Sometime you just need to getaway, we understand! Maybe your friends or family isn’t ready yet, maybe you’re ready to try a new kind of trip or vacation? Taking vacations with your favorite four-legged friend has become a new trend. Many people don’t know that the Elgin area has many dog friendly options for activities, dining and lodging. Here’s are some suggestions for your next pet trek getaway!
Things To Do
Enjoy the Outdoors
- There are a number of ways to spend a good part of the day outside. It’s a great way to give your dog some good exercise, while keeping you entertained and active as well. The Fox River Bike Trail is a great path! It’s well paved, and travels through parts of nature as well as many towns like Elgin, West Dundee, East Dundee and South Elgin. Your pet with love the varied settings and you can always hop off the trail in one of the towns to rest, grab some food, or do some shopping!
- If you have the ability and love the water, kayaking the Fox River Water Trails has also made for a great time for pets! The Fox River flows through numerous forest preserves and has launch points in Carpentersville, West Dundee, Elgin and South Elgin.
- There are also a large number of forest preserves in the area with large open areas perfect for playing fetch, having a picnic or just relaxing and taking in the scenery. Here’s a list of forest preserves in the area:
- Tyler Creek Forest Preserve
- Elgin Shores Forest Preserve
- Burnidge Forest Preserve (Paul Wolff Campground)
- Poplar Creek Forest Preserve
- Bowes Creek Wood Preserve
- Bluff Spring Fen
- Blackhawk County Forest Preserve
- And More!
See More Information About Kane County Forest Preserves
Shopping
Here are some local pet friendly shops
Rediscover Records
9 S Spring St
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 961-8445
Ziegler’s Ace Hardware
215 N Spring St
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 741-9520
Petco
403 N 8th St
West Dundee, IL 60118
(847) 426-5616
Pet Smart
428 Randall Rd
South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 488-1732
Elgin Farmers Market
Located on Spring St in Downtown Elgin you can find the Elgin Farmers Market! This open air fresh market features local produce, artisan bath and body products, gourmet foods, sweets and more! Stop by any Friday through October 9th between 3pm-7pm to check it out.
More information about the Elgin Farmers Market
Seen on the Gifford Association Tour
Take a Tour!
A self-guided tour is a fun way to take in the area as a tourist, and it’s fun to be able to do these with your pet. There are many self-guided walking tours available; here’s a number that you can find in or near Downtown Elgin.
- See many of the historic homes in Elgin with the Gifford Park Association Tour, The Near West Neighborhood Tour, and the North East Neighborhood Tour. Audio descriptions and interactive map available for each tour! Driving route available for the Gifford Park Association Tour.
- Visit many historic structures with the Downtown Commercial Historic District, perfect for architecture buffs! Audio descriptions and interactive map available!
- Learn more about the Elgin Watch Company, a key part of Elgin’s history as one of the premier watch makers in the world from 1864 to 1968, with the Elgin National Watch Historic District Tour! Audio descriptions and interactive map available.
- Enjoy the art the area has to offer by taking in the Public Arts Tour. Interactive map available!
Special Thanks to the Elgin Historical Society and the City of Elgin for the Above Tours
Where to Stay
Click to see all accommodations
Below are hotels that allow pets
Candlewood Suites
1780 Capital Street
Elgin, IL, 60124,
(847) 888-0600
Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Northwest
495 Airport Rd
Elgin, IL 60123(847) 488-9000
Super 8
435 Airport Rd
Elgin, IL 60123(847) 857-7904
Interested in dropping your pet off at a high-quality doggy-day care? Check out Kountry Pet Resort and Training Center! This facility takes pet care to a whole new level. They provide options for a day care stay or overnight boarding, whatever suits your needs. Private and group play options are available to accommodate the temperament of any pet. Give them a call or visit their website to book a stay.
Where to Eat
Here are recommended pet-friendly options
Van’s Frozen Custard and Burgers
16 E Main St
East Dundee, IL 60118
(847) 836-8267
Van’s is located very close to the Fox River Bike Trail and the Dundee River Walk. This makes it easy to order pick-up and keep on walking with ease or take a seat at one of the benches near the river and enjoy!
Al’s Cafe
43 Du Page Ct
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 742-1180
Al’s Cafe recently opened a large outdoor seating area settled between historic buildings in downtown Elgin. This location is also not too far from the Fox River Bike Trail.
Billy Bricks Wood-Fired Pizza
64 S Grove Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
(224) 268-3995
Billy Bricks is located a few steps away form the Fox River Bike Trail. It’s a great place to stop for lunch if you’re enjoying the trail with your pooch. Well-behaved dogs are welcomed on the Billy Bricks patio space, where you can see the trail and the Fox river. Maybe you’ll even stop by when there’s live entertainment scheduled. But no matter what, you’ll be served great food in a great atmosphere!
There are many restaurants now offering pick-up and delivery options that haven’t before. Be sure to call and check, as business listings may not be up-to-date online.
See a Full List of Elgin Area Restaurants
Puppuccinos!
Your pup likes treats too, here’s some recommended places to get a good drink and a puppuccino.
Spots conveniently located near the Fox River Bike Trail
Arabica Cafe
59 Douglas Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
(224) 227-7192
Blue Box Cafe
176 E Chicago St
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 697-2583
Viator Coffee Co.
51 S Grove Ave
Elgin, IL 60120
(224) 200-2635
Craft Coffee + Donuts
124 W Main St
West Dundee, IL 60118
(224) 802-2121
Other Recommended Spots
Country Donuts (Drive Thru Open 24/7)
3091 US-20 #101
Elgin, IL 60124
(847) 488-1900
Starbucks, Elgin
821 S Randall Rd
Elgin, IL 60123
(224) 760-2757
Starbucks, South Elgin
338 S Randall Rd
South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 717-0105
Starbucks, West Dundee
203 N 8th St
West Dundee, IL 60118
(847) 426-5256
