EXPLORE HERE

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 The Full Monty (August 21 – October 6) and Frozen the Broadway Musical (October 30 – January 19).

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. AN ACT OF GOD is the BOLD Series show running at Copley from October 2, 2024 – November 10, 2024.\

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. The Aurora Public Art Department is responsible for coordinating LUMENAURA®.

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. Pumpkin Daze runs this fall!

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 within walking distance of LUMENAURA®.