The DeKalb Egyptian Theatre is one of the most distinctive discoveries in DeKalb County: it is one of only seven surviving theaters of this Egyptian style in the United States and the only one east of the Rocky Mountains. Over the years, performers including Lawrence Welk, B. B. King, Jay Leno, Ray Charles, and The Second City have taken the stage there. Their names are part of the venue’s live performance history.
Stages and Historic Homes
The historic Sandwich Opera House is also a performing arts venue. It originally opened in 1878 and has 300 seats. At the Ellwood House Museum, the focus is a Victorian mansion: tours showcase its original furnishings, art, and architecture. The house was built in 1879 for barbed-wire entrepreneur Isaac Ellwood.
A visit to the museum also includes the Patience Ellwood Towle Visitor Center, with four exhibition galleries; admission is free. The guided tours offered by the DeKalb County History Center provide another perspective on the county’s history, exploring the architecture and history of notable homes in the county. Built in 1845, the Miller-Elwood log cabin was reconstructed and moved to the Hoppe Heritage Farmstead. An important historic landmark, it recalls the earliest settlers of DeKalb County.
At the Pick Museum of Anthropology, object-based learning takes center stage. The museum serves as a teaching museum and offers exhibitions, object-based learning, and public programs. The Glidden Homestead is open every Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Since hours should be checked before traveling, it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit.
Trails, Water, and Habitats
The Great Western Trail begins at Sycamore Forest Preserve and runs for four miles through DeKalb County and another 14 miles in Kane County. The Great Western Trail Extension connects the Great Western Trail to the city of Sycamore and the parks and trails of the Sycamore Park District. These two details offer different points of reference: one describes the trail’s route through two counties, while the other describes its connection to Sycamore.
More than 250 bird species have been observed at Afton Forest Preserve since 2004—a notable point of interest for birdwatchers. At MacQueen, the Kishwaukee River cascades through a fissure formed by erosion in the limestone riverbed: these are the Great Kishwaukee Falls. A pedestrian bridge at MacQueen connects the preserve with Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve.
South Branch Prairie is part of the Genoa to Kingston Trail. It includes five native plant communities and is considered a particularly high-quality wetland restoration. Together, these details tell different stories about the landscape: from the diversity of native plant communities to the restoration of a wetland.
Visitor Information
Shabbona Lake State Park is easily accessible from the Chicago area via I-88; check road conditions before driving. The main building at Shabbona Lake has a restaurant with 60 seats. The outdoor patio offers another 40 seats overlooking the lake. The restaurant operates seasonally, so check that it is open before your visit.
Discover more destinations: DeKalb, Sandwich, Sycamore, Genoa, St. Clair, Rock Island, Gallatin, Livingston County.
For the broader travel overview: Illinois.
