Fox Valley - Aurora, IL Area Guide

Historically, several Native American tribes called this region home, including the Potawatomi, Sac and Fox tribes. With so many rural, suburban and urban areas within Fox Valley, the history varies greatly from town to town. The Potawatomi settled in the St. Charles area in the 17th century. By the late 1800s, however, private summer homes and cottages were common along the banks. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 cleared the way for the establishment of Elgin and its surrounding neighborhoods. Invention and education combine to make Elgin famous: Five U.S. Navy admirals, a Tony Award winner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and several Olympic athletes and well-known CEOs attended Elgin High School.

Nearly every community in Fox Valley delights locals and visitors alike with local festivals and art culture. Swedish Days takes over Geneva during June and offers a parade, live entertainment and music, kids' events and Sweden Vast. St. Charles' theater and entertainment options include the Arcada Theatre, as well as quaint live performances and off-Broadway shows at Fox Valley Repertory in Pheasant Run Resort. The culture doesn't stop with festivals or theater. The Valley's many villages and cities welcome visitors with art shops, boutiques and local, handmade goods around every corner.

With over 13 communities in Fox River Valley, the dining options seem to be endless. The restaurant selection in the area serves even the most discerning diners. New American cuisine, tap houses, drool-worthy pizza and elegant dining make up just a few of the options in the region.

Ari's Kitchen, located in North Aurora, serves homemade breakfast treats and decadent, made-from-scratch soups, salads, sandwiches and other lunch staples from early morning through mid-afternoon. Homey seasonal decor creates a welcoming feeling for patrons, and the menus are cleverly put together with intricate detail.

The Le S'iam is the area's only truly authentic Thai restaurant, and it excels expectations. Locals rave about the shrimp Pad Woon Sen and Thai fried rice, and its speciality basil-based dishes are firm favorites.

The Turf Room in North Aurora serves up exciting menu options while catering to the cocktail crowd. The eclectic martini menu includes such unique and witty concoctions as the Comfortably Numb, the Dean Martin-I and the Kentucky French Kiss. Dessert martinis and signature cocktails round out the drink menu at this race-themed restaurant and bar, helping it to maintain its place as a crowd favorite.

For a casual night out and a few drinks, try out Rudy's Place in Aurora. Friendly staff and cheap drinks entice visitors, while free pool on Sundays and the dive-bar decor keep the vibe chilled out and comfortable.

Several major thoroughfares dissect Fox Valley at various points, including Interstates 90 and 88. State highways also run from Chicago throughout various points in the valley. North-to-south highways connect the many small towns that nestle along the banks of the Fox River.

Public transportation connects Chicago's metropolitan area to many of the cities in Fox Valley, including Elgin and Geneva. Elgin, for example, houses three Metra train stations that run to Chicago's Union Station. Pace Suburban Bus serves patrons between Elgin and Geneva, as well as additional cities in the Valley.

Hailing a cab isn't difficult throughout the larger cities in the valley, and Uber gives rides to patrons in many of the cities, making it simple to get to and from the great events in each town.

Pedestrian-friendly walkways and areas make taking an evening stroll through charming downtowns enjoyable. Public parking and street parking make driving from dinner to entertainment venues convenient and simple.

This area's location along the Fox River provides residents with a variety of parks, including massive wild lands that include wildlife habitats along the river. Hiking and walking trails suit families and pets, as well as anyone looking for a bit of exercise under the beauty of the Illinois sky.

Fox Valley Park District serves the community with 164 parks, 45 miles of inter-connected trails and 2,500 acres of parkland. Athletic fields, dog parks and garden plots abound throughout Fox Valley Park District's properties, inviting people of all ages and interests to enjoy the natural environment of Illinois. Throughout the region, events taking place throughout the chain of parks, include summer movies, summer camps for children, athletic programs and health-related events. Access to the parks is free, but most activities require registration and a small fee.

Rental prices remain affordable for the area hovering just under $1000 for a one bedroom. Consumer spending in Fox Valley beats out the national average in nearly every category, particularly contributions, insurance and education. With Chicago's incredibly diverse neighborhoods and populations, most areas in Fox Valley remain on par with Chicago's more upper-middle-class and affluent neighborhoods.......

Shopping in Fox Valley suits every taste, whether you love high-end boutiques or handmade crafts. Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora serves as a one-stop shop for shoppers due to its long list of designer fashions, kids' stores, accessories outlets, shoe shops and specialty boutiques. Brands with stores featured at the outlet mall include Armani, Brooks Brothers, Kate Spade, Levi's and Lucky. For one-of-a-kind consignments and antiques, St. Charles' streets proudly house Acosta's Consignment, Amazing Grace Antiques and Antique Market III. These stores provide unique items at bargain-level prices, guaranteeing you walk out with a treasure after each visit. Farmers markets throughout these neighborhood continue long-standing traditions and serve fresh produce during the growing seasons to visitors and locals throughout the valley. Local grocers and small supermarkets adorn the streets throughout Fox River Valley. Aurora has stores that range from the all-purpose Aldi to the smaller, niche Chiquita Food Market, so residents can find whatever specific ingredient is on their shopping lists.