Guidebook for St. Charles
Essentials
A large grocery store with groceries, fruit & vegetables, liquor, household, clothing, electronics. Just about anything you may need. There is a Starbucks inside.
Meijer
855 S Randall RdA large grocery store with groceries, fruit & vegetables, liquor, household, clothing, electronics. Just about anything you may need. There is a Starbucks inside.
Drugstore (Chemist) that also carries basic groceries, gift cards and prints photos. There is a Redbox DVD rental too.
34 locals recommend
Walgreens
7251 Lake StDrugstore (Chemist) that also carries basic groceries, gift cards and prints photos. There is a Redbox DVD rental too.
Bulk groceries, electronics, and much more. Must be a member to shop there. Gas station for members at this location also.
Costco Wholesale
2500 S Harlem Ave Bulk groceries, electronics, and much more. Must be a member to shop there. Gas station for members at this location also.
Shopping
Outdoor shopping with major brands like Dicks Sporting Goods, Victoria Secret, H&M + more
8 locals recommend
Geneva Commons
602 Commons DrOutdoor shopping with major brands like Dicks Sporting Goods, Victoria Secret, H&M + more
Getting Around
There is a parking garage and parking across both sides of the track at this train station. Make sure you check the signs for time limits and the parking garage has a fee. Train is the Metra Pink Line. If you're heading to downtown Chicago you will be going to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
Geneva Metra Station
There is a parking garage and parking across both sides of the track at this train station. Make sure you check the signs for time limits and the parking garage has a fee. Train is the Metra Pink Line. If you're heading to downtown Chicago you will be going to Ogilvie Transportation Center.
Food Scene
Upscale restaurant with excellent food. It's more like being at a vineyard with their wine tastings and pairings. Great food and atmosphere.
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
3710 East Main StreetUpscale restaurant with excellent food. It's more like being at a vineyard with their wine tastings and pairings. Great food and atmosphere.
There's Portillos and then there's Beef Shack. Depends who you talk to as to which is better. Either way, if you're visiting Chicago area, having an Italian beef sandwich is a must. Beef Shack have great beef and awesome fries. If you're not sure what this Italian beef business is all about make sure you order the sandwich dry with the au jus on the side so you can dip your sandwich yourself. I myself find the 'wet' sandwich a little strange but that's just how the Chicagoans like it!
Beef Shack
2015 W Main StThere's Portillos and then there's Beef Shack. Depends who you talk to as to which is better. Either way, if you're visiting Chicago area, having an Italian beef sandwich is a must. Beef Shack have great beef and awesome fries. If you're not sure what this Italian beef business is all about make sure you order the sandwich dry with the au jus on the side so you can dip your sandwich yourself. I myself find the 'wet' sandwich a little strange but that's just how the Chicagoans like it!
A trip downtown for us always includes a visit to this place. Don't expect fancy. Instead expect to enjoy home made sauce and a pizza that's more of an experience.
Best things to order here are the pizza pot pie and the meditteranean bread.
They don't take credit cards, so take some cash. They don't take reservations and the wait is often a long one. It's an icon and well worth the wait. Best bet is to go early.
Here's their website: http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/
115 locals recommend
Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company
2121 North Clark StreetA trip downtown for us always includes a visit to this place. Don't expect fancy. Instead expect to enjoy home made sauce and a pizza that's more of an experience.
Best things to order here are the pizza pot pie and the meditteranean bread.
They don't take credit cards, so take some cash. They don't take reservations and the wait is often a long one. It's an icon and well worth the wait. Best bet is to go early.
Here's their website: http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/
Entertainment & Activities
Just down the street so on a hot day, why not head down there for a swim. There are slides, lazy river, adult pool, kids pools and splash park. Lots of easy parking at entrance
7 locals recommend
Otter Cove Aquatic Park
3615 Campton Hills DrJust down the street so on a hot day, why not head down there for a swim. There are slides, lazy river, adult pool, kids pools and splash park. Lots of easy parking at entrance
You're so close to the Fox River which is home to an amazing stretch of bike trails. Bring your bike with you and start off in St Charles (just head to the river and jump on the trail on the east side or head down to Geneva to hire yourself a bike. Ride either north or south. Both ways is an easy ride with lots of picture opportunities, places to eat and parks to relax in.
Mill Race Cyclery
11 E State StYou're so close to the Fox River which is home to an amazing stretch of bike trails. Bring your bike with you and start off in St Charles (just head to the river and jump on the trail on the east side or head down to Geneva to hire yourself a bike. Ride either north or south. Both ways is an easy ride with lots of picture opportunities, places to eat and parks to relax in.
Arts & Culture
St Charles History Museum & The Curious Fox Gift Shop
215 E Main StGeneva History Museum
113 S 3rd StDrinks & Nightlife
A local icon, this theater hosts a diverse list of entertainers and musicians. They have recently added a speakeasy club which may just be worth a look.
14 locals recommend
Arcada Theatre
105 E Main StA local icon, this theater hosts a diverse list of entertainers and musicians. They have recently added a speakeasy club which may just be worth a look.
Whether you're visiting downtown Chicago or a local, you should enjoy at least 1 drink at Chicago's newest rooftop bar. Great vibe and awesome view of downtown. Get a feel for Chicago from up high right in the center of it all.
28 locals recommend
LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
85 E Wacker DrWhether you're visiting downtown Chicago or a local, you should enjoy at least 1 drink at Chicago's newest rooftop bar. Great vibe and awesome view of downtown. Get a feel for Chicago from up high right in the center of it all.