Recreation and Entertainment
Pheasant Run Resort and Spa offers the 2008 Conference attendees with a wide variety of local and regional activities and entertainment options. Combined with the Conference's expanded schedule, attendees will have more recreational time on their hands this year than ever before!
Pheasant Run has extended the special NAGW discounted room rates to three (3) days prior to and three (3) days after the conference. Why not take advantage of those rates to extend your stay?
Pheasant Run OnSite Entertainment
Theaters
Pheasant Run has two on-site Dinner Theaters and a Comedy Club, which present prime entertainment without ever leaving the resort!
Zanies Comedy Club (Friday evening)
This sister room of the legendary Zanies in downtown Chicago has been making resort audiences laugh with the same great talent as the original club. View Zanies' schedule.
NOTE: During our conference, Kevin Nealon (Co-star in the new Showtime Original Series "WEEDS", the longest-running cast member in the history of Saturday Night Live!) will be presenting Friday, Sept. 12. Ticket prices sell for no less than $30, but NAGW attendees can get them for $20 each (advanced ticket sales only available through the NAGW website). Check out more information on Kevin Nealon's visit to Pheasant Run.
Purchase your advanced tickets now.
Mainstage Theater
The Mainstage Theater now offers stadium seating for 320 individuals, improved sightlines for all audience members and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Enjoy a full theater season with fresh interpretations of classic and original productions. http://www.pheasantrun.com/theater/mainstage.htm.
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall, our new Studio theater on Bourbon Street, for entertaining interactive shows presented by Noble Fool Theatricals every weekend. http://www.pheasantrun.com/theater/studiotheater.htm.
Spas
Mario Tricoci
Located at Pheasant Run Resort is the Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spa
Golf Course
Pheasant Run
2 Award Winning Golf Courses (Resort Course & Links Course) Enjoy 36 holes of championship golf on two award-winning courses. Players of every level will thoroughly enjoy our resort course, while those who seek a challenge will want to play the Robert Trent Jones, Jr. links course at Prairie Landing. Both courses have been recognized for their beauty as much as for their competitive play and our full-service pro shop can schedule a tee time at either course. http://www.pheasantrun.com/golf/index.htm
Local Area
We have assembled a comprehensive amount of information or those looking for recreational and entertainment activities before, after or during the conference. Whether you want to rent a canoe for a scenic paddle down the beautiful Fox River or want to take the train in to downtown Chicago for sightseeing and shopping, you'll find find all the information you need here.
Shopping
Charles Town Mall
Kirk Rd and North Ave. St. Charles, IL (630) 513-1120. Charles Town Mall is located almost directly across from Pheasant Run Resort and boasts a number of shops, eateries, and a movie theatre.
Geneva Commons
Stores such as Crate & Barrel, Dicks Sporting Goods, Gap, Coldwater Creek, Barnes & Noble, Ann Taylor’s Loft, Black & White & many more.
Little Traveler
Geneva, Illinois downtown boasts a marketplace of over 100 specialty shops nestled in historic storefronts and charming Victorian style homes. Geneva merchants fill their shops with one-of-a-kind gifts, unique clothing, distinctive art, home accessories, antiques, jewelry and much more. Geneva is located just south of St. Charles and is one of the three "twin cties" of St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia.
Aurora Prime Outlet
Upscale, fashion conscious shoppers who prefer designer labels with the largest collection of designer brands.
Aurora Premiere Outlet
For bargains on very upscale merchandise from Coach to Giorgio Armani, Adidas to Nike. 120 stores with savings up to 65%. Chicago Premium Outlets Mall is located approximately 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago in Aurora, Illinois.
Need a basic necessity, some aspirin, a new toothbrush?
Nearest Target
3885 E Main Street, St Charles, IL 60174, (630) 232-3980
Nearest Wal-Mart
150 Smith Road, St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 513-9559
Nearest Walgreens
3351 W Main Street, St Charles, IL 60175, 630-443-8735 --SEC of Peck & Rte 64
Norris Cultural Arts Center
Since its founding in 1978, the Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center has provided a world-class performance venue for regional, national and international talents, including a range of serious musical presentations and crowd-pleasing entertainment.
Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre, located in Aurora, Illinois, supports an annual audience of 150,000 patrons and was named one of the Top 10 theatres in Chicago by the League of Chicago Theatres. The theatre continues to be an anchor in the city bringing in approximately $3.3 million in ancillary revenue as well as hosting many free community events.
Randall Road IMAX 15
IMAX theater located in Batavia, Illinois
Dancing
Cadillac Ranch
The energetic Cadillac Ranch boasts the area's largest dance floor, plus sound, special effect and lighting capabilities that keep the place jumping nightly. The dance hall features new country dance music all weekend long, with occasional live performances from national chart topping acts. Private party rooms are available. Large outdoor deck available, weather permitting. 1175 W. Lake - Bartlett, IL (630) 830-7200 Hours: Mon 10pm - 4am http://www.aceplaces.com/catering/cadillac/cadillac.html
Gambling
Hollywood Casino
Hollywood Casino is just a short drive from any place in Chicagoland and is located at: 1 New York Street Bridge, Aurora, IL, 60506; Telephone (630) 801-1234 or (800) 888-7777.
Grand Victoria Casino
Located in Elgin, just north of St. Charles, on the scenic Fox River, at 250 South Grove Avenue.
Arlington Race Track
Horseracing! The 2008 season runs from May 2nd through September 21st.
Fitness
Pheasant Run
Pheasant Run boasts its own Fitness Center as well as 3 pools; one indoor, one outdoor, and one indoor/outdoor.
