Aurora Area Attractions, Aurora, IL

Farnsworth House in Plano, IL
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Attractions

Golf & Outdoors

Arts and Culture

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM & BLACK VETERANS ARCHIVES
Dr. Charles Smith has developed a huge body of folk art based on the black experience. His mixed-media works chronicle significant and poignant events in African-American history. Self-guided tours of Dr. Smith’s outdoor “gallery.”
126 S. Kendall Ave., Aurora

AMERICA’S BREWING COMPANY AT WALTER PAYTON’S ROUNDHOUSE
Originally constructed in 1856, America’s first railroad roundhouse was renovated in 1996 and is a National Historic Trust Preservation Award Winner. Home to the Walter Payton Museum, ComedyComedy, Illinois’ largest award-winning microbrewery, live entertainment and over 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
205 N. Broadway, Aurora
(630) 264-BREW
www.walterpaytonsroundhouse.com

AURORA DOWNTOWN IPOD WALKING TOUR
Self-guided tour of Aurora’s historic downtown; tour brochures are available at the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
(630) 844-8066
www.enjoyaurora.com

AURORA REGIONAL FIRE MUSEUM
Displays of vintage firefighting equipment, memorabilia of the 1871 Chicago Fire, thousands of photographs and gift shop. Five new interactive kiosks on fighting fires.
53 N. Broadway, Aurora
(630) 892-1572
www.auroraregionalfiremuseum.org

BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM
Housed in an 1854 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Depot, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and comes alive with historic exhibits on rail transportation, windmills and the settlement of Batavia.
155 Houston St., Batavia
(630) 406-5274
www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org

BATAVIA RIVERWALK
As the centerpiece of downtown Batavia, the riverwalk extends along the depot pond and Fox River to a north point pavilion, where grand views of the river are available.
Corner of Houston St. and
Island Ave., Batavia
(630) 879-5235

BIG ROCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY CRIB MUSEUM
Come relish the rich agricultural past of Big Rock. Step into the restored corn crib and explore artifacts from the century-old Plowing Match, or learn more about the Welsh immigrants who settled the area in the middle of the 19th century. Traipse through the building and surrounding farm fields. Open Saturdays
2 – 4 p.m. or by appointment.
48W445 Hinckley Rd., Big Rock
(815) 286-3364 or (630) 556-3321

BLACKBERRY FARM’S PIONEER VILLAGE
19th century farm and village featuring pioneer craft shops and demos, a discovery barn with petting zoo and pony, hay and miniature train rides and more.
100 S. Barnes Rd., Aurora
(630) 892-1550
www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

DAVID L. PIERCE ART & HISTORY CENTER
The Aurora Public Art Commission hosts eight to 10 rotating exhibits displaying a full spectrum of innovative arts. The History Center has a collection of photographs, books, maps and other memorabilia.
20 E. Downer Pl., Aurora
(630) 906-0650 (History) or
(630) 906-0654 (Art)
www.aurorahistoricalsociety.org

FABYAN DUTCH WINDMILL
Considered to be the best example of an authentic Dutch windmill in the United States, the 68-foot, five-story working windmill was originally built by German craftsman Louis Backhaus between 1850
and 1860.
Fabyan Forest Preserve, Rt. 25, North of Batavia
(630) 232-4811

THE FARNSWORTH HOUSE ESTATE
Master architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created the ultimate minimalist masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, in pastoral Plano. The stellar structure of floor-to-ceiling glass seemingly “floats” above the rambling Fox River.
14520 River Rd., Plano
(630) 552-0052
www.farnsworthhouse.org

FERMI NATIONAL ACCELERATOR LABORATORY
Site of the world’s most powerful particle accelerator where particles circle the four-mile ring 57,000 times each second. Restored prairie grass areas, historic barns, self-guided tours and a buffalo herd.
Kirk Rd. at Pine St., Batavia
(630) 840-3351
www.fnal.gov

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC HALL
Built in 1878, this structure was originally built as a monument to Aurora’s Civil War Veterans. The building is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
23 E. Downer Pl., Aurora
(630) 906-0654 or (630) 897-7221
www.aurora-il.org

HOLLYWOOD CASINO – AURORA
Simply the area’s best gaming facility with slots, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, craps, live poker and more. Enjoy over 53,000 square feet of gaming space and the finest air quality in Chicagoland. The pavilion offers two restaurants and an astounding collection of movie memorabilia.
1 New York St. Bridge, Aurora
(630) 801-1234 or
(800) 888-7777
www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com

KANE COUNTY COUGARS
This Class A professional baseball team plays at Elfstrom Stadium every summer. Join Ozzie the Cougar in cheering for the home team!
Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium
34W002 Cherry Ln., Geneva
(630) 232-8811
www.kccougars.com

