Dickens to Dowie
Let the ride take you...
A Lake County Victorian Christmas itinerary that takes you from the Charles Dickens era in Antioch to the Rev. J. Alexander Dowie legacy in Zion. Suggested days of the week is Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, late November through just before Christmas.
In the morning, a festive day in Antioch begins your holiday experience.
Start the day in Antioch where the annual Kringle-Dickens Indoor Tour. See several full-sized Dickens-era characters and Christmas-themed shadowboxes that take you back in time. This annual event is all volunteer-based and is a labor of love.
Lunch is at the new Rivalry Alehouse which includes Dickens and Kringle "behind-the-scenes" talk and live holiday music.
Your docent will give your group a downtown shopping tour, with shopping on their own.
Meet at Lovin Oven Cakery for pastry/coffee. Everyone will be given a pastry/coffee with time to enjoy and shop locally-made treats.
If you have time, stop by Vigneto del Bino, one of our local wine makers.
Meet your guide at Shiloh House, the 25-room, three-story home of Zion’s founder, Dr. John Alexander Dowie. Take notice as you drive in that Zion’s streets and boulevards may seem oddly named, especially to someone not familiar with Zion’s history, as all the avenues in the City are named after a person or place in the Bible. Dr. Dowie chose each of the names and designated the streets in alphabetical order from east to west, over one hundred years ago when Zion was first planned.
The historic society maintains a museum collection in Shiloh House and decorates the mansion for Christmas (December). Artifacts of the period, many of the personal property of the late Dr. and Mrs. Dowie, are on display. The house has been adorned with over a dozen trees, garland, lights, ornaments, flowers, and bows.
You may wish to have a catered dinner on the first floor in Shiloh House surrounded by holiday glow. The local conservatory can provide musicians to complete the spirit of the season. Extend your stay by taking in a holiday performance at the PM&L Theatre (Friday – Sunday) and make an overnight stay at The Inn on Sheridan in Zion. We can arrange for fig bars for your group upon check-in (from the original Zion Cookie Factory recipe) or delicious holiday cookies from Lovin Oven Cakery.
No matter if you focus on Dickens, Dowie or both, this wonderful new holiday adventure can only happen in Lake County, IL!
