Itineraries

Art & Grapes

Highlights:
Public Art Walking Tour
Wine Sampling at Galena Cellars
Lunch at Fiora’s Restaurant
Tour the Art Galleries of Geneva
Wine and Cheese Pairing at Gibby’s Wine Den

Day 1:
Morning: Explore Geneva’s terrific public art through a walking tour with the Geneva History Center’s expert guides. Highlights include murals in the old Kane County Courthouse, a dramatic sculpture of Shakespeare’s Nick Bottom, public murals from the 1930s in the Geneva Post Office, the Rain Man sculpture by artist Miles Metzger, and the Geneva Sesquicentennial sculpture at Island Park. Hear the stories behind the art and learn about the artists who created the community’s masterpieces.

Lunch: Have lunch in the heart of Geneva’s historic district at Fiora’s Restaurant. The rustic Wine Cellar room is the perfect location for a private luncheon.

Afternoon: After lunch take stroll and explore the unique shops in Geneva’s historic downtown shopping district with over 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Over 150 shops are within walking distance along picturesque tree lined streets. Many of the shops are tucked away in architectural gems that were once homes. Don’t miss The Little Traveler which offers a wonderful assortment of thirty-six specialty themed rooms. Shoppers will discover treasures from around the world in this landmark “department store” dating back to 1922.

Late Afternoon: Galena Cellars produces, bottles, and cellars a variety of wines using grapes, juice, and fruit grown in their own vineyard and imported from across the United States. Stop in for a sampling of six of their wines. While you’re there, browse the unique, one-of-a-kind art of over 20 North American artists on display and for sale. You’ll find a wide variety of wine themed art in various mediums.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at one of Geneva’s fabulous restaurants. Geneva has multiple award-winning restaurants offering superior wine collections.

Day 2:
Morning: Take your time exploring  the art galleries scattered throughout downtown Geneva. You’ll find nine galleries in walking distance of one another.  Stop in Galley 28 which features a fresh mix paintings, exquisite jewelry, sculpture, photography, pottery and unique works in wood and metal. At one of Geneva’s newest galleries, Artemisia, you’ll find the work of a growing number of contemporary artists working in a range of media. At Geneva’s other galleries you’ll discover breathtaking works in every medium imaginable.

Lunch: Enjoy a lunch at one of Geneva’s many restaurants. From fine dining to friendly diners, there truly is something for every taste and budget.

Afternoon: Before you head out of town, stop in Gibby’s Wine Den and taste 5 different wines from 5 different countries. Learn about what makes each wine, each country, and each winery unique. Experiment with handcrafted cheese and wine pairing opportunities, test appetizers selected to showcase the wines. While enjoying the wines, have a go at all of the stunning treasures on the shelves at Gibby’s Wine Den.

Crafters Getaway

Highlights:
Needle point class
Lunch at Oscar Swan Country Inn
Lunch and fashion show at Atrium Cafe
Create scrapbooking memories

Day One
Morning: Take a needle point class at Designers Desk. Various class options are available. Punch needle is a great beginner’s class and great for groups. Projects will mostly be completed in class. Punch needle is a fast and fun way to make some great Christmas gift or hostess gifts.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the sprawling estate of the Oscar Swan County Inn. Groups must call ahead so Nina has time to personally prepare a delicious lunch!

Afternoon: Explore the unique shops in Geneva’s historic downtown shopping district with 150 shops within walking distance along picturesque tree lined streets. Many of the shops are tucked away in architectural gems that were once homes. Soak up the history of Geneva’s downtown with over 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at one of Geneva’s fabulous restaurants. From fine dining to friendly diners, there truly is something for every taste and budget.

Day Two

Lunch: Enjoy a fashion show while you dine at the Atrium Café located within the Little Traveler. After lunch take some time to explore The Little Traveler which offers a wonderful assortment of thirty-six specialty themed rooms. Visitors will discover treasures from around the world in this landmark “department store” dating back to 1922.

Afternoon: Learn how to tell your family stories through scrapbooking at Image Awards & Creative Keepsakes. Come in and see how to make those moments with family and friends last a lifetime.

Geneva History Tours

The Geneva History Center offers a variety of historical tours.

Guided Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Geneva
Discover Geneva’s Historic District from the refurbished downtown storefronts to the dozens of treasured Third Street Victorian homes that now house over 100 unique specialty shops and quaint eateries.  The guide will acquaint you with historic points of interest as well as many of Geneva’s notable landmark buildings, such as the Kane County Courthouse.  Cost is $10 per person,  with a minimum fee of $100.  Length of tour:  75 minutes.  (This program is also available as a power point presentation at the Geneva History Center).

Guided Walking Tour of Geneva’s Public Art
Explore Geneva’s incredible public art through a walking tour with the Geneva History Center’s expert guides.  Highlights include a dramatic sculpture of Shakespeare’s , “The Rainman” , The Lincoln Highway mural and more. Hear the stories behind the art and learn about the artists who created the community’s masterpieces.  Cost is $10 per person with a minimum fee of $100.  Length of tour:  75 minutes.  (This program is also available as a power point presentation at the Geneva History Center).

East Side Tour
Explore some of Geneva’s most interesting, but overlooked neighborhoods, on the East Side of town. The guided walking tour will feature quaint cottages and grand homes, as well as stories about immigrants, pioneers, businessmen and even a few scoundrels.  Cost is $10 per person with a minimum fee of $100.  Length of tour:  75 minutes.  (This program is also available as a power point presentation at the Geneva History Center).

North Side Walking Tour
Geneva has come a long way in its first 175 years–from the “impossible dream” of an ambitious pioneer to create a town that became the Kane County Seat to today’s thriving city.  The guided tour will feature some of Geneva’s oldest churches and quaint homes north of State Street, as well as stories about some of Geneva’s earliest settlers.  Participants will enjoy walking the beautiful historic streets of town and gain insight into the people who once called Geneva their home.  Cost is $10 per person with a minimum fee of $100.  Length of tour:  75 minutes.  (This program is also available as a power point presentation at the Geneva History Center).

Step-on Guides

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce is offering customized step-on guided tours of historic downtown Geneva. A knowledgeable costumed tour guide will acquaint your group with historic points of interest as well as many of Geneva’s notable landmark buildings. For more information call 866-4GENEVA.