The Fox River Valley is home to a wonderful selection of specialty gift shops, from the Illinois Railway Museum’s Gift Shop, the Elgin Area Historical Society Museum store, the Elgin Public Museum store, State Street Market and Algonquin Commons. Take a break from your shopping to enjoy the fine restaurants, the museums, and the local riverboat casino.
Please contact the Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to check on availability and rates for your group.
Day One
We begin our unique excursion immediately upon arriving into Chicagoland’s Northern Fox River Valley area with breakfast this morning is at Benedicts Eggs & More Restaurant. Enjoy breakfast at this wonderful restaurant specializing in old fashioned pancakes, waffles, crepes and French toast.
Our adventure today takes you out to the Illinois Railway Museum’s Gift Shop, which offers a variety of railroad and museum related materials-post cards, T-shirts, key chains, mugs, books and toys. And now that we’re here, why not take in the Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in the United States. Historic streetcars, interurbans, steam, diesel locomotives, 9.5 mile ride on mainline, 1 mile streetcar ride, and special events throughout the season.
Before discovering our next shopping destination, it’s on to Jimmy Buffet’s Cheeseburger in Paradise, where you can purchase island-themed gifts for the folks back home. And while you’re here, there’s an incredible selection of American and island favorites for lunch, as well as fun food choices like amazing mini-cheeseburgers and chocolate nachos, not to mention exotic drinks.
Adding to the experience that is anything but ordinary, your group will enjoy lunch in a setting they won’t believe at Algonquin Commons. Your group is sure to love the fun, the sales and the special treatment they’ll receive here, as it isn’t just a shopping experience, but the definitive in Lifestyle Shopping in Chicagoland. Be sure to advise everyone in the group to take their time at Algonquin Commons because there is much to see and do here.
From here the group will venture into Elgin to look for bargains at the Elgin Area Historical Society Museum store, which carries local Elgin history and architecture books, Elgin-related souvenirs like mini-Elgin Windmills, wooden ornaments, and Elgin watch jewelry, as well as art prints from Elgin artists. With time allowed, you will also enjoy the Elgin Area Historical Society Museum. The Museum is housed in an 1856 landmark building known as Old Main that was once part of the Elgin Academy. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Through permanent and changing exhibits, the museum brings to life Elgin’s rich heritage. Permanent exhibits include Elgin National Watch Company, the E. Maude and Carl Parlasca Native American Collection, and Elgin Road Race memorabilia.
Elgin Public Museum store, which features jewelry, books, rocks, shirts, educational toys and games related to Natural History and Anthropology….not to mention a holiday boutique during the first weekend of December. After browsing, feel free to take in the Elgin Public Museum, a natural history and anthropology museum. Built in 1907, Elgin Public Museum is the only natural history museum in the Fox Valley area. The museum offers exhibits and educational programs with natural history and cultural themes for families, school groups, clubs, organizations, anyone who wants to have fun while learning! Located in beautiful Lord’s Park, you can roam the grounds where you’ll find a couple of permanent residents of the park, American Bison!
After the day of shopping, you return to your host hotel where you freshen up for tonight’s dinner and entertainment. Tonight, instead of spending money on gifts, why not get free gifts. Club Victoria at the Grand Victoria Casino is Chicagoland’s most rewarding players club. Upon arrival, sign up to instantly receive exclusive benefits and discounts, points good for cash back, comp dollars, and access to Grand Victoria’s award-winning promotions and giveaways. Best of all, becoming a Club Victoria member is completely free. It’s a win, win, win!
And while you’re here, why not enjoy dinner at Indulge Show Kitchen Buffet, which provides guests with six micro-restaurants in one. The new Indulge Show Kitchen buffet offers Chicagoland a unique buffet experience by integrating a live-action cooking studio into the main dining area where trained chefs prepare delicious appetizers, entrees and scrumptious pastries and desserts. Here Club Victoria Comp Dollars may be redeemed for a wide variety of Grand Victoria Casino logo and non–logo men’s and women’s apparel and gift items. And while you’re here why not enjoy the Grand Victoria Casino, voted “Best Riverboat Casino in the United States” three years in a row, the Grand Victoria provides a wide variety of Las Vegas-style casino games.
Day Two
This morning, after checking out of our hotel and boarding the motorcoach, we start our final day of the tour by visiting Baker Hill Pancake House. With good nutrition in mind, Baker Hill uses only the highest quality of fresh dairy products and meats for delicious home-cooked breakfasts.
We make one last stop to the State Street Market Shops! The ultimate gift shop stop, State Street Market Shops houses 35 unique shops under one roof! Here you will find a unique variety of quaint shops located in a 1920’s millworks building…charmingly transformed into a Shoppers’ Delight.
Depart for home.