Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Algonquin, Illinois

Nestled in the picturesque Fox River Valley, Algonquin is an affluent village with a population exceeding 30,000 residents.

The river serves as a striking characteristic of the urban landscape, featuring lush banks that gently descend to riverside parks and quaint piers designed for boating activities.

Algonquin boasts a vibrant selection of shopping and dining options, available in both the charming Old Town District and along Randall Road, where larger retail establishments and popular chain restaurants are situated.

The Fox River Trail extends southward from Algonquin, guiding visitors into nature reserves and a variety of delightful riverside towns.

1. Old Town District

Located entirely along Main Street, Algonquin features a beautiful main thoroughfare filled with locally owned eateries and retail shops.

At the time of writing, this area was undergoing a significant $30 million enhancement project aimed at revitalizing the streetscape, introducing new multistory buildings, and upgrading infrastructure.

Shoppers can explore diverse stores offering furniture, antiques, pottery, musical instruments, jewelry, home goods, and fashion, alongside a strong selection of eateries serving breakfast (such as Short Stack), Italian cuisine (Cucina Bella), barbecue (The Texan Barbecue), and steakhouse options (Bold American Fare).

Many historic structures in this district date back to the early 20th century, including the original Village Hall (2 S Main Street), which was constructed in 1907 and remained in use until 1996.

2. Riverfront Park

Just upstream from Algonquin’s dam, the Fox River takes on a lake-like appearance, characterized by a wide expanse of gently flowing water.

Riverfront Park is home to a series of formal gardens, recreational facilities, and memorials, offering a peaceful setting to relax, observe boats, and appreciate the views of the forested valley on the east bank.

This park also hosts outdoor concerts during the summer months, often on Thursday evenings, while visitors can frequently spot anglers fishing along the banks.

The park includes basketball courts and features a beam salvaged from the World Trade Center, which serves as a poignant 9/11 memorial.

3. Cornish Park

Adjacent to the Old Town District, Cornish Park serves as a delightful space where the Crystal Lake Outlet meets the Fox River.

Here, visitors are mere steps away from the shops and dining options on Main Street, and can take a moment to view the river cascading over the Dexter Doggold Memorial Dam.

A distinctive feature of Cornish Park is its clock tower, complemented by interpretive signage along the main trail that narrates the village’s history. The park also offers a gazebo, a playground, a picnic area, and riverside benches for relaxation.

4. Randall Oaks Zoo

Located a ten-minute drive from Algonquin, Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee is situated on a picturesque hilltop surrounded by beautiful parkland.

Some inhabitants of Randall Oaks Zoo include alpacas, goats, emus, mini-horses, deer, cows, pigs, foxes, and raptors such as red-tailed hawks and great-horned owls.

Visitors can interact with many of the domestic species, and pony rides are available for a nominal fee. Randall Oaks Park also features picnic areas, three playgrounds, and a ten-hole disc golf course, ensuring ample recreational opportunities.

5. Scorched Earth Brewing Company

Founded in 2014 by a husband and wife duo, Scorched Earth Brewing Company is a thriving craft brewery located less than a mile from the Fox River.

The expansive and welcoming taproom integrates seamlessly with the brewery floor, allowing guests to view the impressive stainless steel equipment surrounding them.

With 24 different beers on tap, the brewery caters to a variety of tastes, offering everything from German-style lagers and hoppy IPAs to Belgian ales, robust Porters, Sours, and innovative creations like peach and apricot sparkling ale.

While Scorched Earth Brewing Company does not feature an on-site kitchen, patrons are encouraged to bring food from nearby eateries or purchase from local food trucks that frequently visit the location.

6. Fox River Trail

Algonquin marks the northern terminus of a versatile 40-mile path that traces the Fox River all the way to Oswego.

Hiking or biking through the Fox River Valley allows one to experience some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in northeastern Illinois.

Several towns located along the river feature charming downtown areas and quaint urban parks, ensuring that visitors are never far from unique shopping and dining options.

Outside of the urban sections, Kane County Forest Preserves present expansive natural areas that encompass rich prairie, woodlands, wetlands, and surprising bluffs.

7. Towne Park

Combining a stroll through the Old Town District with this picturesque 12-acre park is a delightful venture.

The park features flowing water from the Crystal Lake Outlet, which is nourished by a series of lakes and reservoirs to the north and branches into the Fox River; visitors cross a footbridge upon entrance.

Towne Park offers amenities for basketball, soccer, and baseball, with a standout feature being the children’s playground, designed almost entirely from wood and styled like a castle.

Its proximity to downtown allows picnicking, and the park is positioned along the Prairie Trail, which extends for 26 miles toward the Wisconsin border.

