Hidden gems of all types can be found throughout the Prairie State. For foodies, there are numerous hidden gem restaurants and those seeking an adventure may be interested in finding some of the state’s hidden waterfalls. For those who enjoy visiting offbeat attractions, there’s a fascinating fossil shop in Evanston that has its own museum. Dave’s Down To Earth Rock Shop is a one-of-a-kind hidden gem attraction in Illinois that everyone should visit at least once.

After many years of collecting fossils as a hobby, Dave Douglass decided to open his own shop, Dave's Down To Earth Rock Shop. This fossil and mineral store has been a fixture in Evanston since 1970.
Dave's Down To Earth Rock Shop/Facebook
Throughout this fascinating store, you will see a variety of fossils including many dinosaur fossils. You may find Spinosaur teeth, a fossilized egg, or a foot claw for sale.
360 Photo Inc./Google
You'll also find a wide selection of minerals, rocks, and Native American jewelry, crafts, and pottery. It's a great place to find unique gifts.
360 Photo Inc./Google

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Dave and his wife Sandy, who is also passionate about rocks and fossils, have traveled extensively to collect and buy for the store and its museum. Over time, their collection has grown, so they decided to open a museum in order to display many of the fascinating specimens they acquired.
Dave's Down To Earth Rock Shop/Facebook
Founded in 1988, The David and Sandra Douglas Prehistoric Life Museum is located in the basement of the Rock Shop and is open and free to the public.
Dave's Down To Earth Rock Shop/Facebook
The museum displays a wide array of fossils, some of which date all the way back to the Precambrian era over three billion years ago. Among the collection, you'll see a cave bear skeleton from France, fossils of small dinosaurs from China, and trilobites from North America.
Adorkable Gina/Google
One thing's for certain: you'll be in awe of this hidden gem store in Illinois. You just never know what interesting things you'll encounter here at Dave's Down To Earth Rock Shop.
Sean Miller/Google

 

Have you visited Dave’s Down To Earth Rock Shop and its museum before? Is there another hidden gem attraction in Illinois you enjoy? Please let us know in the comments. For more information, visit Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop website and Facebook page.

For more hidden gems around the state, try our Ultimate Illinois Hidden Gems Road Trip.

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