Explore the natural beauty of the Northern Fox River Valley in Illinois. Parks, trails nature centers and forest preserves nestle along the beautiful Fox River, and you can bike or hike along the river on 36 miles of trails. Discover the rural charm of the Northern Fox River Valley’s at farms and stables, or take the children to one of our family friendly attractions and entertainment centers
All Grass Farms
All Grass Farms offers a variety of sustainable, local, and organic food options, from pasture-raised and grass-fed meat and dairy to free-range eggs and vegetables, and other farm store items.
Jaynesway Farms
Jaynesway Farms is an equestrian center offering English and Western riding lessons, boarding, horse and pony sales, pony rides and pony parties in our Ponyland or at your location.
Fox River Trolley Museum
Check out Fox River Trolley Museum! Here, you will enjoy a nostalgic trip back to an era when the electric trolley car was a vital part of American life.
Platt Hill Nursery
We are your local Elgin plant nursery and garden center. Find solutions to your landscaping, plant, home and garden needs. We make gardening easy.
Zooxae
We offer a large variety of must-have aquarium products including some favorite brands like JBL, SR Aquaristik, Aquarium Essentials, Red Sea, and Fritz Aquatics. Zooxae is one of America’s fastest-growing… more
Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve
The 757 acre Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve is situated in the heart of a rapidly developing critical growth band of townships located in central Kane County. Across the gently rolling… more
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
This interesting forest preserve complex, located at a crook in the Fox River, is many things to many different people. There is a woodland for hiking and bird watching, shoreline… more
Waitcus Park
Waitcus Park located on Rt. 72 and Railroad Street offers the following amenities: a baseball diamond, basketball 1/2 court, playground, and a picnic pavilion.
Town Square Park
This park features a playground, gazebo, a pond and open space. Town Square Park is the site of Community Days, the first weekend after Memorial Day, and the monthly Movies… more
Memorial Park
Memorial Park is located at 355 Tyrrell Road (in between Big Timber Rd and Route 72 just north of I-90). This park offers the following amenities: a baseball diamond, a… more
Town Center Park
Town Center Park is located at 301 Columbia Lane, at the intersection of Tyrrell Road and Columbia Lane. Our newest park features a playground, splash pool, baseball diamond and open… more
Dolphin Cove Family Aquatic Center
Come and enjoy our Splash-down Family Slide, Sandcastle Beach or simply relax in our lounge chairs. With umbrellas, lawn chairs, picnic tables, and a sun hill, there’s a place for… more
Main Street Bicycles
Main Street Bicycles is a full service repair shop, and provider of exceptional bikes and accessories for purchase or for rent. Located right on the expansive Fox River Trail as… more
Disc Golf at Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve
Converted from a former country club golf course, this 18-hole disc golf course features rolling terrain and a mix tree cover and open areas. Holes: 18 Par: 59 Length: 6195 – 6557 ft (depending… more
Bluff Spring Fen
A lush valley of emerald green, Bluff Spring Fen is a rare gem, a mix of prairie, woodlands, ponds, streams and wetlands—including the rare ecosystem that gives the site its… more
Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary
Public trails were designed for shared use so that persons on foot, bike or horseback will be able to travel side by side. As you travel along the paths you may… more
Wing Park
Formally opened in 1903, Wing Park has a rich history of providing a multitude of amenities to residents. This 121-acre regional park is home to the Wing Park Bandshell and… more
Hampshire Forest Preserve
Hampshire Forest Preserve has been a natural playground and picnic spot for area children and adults throughout the years. Trails for hiking and learning to recognize a wide variety of… more
Bartlett Nature Center
Bartlett Nature Center includes exhibits, programming, special events, rental opportunities, scout programs and more. The Bartlett Nature Center is a Facility of the Bartlett Park District.
