ESCAPE INTO NATURE IN THE ELGIN AREA

Escape into nature

in the Elgin Area By the Elgin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Treat yourself to a weekend away in the outdoors this year. We’ve made it easy by planning it for you! Keep reading to discover your escape into nature.

 Day 1

Start your adventure by checking into one of the Elgin Area hotels listed at www.ExploreElginArea. com. Once you’re checked in and ready to begin your nature adventure, stop by Hawthorne Hill Nature Center. This nature center sits on 67 acres and contains hiking trails, meadows and ponds. If the Bartlett Nature Center is closer, stop by to visit one of the seasonal exhibits and enjoy an outdoor shelter. Next, we recommend adults stop by Plank Road Tap Room. This award-winning tap room is located just outside urban Elgin and hosts one of the largest beer gardens in all of Chicagoland. Stop by to try a local brew and something tasty from the food truck rotation. Also known for hosting bands and events, it’s a great place for adults looking to spend time in a comfortable, laid-back outdoor setting with amazing amenities and services. If you’re looking for a more family-friendly afternoon meal, we recommend visiting Old Republic Kitchen & Bar. This restaurant features a great outdoor dining experience and food to match.

After your meal, head over to one of the Elgin area’s forest preserves, like the Hampshire Forest Preserve or the Burnidge Forest Preserve. Here you can enjoy nature in a more peaceful and relaxing setting for activities like reading, drawing or meditation. These preserves also provide large fields for activities like Frisbee and playing catch.

 Day 2

To begin day 2, enjoy the morning at Lords Park. Here you can walk along the nature paths, visit the historic Lords Park Pavilion and see the bison at Lords Park Zoo. There is also Wing Park, home to the oldest municipal owned, nine-hole golf course! The main activity for your second day is to enjoy the Fox River Trail. Running through South Elgin, Elgin, East Dundee, Carpentersville and beyond is 40 miles of trail. Enjoy the trail by bike; you can rent from Carpentersville’s Main Street Bicycles, located right off the trail. From there you can head south to East Dundee, where you’ll find some great spots to stop for lunch right off the trail. Make your way to downtown Elgin, or even check out the brand-new Panton Mill Park in South Elgin.

 Day 3

Check out of your hotel and see if your golf game is par for the course at one of the best golf courses in the area. The Highlands of Elgin, Bowes Creek Country Club and Randall Oaks Golf Club are all excellent locations to enjoy for an afternoon. If you don’t want to bring out the clubs, try disc golf! If you haven’t been, you’ll want to stop by Randall Oaks Park or visit the course at Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve. Converted from an old country club golf course, this disc golf course features 18 holes situated around the terrain and trees. For a slower start to the day, start with some birdwatching at Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary, outfitted with over 100 acres of curated lands optimized for its avian inhabitants. The sanctuary is dog-friendly, and deeper ponds are available for fishing. There’s also Bluff Spring Fen, where the spring water stays a constant 50 degrees, causing unique plants, endangered species and other unusual fauna to flourish.