Elgin
Welcome to Elgin
An up-and-coming, urban community nestled along the Fox River Valley
What to Love
– Dozens of world-class parks for exploration and recreation
– Beautiful, scenic views along the Fox River
– A strong sense of community pride and spirit – Elgin was the winner of the National Civic League’s All-American City award in 2002
Local Lifestyle
Antiques abound in Elgin. Visit State Street Market Shops and Elgin Antiques and Uniques to browse the shelves for your latest treasure. State Street Market offers over 30 individual vendor stands under one roof, and Elgin Antiques has themed rooms with “fantastically fun” finds hidden among several alcoves throughout the store.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
There are dozens of parks throughout Elgin, but two popular spots are Festival Park and The Pavilion at Lords Park. Featuring a fun playground and spray park, Festival Park is a local favorite destination for families in Elgin. The Pavilion at Lords Park is a stunning event space that features a Victorian building situated on 108 acres. The Pavilion is an ideal spot for weddings and large parties, and the park features miles of trails, a playground, sports fields, a museum, and the Lords Park Zoo, which was founded in 1895.
Things to Do
Held on the first full weekend of July, the Algonquin Founders Day Festival is the highlight of the year for the community. This cornerstone festival and tradition, since 1961, brings a huge carnival, parade, and fireworks to the neighborhood and features a Founder’s Run competition and annual bar crawl.
Hit the lanes at the retro-inspired Bowlero Bowling Alley for themed parties for all ages, laser tag, arcade games, and huge plates of oversized, shareable meals. The bowling alley features 38 lanes and a sports bar and lounge for dining. They offer specials every week, from Taco Tuesdays to free games for First Responders and Sunday-Funday games for families. The Bowlero mission is to encourage guests to forget everything they know about bowling and instead, look to experience the “epic fun that only happens when you’re at Bowlero!”
You would never guess a 12-acre park was nestled in the middle of downtown Algonquin, but Towne Park offers everything you need for a relaxing day outside. The spacious area is filled with picnic tables, expansive fields for sports, a castle-themed playground, and basketball courts. The picnic area serves as a beautiful spot for family picnics or birthday parties, and since the park is centrally located, there are numerous places to grab a bite to eat within walking distance.
Calling all art aficionados – the annual Art on the Fox festival celebrates art in all forms with 75 vendors showcasing their talents along the Fox River over the course of two days. Featuring unique pieces in a wide variety of mediums, Art on the Fox is a celebrated event each year, and hundreds of Algonquin residents show up to support their local artists. The festival features live music each day and educational artist workshops for all ages. Browse the downtown district for your next unique piece of jewelry or extraordinary painting!