Cortland |DeKalb Genoa |Hinckley Kingston |Kirkland Lee |Malta Maple Park |Sandwich Shabbona |Somonauk Sycamore|Waterman CVB-2020.indd 1 11/27/19 9:52 AM RedRoofInn &Suites DeKalb,Illinois Forreservations callusat815.758.8661 Newlyrenovated guest BusinessCenter rooms &suites Fitnesscenterwithsauna Complimentary high speed Seasonal outdoorpool internet access HD ChannelswithHBO Banquets and meeting facilities from 10 to 200guests RediRewards 1212 WLINCOLN HIGHWAY,DEKALB,IL60115 HOTEL DIRECT PHONE 815.758.8661 WWW.DEKALB.REDROOF.COM SM-CL1704429 2 dekalbcountycvb.com CVB-2020.indd 2 11/27/19 9:52 AM DEKALBWelcomeCOUNTYto eKalb County is home to athriving arts and cultural scene that features both regional and national entertainment. Regional theatregroups combined with NorthernIllinois University provide awide variety of cultural experiences. DeKalb County’sroots run deep in the rich farmland that is part of the landscape of our heritage and history.Our wide-open Dspaces provide visitors with endless exploration and recreation. We arelocated 60 minutes west of Chicago. Our hotels and attractions arefamily-friendly and affordable. Shopping, dining, wineries, festivals, apple orchards, pumpkin patches and NCAA Division 1sports arejust asmall sampling of what attracts visitors to our area. We areproud to host the IHSA State Championship in 2021. Along with hosting IESA Wrestling each year,the Convocation Center will host the Mid-American Conference Wrestling Championships March 13-14, 2020. Dining is diverse and farm-to-table options arebountiful. Shop ‘til you drop for vintage treasures and antiques. Enjoy atour at our local wineries, microbreweries, or estate distillery.Our local brewing artisans areeager to sharewith you on our Bold Spirits tour across DeKalb County. We look forwardtoyourvisit! Cortney Strohacker,E Strohackerxecutive Director 815/756-1336 :877/335-2521 [email protected] |dekalbcountycvb.com 815/756-1336 or 877/335-2521 3 CVB-2020.indd 3 11/27/19 9:52 AM Table of The 2020 DeKalb County Visitors Guide was Contents published by Shaw Media. Welcome .............................................................. 3 The DeKalb County CVB would like to express On the Cover........................................................ 6 our appreciation to the following organizations and individuals for their help to bring this Transportation ...................................................... 8 visitors guide to you: Group Tours.......................................................... 9 The DeKalb County Board Historical DeKalb County ................................... 12 The DeKalb County Economic Arts &Attractions ............................................... 16 Development Committee Corporation Fresh offthe Farm..............................................18 Legislative Center 200 N. Main Street Sports &Recreation............................................ 20 Sycamore, IL 60178 815-895-7189 The Great Outdoors ........................................... 22 dekalbcounty.org Bold Spirits ......................................................... 24 Project Manager: Lisa Angel Shopping............................................................ 26 Design &Layout: Allison LaPorta Cover Photo: Ellwood House Weddings ........................................................... 32 Spas &Salons .................................................... 32 Photo Credits: Ellwood House Museum, DeKalb Park District, Meeting &Event Venues.................................... 34 NorthernIllinois University and Shaw Media. Accommodations ............................................... 36 Every attempt has been made to verify that the information in this guide is correct. The DCCVB Restaurants ......................................................... 39 assumes no liability for incorrect, omitted, or Sweet Treats &Bakeries .................................... 46 outdated information. At the time of print, all information was correct as supplied. We Calendar of Events ............................................ 47 encourage you to visit: dekalbcountycvb.com prior to your trip for any changes in event dates Our Communities ............................................... 59 or other information. Advertising Index ............................................... 62 30M 12/19 4 dekalbcountycvb.com CVB-2020.indd 4 11/27/19 9:52 AM BestWineSelectionsintown Live music Wednesday-Saturday LunchservedMon.-Sat. 11am-2pm except Tuesday DinnerservedMon.