Group Tour

Itinerary
GO
St. Charles
24
Illinois
SEE
Arcada Theatre
(630) 587-8400
www.thearcada.com
Fine Line
Creative Arts Center
(630) 584-9443
www.fi neline.org
King’s Mill Refi nishing
(630) 377-9191
www.kingsmillltd.net
EAT
Gabby’s Kitchen
(630) 549-0656
www.gabbyskitchen.com
The Filling Station
(630) 584-4414
www.fi lling-station.com
Nuova Italia
(630) 584-1888
www.nuovaitalia.net
Hotel Baker
(630) 584-2100
www.hotelbaker.com
ASK
Greater St. Charles
Convention and
Visitors Bureau
(800) 777-4373
www.visitstcharles.com
Seeking classic treasures
Head to St. Charles for antiquing adventures
St. Charles is a quintessential Midwest community
and is an antique-lovers paradise.
The city of 32,000 people, located 35 miles west
of downtown Chicago, holds many antique, art and
collectible shops.
It’s also possible to plan a tour during the monthly
Kane County Flea Market at the Kane County
Fairgrounds.
The fl ea market, which began in 1967, is held
from March to December on the fi rst Sunday of each
month and the preceding Saturday. In peak season,
the market draws more than 1,500 dealers.
This two-day itinerary was shared by Greater St.
Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Michelle
Cianferri, group sales manager.
DAY ONE
Arrive in downtown St. Charles for antique shopping
in a number of antique shops and boutiques
such as Antique Markets I & II.
Continue the antique hunt at the What Not
Shoppe and in the Century Corners Historic Shopping
District, which includes Warehouse Antiques
and Confectionary, Tapestries of Nature and more
stores.
Enjoy lunch at The Filling Station, a former Texaco
Oil station.
A step-on guide will board the motorcoach for a
driving tour.
Experience the unique history of St. Charles and
learn about the link between the invention of barbed
wire and the city. Discover the city’s past, present and
future with some surprises along the way including a
stop at the St. Charles Heritage Museum.
Next, take in a seminar at King’s Mill Refi nishing,
which does antique restorations, repair and refi nishing.
Visit Amazing Grace Antiques, a historic home
Photo: Greater St. Charles Area CVB
Town House Books and Cafe is an independent bookstore in St. Charles.
Photo: Greater St. Charles Area CVB
Century Corners is a historic shopping district in St. Charles.
fi lled with antiques.
Tour the Arcada Theatre, a former vaudeville
theatre that opened in 1926 and since has been restored.
Dinner is at Nuova Italia, housed in a former Roman
Catholic church built in 1851.
This evening, enjoy live theater at the 80-seat
Steel Beam Theatre (weekends only). Special performances
for groups can be arranged.
Another option is Fox Valley Repertory (Thursday
through Sunday evenings and matinees on select
Thursdays).
Located at Pheasant Run Resort, the professional
theater company showcases off-Broadway musicals,
interactive comedies and family shows. Overnight,
dinner and group packages are available at Pheasant
Run.
DAY TWO
Enjoy breakfast at Gabby’s Kitchen.
Visit Fine Line Creative Arts Center, which is
housed in a former barn.
Arrange a presentation, tour the galleries or take
a short course.
Tour the 1800s Fabyan Windmill. Listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, Fabyan Windmill
is an authentic, working Dutch windmill dating
from the 1850s. The fi ve-story, 68-foot windmill
is fully restored to operate by natural wind energy.
Tours are available year-round.
Enjoy a waterfront lunch and tour at the historic
Hotel Baker.
Built in 1928, Hotel Baker is a boutique hotel
with 53 guest rooms that overlooks the Fox River on
Main Street in downtown St. Charles.•