Bowes Creek Greenway Forest Preserve
This property is the creek corridor/greenway, wetlands and woodlands near Bowes Creek Country Club. Habitat restoration is underway on this property. Amenities: Biking and Nature Trails – .46 Total… more
Bowes Creek Wood Forest Preserve
Located just west of Elgin, Bowes Creek Woods Forest Preserve is named for the creek that winds its way through the rolling terrain before heading to the Fox River. The… more
Brunner Family Forest Preserve
Brunner Family Forest Preserve features woodlands and wetlands along a 3.5-mile stretch of the Fox River. Preserve amenities include a picnic shelter, water pump, information kiosk, fishing access, interpretive signs,… more
Burnidge Forest Preserve
Beautiful vistas and rolling terrain are the outstanding features of Burnidge Forest Preserve, one of the largest preserves in the District. There are several different plant communities and soil types… more
Cardinal Creek Forest Preserve
Cardinal Creek Forest Preserve was named by school children in a contest organized by the Forest Preserve District. An intermittent tributary of Burlington Creek meanders through the northeastern portion of… more
Eagles Forest Preserve
Eagles Forest Preserve is a quiet green island within the city limits of suburban Elgin. Eagles is home to Tyler creek as well as terrace floodplains grading into oak-hickory woods…. more
SEBA Park
Named after the South Elgin Business Association (SEBA). This park along the river is a great place with lots to do. Enjoy the outdoors by fishing, checking out the nature preserves… more
Lords Park
Lord’s Park is comprised of 108 wooded acres. Here you will find Lord’s Park Pavillion, the Elgin Public Museum and the Lord’s Park Zoo. Enjoy the playing fields, picnicking & water… more
Festival Park
This riverfront recreation area includes a playground, picnic area, fishing pier & a spray fountain/ splash pad. And conveniently located near free parking and the Fox River Trail. The nearby… more
Santa’s Village Azoozement and Water Park
This Christmas-themed entertainment park is packed with attractions. Enjoy carnival rides, 200+ zoo animals, and the new Santa Springs Water Park! Open May through October.
Binnie Forest Preserve
The wetland pockets here form the headwaters of the Kishwaukee River, which flows from the northern border of Binnie Forest Preserve. Visitors enjoy bird watching and wildlife observation from a… more
Randall Oaks Park
At Randall Oaks Park you’ll find 141 acres of open space that includes three shelters, a 10-hole disc golf course two volleyball courts and three playgrounds. There’s also an amazing… more
Villa Olivia Winter Sports
Downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing are right here in your backyard. Villa Olivia is just a short drive from anywhere in the Chicago area. With 100% snow making, ski… more
The Pumpkin Wagon
Do you have fall on your mind? Come out and see over 30 different kinds of pumpkins, gourds & squash, along with corn shocks, broom corn, mums, straw, and fall… Read more »
Goebbert’s Farm Pingree Grove
Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch is a 200 acre farm that is open to the public in mid August when our U-Pick fields open. In late September, we open as a fun… Read more »
Enjoy Pioneer Farm
Pumpkins, Fun, Free Admission. Grab a wagon and pick your own pumpkins from the 2 acre field. Also winter squash, gourds, specialty pumpkins, cornstalks and straw bales. Pre-picked pumpkins are… Read more »
Judson University
Judson University is a fully accredited, private Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions. Judson offers degrees in more than 50 different majors/minors for traditional, graduate, and adult students.
Hemmens Cultural Center
Located in the Center City area along the banks of Elgin’s award-winning Riverwalk, The Hemmens Cultural Center is the cornerstone of Elgin’s growing arts community.
Muirhead Farmhouse
Designed in 1950 by renown architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Muirhead Farmhouse is the only known farmhouse designed and built by Wright during his lifetime.
Arts in Bartlett Center for the Arts
The purpose of Arts in Bartlett is to improve the community by providing access to the arts.
