Glorious Geneva, Illinois by Carla Marie Rupp
Geneva is a gem we’d highly recommend. Not Geneva, Switzerland, nor Geneva, New York, but Geneva Illinois. Perhaps you’ve seen the major sights in Chicago and would like to explore a real Americana place in a beautiful, walkable suburb? Geneva is not far, just a picturesque hour on the Metra Train Line, or within easy access by car. Wealthy Chicagoans would come to Geneva, Ill., to get out of the big city, enjoy a fancy hotel, stroll on the shopping lanes of Third Street, and take in the ever-evolving restaurant scene.
You don’t have to be wealthy to come to gorgeous Geneva now. There’s a budget for everyone, with consignment and thrift shops as well as high-end boutiques. You can enjoy walking up State Street going in and out of the little, cute shops. On Third Street, it’s a delight, like a Main Street Disney World experience! There’s a really warm-hearted, out-going community. At our lovely hotel The Herrington Inn, the staffers and the other guests were particularly friendly.
Located on the scenic Fox River, the Herrington Inn & Spa is the place to be pampered, It’s Geneva’s premiere waterfront destination for overnight getaways, weddings, or special occasions. You can stay in a king canopy bed and enjoy delicious continental breakfast when you wake up, with homemade breads and rolls, butter and jellies, croissants, cheeses and meats, delicious fresh-made cinnamon rolls, a variety of fruits, and just-baked banana or blueberry muffins.
Luxurious guest rooms include a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Guests love it so much they want to come back over and over. One couple, Carol and John, told us they always call to book the same room facing the river each time they come, a few times a year. It’s such a special hotel. It’s a joy to walk around and look at all the unique paintings, ornamental touches, and furnishings.
The hotel’s location was home to Geneva’s founding family, James and Charity Herrington, and the site was the town’s first known dairy back in 1864. Present owners opened the hotel in 1993 and strive to create guests for life. We visited with a couple celebrating their anniversary at The Herrington who said they met two other anniversary couples also celebrating at the intimate “Atwater’s”, the hotel’s upscale restaurant. It’s open every day for “dramatic dining.” Besides Atwater’s, other upscale Geneva dining options include Le Cochon Bistro & Wine Bar, Niche Restaurant, the Walrus Room, and Bien Trucha.
Be sure to see a show at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. This art-deco theatre hosts world-class, award-winning productions in its Broadway Series with the most talented performers. We were lucky to have tickets for a packed house of the musical South Pacific. It was great.
Chicago Sun-Times says this theatre has become “ One of the Chicago area’s most potent Broadway competitors. Ticket prices are far more reasonable than in New York City; the orchestra is frequently far larger than in New York, too; and the design is invariably spectacular.” Paramount Theatre sets and costumes are built and made from the ground up. Casting is done nation-wide When you enter the lobby, you can see signed photos of famous celebrities who have appeared at the Paramount. They include Bernadette Peters, Willie Nelson, Jay Leno, Pete Fountain, Rich Little, Lily Tomlin, and many others.
Two Brothers at the Roundhouse is an excellent place to go relax after a show. It’s a brewery, distillery, cafe, gastropub and beer garden. You can sit outside and order food and drink and learn about the history. It’s one of the last remaining limestone “roundhouses” used by the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad to maneuver railroad engines for reverse travel.
Scandinavian-American cultural history is also evident in Geneva. There is a faithful re-creation of an historic Viking ship built at Framness Shipyard in Sandefjordll, Norway, 1892-93. The boat sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Chicago via the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes, becoming one of the main attractions at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The famous Viking Ship traveled to New Orleans before returning to Chicago, and is now on permanent display in Geneva. You can find several Scandinavian-oriented shops nearby.
The Edith Farnsworth House is another beautiful, historical attraction worth seeing that is visited by thousands of international travelers each year. It celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and was built for Dr. Farnsworth, who became a prominent nephrologist at a time when Northwestern Medical School only accepted four women per graduating class. She was also a poet, translator, and an accomplished violinist.
Another attraction in this area is the new Hollywood Casino and Resort (with dining and concerts) near Chicago Premium Outlets. The Little Traveler shop, a landmark of the famous Geneva shopping district since 1922, has 36 rooms in a magnificent Victorian home, 404 S. Third Street, Geneva. It contains a multitude of special items for sale. You are bound to find treasures you like and maybe have brunch, lunch or afternoon tea at the Atrium Cafe. You can read the fascinating history at www.littletraveler.com.
On the banks of the Fox River, Fabyan Forest Preserve provides trails for hiking and biking. It’s home to the Fabyan Windmill, a 68-story structure built by a German craftsman around 1850. The Fabyan Villa Museum was home to George and Nellie Fabyan until 1939 and was redesigned by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909. The museum is home to an artifact from the 1803 Columbian Exposition at the World’s Fair in Chicago, a marble statue called “Intelligence Subduing Brute Force” also known as “Diana the Lion.”
You can also discover the serene Japanese Tea Garden designed by Taro Otsuka. The Aurora Area just outside of Chicago consists of 12 welcoming communities, Geneva is just one of them. It’s such a beautiful small city and very safe, perfect for tourists with its riverside charm. People are friendly. Check out EnjoyAurora.com. and ParamountAurora.com – be sure to see a production at Paramount Theatre. The Herrington Inn & Spa is definitely the right place to stay! 15 South River Lane, Geneva, Illinois 60134 For reservations Fax 630-208-743 www.herringtoninn.com.
Carla Marie Rupp and Jason Rupp are freelance travel journalists. Their emails are [email protected] and [email protected]