Located just 40 miles west of Chicago, the city of Aurora is home to architecture from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Bruce Goff, and George Grant Elmslie. A culturally diverse city with around 200,000 residents, it offers everything from dockside gaming at the Hollywood Casino Aurora to recently developed historic areas, and new developments being built across the city are encouraging more and more people to settle down.
Fox Valley Mall: Aurora’s premier shopping mall offers over 120 retail shops across a stunning 1,500,000-square-foot facility. You can find shops such as H&M, Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Express, and the four anchor stores: Carson Pirie Scott, JCPenney, Macy’s, and Sears. The new Round 1 Bowling & Amusement offers bowling, billiards, an arcade, karaoke, and more, so it’s the ideal place for a family day out.
Red Oak Nature Center: If you’d rather get in touch with nature than indulge your inner shopper, head to the Red Oak Nature Center. Set on the east bank of the Fox River, it’s surrounded by 40 acres of lush forest and wildlife habitat. You can take a tour of the area like a true naturalist by taking advantage of the Sense the Seasons tour that provides interactive journeys in winter, spring, summer and fall.
Abbey Farms: A unique family-friendly agri-tourism farm, Abbey Farms has been an Aurora family favorite since 1949. It was once where you went to cut down your Christmas tree, but now they offer a variety of activities. You should certainly turn up for their Pumpkin Daze event, which features a tractor tire mountain, hayrides, a weekend petting zoo, human hamster balls, and corn cannons.
Phillips Park Zoo: Check out anything from bald eagles and red tail hawks to American elk, mountain lions, and gray wolves. Head to the reptile house for creatures such as Burmese pythons, California king snakes, and American alligators.
Wondering What to Do in Aurora, Illinois?
Here are River View Ford, we’re always available to give you the lowdown on top Aurora and St. Charles activities and attractions, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like some recommendations, such as the best restaurants in Oswego, IL.