Preparing to Attend Nightmare on Chicago Street
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
3rd 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