Are you looking for a great vacation spot to take your family or friends too? If you are, Aurora is one of the best places in Illinois, where you will find a variety of activities to keep you entertained and numerous attractions to explore.
All you’ve to do is sit back and relax as you explore your options. So, get ready to explore a list of the most incredible things to do in Aurora in this article.
Aurora is a city in the Chicago metropolitan area that is partially located in the Illinois counties of DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will. The population was 197,899 at the time of the 2010 census and will be 180,542 at the time of the 2020 census.
It’s the second most populated city in Illinois, after Chicago; it’s also the 144th most populous city in the United States.
There are numerous things to do here, to the point where you will be energized. Aurora is known for its picturesque surroundings; despite its size, you won’t have to travel far to find exciting new places.
We have listed the 17 best things you can do in Aurora, IL. So, if you’re looking for an excellent destination for your next trip, Aurora is a must-see.
Here are the 17 Best Things to do in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora provides numerous opportunities to get outside and experience a wild adventure as you’ve never had before. A list of the best things to do in Aurora, IL, has been compiled just to assist you in making your dream vacation a reality. So, get ready to make memories you will remember.
1. Chill at Splash Country Water Park
Anyone looking to de-stress in Aurora should visit Splash Country Water Park because it offers a wide range of water-related activities. The water park is divided into sections, such as a deluxe tube slide ride and a lazy river stretching over 1,000 feet.
Splash Country Water Park is a great place to spend the day. It is ideal for a family day out. Also, it has a six-lane zero-depth pool with children’s play features. There are also zero-depth pools; if you are traveling with children, there are toddler pools and dry land activities such as sand pits.
Address: 195 S Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
2. Go Hiking at Red Oak Nature Center
Red Oak Nature Center is the district’s premier nature and conservation education facility. The nature center, surrounded by more than 40 acres of lush forest and wildlife habitat, is the ideal location for anyone interested in learning more about the great outdoors. Spending time here is one of the best things to do in Aurora, IL.
Red Oak Nature Center showcases the best of the Illinois countryside and skirts along the spectacular Fox River’s east bank. Consider visiting here to learn about the local environment while also communing with nature. There are hiking trails and the famous Fox River Trail, and you can explore the area by hiking or biking.
Address: 930 N River Rd, North Aurora, IL 60542, United States.
3. Shop and Dine at the Fox Valley Mall
Fox Valley Mall, formerly known as Westfield Fox Valley. JCPenney and Macy’s are the mall’s anchor stores. H&M and Forever 21 are two of the larger non-anchored stores. For all your shopping needs in Aurora, visit the Fox Valley Mall, which has over 130 stores, and various dining and entertainment options.
Shopping at Fox Valley mall is one of the best things to do in Aurora. There is a food court with various cuisines, and younger guests can enjoy a carousel and the Fox Valley Train. You can’t spend time here and not get something for yourself.
Address: 195 Fox Valley Center Dr, Aurora, IL 60504, United States.
4. Visit Phillips Park Zoo
Phillips Park Zoo is situated on the grounds of Phillips Park. It was founded in 1915 and is still open year-round with no admission charge. It once housed exotic animals such as giraffes and monkeys, but after Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934, the zoo’s focus shifted to native animals.
Seeing animals here is one of the best things to do in Aurora if you love animals.
Philips Park Zoo features over 100 animals and 41 species. It is also divided into themed sections, including an aviary and a dedicated reptile house. One of the best aspects of the zoo is that it is free of charge.
Address: 1000 Ray Moses Dr, Aurora, IL 60505, United States.
5. Get Enlightened at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum
Aurora Regional Fire Museum is a public educational institution in Aurora, Illinois, United States. Its mission is to preserve and exhibit the artifacts and history of Aurora’s fire departments and teach and promote fire safety and prevention.
Visiting here should be on your list of things to do in Aurora if you want to find out the ancient stories of Aurora.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum alters Aurora residents’ perceptions of history by demonstrating that it can be enjoyable and educational. Their primary goal is to educate the public about the fire service and safety entertainingly and educationally.
Address: 53 N Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505, United States.
6. Watch a Show at Paramount Theatre
Paramount Theatre (Paramount Arts Center) opened its doors in 1931. Rapp and Rapp designed it in the Art Deco style with Venetian elements. The excellent sound systems and comfortable seats provide everything you need to feel at ease. It has hosted films, musicals, concerts, comedy shows, and other acts.
