of a good old movie at the Marcus Cinemas. They have a facility of 15 state-of-the-art auditoriums, each of which is equipped with comfy DreamLounger™ recliner seating. You’ll be able to find most of the mainstream films here. The cinema also boasts excellent picture and sound quality as well as a variety of food and in-theater dining options.

Marcus Cinemas Elgin

Address: 111 S Randall Rd, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Marcus Cinemas Elgin

Opening hours: 10am - 12:30am (daily)

Price: 10 - 15 USD

7. Sample delightful pastries at Herb's Bakery

Enjoy the generations-old delicious baked savories and desserts at Herb’s Bakery. Started by a German family whose baking traditions have been handed down for over nine generations, Herb’s Bakery is a landmark in the Elgin and Fox Valley area. It is famous for its old-fashion cake donuts, hand-made Danish, Kringles and soft Bavarian German Pretzel rolls. You can also get anything that you see here, custom-made.

Herb's Bakery

Address: 1020 Larkin Ave, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Herb’s Bakery

Opening hours: Mon: 6am - 3pm; Tue - Fri: 6am - 5:30pm; Sat: 6am - 2pm (closed on Sun)

8. Experience nature at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center

Enjoy the natural landscapes of Hawthorne Hill Nature Center on its 67-acre (27-hectare) natural area that flanks both sides of Brookside Drive. The trail is abundant with rich flora and fauna- snow-frosted trees, spring wildflowers, summer amphibians and a wide variety of birds. It is the best place to learn about the natural landscapes found around Elgin. Be one with nature at this peaceful retreat.

Hawthorne Hill Nature Center

Address: 28 Brookside Dr, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Hawthorne Hill Nature Center

Opening hours: Fri & Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed from Sun - Thu)

Price: 5 USD

9. Have a fun family time at Lord's Park

Go to Lord’s Park if you are looking to relax along a sprawling suburban landscape. It is named after the Lord family of Elgin, who first established this 8-acre (3-hectare) regional park. This is a beautiful park in a suburban setting, with many amenities and family attractions (tennis, playground, seasonal pool, zoo, historic pavilion, museum, picnicking spots) that are sure to make it a wholesome adventure.

Lord's Park

Address: 100 Oakwood Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Lord’s Park

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 7am - 5pm; Tue: 7am - 9pm

Price: From 5 USD

10. Learn about local history at Elgin Museum

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Visit the century-old Elgin Museum for a unique peep into history of life forms. The only natural history museum in the Fox Valley area, and the oldest in Illinois, this is a must-visit for any history enthusiast. There are natural objects collected from across the world representing all periods of history and prehistory, starting from before dinosaurs up to the present times. The central attraction is the rich collection of exhibits on Moray. Enjoy its frequently refreshed exhibits and interactive experiences.

Elgin Public Museum

Address: 225 Grand Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Elgin Public Museum

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

Price: 2 USD

11. Get some shopping done at Elgin Shopping Mall

Indulge in a bit of retail therapy and pamper yourself at Elgin Shopping Mall. Choose from a bevy of electronic and consumer goods shops, grab a bite at the food court and relish in its extravagant retail stores and entertainment spots for a day of fun. You’ll find a large number of stores to choose from, great deals and offers, a fresh market, multiple food and snack outlets, some really unique imported Mexican goods, and a variety of cowboy boots for sale at the flea market section.

Elgin Shopping Mall

Address: 308 S McLean Blvd, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Elgin Shopping Mall

Opening hours: Sun: 10am - 6.30pm; Thu: 10am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 8pm (closed from Mon - Wed)

12. Solve puzzles at Escapade 360 Escape Room

If you are looking for a fun way to spend an evening, then plan a trip to Elgin’s famous Escapade 360 Escape Room. Test yourself, find clues, solve puzzles, and let your imagination run wild at the premier escape room facility. Not only is it an ideal activity for team building, but Escapade 360 also offers families and couples a fun and memorable way to spend time together. Here, you will find an escape room experience like no other, with family-friendly themes and real-life immersive games.

Escapade 360 Escape Room

Address: 77 S Riverside Dr Ste 300, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Escapade 360 Escape Room

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 11am - 10pm; Tue - Thu: 1pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)

13. Catch a performance at Janus Theatre

Visit the Elgin Art Showcase located in the historic Elgin Professional Building and get your Shakespeare on at Janus Theatre. Formed in 1998, Janus Theatre has produced over 60 productions of classic and contemporary works. Their aim is to revitalize Downtown Elgin through theater. Choose from many scintillating performances, from classic and contemporary works, at this art and cultural landmark. Support local artists and soak in some culture at this famous theatre.

Janus Theatre Company

Address: 164 Division St, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Janus Theatre Company

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 2pm - 10pm

Price: From 15 USD

14. Try your luck at The Grand Victoria Casino

Have a royal time at the Grand Victoria with an ambiance that will remind you of The Great Gatsby. Owned and operated by Eldorado Resorts, Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin is located just 40 miles (64 km) west of Chicago. Apart from a range of games, the casino also offers opulent banquet and dining facilities. Featuring a picturesque riverboat with 16-foot (4-meter) ceilings and more than 1,000 slots and a variety of table games, you will have a gala time. Also, don’t forget to indulge in the lavish seafood buffet at Indulge, which many visitors vouch for!

The Grand Victoria Casino

Address: 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Grand Victoria Casino

Opening hours: 8:30am - 6:30am (daily)

15. Admire birds at Bluff Spring Fen

Explore rich biodiversity at Bluff Spring Fen, a 160-acre (64-hectare) nature preserve with wetland habitats, prairie, endangered species and hiking trails. Lose yourself in a lovely mosaic of upland, wetland, and wooded remnant plant communities, streams, grasslands, and magnificent burr oak trees. Because of diligent restoration, this nature park is home to a rich diversity of plants, birds, insects, and amphibians. It is great for an hour or two-hour hike any time of the year.

Bluff Spring Fen

Address: Spring Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120, USA

Website: Bluff Spring Fen

Opening hours: 7:30am - 7:30pm (daily)

16. Enjoy a children's theatre performance at the Children's Theatre of Elgin

Enjoy a children’s theatre performance from one of the oldest, largest and most exciting theater companies in Illinois. While the CTE (Children’s Theatre for Elgin) focuses on children and youth in the second through to the ninth grades, FVTC (Fox Valley Theatre Company) is for youth and young adults in the ninth grade through to 20 years. An ever-changing roster of thrilling plays and theater festivals awaits you at this cultural hallmark of Elgin.

Children's Theatre of Elgin & Fox Valley Theatre Company

Address: 1700 Spartan Dr Room H104, Elgin, IL 60123, USA

Website: Children’s Theatre of Elgin & Fox Valley Theatre Company

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 5pm

Price: From 10 USD

Experience the best of Elgin

Get the best of Illinois’ history and culture in Elgin. The center of Illinois’ Northern Fox Valley, this city offers a variety of adult entertainment activities as well as fun and educational things to keep children occupied. Plan a visit to this fascinating city and indulge in fun and games, visit historical museums and parks, and catch movie shows and theatrical performances to make the best of your time.