Are you planning on attending the largest zombie apocalypse event in Chicagoland’s, Nightmare on Chicago Street? We have put together a list of things to help you get the most of your experience to one of our favorite events.

Buying Tickets
Tickets are available online through the event website or at the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s office (60 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin). The first 8,000 tickets sold through the website will be available for $12 and then the price will increase to $15. Limited tickets are available at the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau office for cash.

 

Costumes
We suggest getting creative with your costume. Rumors have circled that costumes will help fend off zombies but we have not been able to confirm that report. Please note all weapons real or fake will not be allowed in the event. Event security will keep you safe from the zombies as soon as you make it inside the gate. Click here for more information on the costume contest.

 

Food Inside the Safe Zone
No need to eat ahead because we let in as many food vendors into Nightmare on Chicago Street as we could fit! We need everyone to be full when they leave for the night to face the zombies.

Here are some of the street vendors and dishes you will find around DuPage Court:

Golden Eagle Hot Dogs- hot dogs, bratwursts, tamales, drinks, chips, coffee

Catering Made Simple- Pulled Pork Sandwich, chicken or beef kabob skewers, vegetarian egg rolls, pad thai, crab Rangoon

Supermercado La Salsa- free slice of human cake, donuts, cookies, churros, cupcakes, champurrado

North of the Border- Lasagna grilled cheese sandwich, jalapeno popper grilled cheese sandwich, parmesan fries

McDago’s- finger fries, blarney dogs and burgers, meatball sandwich, sweet fries

Ruthella’s- po-boys, fried or grilled shrimp or fish, andouille sausage, gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, bread pudding, chips, soda

Michael’s Catering- funnel cake, fried pbj, fried oreos, hot chocolate, soda, water

Taco Factory- taco, burrito, quesadilla, nachos grande, chips & cheese, lemonade, soda and water

Beef Villa- Italian beef, Italian sausage, chili, bottled soda, French fries

Charles Food Services- huarache, sopes, hot chocolate

 

Here is a list of restaurants inside the Safe Zone that will be open:

Blue Box Cafe– Chooch’s Pizza – Dog’s Paw Brewing Co.

Elgin Public House – Smooth Fox – Toom Toom Thai

 

Spots to Grab Drinks

Elgin Public House will have beer trucks throughout the Safe Zone. Wine and mixed drinks will be available through various vendors on the street as well. The following restaurants/bars will have their doors open in case you want to step inside for a little.

Chooch’s Pizza – 64 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin

Dog’s Paw Brewing Co. – 74 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin

Elgin Public House – 219 E. Chicago Street, Elgin

Martini Room – 161 E. Chicago Street, Elgin

Medusa’s – 209 E. Chicago Street, Elgin

Smooth Fox – 51 S. Grove Avenue, Elgin

 

Retail Vendors

3^rd Rock Jewelry- jewelry, leather goods, incense

AJ Olson Photography- photo manipulation artwork

Andersen Products- plastic mugs, tombstone figurines

Art by Nero- oil paintings, 3d art, sculptures

Art of Amy Porter- original paintings, prints, and accessories

Asunder- original art, gothic jewelry

Chicago Zombie March- zombie makeovers

City of Elgin- Nightmare merch

Couture Bonanza- coasters, horror t-shirts, pictures and posters

Day of the Dollies- dolls, skull jewelry, planters

Hell Razor- accessories, art, housewares

DNA- party accessories

Lights Camera Fun- photo booth strips

Mercy Noire- jewelry and gifts

Mysterious & Reassuring- wet specimens, zombie movie kits

Rain’s Wonderland- horror styled jewelry and accessories

Roz’s Oddities- jewelry/home décor from bone

Tarot Readers- tarot readings

The Art of Laura Lynn- paintings, jewelry, shrunken heads

 

Hotel

One thing is for sure, with an exciting night filled with zombies, live music and sight-seeing in downtown Elgin, you will need a hotel room. Stay out enjoying the downtown scene and then catch a ride in the Hampton Inn Elgin’s shuttle back to the hotel room. The Hampton Inn Elgin is offering special rate that includes a shuttle for people attending Nightmare on Chicago Street. Check out the package here.
Note: Must book the hotel package to be able to use the shuttle.

 

Taxi

It is important to make sure you have all of your bases covered, save a couple Taxi numbers in your cell phone before you hit the town. Here are a couple taxi companies to start with. Safe Travels!

A#1 Cab
847-888-3990
Website

303 Taxi
847-303-0303
Website

 

Free Shuttle
New this year there will be a free shuttle picking up at 934 Center Street and dropping off right outside the Safe Zone. This is a great way to make sure you get a close parking spot! Shuttles will run from 6:00pm-1:00am.

 

Metra

The Metra Milwaukee District/ West Line will even help you get from downtown Chicago to within blocks of the event. We recommend you get off at the Elgin stop and walk right down Chicago Street. This is another great option if you are not wanting to drive home after a fun night in downtown Elgin.

Check out the train schedule so you can plan your trip now! Metra Website