Norris Recreation Center
$6.00 day passes. Located at 1050 Dunham Road in St. Charles, Illinois 60174, (630) 377-1405 or on the web at http://norrisrec.org/
Fox Valley Ice Arena and Fitness Club
Located at 1996 S. Kirk Road, Geneva, Illinois, 60134, (630) 262-0690 or on the web at http://www.foxvalleyicearena.com/
Curves
Located at 578 E. Main St., St. Charles, Illinois 60175, (630) 443-1515 or on the web at http://www.curves.com/
Golf Courses
Pottawatomie Golf Course
www.st-charlesparks.org - (630) 584-8356
St. Charles Counrty Club
http://www.stcharlescountryclub.com/ - (630) 377-9340
Royal Hawk Country Club
http://www.royalfoxcc.com/ - (630) 443-3500
Biking and Boating
The Bike Shop
St. Charles 1 West Illinois Street, St. Charles, IL 60174. Rental bikes available April through October. Bikes by Schwinn, Scott, Felt, Orbea, BMC and Wilier. www.thebikeshopsc.com
Sammy's Bikes
602 First Street, St. Charles, IL 60174, (630) 444-0690. www.sammysbikes.com
Bike Rack
Campton Hills Rd. & W. Main Street, St. Charles, IL, (630) 584-6588 www.thebikerack.com
Canoe Shack
4612 Steeple Chase Court, St. Charles, IL 60175, (630) 584-8017. Canoe and Kayak rentals along the Fox River. These trips offer many hiking, picnicking and wildlife observation opportunities, as well as historic sites, small lime bluffs, and the county's only waterfall. http://www.visitstcharles.com/redirect.cfm?address=http://www.canoeshack.com
Geneva Kayak Center
34 N. Bennett St., Geneva, IL 60134, (630) 232-0320. Geneva Kayak Center offers Kayak sales, rental & instruction as well as local trips and midwest & international adventure travel. http://www.visitstcharles.com/redirect.cfm?address=http://www.genevakayak.com
Family Activities
St. Charles Park District
Jaynesway Farms Equestrian Center
5N080 Rt. 59, Bartlett, IL 60103, (630) 483-1827. http://www.janeswayfarm.com/
Sonny Acres
The Fall season is Harvest Season at Sonny Acres, found on North Avenue in West Chicago. From mid-September through October 31, Sonny Acres hosts plenty of fun, family activities including hay rides, haunted houses, and amusement rides. Look no further for a massive collection of pumpkins, gords, and dried corn stalks to decorate for the arrival of fall. You'll also find a general store with crafts and lots of tasty treats as well as shops to find Halloween costumes and other fall accessories. http://www.sonnyacres.com/
Funway Entertainment
1335 S. River Street, Batavia, IL 60510, (630) 879-8718. 20 minutes south of St. Charles. A sports center devoted to fun for the entire family. Fox Valley's largest indoor/outdoor family entertainment center. Roller skating, bowling, arcades, go-karts, batting cages &much more. http://www.visitstcharles.com/redirect.cfm?address=http://www.funwaybatavia.com
River View Miniature Golf
8 North Ave., in Pottawatomie Park, St. Charles, IL 60174, (630) 584-102. Seasonal 18-hole, award-winning miniature golf along the Fox River features special events May through the fall season. ADA Pedal boat and canoe rentals also available seasonally. http://www.visitstcharles.com/redirect.cfm?address=http://www.st-charlesparks.org access to 9 holes.
Sycamore Speedway
Racing super late models, late models, spectators, powder puff, compact, full size demo and compact demo. http://www.sycamorespeedway.com/
Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Rt. 53, Lisle, IL 60532, (630) 968-0074. The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, covers 1700 acres (6.9 Square kilometers) and is made up of gardens of various plant types and collections of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. Tram Tours are available. Guide books and binoculars are available for loan. http://www.mortonarb.org/
Wineries
Fox Valley Winery
5600 Rt. 34, Oswego, IL 60543, (630) 554-0404. The Fox Valley Winery is located in a 120 year old double walled, masonry building. This building was originally built to store blocks of ice for use in the "ice box" refrigerators commonly used in all area homes before turn of the 20th century. The winery specializes in creating small lots of hand crafted award winning wines, many made from estate grown, single vineyard Illinois grapes. www.foxvalleywinery.com
Lynfred Winery
15 S. Roselle Rd., Roselle, IL 60172, (630) 529-9463. The winery is open 7 days a week from 10am-7pm. They offer tours on weekends at 2pm and 4pm and also have wine tastings - 7 wines for $5.00. Every year on the last weekend in September they have a pig roast which is attended by people from all over the nearby cities and states. www.lynfredwinery.com
Cruises and Tours
Paddle Wheel Boat on the Fox River
2 North Avenue, St. Charles, IL 60174, (630) 584-2334. Cruise the scenic Fox River from Pottawatomie Park (four blocks north of Route 64 and three blocks west of Route 25) on two paddle wheel riverboats. Bordered by the St. Charles Park District's parks and local forest preserve district property, the Fox River is a green corridor of scenic beauty. Come aboard and enjoy travel from the era of Mark Twain on one of the daily afternoon sightseeing trips.
Points of Interest
Fermilab
The Department of Energy promotes scientific and technological innovation to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States. As part of the DOE strategic goals, Fermilab's mission is to advance the understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and energy. Fermilab's world-class scientific research facility allows qualified researchers from around the world to conduct fundamental research at the frontiers of high-energy physics and related disciplines.
Route 66
1st leg of the Route 66 journey is Chicago to Joliet.
