Hop aboard your motorcoach...

to St. Charles!

Nestled in the Fox River Valley….just an hour west of Chicago…and half-way between I-88 and I-90, St. Charles, Illinois is the quintessential Midwest Community – and the PERFECT motorcoach destination. 

Our hotels include Pheasant Run Resort & Spa (famous for its live theater and dining); Hotel Baker (on the National Register of Historic Places) and eight other superb full, select and economy properties. Ten St. Charles hotels (soon to be 11!) offer amenities sure to please guests who’ve spent the day exploring the wonders of the Fox Valley and the sights of the Windy City. Once you visit St. Charles, it will become quite clear why we are the city of natural charm!

We offer unique, fun-filled group itineraries...

and we can customize to your interests!

Email Jenny at jenny@visitstcharles.com for any of the itineraries below

* Students on Stage

* The Amazing Antique Hunt

* To the Theater!

* Around the World

* Summer Shines Through

* Mysterious Signts to Mysterious Sounds

* Glorious Garden Getaway

* Christmas Teas...to Christmas Trees

* Untouchables tour

* Red Hatter Adventure

* Girlfriends Getaway

Group tour highlights

Build your own itinerary with the following attractions!

• Theater! St. Charles boasts 3 theaters...right here in the suburbs! Enjoy a performance at Pheasant Run Resort, Steel Beam Theatre, or the Arcada Theater. Visit www.noblefool.org and www.steelbeamtheatre.com and www.thearcada.com

• Shopping! Visit Century Corners shopping district, a collection of historic homes turned retail shops. A truly unique shopping experience, Century Corners is the original town of St. Charles! Also visit 3rd Street Shops, Bridges Art Gallery, and more. www.centurycorners.com and www.3rdstreetshops.com

• Paddlewheel Riverboat cruise! Cruise the Fox River in the style of Mark Twain aboard one of two paddlewheel riverboats. Cruises can also include luncheon. After cruise activities include miniature golf, pedal boating or simple serenity in beautiful Pottawatomie Park. www.stcriverboats.com
  Available mid-May through mid-October.

• Antique shopping! Browse multi-dealer shops featuring timeless treasures. Combine the tour on the first Sunday and preceding Saturday of every month to include the nationally famous Kane County Flea Market. Group rates available. www.kanecountyfleamarket.com

• Scarecrow Festival! An annual celebration of autumn, the St. Charles Scarecrow festival has won numerous awards, including the Top 100 Events for 2000 and 2007 by the American Bus Association. Since its first year in 1985, the Scarecrow Festival has gained national attentino and is a popular event for motorcoach groups. Perfect for a day or overnight trip. Shop the Art & Craft Show with 200+ crafters, along the Fox River. View & Vote for your favorite among over 100 handmade scarecrows. Always held the weekend prior to Columbus day.
  October 10 - 12, 2008 and October 5-7, 2009
  www.scarecrowfest.com

• Historical driving tours! Guided motorcoach tour of historic buildings and sites in St. Charles. Various driving tour options available; Choose to add stops on your tour that include the St. Charles History Museum & Gift Shop, 1839 Dunham-Hunt House or the historic Hotel Baker. Or...choose to stay aboard your bus and enjoy a tour of the city. Your group will enjoy some trivia at the end of the tour...prizes included! Walking tours available also. Tours are complimentary, with a suggested donation to the St. Charles museum .www.stcmuseum.org

• Riverside dining! Enjoy lunch or dinner along the Fox River at Salernos on the Fox or Sage Bistro, and enjoy a meal on their outdoor patio or inside either of these restaurants. www.sagebistro.com

• Hotel Baker tour and/or lunch! Enjoy a complimentary, guided tour of this historic hotel, built in 1926. Group tour lunch menus are also available. www.hotelbaker.com

• Arcada Theatre tour! COMING SOON...check back for details on this exciting and unique tour. The Arcada Theatre was built in 1927 and was a popular vaudeville stage and theater. Famous acts, such as Ginger Rogers and Burns & Allen performed on this stage. The Arcada is one of the few vaudeville theaters in the area that has retained its original interior and natural charm. www.thearcada.com

• Fabyan Windmill! Authentic, 1850's working Dutch windmill located on Fox River Trail. Listed on National Register for Historic Landmarks. 1/2 hour tours are suggested donation of $1 per person and hour tours are suggestion donation of $2 per person. www.kaneforest.com

• Bike Trails! St. Charles boasts over 20.5 miles of bike, waking and hiking trails. Rent a bike at one of our bicycle shops and enjoy relaxing, scenic rides on various trails in St. Charles and the surrounding communities. Call the Visitors Bureau for bicycle trail maps and more information!  www.st-charlesparks.org

• Garfield Farm Museum! Tour an intact, 1840's living history, working farm and former teamster inn. www.garfieldfarm.org
  

• Riverboat gaming! Just minutes from St. Charles. Visit Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin or Hollywood Casino in Aurora.

• Al Capone's Hideaway & Steakhouse! Dine at Al's, and authentic 1920 speakeasy hidden along the Fox River. Yes, one of Chicago's most famous gangsters opened a bootlegging enterprise here in St. Charles. www.al-capone.com

• Group Tour lunch and dinner menus available! Ask me about our special group tour menus at various St. Charles restaurants. jenny@visitstcharles.com

...and much more!

Popular Motorcoach Events
Also see our Events Calendar for other monthly listings.

• Kane County Flea Market, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles. Held on the first Sunday and preceding Saturday. Free parking. $5 admission per person. Group rates available. www.kanecountyfleamarket.com

• Country Folk Art Festival, March and September at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. Free parking. Admission charged. www.countryfolkartfest.com

• Sisters Weekend, April in downtown St. Charles. Registration includes a variety of events and seminars. www.sistersweekend.com

• Antique-Collectible Toy & Doll World Show, April, June & October at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. Free parking. Admission charged. www.chicagotoyshow.com

• Fine Arts Show & Sale, Memorial Day weekend in downtown      St. Charles. Free admission. www.dtown.org

• Swedish Days Festival, June in downtown Geneva. Free admission. Craft show; special merchant sales. www.genevachamber.com

• Festival of the Vine, September in downtown Geneva. Free general admission. Charge for some seminars. www.genevachamber.com

• Scarecrow Festival, October in downtown St. Charles. Free admission. Huge Art & Craft show. Free live entertainment. www.scarecrowfest.com

• Christmastime at the Barn, December at the Fine Line Arts Center, St. Charles. Hand-crafted arts, gifts. (closed Sundays).

• Geneva Christmas Walk, December in downtown Geneva. www.genevachamber.com