Paramount Theatre is clean and well-maintained, and the staff is always ready to assist guests. The glamorous 1930s design and setting transport you back in time, even though the theatre was recently renovated.
Paramount Theatre has one of the best movie theatres in Aurora, so get your movie tickets and prepare for a wild movie experience. Enjoying a film here is one of the recommended things to do in Aurora, IL.
Address: 23 E Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
7. Play Games at Round1 Bowling & Amusement
Round1 Bowling & Amusement has over 50,000 square feet of fun, an enormous bowling alley, games galore, and private karaoke rooms all under one roof, so you can spend hours having fun with friends and family.
Round1 Bowling & Amusement is also the best place in Aurora, Illinois, for your favorite machine prizes and anime-themed merchandise.
From their arcade machines to their prize machines, you can enjoy various entertainment with friends and family. Their prizes are imported directly from Japan and are also one of the best places to go if you’re an anime collector.
So, if you’re a massive fan of anime, you will be particularly enthusiastic about including this on your list of things to do in Aurora, IL.
Address: 42 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
8. Have a Terrifying Time in the Basement of the Dead
The Basement of the Dead (BOTD) is a genuinely terrifying haunt in the heart of the Midwest that provides professional entertainment all year. Many people think it’s one of the best attractions in Illinois, but others believe it’s one of the scariest haunted houses in the country.
Although it is not the most popular attraction on this side of Illinois, BOTD has made a lasting impression on audiences with its innovative designs and talented staff members for many years.
The first experience will be terrifying and immersive, with flickering lights and darkness masking objects with a strong sense of presence. Experiencing this haunted tour should be on your bucket list of things to do in Aurora, IL.
Address: 42 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
9. Have a Look at the Swimming Stones Sculpture
Christian Tobin donated the Swimming Stones fountain while he was still alive, which can be found right in the heart of Aurora. It is located in a prominent location on Aurora’s picturesque main street.
Four massive granite obelisks, weighing 4,000 pounds and 12 feet tall, swivel to form an exciting shape, creating a rhythmically rocking motion that brings the entire fountain together.
Aurora commissioned the Swimming Stones Sculpture to commemorate the grand opening of the Aurora Downtown Art and Science Walk; this interactive public art piece captures Aurora’s arts and culture scene’s vibrancy, eccentricity, and spirit.
Address: W Benton St, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
10. Go Fishing at Waubonsie Lake Park
Waubonsie Lake Park is a wonder, with a winding paved path that circles a sparkling blue lake, perfect for ice skating or attending one of the many fun festivals that take place here.
Waubonsie Lake Park features a unique waterfall bridge, a picturesque creek that runs through the park, and a short quarter-mile walkway shaded by trees, swings, slides, monkey bars, roundabouts, and resting benches.
The park’s path is short but lovely, ideal for a relaxing stroll outside to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Waubonsie Lake Park also has a large covered picnic area with benches and several play areas for children of all ages.
Address: 998 Kautz Rd, Aurora, IL 60504, United States.
11. Enjoy Swimming at Vaughan Athletic Center
Vaughan Athletic Center features an indoor water park, an eight-lane competition lap pool measuring 25 yards by 25 yards, and a warm water therapy pool. The water park has a zero-depth entry point, a two-story enclosed slide, a body slide, and interactive water play elements.
All swimmers must be 48 inches tall to ride the slides with only one rider down. No life jackets or goggles are permitted to be worn down the slides.
The center has features that cater to almost anyone’s workout or playtime needs, and it is the ideal place for people of all ages to have fun, get in shape, and work out.
They provide classes such as Fox Fitness training, swimming lessons at a pool with lap lanes and diving boards, sports teams and games with indoor tracks and fields, and playgrounds for kids to explore.
Tennis can also be played at Vaughan Athletic Center on its nine courts, which are suitable for different types of players, private matches, and personal instruction. Engaging in sports here is one of the best things to do in Aurora, IL.
Address: 2121 W Indian Trail, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
12. Experience the MISH MASH Adventures
MISH MASH Adventures in Aurora has an adventure that will send an adrenaline rush through your veins. When you get here, you’ll find out why experiencing here is on our list of the best things to do in Aurora, IL.
MISH MASH Adventures is a challenging but original game based on childhood game shows; instead of being stuck in a room and waiting for someone to help with the answer, you get to try out all of the rooms. The challenge involves crawling, throwing, thinking, kicking, climbing, and cooperating as a team.
