Geneva became formally incorporated as a village in 1867, with Eben Danford, a local businessman, elected as the first Village President.
It’s a city situated in Kane County, which also served as the seat, getting its name “Geneva” from a town in Charles Volney Dyer’s home state, an émigré from New York.
During the past decades, this beautiful city has continued to be a well-known tourist destination, with its panoramic setting along the Fox River and several shops and restaurants.
It boasts 160 specialty shops and restaurants that entice locals and visitors to come back again and again.
Also called LaFox, Campbell Ford, Big Spring, and Herrington’s Ford, the city has a population of 21,247 as of the 2021 census.
You’ll never want to miss the beauty and history of this great city, so get ready with your family to experience the best things to do in Geneva, Illinois!
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Situated on IL-25, Island Park is a remarkable recreational destination with fascinating Fox River views.
It’s the first park in Geneva and was originally constructed to address the issue of the lack of a public park in the city.
A stonewall surrounds the island, and there’s a field house with a brick fireplace, retaining its rustic charm.
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Enjoy riding a bike as you follow the Fox River Bike Trail or hike along this scenic route.
Kids will have a good time playing at the playground, and when you go hungry, there are picnic tables ready to accommodate your sumptuous meal.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County worked non-stop to restore and preserve Kane County’s natural areas.
It helps improve wildlife habitat, as well as boost the quality of life for the entire Kane County residents.
Located on South Kirk Road, it’s an excellent place for the whole family to visit the forest preserves to enjoy a relaxing walk while watching birds, so it’s a good idea to bring your binoculars and camera.
Flee the stressful hustle and bustle in your city and plan a weekend camping with family or friends or ride a horse while appreciating nature.
You can learn about nature, play golf, fish with the kids, or just simply discover the wonder of the preserve’s over 23,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, and wetlands.
During hot summer nights, drinking cold beer can quench your thirst, right?
If you’re in town or planning to take a trip to Geneva, drop by the Penrose Brewing Company and have a taste of their local fresh beer.
This exquisite brewing company is a small-scale, locally-owned brewery and taproom specializing in wild/sour fermentations and small-batch brewing fresh hoppy flavors.
They love experimenting with new styles and showcasing beers obtainable in their Taproom, such as Hazy IPAs and American Lagers.
You can bring your own food to go along with your favorite mug of beer.
Located on South 3rd Street, the Geneva History Museum achieved the 2020 Daily Herald’s Readers’ Choice for Best Museum of the Suburbs.
The museum features 3,000 square-foot Main Gallery and 950 square-foot Geneva’s Story that shifts throughout the year, research amenities, and climate-controlled storage for artifacts and collections.
There’s also a gift shop where you can buy Geneva items and other souvenirs.
Discover oral histories, videos, and several images on five iPad stations or you can sit back and relax while learning more about the city’s rich history in Fargo Theater.
Attend one of their educational programs and events, hear stories, share memories, and explore objects, be sure not to miss Children’s Gallery Exhibitions offered every summer.
The Fox Valley Ice Arena consists of two ice rinks, a fitness center, a grill, a pub, and a sporting goods store.
The regulation NHL rink measures 200′ x 85′ while the international size rink measures 200′ x 100′.
Fox Valley Fitness has what you need to attain your health and fitness goals.
Don’t worry if you’re a beginner because the Bantam 4v4 league is the best place for you.
Make your loved one’s birthday extra special by celebrating it at the Fox Valley Ice Arena, and take advantage of their amazing available skating party packages.
If you want something that the whole family will enjoy playing, why not challenge each other to play a hole-in-one?
Located on North Street, Stone Creek Miniature Golf has 18 exclusively challenging holes.
Prepare to face the obstacles that will try to lower your score, such as the wishing well, water wheel, dynamite shack, real running water creek, and windmill.
When you go hungry, there are booths selling ice creams, drinks, candy, popcorn, and much more.
You can rent Stone Creek for your next group meeting or a family reunion and enjoy the fun of getting a hole-in-one.
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Peck Farm Park is a special park situated in an urban environment providing locals and visitors with a venue to take it easy and appreciate quality time with the family and nature.
Located on Kaneville Road, this astonishing park spans a 385-acre natural retreat that offers different activities and amenities.
Watch a ten-minute movie, visit interactive exhibits, learn about the Peck family history, see live animals and more at the History Gallery and Exploration Room.
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The Hawks Hollow Nature Playground is a one-of-a-kind unique environmental educational playground that features eight learning stations.
On the other hand, George’s circle is an ADA outdoor amphitheater with a fire pit.
Enjoy other park amenities, including sensory gardens, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, bike trails, and an observation silo, to name a few.
You don’t need to watch a movie just to eat popcorn.
