A Chicago Weekend Get- Away - Exploring the Fox River Valley

Historic Dundee is only an hour drive from Chicago, sitting in the Fox River Valley, making it a perfect weekend get away. With the Fox River running through the main street of this quaint little town, there is plenty to see and do.

Bring your bikes and hit the bike trails that stretch North and South along the Fox River, walk through the historic district and pick out your favorite brightly painted historic home, or shop the cute stores that line Main and River Street.

Here are some of my favorite stores and restaurants I discovered on a recent trip to Dundee.

Around the Corner Candy
107 South Second Street, West Dundee, IL
Around the Corner Candy is just the kind of candy store you would expect to find in a small town. Candy from your childhood and new additions fill buckets, tins and shelves. Wafer saucers, gummy lips, and sheets of saltwater taffy are just waiting for you! It doesn't cost a nickel anymore, but you can still get a lot of candy for a couple dollars.

Pet Pals Market
115 West Main Street, West Dundee, IL
Pet Pals Market is a one of a kind pet store full of healthy products for your pet. I can't help but think of Pet Pals as a Whole Foods store with your pet in mind, all the products are a natural alternative to processed and preserved food.

We were immediately greeted at the door by the extremely friendly and tame dogs, but we definitely felt ignored by the rest of the staff. Not exactly sure why, but we were not acknowledged in any way during our entire fifteen minute visit even though there was only one other customer present. Still, the purpose of the store is great and there are definitely products here that you cannot find anywhere else.

SteepleJack Books, Inc.
125 West Main Street, West Dundee, IL
A quiet used book store that welcomes browsers, serious bookies and their dogs into its doors. SteepleJack Books can order new books for you, but it's the used books that get me in the door. Like other used book stores you never know what you're going to find while browsing the shelves, unique and eclectic titles caught the attention of every family member.