What to do at the Ellwood House… Other than the museum
Wondering what there is to do in DeKalb, IL?
Students are venturing back to DeKalb for the start of classes at Northern Illinois University and Kishwaukee College. While we love to see people checking out our Visitor Center galleries and attending tours, we understand that history is not everyone’s cup of tea. Thankfully, there is so much more to see at the Ellwood House than just the museum! Our museum is located in a 10-acre public park, a safe space where everyone is welcome and parking is free! Listed below are just a few ideas on how you can enjoy the Ellwood House Museum campus during your time in DeKalb.
Staying Active: Sick of running around the NIU campus? The Ellwood House park provides a change in scenery from your typical college day-to-day, and is just a half-mile away from the Kishwaukee River at NIU. Our grounds are also near the DeKalb Nature Trail, just a quarter mile down from the 1st St. bridge. The Ellwood House features both gravel and paved paths, perfect for running, biking, or even a leisurely stroll as you get acquainted with DeKalb and its surroundings.
Hammocking: Whether it’s your first time setting a hammock up, or if you’re a pro, we have just the trees for you! Within the Ellwood House campus you can find the perfect spaces to either set up solo or hang with a group!
Birdwatching: The wooded area adjacent to the main Ellwood House park features a number of native bird species to Illinois. Staff have spotted Hawks, Horned Owls, Blue Jays, Golden Finches, and so many more species on the grounds.
Painting and Drawing: The backdrop of the Ellwood House campus provides an array of architectural features, gardens, natural scenes, and more! The museum campus is a great place for anyone from professionals to those who dabble in the arts. Bring a chair, blanket, and sketchbook, and use our campus to your heart's content!
Photography: Personal, Professional, or group photoshoots are always welcome on the Ellwood House grounds. We invite wedding parties, sororities, graduations, proms, and more to use our ground as a backdrop to your perfect photo session. If you’re more into still photography, our grounds are the perfect place to photograph gardens and botanicals, wooded areas, and diverse styles of architecture.
Picnics and Tea Parties: Are you craving an aesthetic, Bridgerton-coded tea party or picnic? Look no further than the Ellwood House Museum. We have plenty of shaded areas and perfect views of the Ellwood mansion and Ellcourt House to satisfy your creative dreams. Bring your blanket, picnic basket, and your favorite snacks to take in the beauty of the Ellwood House campus.
Ellwood House Events: The Ellwood House hosts a number of free and low cost events for all residents of DeKalb and students. Some events are tied to history and the museum, such as exhibit openings and free lectures, while other events are more themed, such as Evening at Ellcourt, Ellwood After Dark, and our Holiday Open House!
Now you may be thinking, “these ideas sound interesting, but how far away is the Ellwood House?” To help out any new (or current) students, we’ve listed a few notable NIU halls and locations, plus how far they are from the Ellwood House campus:
Burritoville: 1.6 Miles (5 minute drive, 7 minute bike, 34 minute walk)
Stevenson Towers: 1.4 Miles (7 minute drive, 8 minute bike, 30 minute walk)
Grant Towers: 1.4 Miles (5 minute drive, 8 minute bike, 30 minute walk)
Patterson Hall: 1.3 Miles (5 minute drive, 7 minute bike, 28 minute walk)
Neptune Hall: 1 Mile (5 minute drive, 5 minute bike, 21 minute walk)
Holmes Student Center: 0.8 Miles (3 minute drive, 4 minute bike, 15 minute walk)
NIU East Lagoon: 0.7 miles (3 minute drive, 3 minute bike, 15 minute walk)
Gilbert Hall: 0.6 Miles (2 minute drive, 3 minute bike, 11 minute walk)
We hope you decide to spend time connecting with the DeKalb community while you pursue your education here! And remember, students always get discounted tickets to tour the Ellwood House, and NIU Honors students get an even higher discount.
P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about museums and nonprofits, you should apply to the Ellwood House Museum for an internship in DeKalb, IL!
Interested in an internship?
Check out our Work With Us page for more information!