Picture this: you wake up on a sunny Saturday morning with the mindset that you want to make the most out of the day, whether it be trying a new experience, tasting a unique cuisine, or maybe by learning something new. If you find yourself in this situation, we encourage you to take a day trip to St. Charles, Illinois! There's always so much taking place in this city, especially on the weekend, making it an ideal way to make the most of your free time. Keep reading below to follow my Saturday journey, and to get some ideas for your next day trip to this town.
Energize
Photo 1 Courtesy of Maple Leaf Coffee House. Photo 2 Courtesy of @rachelkawate
First things first: you're going to want to grab some coffee to make sure your energized for the day. For this trip, I made a visit to Maple Leaf Coffee House to grab a warm pick-me-up. Their Chai Latte is to die-for, and when you order it "spicy", it has this fantastic little kick at the end that provides a unique, tasty flavor. However, Maple Leaf has a wide variety of hot and cold beverages one can choose from. Plus, if the weather calls for it, nothing beats enjoying their brew from their patio which overlooks the beautiful Fox River.
You do have options when it comes other coffee shops right in the downtown area that are fantastic to start your day at, too! These include the female-led business: Coroco Coffee, or St. Charles staple and Made in St. Charles recipient: Arcedium Coffeehouse.
Learn
Historic Photos Courtesy of the St. Charles History Museum
Now that you've had some time to sip on your coffee, get ready to embark on an activity. On this trip, I decided to take the Historic Walking Tour on the FREE Travel St. Charles App. This tour takes you to 26 spots around town that are filled with history, with audio from the St. Charles History Museum so that you get to take a deeper dive into this city's beginnings. Scroll through the slideshow above and see for yourself how some of these historic buildings have transformed throughout the years.
Along with the Historic Walking Tour, there are plenty of other types of tours that you can also access when you utilize the Travel St. Charles App. These Tours include the Instagrammable Spots Tour, the Public Arts Tour, and the Made in St. Charles tour that takes you to businesses that create their products right here in this town. Click the button below to download the app today!
What Type of Cuisine Have You Had During St. Charles Restaurant Week?
Italian
Asian
American
Mexican
Immerse
Once your tour is completed, your next stop is to immerse yourself in the amazing performing arts scene that we have in this town. This past weekend (February 1st and 2nd, 2025), Kane Repertory Theatre and the St. Charles Writers Group collaborated to present Page to Stage - a dramatic stage reading at Hunt House Creative Arts Center. The very talented writers in the St. Charles Writers Group prepared short stories that were then performed by the extremely skilled actors of the Kane Repertory Theatre. The performance, was spectacular - filled with laughs, drama, and thought provoking material!
Just about any weekend in St. Charles, you can find live entertainment performances whether it be at Hunt House Creative Arts Center, or at one of the other theatres in town including Steel Beam Theatre, Moonlight Theatre, Arcada Theatre, and Marquee Youth Stage. If it's live music you're after, you can find frequent performances around town by viewing or Weekly Live Music page by clicking the button below.
Refuel
After the show has come to a close, you're bound to have worked up quite the appetite. To satisfy my stomach, I walked over to Restaurante Delicias de Mexico to indulge in some delicious Mexican fare. This vibrant eatery is located right on Main Street, and they serve numerous Mexican favorites such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. I chose to have a steak torta that was loaded with mayo, beans, sour cream, cheese, tomato, lettuce, and avocado. And believe me, my taste buds were not disappointed.
If Mexican food isn't what you're after, there are plenty of spots in downtown and throughout St. Charles to get your fill. From award-winning restaurants, community staples, and an ample amount of cuisines to choose from - narrowing it down to select a location can be the toughest part! To find more restaurants throughout town, view our food & drink page that contains our brand-new dining guide by clicking the button below.
Haven't been able to make it out yet to dine for St. Charles Restaurant Week? There's no need to worry - as you have through Friday to take advantage of 20% off your bill of $45 or more at participating restaurants (exclusions apply). So, grab a few of your closest pals and hit the town to celebrate this city's wonderful culinary scene. Click above to learn more.