FAQs

This year, Aurora Restaurant Week runs January 21-February 4, 2025.

DIRECTIONS TO DOWNTOWN AURORA

DRIVING –

Street parking is free within the downtown limits, and there are two parking garages for your convenience.

From the EAST:
-I-290 W to I-88 W. Take exit 117 for IL-31/IL-56 E (Lake Street). Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Aurora, and merge onto IL-31 S/State Rte 31 S/S Lincolnway St. Follow for approximately 2.5 miles into downtown Aurora.

-I-55 S/Stevenson Expy to exit 277A for I-294 toward Wisconsin (keep left). Take exit 29 for I-88 W/East-West Tollway toward Aurora (keep left). Take exit 117 for IL-31/IL-56 E (Lake Street). Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Aurora, and merge onto IL-31 S/State Rte 31 S/S Lincolnway St. Follow for approximately 2.5 miles into downtown Aurora.

From the WEST:
-I-88 E to exit 117 IL-31 S/State Rte 31 S/S Lincolnway St. Take exit 117 for IL-31/IL-56 E (Lake Street). Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Aurora, and merge onto IL-31 S/State Rte 31 S/S Lincolnway St. Follow for approximately 2.5 miles into downtown Aurora.

From the NORTH:
-N Randall Road to Mooseheart Road and turn left. Continue to State Rte 31 S (Lake Street) and turn right. Follow for approximately 4 miles into downtown Aurora.

-State Rte 31 S to National Street and turn left. Continue to Villa St and turn right. Continue to St. Charles St and turn right. Continue onto IL-25 S. Continue straight onto Dunham Road. Continue straight onto N. Kirk Rd. Turn right onto IL-56 W. Turn left onto Mitchell Road. Slight right on Mitchell Rd. Turn right onto E. Indian Trail Road. Turn left onto State Rte 31/N Lake St. Follow for approximately 1.5 miles into downtown Aurora.

-IL-47 S to I-88 E (turn left to merge). Continue to exit 117 IL-31 S/State Rte 31 S/S Lincolnway St. Take exit 117 for IL-31/IL-56 E (Lake Street). Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Aurora, and merge onto IL-31 S/State Rte 31 S/S Lincolnway St. Follow for approximately 2.5 miles into downtown Aurora.

From the SOUTH:
-IL-47 N to I-80 E ramp to Joliet (slight right to merge). Continue on I-80 E to exit 116 for Brisbin Road, and take a left onto Brisbin Rd/Country Rd 3000 E. Turn right onto County Rd 12000 N/E Sherril Rd/E Sherrill Rd. Turn left onto Grove Rd. Turn left onto Plainfield Rd. Continue onto Washington St. Turn right onto State Rte 31 N. Follow for approximately 6 miles into downtown Aurora.

-IL-47 N to I-80 E ramp to Joliet (slight right to merge). Take exit 122 toward Minooka and keep left at the fork to continue toward County Rd 8000/N Ridge Road. Turn left onto Country Rd 8000 E/N Ridge Road. Continue to follow N. Ridge Rd. Continue onto Stewart Road. Turn left onto Rance Road. Continue onto Harvey Road. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Wolf Road/Wolf’s Crossing Road. Turn left onto US-30 W. Continue straight onto Hill Ave. Continue onto E. Galena Blvd. Turn right onto N. East Ave. Turn left onto E. New York St. Turn left onto N. River St. Turn left onto W. Galena Blvd.

TRAIN –

The Metra BNSF Line runs to the Aurora Transportation Center, less than 1 mile from downtown Aurora. Click HERE to download the BNSF train schedule. 

BUS –

-Pace Suburban Bus offers four routes with drop-off locations in or near downtown Aurora. Please see Pace routes 524 (West Aurora), 530 (West Galena – Naperville), 533 (Northeast Aurora), 540 (Farnsworth Avenue), and 802 (Aurora – Geneva via Lake),

-Pace On Demand offers a reservation-based, shared-ride service in 10 designated service areas throughout the suburban region, including parts of Aurora. Based on availability, reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance and as little as ten minutes before pick-up time. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

BIKE –

Downtown Aurora is set along the Fox River Trail and many accessible paths run through downtown. Bike rental stations are located at three locations in downtown Aurora: RiverEdge Park (360 N. Broadway), Santori Public Library (101 S. River St), and Water Street Mall at City Hall (44 E. Downer Pl). Available options include an hourly rate and monthly/annual memberships. Click HERE to learn more.

Aurora offers a variety of activities for individuals, groups, and families to enjoy year-round!

ENJOY

Paramount Theatre – This historic venue presents Broadway shows, concerts, comedy, and more. The 2024-2025 Broadway Series features Frozen the Broadway Musical (October 30 – January 19) and Waitress (February 12 – March 30) 

Stolp Island Theater – An immersive, experiential space with 98 seats where every seat is THE seat to get close to the action. Currently home to the hit Million Dollar Quartet, Stolp Island Theatre will transport you back to Sun Studio in 1956 Memphis right beside four iconic musicians whose talent and charisma heavily impacted the future of rock’n roll. On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins’ chance encounter at Sun Studio was one of the greatest impromptu jam sessions in music history. 

