Location: Aurora
Top Things to do in Aurora
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Aurora, United States
Aurora, a suburb of Chicago, is a city predominantly in Kane County and DuPage County, with portions extending into Kendall and Will counties. It is in the outer region of Chicago metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the second most populous city in the state, and the 114th most populous city in the country. The population was 197,899 at the 2010 census, and was estimated to have increased to 199,963 by July 2013.
Restaurants in Aurora
1. Paramount Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 343 reviews
Reviewed By Mamaw58 - Lombard, Illinois
We were entertained recently at the performance of Cabaret and recommend seeing this production! As usual, we are never disappointed with any of the Paramount productions and again, this is a superb performance!
It is arranged for Adults and is not age appropriate for young children! Thank you Paramount for this entertaining show of Cabaret!
One of the only disappointments at the theatre is the line for the women's rest room during the 15 minute intermission. Since a female dominated audience it is hard to get in the restroom, grab a refreshment at the bar, and back in your seat before the second half begins....
Hurrah the new theatre seats are arriving this coming summer 2018! They have served us all well over the 80 plus years!
2. Blackberry Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By HeatherRaeOchoa - Aurora, Illinois, United States
We visited Blackberry Farms 3 times in July/August. Twice for their summer out door concerts on Thursday evenings and once for their Wine and Canvas.
We had an awesome time for each event.
The concerts are only $5 per person and it is BYOB (or Wine/Liquor) and Picnic/Snacks.
Wine and Canvas is only $19 per person and is also BYOB (or Wine/Liquor) and Picnic/Snacks.
They supply all materials needed. Paint, canvas, instruction and an apron!
It is such a pretty place and welcoming environment a great way to have an affordable date night, couples night out with friends and family, or just with an awesome group of friends/family.
I also saw a lot of people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.
I will attend most of their concert events next year and would like to make it to at least 2 to 3 Wine and Canvas events a year!
3. Chicago Premium Outlets
Overall Ratings
4 based on 432 reviews
Chicago Premium Outlets is more than just a great collection of the finest designer labels and brands, it's Chicagoland's newest shopping destination. Include a shopping stop during your next trip to Chicago. Located just 40 miles west of Chicago, it's a bargain hunter's haven.Daily transportation is available from downtown Chicago's Union Station to Aurora via the Metra Rail. Take the Pace bus or a taxi shuttle to the center. Commissionable transportation is available via Chicago Trolley, Gray Line of Chicago and Windy City Limousine.
Reviewed By RooftopQT - Chicago, Illinois
Good selection of stores. Nike/Under Armour prices are equivalent to a sale at Macy's. Clearance bargains are there but not a lot of selection. Forever 21 - decent deals. Food court sucks but have Rise Pies now - make your own salad and pizza. This time of year - have Davids tea and Starbucks to keep warm.
4. Phillips Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By Jovita O - Aurora, Illinois
The mini zoo is free and open most of the year. The Sunken garden has beautiful foliage thus a favorite for pictorials. There are also monuments to honor fallen local soldiers. Mastodian gallery ia another quick tour you can do. Great place to stroll. My pet ❤️ coming here. FYI: Dogs are not allowed in the zoo area though .
5. SciTech Hands On Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 65 reviews
SciTech Hands On Museum offers over 200 interactive science and technology exhibits. There are three floors and 30,000 sq feet of exciting science fun in an historic post office building in downtown Aurora. Imagine standing inside a tornado! Discover how much energy you can generate in the ComEd Energy exhibit! Explore technologies from ancient times to modern space travel! An excellent destination for Field Trips, Scout Events, Overnights, and Birthday parties, SciTech will appeal to all ages. In the summer months (June - September), experience full-body physics experiments in the Fox Motion Park outside! Stop by the STEAMart Discovery Shop for gifts, gadgets, and gizmos-to-go for your budding SCIENTIST!
Reviewed By Anuket01 - Peoria, Illinois
Three floors of Science/Tech activities for kids didn't disappoint (ages 5 & 8). We spent most of our time in the Lego and large block sections, but we did explore all the exhibits. We spent about 2 hours there. Definitely would suggest going if you're in the area.