-Sat. 4pm-11pm Closed Sunday 226E.Lincoln Hwy.,DowntownDeKalb 815.217.0990|tapalaluna.com 815/756-1336 or 877/335-2521 5 CVB-2020.indd 5 11/27/19 9:52 AM On the he Ellwood House Museum is ahistoric mansion situated on ten acres of parkland at 509 N. First St. in the heart of DeKalb, Illinois. TOriginally built for barbed wireentrepreneur Isaac Ellwood, the mansion was home to three generations of the Ellwood family from 1879 to VictorianCover collecting of exotic plant types and 1965. In 1965, the Ellwood Mansion was given May Ellwood’spursuit of an Arts and Crafts to the DeKalb Park District by Mrs. May Ellwood garden, the grounds areaperfect place to and her three children. In 2011, Mrs. Shirley explore. The picturesque setting also makes Nehring donated the Ellwood-Nehring House to Ellwood House Museum aperfect location the non-profitEllwood House Association. for community events thorough out the year, including the “Music at the Mansion” concert Today,the Association operates the entiresite series (featured in the cover image) during as amuseum that reflects the central role of the summer months, weddings, wedding Isaac Ellwood in the development of the barbed photography,special events and educational wireindustry in America. The museum campus programs. consists of seven historic structures (including the 1879 Ellwood Mansion and 1899 Ellwood- The Ellwood House Museum offers guided tours Nehring House), four gardens, and 6,000 square of both the mansion and neighboring Ellwood- feet of exhibit space in the Patience Ellwood Nehring House. The Visitor Center,located Towle Visitor Center,aconverted and expanded behind the mansion, contains four exhibit 1912 multi-car garage. galleries which arefreeand open to the public year-round. The exhibit space in the Visitors The Ellwood House Museum campus features Center includes avariety of long- and short- grassy lawns, awooded area, formal gardens, termdisplays. The gardens and grounds are two native garden areas and the BergGarden. open dawn to dusk and can be explored seven The gardens reflecttwo generations of the days aweekwithout atour guide. Ellwood family and incorporate changing ideas about architectureand the landscape. Additional information about the Ellwood House Influenced by Harriet Ellwood’spassion for Musuem is available online at ellwoodhouse.org 6 dekalbcountycvb.com CVB-2020.indd 6 11/27/19 9:52 AM Voted#1Hotel in DeKalb County Cozy HamptonBed Friendly Service ComplimentaryHot Breakfast 815.748.4323 663S.Annie GliddenRoad DeKalb,IL60115 dekalb.hamptoninn.com 815/756-1336 or 877/335-2521 7 CVB-2020.indd 7 11/27/19 9:52 AM Transportation Whether you visit DeKalbCounty City of DeKalb by train, plane, bus or car,we DeKalb Public Transit -Routes 16, 17, 18 have access to help you get to 1606 Bethany Rd. •Sycamore, IL your destination. Metra’sUnion 758-3932 •vacdk.com PacificWestLine offers commuter rail service from Chicago to City of Sycamore Elburn, which is only a20-minute SycamorePublicTransit -Route 21 commute to the DeKalbarea. We 1606 Bethany Rd. • Sycamore, IL have limousine services, taxis and 758-3932 • vacdk.com Uber drivers available to transport The DeKalb Public Transit and SycamorePublic Transit you to and from the train station. connecting DeKalb and Sycamoreare affordable and Greyhound also has abus stop in open to the general public. The cost is $.50 per ride. DeKalb, and thereare three airports Exact change is required. Children under 5ride free. Senior/Disabled $0.25 with Medicare/Medicaid cardor within an hour of DeKalb, including other ID K-12 Student $0.25. Chicago RockfordInternational Airport, Chicago Midway Buses run Mon.-Fri., from 7am–9pm, International Airport and Chicago except holidays. O’HareInternational Airport. If you have aprivate aircraft, you DEKALB TAYLOR MUNICIPAL AIRPORT can flydirectly to our city using the 3232 Pleasant St. • DeKalb, IL DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport. The 748-2020 • [email protected] airport has two courtesy vehicles cityofdekalb.com available for their visitors to use DTMA is situated approximately 60 minutes west of while in the area. Chicago and is easily accessible via I-88, then to the Peace Rd. exit. Runways arecapable of handling While you arehere, we have we small planes and corporate jets. From the north or have many car rental options as well south, take I-39 to I-88 west, then to the Peace Rd. as taxi, bus, Uber,and limousine exit. Instrument landing system for Runway 2has services available. Whether you are been published. No landing fees. Airport identifier visiting for work or pleasure, we can is DKB. accommodate all your transportation needs. All Area Codes 815 Unless Noted 8 dekalbcountycvb.com CVB-2020.indd 8 11/27/19 9:52 AM HUSKIE LINE -ELBURN TRAIN SHUTTLE TAXI 340 Carroll Ave. •DeKalb, IL 753-1444 DeCab Taxi 757-6430 •decab-taxi.business.site This shuttle operates when NIU is in session. It departs from the Holmes Student Center and delivers passengers to the Elburn Hail ATaxi Metra Station. The bus runs seven days aweek. Tickets may be 217-2071