Nature & Outdoors
Join us for unforgettable day-trips to breweries, vineyards, shopping, and much more!
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. Judson University ranks consistently among the Top-Tier of Regional Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, Judson shapes lives that will shape the world. During our academic year, Judson provides chapel for our community at 10 a.m. in Herrick Chapel Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These events are free and open to the public. Each year Judson hosts concerts, recitals, plays, lectures and art galleries from renowned artists and architects on campus for our students. These events are typically open to the public and admission fees and registration may be required. Judson also is home to the World Leaders Forum, an annual event that brings global world leads in the spring. During the school year, Judson offers music lessons to younger students through the Fox Valley Community Music School. During the summer, special sports camps and a music camp are available for area youth.
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 includes: Buffalo, Elk, and White Tail Deer, which can be seen all year long. During the summer the farm zoo will open to provide visitors with the opportunity to view farm animals rented from local farms. This is not a petting zoo.
Farm Zoo Hours: June 4 – August 12: 11 am – 3 pm
The farm zoo is located at the north end of the zoo. Animals will include pigs, cows, goats, sheep, llama & a miniature donkey.
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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. Initially built for Robert and Elizabeth Muirhead, the 3,200 sq. ft. Farmhouse is an excellent example of Wright’s Usonian architecture using Chicago common brick, concrete flooring with radiant heat and large window walls.
Naper Settlement is an outdoor museum with historic buildings including a Victorian mansion, log cabin, blacksmith shop, law office, post office and one-room schoolhouse. A regional attraction, Naper Settlement is a gathering place to over 125,000 annual visitors who enjoy hands-on programming and special events within a magnificent 12-acre campus. The new Harvard Early Learning Playscape for children ages 2-7 includes Naperville’s only splash pad.
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. This intimate 1,200-seat theatre is a favorite venue for seeing stars up close. Since 1969, audiences have been treated to such names as B. B. King, Bob Newhart, Phil Vassar, Garrison Keillor, Bill Cosby, The Ides of March, Blue Oyster Cult and many more. Attending a performance at The Hemmens is an experience not to be missed; clear sightlines and wide aisles provide an unparalleled concert and theatre-going experience where patrons get the sense of sitting in a luxury suite. Even the balcony’s level of comfort and proximity to the stage rivals that of many other venues’ ‘club level seating’.
