You’ll find the suburbs in Elgin’s four historic districts with majestic Victorian mansions and the many neighborhoods with comfortable single-family homes or townhomes. The bustling city part of the Elgin equation goes as far back as 1836 when it was founded and quickly amassed a lucrative economy selling butter and dairy goods. In 1864 Elgin became the largest producer of fine watches in the United States and the operator of the largest watchmaking complex in the world. Although the Elgin Watch Company Factory ceased production in the early 1960s and was torn down in 1965, the clocks at Chicago's Union Station still bear the Elgin name. You can see exhibits and memorabilia of old Elgin, the Elgin Watch Company, the E. Maude and Carl Parlasca Native American Collection and Elgin Road Race at the Elgin History Museum, housed in an 1856 landmark building that was once part of the Elgin Academy. Elgin’s long tradition of education and invention is reflected in its past residents like John Murphy (inventor the motorized street-sweeper), Earl "Madman" Muntz (legendary marketer and car stereo pioneer) and Max Adler (founder of America's first planetarium, the Adler Planetarium in Chicago).
For gambling thrills, catch the Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, a picturesque riverboat that floats along on the Fox River and boasts more than 1,100 exciting slots, a countless variety of Vegas-style table games, acclaimed gaming promotions and four extraordinary restaurants. You can see great opera artists accompanied by the world class Elgin Symphony Orchestra at special events at the Festival Park outdoor venue. Elgin has more than 1,600 acres of well-equipped parks are designed to satisfy individual and family recreational desires. There are also 4,000 acres of Kane and Cook county forest preserves that offer canoeing, fishing, and equestrian trails. Whether you land in the city or the suburbs, you’ll have a convenient location to rest and recharge when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Elgin, IL. Book a room online now!