At Kernel’s Gourmet Popcorn & More, you’ll always eat the freshest, the most buttery, the most caramelly, and the cheesiest popcorn in town on W State St.
They only use the freshest and the best ingredients to ensure you’ll enjoy eating the most delicious popcorn they serve, including their irresistible candies and nuts.
You’ll keep coming back for more, not only because of the irresistible taste of their popcorn but also because of the best customer service experience.
Be like a child again, buy Kernel’s Gourmet Popcorn & More for the whole family or as a present once you get home.
Located on the South, 6th, and West State Streets, the district embraces most of the southern half of the town as it was initially encircled.
Areas within the Central Geneva Historic District, including the individual landmarks recognized outside the Historic District boundaries, constitute the Historic District boundaries.
Bordered on the east by the Fox River and moving west, the district comprises the lower portion of the blocks from the Fox River to North Fourth Street, including structures with frontage on West State Street.
You’ll find that most of the houses in the district are two-story frame structures dating from 1840 to 1900.
Some of the most significant structures inside the district include the Gothic Revival Loveday House, Prairie School Hoyt House, Greek Revival Unitarian Church, and Neoclassical Charles B. Wells House, among others.
The Kane County Courthouse is the only building in the district, besides from spires of the three churches, to surpass three stories.
Sometimes, the surplus is better than new ones and much cheaper.
At American Science & Surplus, you’ll find a treasure trove of things you don’t expect you’ll have use for something, such as containers, novelties, office supplies, tools/hardware, and more.
Located along Roosevelt Rd, this excellent shop offers a diversified range of products that are handy or simply entertaining.
Established around 1937, the surplus shop keeps offering a one-of-a-kind mix of industrial, educational, and military items, emphasizing Science and Education.
You’ll find in this amazing shop a vast array of unusual and difficult-to-find items for hobbyists, artists, experimenters, and others.
Exquisite wine tastings and fresh seafood meals await you and your friends at Geneva Wine Cellars and Room, LLC.
Located on S 3rd St., this elegant wine shop is also a part wine bar, where you can go in and pull a bottle off the shelf and, at the same time, enjoy it for a small corking charge.
Savor any from their ten Beaujolais Crus, well-known red wines made from the Gamay grapes.
They also offer Sicilian wines, which you can choose from their Sicilia DOC wines’ new selection.
Simultaneously, you can book a luxury tour of the wineries of Sicily.
Get to know the boutique bottle shop’s knowledgeable wine educators, who also offer indoor seating and weekend tasting.
Chocolates and ice cream are for the young and old, and there’s no questioning it.
If you happen to be in downtown Geneva, don’t forget to visit Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream, a world-class confectionery that produces original, quality, crafted chocolates, ice cream, and more.
Indulge yourself in their extraordinary variety of crafted super-premium ice creams made with antibiotic-free and growth hormone-free creams from their family farms.
They also make six varieties of mouth-watering gourmet ice cream cakes, or join them in their “Chocolate Cafe” and try mocha, espresso, cappuccino, or latte or their signature hot chocolate.
Located on S 3rd St Ste 186, this sweets and treats shop is a family-owned business and works with an incredible support staff that makes any experience sweet, pleasurable, and worth remembering.
A family-owned business, Galena Garlic Company started its business in 2003 based on flavor, sowing garlic, and the quest for healthy, fresh, and effortless cooking.
Located on W State St., they offer the “World’s Freshest Olive Oil” available from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Traditionally produced in Modena, Italy, their balsamic vinegar bottles are always fresh, naturally flavored, and have no preservatives or additives.
Enhance the flavor of your dishes with their various seasonings and Gourmet Chef Blends, allowing you to create hundreds of tasty combinations.
Cook mouth-watering meals in a simple and unforgettable way with the Galena Garlic Company.
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The new season brings new things around the Northwestern Medicine Field with exciting and amusing things for the whole family.
Formerly known as Kane County Events Center and Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium, this baseball field can accommodate nearly 7,400 watchers.
Located on Cherry Lane, this huge ballpark underwent a complete restoration, added new facilities, and upgraded existing ones in 2018.
When there’s a game, there are also different kinds of food trucks available in the park, including Freddie’s Off the Chain taco truck, Billy Bricks Wood Fired Pizza, and Obscurity Barbecue Truck, to name a few.
There are also wine slushies, such as Bourbon Slushies, to refresh you throughout the game.
Bring your family and enjoy every game at the home of Kane County Cougars.
Make your trip enjoyable with family and friends, and check out awesome things to do in Geneva, Il.
Just looking at their happy faces is enough for you to know that they will enjoy the places to go on your bucket list.
Don’t forget to take the necessary precautions to keep you and your family always safe while enjoying various activities.
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