6. Aurora Regional Fire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is located in Aurora's old Central Fire Station. The museum is open to the public regular hours, and features a variety of interactive exhibits designed to educate and entertain children, families, and firefighters.The museum's primary exhibit, "Getting There, Getting Water, Getting Rescued" traces the evolution of the tools and technology used by firefighters. Visitors can pass a leather fire bucket from the early 1800s. See the horse stalls and the "real" fire horses. Discover what was found under the floor boards of the old central fire station. Marvel at the strange looking Vajen-Bader smoke mask. See and hear how modern fire apparatus clears the streets with sirens, air horns, and devices that change traffic lights green. Watch vintage film clips of firefighters and fire engines on one of five video touch-screens. All this in addition to five pieces of fire apparatus on display in a fully restored 1894 fire station.
Reviewed By Mauree G - Aurora, Illinois
This is a very cool building, museum, educational center all rolled into one. If you like history, fire, fire trucks etc.... this is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon. A true historical gem. If David is there ask him lots of questions. He is a fire house encyclopedia.
7. Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By monishan431 - Ahmedabad, India
Lovely temple of balaji in suburb of chicago.. We can do archana puja or just darshan at temple.. The south indian food available there is also very tasty n hygenically made..
8. Marmion Abbey Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By petersonge - Suamico, Wisconsin
We went here over the past weekend with 5 grandchildren and their parents. The kids had an absolute blast! The ages ranged from 2.3 yrs to 14. Even the adults could join in many of the activities. We had Groupons so the hit on the wallet was a bit lighter. The animals were great for the kids and the ladies. We had fun on the horse races (not real horses but unique blow up things you jumped around a track. They are in various sizes for everyone. There were many places to climb, zip line, ride trikes (kids and adult size), bikes, slide on a hill, jump on a giant bounce pillow, corn maze and even some beer and wine for the adults (need to pay for this though). I'd recommend this if you are in the area and need a place to have a great family time for hours and yo should be able to wear the kids out!
9. Splash Country Waterpark
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By ztheworld - Naples, Florida
First the CONS: Arrived to find a paper sign changing opening time from 10:30am to 12 noon, disappointing! After waiting in a long line for the opening, the workers were unable to get the sales windows uncovered and mass confusion on the different lines at the windows. From here-say we learned 1 window was for Groupons and the other for full paying. We asked to rent a lock for a locker and they said they were all gone. Strange since we were about the 20th in line and there were hundreds of lockers inside and not 1 with a lock on it!
Now for the PROS: There were plenty of lifeguards all over the place, so this is a relatively safe place to take kids. The lazy river was fun for both kids and adults. The 2 watersides were fun for the older kids. There were plenty of chairs around the pool area and some in covered spaces to protect from the sun.
All in all, it was a good time!
10. Tanner House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Taylor B - Chicago, Illinois
One of the fascinating aspects of visiting historical sites while traveling around the country is strolling through antebellum and Victorian mansions from Galena to Natchez to Charleston to Hannibal to Richmond. Closer to home, you will find historic homes in Illinois--in Cairo, Alton, Elizabethtown, Quincy, Galena, Aurora, Paris and Bloomington. Check out the William Tanner House Museum at 304 Oak Avenue in Aurora. It was built in 1857 for William A. Tanner, a hardware merchant. His descendants lived in the house until it was donated to the Aurora Historical Society in 1936. It now functions as a Victorian-period house museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tanner was one of the first residents of Aurora. He moved from Watertown, New York, in 1835 shortly after Joseph and Samuel McCarty built the first mill in the Kane County community. A land surveyor, Tanner noted the commercial potential of the Aurora area and purchased a large tract of land on the west side of the Fox River. With 10 children, Tanner required a larger house. Located at 305 Cedar, it was constructed in the Italianate style in 1857. The two-story, brick house is built like a Latin Cross, with an octagon cupola at the center. The first floor features a parlor, music room, kitchen, dining room, library and a master bedroom and bathroom. The second floor is exclusively bedrooms. The Tanner family lived in the house until 1936, when two of the children donated it to the Aurora Historical Society. Interestingly, Tanner's hardware firm stayed in business until 1979 and was the longest-running business in town.
