Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Lords Park is a historical landmark of 409 acres dating back to the late 1800s. It features a playground, tennis courts, picnic areas and a family aquatic center. There are three lagoons for swimming and a nature trail for walkers. Pavilion rentals are available for parties and events and can accommodate up to 300 people. Bison, white-tailed deer and elk live in the wooded enclosures in the park. Additional parks in the Elgin area include Copper Springs Park, Festival Park and Hawthorne Hill Nature Center.
If you have a bookworm in the family, she will enjoy a trip to the Gail Borden Public Library. The library hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as dress-up games, craft labs and family picnics. Summer programs include Monday Morning at the Movies. And on Saturdays, kids can read to certified therapy dogs. Older kids can enjoy art exhibits and a combination pizza and reading event, in which kids are invited to eat pizza while discussing their favorite books.
The Fox River Trolley Museum offers a trip back in time to 1935, when trolleys were a vital part of public transportation. Riders experience a 4-mile trip along the Fox River and through the Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. The museum uses sights, sounds and demonstrations to educate the entire family. Trains may be chartered for birthdays and special events. Afterward, kids may enjoy a trip to the Elgin Public Museum or the Illinois Railway Museum, in nearby Union
Leafs Ice Centre is a state-of-the-art skate center available for instruction in figure skating and hockey for people of every age and skill level. Public skate days and skate rentals are scheduled every day. The center hosts birthday parties and summer sports camps.