Elgin Farmers Market
The Elgin Farmers Market is a large open air fresh market that takes place every year from early June through early October. Shoppers can find fresh locally grown produce and… Read more »
NENA Butterfly Garden
The NENA Butterfly Garden is located at the corner of Ann Street and Douglas Avenue in the northeast neighborhood. Formally a vacant lot, volunteers and local residents worked with the City… Read more »
Fox River Shores Forest Preserve
Lush riverside nature preserve featuring a boat launch, bike trail & a picnic shelter.
Goat Yoga Chicago
Goat Yoga at Reverse the Kerrs Farm allows you the opportunity to be one with nature, one with goats, and one with your soul. We are a unique farm in that… Read more »
Elgin Community Bikes
Elgin Bike Hub is a community oriented project to support and grow bike riding for transportation and recreation in Elgin. They accomplish this through bike rides and bike education events…. Read more »
South Elgin Canoe
Canoe & Kayak Rentals on the Fox River. Our unguided 6.5 mile trip begins below the dam in South Elgin and ends at Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles (1… Read more »
Disc Golf at Randall Oaks
Disc golf is one of today’s fastest growing sports! Disc golf is similar to regular golf; however, instead of using golf clubs and balls aiming for a hole, disc golf… Read more »
Huffman Park Splash Pad
Dundee Township Park District is committed to providing quality park areas, facilities and services for the present and future benefit and enjoyment of our entire community. For more information visit… Read more »
Randall Oaks Zoo
Situated at the top of a hill, Randall Oaks Zoo offers a variety of kid-friendly farm animals for viewing, petting and feeding. A stroll through the barn gives visitors an… Read more »
Paintball Explosion
We are Chicagoland’s premier paintball theme park! Located under 40 minutes West of Chicago, we are housed within the historic Santa’s Village Amusement Park that you all remember from our… Read more »
U-46 Planetarium
The Elgin School District U-46 Planetarium began life as the Elgin National Watch Company Observatory. It was in 1959 that the Elgin National Watch Company donated its observatory to the… Read more »
Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
Hawthorne Hill Nature Center is the perfect place to enjoy rich fall colors, snow-frosted trees, spring wildflowers, summer amphibians, and an ever changing host of birds near the pond, in… Read more »
Lords Park Zoo
Located on Elgin’s east side, at the south end of Lords Park, the zoo has had a long history and has undergone many changes. Currently, the fenced in outdoor area… Read more »
Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club
The Fox Valley Bicycle and Ski Club (FVBSC) is centered in the beautiful Fox River Valley region of Northeastern Illinois. Located thirty miles west of Chicago, the FVBSC provides a… Read more »
Kayak Myak Rentals
Kayak rentals on the beautiful Fox River, 3 trips to choose from. Relax and enjoy yourself as you paddle down the Fox and become one with nature.
The Highlands of Elgin
The original nine holes flow over beautiful rolling terrain, creating a diverse collection of holes. The new nine holes reclaim an old stone quarry, and take maximum advantage of the… Read more »
Dundee Township Park District
The Dundee Township Park District, located in Kane County, Illinois serves the communities of Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, and portions of Algonquin, Gilberts, Elgin, Barrington Hills and… Read more »
Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Our goal is to preserve and restore the nature of Kane County, Illinois. Nature is our business.
Dundee Township Visitors Center
The best rest stop on the Fox River trail! Stop in and say hi. Free maps, water, and smiles, plus snacks and t-shirts for sale.
Bartlett Park District
Winter Skiing at Villa Olivia or Golfing in the Spring, Banquet Facilities, Bartlett Aquatic Center.
The Edward Schock Centre of Elgin
From award-winning golf course to open parks, City of Elgin Parks & Recreation Foundation has something for everyone.
Trout Park Baseball
Stop by our ballpark to support local high school and college players, watch a tournament or just enjoy a game of baseball in a beautiful setting.
Elgin Lanes
Celebrating 50 years in the bowling business. League and open bowling, billards, bar with video gaming, game room and snack bar. Group and fundraiser rates available. Birthday party packages.