Things to See and Do in Aurora, Illinois

Aurora, Illinois - Travel Guide

Aurora is a city in Illinois, located 38 miles west of Chicago, on the Fox River. The city limits of Aurora actually cover parts of four counties: Kane, where the majority of the city's residents live; DuPage; Kendall; and Will. Once the home of many manufacturing plants, woolen and flour mills, and the locomotive shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, it now has a mixed economy of light industry and retail and professional services.

Aurora was the site of a large Potawatomi Indian settlement when Joseph McCarty of Elmira, NY, arrived in 1834. He introduced industry by building a dam on the Fox River to power a mill. Larger industry followed the completion of the first area railroad in 1848.

Paramount Arts Centre on Galena Boulevard is a restored 1931 movie palace that presents musicals, international performances, comedy, and holiday events. Tours of the theater are available by appointment. Phone 630.896.6666.

The Aurora Area Convention and Tourism Council is at 44 W. Downer PL, Aurora, IL 60506. Phone 630.897.5581.

The Blackberry Farm and Pioneer Village is west on I-88 tollway to Orchard RD exit, south to Galena BLVD, then 1.5 miles west following signs to 100 S. Barnes RD. This re-creation of an Illinois farm village contains a commons, a smithy, a carriage museum, a one-room schoolhouse, and a pioneer cabin. A museum representing the streets and atmosphere of old Aurora has many demonstrators dressed in period. The Discovery Barn contains farm animals and Splash Country features tube slides, pools, and a simulated river. Daily 10-4:30, from the last weekend in April through Labor Day; FRI-SUN 10-4:30, day after Labor Day to mid-October. Phone 630.892.1550 for admission price.

Scitech, half mile west of JCT SR 25 at 18 W. Benton ST, offers more than 200 hands-on science exhibits exploring astronomy, heat, light, magnets, and animals. Allow 2 hours minimum. WED-FRI and SUN noon-5 and THUR 5-8, SAT 10-5; closed Thanksgiving. Phone 630.859.3434 for admission price.

Hollywood Casino, 1 New York ST Bridge. Open daily 24 hours. Phone 630.801.1234 or 800.888.7777.