Copley Theatre – This intimate 165-seat venue is a unique location for a show! The BOLD Series at the Copley Theatre offers adventures to edify, entertain, and gather in one of Paramount’s latest additions to the artistic hub in downtown Aurora. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will run at Copley from March 12, 2025 – April 27, 2025.

The Venue – Live music performance hall in downtown Aurora with an attached outdoor venue featuring local artists as well as nationally known blues, roots, and Americana music acts.

The Riverfront Playhouse is a store-front theater founded in 1978 that has put on hundreds of main stage shows, countless children’s theatre presentations, and a variety of other performances.

PLAY

Philips Park Zoo - Established in 1915, this free zoo is open daily, year-round. Exhibits include bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions, foxes, otters, elk, goats, llamas, turkeys, and peacocks.

Philips Park Golf Course – This 18-hole course has “USGA” Greens, a three-hole junior course, and a driving range. Take your game indoors with golf instruction offered by PGA Professionals. Phillips Park Golf Course installed two indoor golf simulators allowing golfers to practice year-round.

Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun. Admission to Blackberry Farm includes unlimited rides on the train, hay wagon, pedal tractors, paddle boats, carousel, and ponies.

Aurora’s Public Art Commission was established in 1985 by the City of Aurora to develop a cohesive public art program. APAC’s general functions include selecting sites for sculpture and other art forms, selecting artists, overseeing projects, developing programs in art education, and establishing an exhibit schedule for the Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum is in Aurora’s old Central Fire Station. Two floors of exhibits chronicle the history of the Aurora Fire Department, fire service in our region, and explore fire safety and prevention.

The William Tanner House Museum – Built in 1857, this Italianate-style house was the home to prominent merchant William Tanner and his family. The family owned the home until 1936 when it was donated to the Aurora Historical Society. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum – Located in downtown Aurora, this museum collects, preserves, interprets, and honors the history of the wartime and subsequent peacetime experience of the community and its veterans throughout the history of the United States.

Basement of the Dead is rated the #1 scariest haunted house in the Chicago and the world by BuzzFeed, #1 haunted house in Chicago by Haunted House Chicago, #1 haunted house by Hauntworld, best haunted house by Chicago Tribune, tip haunted house by USA Today, Top 13 with 13^th floor haunted house Chicago in America. Open throughout the Halloween season!

Abbey Farms is a 40-acre pumpkin farm that has everything you need to make your family’s day at the farm special. From their friendly petting zoo on the weekends to the ability to experience Mother Nature at your own pace – there is plenty to enjoy. 

Astro Fun World provides a variety of family-friendly attractions including go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, axe throwing, VR rides, mini golf, rope course, axe throwing, zip line, laser maze, rock climbing, Kids Play Zone, and arcade games.

Aurora Skate Center is an old-fashioned roller rink with modern amenities.

Legendary Escape Rooms & Axe Throwing – Themed escape rooms, axe-throwing, and tic-tac-toe venue.

Sky Zone Aurora Trampoline Park – Take fun to new heights with trampoline dodgeball, basketball, and a Ninja Warrior course!

Sport Zone Family Fun Center – Soccer, go-karts, mini-golf, indoor golf, batting cages, and more.

SHOP

Chicago Premium Outlets is an outdoor shopping center that has 160+ stores such as Athleta, BOSS Outlet, Kate Spade, New York, Nike Factory Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren, Columbia Factory Store, and many more. The center also has upscale amenities like fireplaces, art installations, a play area, and a reflecting pond. Conveniently located off I-88 at the Farnsworth Avenue North exit, it is easily accessible for local shoppers and tourists!

Fox Valley Mall is a three-story mall located on IL-59 just south of I-88 that focuses on families with its diverse tenant mix featuring Macy’s, JC Penny, Hollister, H&M, Lids, Pandora, Round 1 Bowling & Arcade, Aeropostale, and more.

Downtown Aurora has an eclectic mix of boutique shops.

-Candlewood Suites – 2625 W. Sullivan Road Aurora, IL 60506 – 630.907.9977

-Hampton Inn & Suites – 2423 Bushwood Avenue Aurora, IL 60506 – 630.907.2600

-Holiday Inn, Aurora – 2424 Sullivan Road Aurora, IL 60506 – 630.806.7400

-Holiday Inn Express & Suites – 111 N. Broadway Aurora, IL 60505 – 630.896.2800

-Meridian Park Suites – 4320 Meridian Parkway Aurora, IL 60506 – 630.978.2222

-Quality Inn – 4005 Gabrielle Drive Aurora, IL 60504 – 630.820.3400

-Super 8 Motel – 4228 Longmeadow Drive Aurora, IL 60506 – 630.423.8668

If your restaurant is located in Aurora, please fill out THIS FORM to submit your information for review and a member from our team will be in contact with you!