Come play in Geneva
Bike Trails
This beautiful trail follows along the banks of the Fox River almost 30 miles in Kane County alone. Its smooth surface makes it ideal for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and jogging. The trail has access to excellent fishing, canoeing, picturesque picnic facilities, Tekawitha Woods Forest Preserve & Nature Center, Fabyan Forest Preserve, Villa Museum, Japanese Garden and an 1850s windmill.
The Great Western Trail crosses small streams and wetlands. It is a place of quiet beauty, a linear wildlife refuge and truly one of the finer experiences available in Kane County. The trail, approximately 17 miles from the trailhead to Sycamore, is limestone and allows a smooth riding surface. Snowmobiling is permitted when the snow is 4″ or more.
The Illinois Prairie Path (IPP) was the first successful “rail-to-trail” conversion in the United States. The trail is named for its rare segments of original, thousand-year-old prairies. With 62 miles of biking, hiking, jogging, equestrian, and nature trails, the Illinois Prairie Path is an amazing natural resource. Access the Geneva Spur from Route 25 in Bennett Park on the east side of the Fox River.
This 12-mile trail crosses Waubonsee Creek and meanders through wetlands filled with small birds and waterfowl. Small patches of native prairie, beautiful wildflowers and a diverse tree population add to its beauty. It crosses high above the Fox River via an historic truss bridge. The trail is a smooth surface of limestone and asphalt – ideal for biking.
Museums & Tours
Route 31 just north of Fabyan Parkway • (630) 377-6424
The Fabyan Villa Museum, a 1907 Frank Lloyd Wright redesign, is located in the Fabyan Forest Preserve. It houses unique natural and Asian artifacts from the collection of Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan. Check their website for hours.
Pine Street & Kirk Road, Batavia • (630) 840-3000
Self-guided tours are available seven days a week and include both the outdoor areas and limited indoor facilities (hours vary). The Lederman Science Education Center that includes hands-on exhibits is open Monday-Saturday (hours vary). Drop-in free guided tours are available every Wednesday at 10 am. Government-issued photo ID is required to enter Fermilab.
113 S. Third Street • (630) 232-4951
Located in the heart of downtown on Third Street, the Geneva History Museum is a non-profit museum offering a permanent Geneva history exhibition “Greetings from Geneva”, a temporary gallery, research facilities and climate controlled storage for collections & artifacts, plus a museum store with unique Geneva items and souvenirs. Historic Tours are also available, please call us for more information.
As you explore downtown Geneva watch for sculptures, murals and other outdoor artwork along the way. Whimsical and unique pieces are scattered across the City waiting to be discovered. A full list can be found here. To experience the Geneva History Museum’s self-guided Public Art Tour, download the map or purchase a paper copy at their gift shop.
509 Stevens Street • (630) 232-2115
Learn more about the craft beers that Penrose Brewing creates, get a behind-the-scene tour of their facilities in Geneva, sample one of their beers and take home the glass. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
528 East Side Drive • (331) 248-1903
The Viking is an exact, 78 foot replica of an ancient Viking ship discovered in Norway in 1880. Hand built in 1893, she sailed from Bergen, Norway with a crew of 12 across the Atlantic to become a star attraction of the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The ship is in storage and restoration in Good Templar Park in Geneva, but is open monthly for public tours by Viking-clad guides starting April 17.
Arts & Cinema
321 Stevens Street #Q, Geneva • (630) 345-6762
Geneva Center for the Arts is a gallery and educational space that will bring an intentional and thoughtfully curated line-up of exhibitions, performances, workshops and events. We believe art is a cornerstone of community connectedness and conversation.
The Geneva Park District’s Playhouse 38 is the ultimate theatre experience in downtown Geneva! Playhouse 38 hosts both adult and youth productions. Home to the Geneva Park District’s Cultural Arts program, which offers actors of all ages the opportunity to become creative, expressive, and confident on stage through a variety of classes and camps.