Your team may fail frequently, but this is all part of the learning process; you get to master the challenge and figure out how to beat it; the challenges are physical, skill-based, and logical.
Address: 2402 Fox Valley Mall, Aurora, IL 60504, United States.
13. Have Fun at BALAXI
BALAXI has a variety of attractions to keep you entertained, including an exciting Arcade, ropes courses with zip lines, a Laser Maze, climbing walls, and Go Kart racing. Kart Racing here is one of the fantastic things to do in Aurora, IL.
Their vibrant indoor go-karting track is an exciting challenge that will bring out your inner thrill-seeker. The Rope Course with Zipline will put your bravery to the test with a death-defying mid-air adventure that will take you across intricate routes consisting of narrow platforms, rope bridges, winding beams, and more.
You can enter the world of unique games and explore their digital wonderland, where they bring you the best video games with many great gaming features.
Address: 301 Illinois Rte 59, Aurora, IL 60504, United States.
14. Watch Movies at Cinemark Tinseltown
Cinemark Tinseltown is a great place to see the latest big-name movies if you’re looking for a first-rate movie theater. The staff at Cinemark Tinseltown is amiable, and the theaters are always clean. And with their delectable popcorn and wide range of flavors, you’ll never dislike going to the movies again.
Cinema-goers will also appreciate the luxurious seats, which are ideal for making movie nights more comfortable. The lines here also move quickly, so you’ll never have to wait long to get in or out of the theater.
Address: 320 S Lincolnway St, North Aurora, IL 60542, United States.
15. Explore Abbey Farms
Abbey Farms aims to provide its guests with a more authentic and relaxed farm experience by offering classic outdoor activities that transport them back in time. The farm has one of the giant corn mazes in the area, which is popular during the Pumpkin Daze Festival.
The farm events are a way for the local monks at Marmion Abbey to raise funds for their various ministries. Guests can choose and cut down their Christmas tree during the holiday season. The farm is also an excellent location for a rustic or chic wedding. So, if you’re interested, going to the farm is a great way to contribute to this cause.
You can dine on fresh and delicious dishes like flatbread pizzas, wine, beer, and cocktails. Also, Abbey Farms hosts several entertaining events. These events, including live music nights, bottomless mimosa brunches, and fresh produce markets, occur throughout the year.
Address: 2855 Hart Rd, Aurora, IL 60502, United States.
16. Spend time at the Blackberry Farm
During the summer and autumn seasons, Blackberry Farm offers an all-day adventure for families of all sizes and children and adults of all ages.
There’s a carousel, hayrides, train rides, paddle boats, and pony rides on Blackberry Farm. As well as a gift shop and museum sites dating back to the 1800s for those interested in history and learning, and so much more.
Spending time at Blackberry Farm is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Aurora that your family will remember for a long time. You have a completely different type of fun with your family. You can dine on fresh and delicious dishes like flatbread pizzas, wine, beer, and cocktails.
This incredible farm has it all, making it an ideal location for education, entertainment, and recreation.
Address: 100 S Barnes Rd, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
17. Have a Drink at Aurora Tap House
Aurora Tap House is Aurora’s longest bar. So, if you’re looking for a place to hang out with your friends, a stop at Aurora Tap House should be on your list of things to do in Aurora, IL.
Aurora Tap House serves sixteen delicious beers on tap, spirits, high-end whiskey, and wines. They also serve delicious pizzas, corn dogs, and pretzels, among other things. Budweiser, Corona, Blue Moon Belgian White, founders all day, Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, revolution anti-hero, and different beers are available.
You also enjoy live music, karaoke on Saturdays, video gaming, arcade games, darts, and other activities. At the bar, you will also have the opportunity to meet the owners, Dan and Chris.
Address: 134 W Downer Pl, Aurora, IL 60506, United States.
Take a trip to Aurora, Illinois
Aurora has something for everyone, no matter what time of year it is. This city offers exceptional experiences that families can enjoy, from a charming historic farm to the museum to challenging games to delectable dining options and other outdoor activities.
Prepare your camera to capture the beauty of this place while on vacation. Explore all the items listed above for a fantastic holiday. Book your trip to Aurora today to ensure you have all the fun and excitement you seek.
Tell us about your experience in the comment section. Also, share this article with someone, and let us know how we can keep it updated.
You can also check Quincy for other outstanding centers and attractions in Illinois. Enjoy!
