As the eighth largest city in Illinois, Elgin has an independent identity and its fair share of local charm. Dubbed “The City in the Suburbs,” this Chicago ’burb has historic districts, excellent schools, natural greenspace, and a downtown area full of restaurants, shops, and entertainment. The city also has ample public transportation, including bus routes and three train stations. 

Elgin is spread across Kane County and a portion of Cook County, giving the city a convenient location with an affordable cost of living. This means more money leftover to check things off your neighborhood bucket list. Whether you’re enjoying a daytrip, spending the weekend, or moving to the suburban city, here are some neighborhood highlights in Elgin you won’t want to miss. 

Feed the Bison at Lords Park Zoo 

At Lords Park Zoo, you can see bison, elk, and whitetail deer all year long. During the summer, the park also hosts a farm zoo with pigs, rabbits, cows, goats, and sheep, as well as a llama and a miniature donkey. With beautiful landscaping and well-maintained outdoor pens, the zoo has been a family-friendly fixture of Elgin’s east side since 1895.

But locals know the most exciting time to visit the zoo is during an exclusive bison feeding event. This event occurs on the last Saturday of each month from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with registered attendees meeting at the Elgin Public Museum, listening to a short introduction, and then assisting the zookeeper in feeding the buffalo, elk, and deer. This event allows both visitors and residents to take part in caring for the community’s protected wildlife.

Get a Tarot Card Reading at Gypsy Haven

To experience something new, visit Gypsy Haven, Elgin’s only witch shop. Explore Wiccan, New Age, Pagan, and spiritual products at this unique neighborhood establishment, or swing by during one of their special events to have a rune, tealeaf, or tarot card reading. Not looking for spell ingredients? Luckily, the store is a lot bigger than it looks. You can find Celtic jewelry, soy candles, essential oils, and other novelty gifts.

Check Out the Annual Book Sale at the Borden Gail Library

As the third largest public library in Illinois (after Chicago and Schaumburg), the Gail Borden Public Library has over 334,000 books, 1,600 programs, and numerous educational exhibits. For local bibliophiles, you’ll get to shop at its annual book sale where you can permanently own some of your library favorites (and the proceeds support the library). Library patrons can also get a Museum Adventure Pass to receive free or discounted admission to 18 Chicagoland museums. 

Order an “Elgin Club” at the Blue Box Cafe

Oven roasted turkey, roast beef, and black forest ham with bacon, Sriracha mayo, and pepperjack cheese—it’s an eclectic sandwich named after an eclectic city. Head over to the Blue Box Cafe for this delicious sandwich and a whole lot of “Doctor Who.” Located in Downtown Elgin, Blue Box Cafe serves deli sandwiches and salads along with coffee sourced from local roasters. They also host community events for tabletop gamers in the Elgin area.

Dress Up for a Classy Evening at the Martini Room

Another establishment in the heart of Downtown Elgin, the Martini Room has been serving handcrafted martinis since 2004. This small cocktail bar has been described as “cute” and “intimate” by locals, and many patrons dress their best to sip martinis, manhattans, cocktails, and mocktails.

Insider tip: If you ask for the martini of the month during First Fridays in Downtown Elgin, you’ll get a 25 percent off discount. The bar offers $6 martinis on Thursdays, $6 margaritas on Tuesdays, and 25 percent off all martinis on Mondays. Can’t decide? Try a martini flight and enjoy the best Elgin has to offer.

Go Shopping at the State Street Market

State Street Market Shops has been Fox Valley’s largest shopping venue for over 35 years. With more than 30 artisan vendors, shoppers can uncover hidden treasures while perusing clothing, jewelry, home goods, novelty gifts, and seasonal decor as well as antique furnishings and collectables. The market also hosts monthly special events such as “Ladies Night Out,” “Ice Cream Social,” “Pearls and Lace Afternoon Tea,” and “Holiday Open House.”

Visit the Gallery at Side Street Studio Arts

Downtown Elgin harbors a thriving arts scene, and the lifeline of that cultural heartbeat is Side Street Studio Arts. Founded in 2013 and run by local artists, Side Street Studio Arts is a nonprofit haven for creativity. The studio provides community art classes, live performances, and artist collaboration events in order to nurture the Elgin arts scene.

The gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Drop by to catch a visual art exhibition; the gallery is free, but donations are appreciated. 

Ride a Trolley at the Fox River Trolley Museum

Open on select Saturdays and Sundays from April to December, the Fox River Trolley Museum permits visitors aboard its preserved pieces of American transportation history. Not only were trolleys once a pivotal part of American life, but the surrounding communities relied heavily on a local system of tracks that once connected Carpentersville, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, and Yorkville.

At the museum, you can take a roundtrip ride on an electric trolley down a four-mile track beside the Fox River. The museum also runs special events such as free rides for moms on Mother’s Day, free rides for dads on Father’s day, a ghost story train during Halloween, and “The Polar Express” during the holiday season.

Head to the Casino… To Get a Burger

Elgin is perhaps most well-known throughout the surrounding suburbs for the Grand Victoria Casino. Perched on the Fox River, the casino resembles a massive riverboat, but it’s not the slot machines that need to be on your neighborhood bucket list; it’s Prime Burgerhouse.

Fresh off the grill, these burgers have been lauded by Elgin locals and Chicagoland visitors alike. The flavors are on point, the prices are reasonable, and the location is right in the heart of Downtown Elgin at the edge of the riverwalk. Our recommendation: Order the Caprese Burger and try a “leaded” (alcoholic) milkshake.