The Hemmens Cultural Center is a 1,200-seat theatre in Elgin. It’s also the home of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra
From the beginning, Steel Beam Theatre has focused on presenting passionate, engaging, provoking – but always entertaining – professional theatre that’s accessible and affordable to all audiences.
From the beginning, Steel Beam Theatre has focused on presenting passionate, engaging, provoking – but always entertaining – professional theatre that’s accessible and affordable to all audiences.
Housed in an historical building dating to 1886, Water Street Studios began as a shared vision of a group of interested community members, talented artists, a generous property owner, and the City of Batavia in 2007. Water Street Studios has become an integral cultural hub that draws, enriches and supports renowned artists, experienced art teachers, talented students and the art and culture-loving public from all over the Fox Valley and beyond.
Sports
Enjoy fast-paced family fun at Fox Valley Ice Arena, September through May! Future college and pro stars play in the nation’s best junior hockey league (USHL). Tickets start at just $10 with discounts for groups.
Fox Valley Ice Arena is a recreation skating destination with its 200′ x 85′ regulation NHL rink and 200′ x 100′ International size rink. This home to Cyclones Youth Hockey, Chicago Steel Tier 1 Junior A hockey team and Northern Illinois and Aurora University Hockey offers programs for beginners to adults, boys and girls and public skates that are fun for the whole family.
Experience your best golf today with personalized private and group lesson programs designed to help you reach your full potential and enjoy the game for life.
The Impastato Golf Academies were established in 2017 by David Impastato in association with the Golf Channel Academy to offer golfers of all ages and skills the highest level of golf instruction and training facilities. Our Geneva, IL and Fort Myers, FL Academies are staffed by expert certified PGA Professionals and coaches with finest facilities available anywhere
34W002 Cherry Lane • (630) 232-8811
The Kane County Cougars baseball team are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball. They play their home games at Northwestern Medicine Field. From 1991 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball’s Midwest League.
Behind Strikers Fox Valley Facility (Kirk Road)
With panoramic views of the Chicago skyline and the Fox River valley, the Northwestern Medicine Cross Country Course was designed for youth, high school, collegiate, and championship events. With an 80 meter wide curved starting line and a 550 meter starting straightaway, the Course was designed for large high school and college meets. The course provides a first-class experience for both athletes and spectators.
With meticulously maintained greens and fairways, Prairie Landing is designed with the player in mind. From wide open par 5’s to narrow par 3’s, the 19-hole course is a fair challenge with a rewarding landscape. Peppered with various wetlands, mounds, and bunkers, Prairie Landing is no walk in the park. The course has been rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest for “Best Places to Play”, one of only 25 Illinois courses to receive such a rating.
Parks & Recreation
BestLife Fitness is more than your ordinary gym — it is a full-service community fitness destination, offering affordable membership options for both residents and non-residents. BestLife at SPRC also offers an indoor walking/running rack, a 2-court gymnasium, and Kidz Korral Child Care.
BestLife Fitness is more than your ordinary gym — it is a full-service community fitness destination, offering affordable membership options for both residents and non-residents. BestLife at Sunset also offers a functional fitness studio and a racquetball court.
Geneva has over 40 parks to choose from. Amenities vary for each one. Please visit Geneva Park District’s interactive map site at the above link Geneva Parks.
The Links is a scenic, year-round, 18-hole disc golf course that utilizes the beautiful wooded hills of Wheeler Park to offer a variety of challenging basket placements. Hole 1 is located near the Stone Creek Miniature Golf Course.
Mill Creek Pool includes a fun 25-meter, 5-lane flat-water pool; a separate zero-depth play pool with a water mushroom and spray bubblers, and an interactive water sprayground. Lockers and showers, concessions, and pool rentals are also available.
This picturesque 385-acre park includes a history gallery, a gift shop, an observation silo, a sensory garden, a seasonal butterfly house, Hawk’s Hollow Nature Playground, nature trails, picnic areas, and an outdoor amphitheater with a fire pit. Birthday parties, room rentals, and nature classes are also available.
