Glen Ellyn can be explored for trip planning through specific differences: trails circle a lake or pass through restored landscapes, while tours at the historic Stacy’s Tavern Museum require an appointment made in advance. In the town center, walkers, cyclists and joggers can access the Illinois Prairie Path. There is also a commuter rail station on the Union Pacific West Line and opportunities for non-motorized boats on Lake Ellyn. If you’re looking for hotels in Glen Ellyn, you can start by considering whether trails and landscapes, water activities or local history will shape your stay.
Compare trails and landscapes
Lake Ellyn Park has an approximately 0.65-mile loop around the lake, as well as additional winding trails. Churchill Woods has an approximately one-mile trail for cycling, hiking and horseback riding; cross-country skiing is also possible there in winter. The trails described differ in both their approximate length and their stated uses: at Lake Ellyn, the focus is on the loop around the lake, while several activities are mentioned for Churchill Woods. This offers a practical starting point if you’re weighing a loop trail against a trail with a range of uses for your trip.
Churchill Prairie Nature Preserve contains one of the few remaining original prairies in DuPage County. Willowbrook offers a different kind of landscape: its 47.5 acres include woodland, prairie and wetlands crossed by Glen Crest Creek. Nearly a mile of trails passes through restored prairie, savanna and wetland habitats; educational stations and welcoming places to rest round out the area. The trail length and the landscapes described give a visit there a different focus from the loop at Lake Ellyn.
Conservation efforts also include the work of the DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center. It serves as a rehabilitation center for native and migratory wildlife. More than 9,600 animals are treated there each year; this annual figure may change.
Water activities
Non-motorized boats carrying passengers, including kayaks and canoes, are allowed on Lake Ellyn. A $5 permit is required. Since the permit policy is operational information and may change, check it before planning your boating activity. At Churchill Woods, visitors can fish from a series of stone-slab terraces along the East Branch DuPage River. Fish species mentioned there include bluegill, carp, crappie, sunfish and largemouth bass. Boating on the lake and fishing on the river are therefore two different options that you can consider separately when planning.
Local history, planned in advance
Stacy’s Tavern Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1846 by Moses Stacy and his wife, Joanna. The museum is an award-winning restoration of an authentic 1840s roadside inn. Tours are available by appointment only. If you plan to focus on this historic site, you’ll need to arrange an appointment before visiting; don’t count on being able to join a tour spontaneously.
Plan your arrival and stay
Downtown Glen Ellyn has a commuter rail station on the Union Pacific West Line. During peak hours, the trip to and from Chicago’s Loop business district takes 36 minutes. This travel time is operational information and may change; check the current schedule for your specific travel dates. As you plan, you can take the different conditions and interests into account: the museum requires advance planning, boating requires a permit, and the trails offer a range of lengths and activities.
Discover more destinations: Lombard, Itasca, Westmont, Naperville, Bloomingdale, Lisle, Downers Grove, Villa Park.
For the broader travel overview: Dupage.