8. Fox Valley Pottery

This ceramic studio in Algonquin warmly welcomes visitors to select a piece of pottery to personalize with their own designs and color palettes.

Fox Valley Pottery provides a variety of inspiration resources, including extensive idea books and numerous stencils and stamps.

Once finished, items are set aside for glazing and firing, allowing patrons to collect their creations a few days later.

The studio also accommodates private events and organizes a range of special occasions. Finished pieces are food-safe but require hand washing instead of dishwashing.

9. Brunner Family Forest Preserve

South of Algonquin, the Fox River meanders through this extensive 732-acre forest preserve, which features 3.5 miles of riverfront.

This stunning natural area was acquired by Kane County in 2008, with portions of the land currently used as pasture by the organic farm, All Grass Farms, which produces a variety of livestock and organic produce.

A farm shop located on-site offers grass-fed meat, free-range eggs, cheeses, yogurt, and honey. The preserve also boasts over five miles of trails weaving through essential ecological habitats, including restored fens, wetlands, and prairie regions.

Birdwatchers will appreciate the diversity of passerine species native to the preserve, including sedge wrens, American bitterns, and willow flycatchers.

10. Randall Road

Running through Algonquin, the Randall Road corridor serves as a vital hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, attracting visitors from the surrounding area.

This bustling thoroughfare is lined with several shopping centers, including the Centre at Lake in the Hills, River Pointe, Algonquin Galleria, and Algonquin Commons.

Notable attractions along this route include an AMC 12-screen cinema and Bowlero, alongside popular retail chains such as Kohl’s, JCPenney, Target, Home Depot, Meijer, T.J. Maxx, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Old Navy, and Hobby Lobby.

Additionally, a variety of chain restaurants are interspersed throughout, including Biaggi’s, Dunkin’, Wendy’s, Chipotle, Panera, Bonefish Grill, Sonic, and White Castle.

11. Exner Marsh Nature Preserve

Rich in wildlife, the Exner Marsh Nature Preserve comprises 220 acres of wetlands and ponds situated on a remnant glacial lake bed.

This area is a significant habitat for various wetland bird species, serving as both a breeding ground and a stopover for migratory birds during the spring and fall.

Commonly sighted species at Exner Marsh include pied-billed grebes, least bitterns, Virginia rails, and blue-winged teals.

Managed by the McHenry County Conservation District, this preserve remains open during daylight hours and features 1.3 miles of walking trails.

12. Bowlero

Located on Randall Road, this bowling establishment is part of the Bowlero franchise, offering modern bowling lanes coupled with an array of additional entertainment options.

Weekly specials can be found on their website, featuring late-night bowling sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as unlimited bowling events on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The Randall Road venue includes a vibrant arcade, laser tag arena, billiards tables, and a sports bar equipped with HD flat-screen televisions.

Guests can also enjoy a selection of craft beers, cocktails, burgers, wings, and more, all delivered directly to their lanes while they play.

13. Fox River Shores Preserve

The Fox River Trail traverses the Kane County Forest Preserve, located on the eastern bank of the river, just minutes south of the Old Town District.

This preserve features a mile of scenic riverfront that has been publicly accessible since 1988.

Ecologically important, the Fox River Shores Preserve encompasses hills framing the floodplain to the east, interlaced with small streams and seeps that create unique hanging fen habitats, supporting rare plant species such as turtle head, twayblade orchid, and vanilla grass. In springtime, the drier areas are adorned with beautiful wildflowers, including white plums and pink flowering crabapples.

14. Santa’s Village Azoosment and Water Park

This nearby theme park in East Dundee is the last remnant of a chain established in the 1950s. While Santa’s Village initially closed in 2006, it successfully reopened in 2011 and has since thrived.

The park is alive with amusement rides suitable for all ages, ranging from thrilling roller coasters to nostalgic kiddie rides that originated from Melrose Park’s Kiddieland, all restored to ensure safety for new generations.

As suggested by the playful nature of its name, animals play a significant role in the park’s attractions, which include farmyard animals, wallabies, parakeets, tortoises, and muntjac deer.

The new water park section, Santa Springs, offers a 10,000-square-foot beach-entry wading pool, featuring two 300-foot water slides, an interactive two-story play structure, and private cabanas for family gatherings.

15. Underground Retrocade

While video arcades are becoming increasingly rare, Underground Retrocade in West Dundee keeps this nostalgic experience alive with authentic 80s-style decor.

Visitors pay a nominal entrance fee for unlimited access to over 150 game cabinets and pinball machines.

Many of these machines are beloved relics from the golden age of arcades in the ’80s and ’90s, featuring games like After Burner, Donkey Kong, Dragon’s Lair, Jr. Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, Primal Rage, Rampage, and Street Fighter II. Check the website for updates on tournaments and special events.