Overview
Aurora is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, located about 35 miles west of Chicago. It's at the very edge of Chicagoland and, situated on the Fox River, has many opportunities for urban, suburban, and rural recreation. Often overlooked, Aurora in fact has many surprisingly interesting attractions and a downtown unlike that of a typical suburb. It is probably best known for being the setting of the "Wayne's World" movies.
13 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Aurora
Aurora Regional Fire Museum
A collection of unique firefighting memorabilia set in Aurora's old Central Fire Station, built in 1894.
The Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Built as a monument to Aurora's Civil War veterans in 1878, it's now a small structure next to the library that sticks out in its antiquity.
William Tanner House
Built in 1857, this Italianate-style house was the home to prominent merchant William Tanner and his family. The house features high ceilings, oak grained woodwork, ornate plaster decoration, and antique furnishings.
Farnsworth House
Steel and glass house on stilts designed and built by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1950
African-American Heritage Museum & Black Veterans Archives
Hundreds of sculptures of figures from African-American history displayed in the yard of Dr. Charles Smith's former home.
Blackberry Farm
A living history museum of 19th century life spread out over 54 acres with a lake, ponds, a stream, and an arboretum.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Chicago)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ORD Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago — 25 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MDW Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
Aurora is just off the East-West Tollway (I-88) in Illinois. Take the Route 31 exit south for downtown and most other things, and take the Farnsworth exit south for Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora Transportation Center, and the Two Brothers Roundhouse (formerly Walter Payton's Roundhouse.)
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Aurora Regional Fire Museum, The Grand Army of the Republic Hall, William Tanner House
- Lunch Jake's Bagels and Deli
- Afternoon Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, Phillips Park
- Dinner Two Brothers Roundhouse
- Evening Tredwell Coffee
Day 2
- Morning Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple of Greater Chicago, Vaughan Aquatic Center, Splash Country Water Park
- Afternoon African-American Heritage Museum & Black Veterans Archives, Paramount Arts Center
- Evening Nikarry's Family Resurant
Day 3
- Morning Farnsworth House, Blackberry Farm
- Afternoon Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures, Aurora University
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
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Get in
By car
Aurora is just off the East-West Tollway (I-88) in Illinois. Take the Route 31 exit south for downtown and most other things, and take the Farnsworth exit south for Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora Transportation Center, and the Two Brothers Roundhouse (formerly Walter Payton's Roundhouse.)
By train
Aurora is part of Chicago's Metra commuter rail system, the last stop on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line which leaves from Union Station in the Loop.
Go Aurora Transportation Center
By bus
The Aurora train station is a local hub for Pace, the Chicagoland suburban bus service .
By plane
Aurora has a small municipal airport of its own, but the best way to go is to fly into one of the Chicago airports (O'Hare or Midway) and just take the train or a taxi to Aurora.
Get around
As is commonplace in the suburbs, the easiest way to get around is by car. However, Pace Bus also has extensive service in Aurora (it being Illinois's second largest city, after all), and multiple routes connect the Aurora Transportation Center with the rest of the city as well as Elgin, Geneva, St. Charles, Batavia, and Naperville.
See
See The Grand Army of the Republic Hall
Built as a monument to Aurora's Civil War veterans in 1878, it's now a small structure next to the library that sticks out in its antiquity.
Do
- Hollywood Casino is a decent gambling experience that was once on the Fox River downtown. It has since moved to a new location near the premium outlets, off of I-88 at the corner of Bilter and Farnsworth, offers table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette, as well as a variety of slot machines. Friendly staff and an expensive buffet. New building features a hotel, spa, and entertainment venue.
- An iPod Tour downtown is a unique way to get acquainted with the brown stone architecture. Tour brochures are available at the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- Raging Waves Waterpark in nearby Yorkville is an Aussie-themed park with 18 water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, 20 private cabanas, and more.
- Farmers Market Saturday mornings 8am-noon June through October at the Aurora Transportation Center.
- Summer Music Festivals downtown such as Rock on the Fox, Jazz on the Fox, Summer Jam, and Fan Favorites.
- Oakhurst Forest Preserve, near Phillips Park, is a pleasant oasis from the suburbs, with a large hill, an even larger lake, and plenty of paths for walking, running, or biking.
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- - located in Aurora
Learn
Do Aurora University
A private 4-year university with its main campus in Aurora, Illinois and the George Williams campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Approximately 4000 students have a wide range of majors to choose from. The campus is also the home of the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures.
Buy
- Chicago Premium Outlets is an impressive outdoor mall with 66 designer clothes stores, 23 shoe stores, 17 accessories and jewelry stores, 9 gifts and specialty items stores, 7 children's clothes stores, 5 leather and luggage stores, 2 housewares stores, 2 electronics stores, and 10 restaurants.
- Westfield Fox Valley Mall, at the eastern edge of Aurora, is one of the larger indoor malls.
- David L. Pierce Art & History Center Museum Store is small but has many unique items related to Aurora and crafts, jewelry, and art made by local Aurorans.
Eat
Eat Jake's Bagels and Deli
Bagels are their specialty, with at least one unique flavor always available with the rest of the regulars. Their coffees (they have Green Mountain) and sandwiches also shine.
Eat Two Brothers Roundhouse (formerly Walter Payton's Roundhouse)
an international award-winning brewery with good American regional cuisine and pub food.
Drink
Sleep
Stay Quality Inn Aurora O'Hare Airport Hotel
25 miles from O'Hare International Airport, 2002 Silver Hospitality Award winning hotel.
Go next
- Chicago if you haven't already
- Naperville for a downtown full of good, expensive restaurants and The Riverwalk
- Lisle has the fantastic Morton Arboretum
- Batavia and Geneva, to the north, are smaller and more quaint Fox River villages with scenic downtowns on the river and lots of windmills
Nearby
Naperville
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Geneva
City / town · 11 listings · 9 mi away
West Chicago
City / town · 4 listings · 10 mi away
Lisle
City / town · 22 listings · 11 mi away
Bolingbrook
City / town · 1 listings · 11 mi away
Wheaton
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Woodridge
City / town · 1 listings · 13 mi away
Glen Ellyn
City / town · 12 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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