KANE COUNTY EAGLES
Nationally ranked Semi-Pro Minor League football class AAA team. Entertainment for families and groups. Games Saturday nights
at 7 p.m. June – Oct.
Illinois Memorial Stadium
Rt. 31 and Mooseheart Rd. Mooseheart
(847) 727-2077
www.kceagles.com

KENDALL COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S HERITAGE HALL & CHAPEL ON THE GREEN
Dating back to 1855, the chapel is Kendall County’s oldest church building and is adorned with stained glass windows and a restored 1899 pipe organ. The adjacent hall houses local artifacts.
107 W. Center St., Yorkville
(630) 553-6777

LYON FARM AND VILLAGE
The farm and village have 15 historic buildings that trace the history of Kendall County. Learn about native prairie grasses found around the farm and enjoy a variety of history-oriented special events.
Rt. 71, Yorkville
(630) 554-3064 or
(630) 553-6777

THE OLD BARN MUSEUM
Featuring a collection of thousands of Native American artifacts such as: arrows, axes, drills, stone implements, trade beads, beaded garments and natural history items. Presented in an original 1840s barn. By appointment only.
7127B Oakbrook Rd., Newark
contact@theoldbarnmuseum.org
www.theoldbarnmuseum.org

THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE
Home to “Broadway in the Burbs,” this lovingly restored Art Deco movie palace presents live entertainment by world-class performers, plays, touring musicals and other special events.
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
www.theparamounttheatre.com

PHILLIPS PARK
Located on over 325 acres, popular attractions include the Mastodon Gallery, the gorgeous Sunken Garden, an 18-hole golf course/driving range, the zoo, a 28-acre fishing lake with a one-mile multiple use trail, war memorials and the Winter Recreation Area.
1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora
(630) 978-4774
www.aurora-il.org

PHILLIPS PARK SUNKEN GARDEN
View the spectacular display of 15,000 flowers of 15 varieties, plus a three-tiered fountain and the “Four Seasons” statues that complement this exquisite English garden motif.
1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora
(630) 978-4774
www.aurora-il.org

PHILLIPS PARK VISITORS CENTER & MASTODON GALLERY
Get an up-close view of Ice-age Mastodon bones unearthed in the park in the 1930s, while glimpsing into the rich history of one of the area’s most beautiful parks.
1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora
(630) 978-4774
www.aurora-il.org

PHILLIPS PARK ZOO
Established in 1915, the zoo is open daily, year-round and admission is free. Exhibits include bald eagles, wolves, cougars, foxes, otters, elk, goats, llamas, turkeys and peacocks.
1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora
(630) 978-4700
www.aurora-il.org

RED OAK NATURE CENTER
A visit to the center will help folks learn about the native plants and animals of the Fox River Valley. Interpretive center, hiking trails and tours of “Devil’s Cave.”
On Rt. 25, 1 mile north
of Rt. 56, North Aurora
(630) 897-1808
www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

SANDWICH FAIRGROUNDS
First opened in 1888, the fairgrounds serve as a meeting place for everything from antique markets to engine shows. Features the Sandwich Fair, held every Labor Day week.
Suydam Rd. and Gletty Rd. Sandwich (815) 786-2159
www.sandwichfair.com

SANDWICH OPERA HOUSE
Built in 1878 and restored in 1986, the Opera House today provides a setting for the performing arts from classical to country, dance, student recitals, summer theatre workshops and a childrens’/senior citizens’ series.
140 E. Railroad St., Sandwich
(815) 786-2555
www.sandwichoperahouse.com

SCHINGOETHE CENTER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES
A rotating collection of historic and contemporary Native American arts, crafts and artifacts from indigenous peoples stretching from the Woodlands to the Pacific Northwest.
Aurora University
Dunham Hall, Randall Rd.
at Marseillaise Pl., Aurora
(630) 844-7843
www.aurora.edu/museum

SCITECH HANDS-ON MUSEUM
Aurora’s interactive science and technology center offers over 200 hands-on exhibits demonstrating the principles of electricity, weather, astronomy and nuclear energy.
18 W. Benton St., Aurora
(630) 859-3434
www.scitechmuseum.org

WILLIAM TANNER HOUSE
Built in 1856, this Italianate building is home to the Aurora Historical Museum, which offers tours of the fully furnished home.
305 Cedar St., Aurora
(630) 897-9029
www.historicalsociety.org

Higher Education Campuses

AURORA UNIVERSITY
Aurora University boasts a beautiful quad and features the Schingoethe Center and the Dunham Gallery of student art.
347 Gladstone Ave., Aurora
(630) 892-6431
www.aurora.edu

IMSA
Aurora is also home to the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). This internationally recognized pioneering educational institution is named among the Top 10 public high schools nationwide by
The Wall Street Journal.
1500 W. Sullivan Rd., Aurora
(630) 907-5000
www.imsa.edu

WAUBONSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The Sugar Grove campus includes interpretive trails with native plants and animals.
(4 Locations)
Aurora Campus, 5 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 801-7900
Sugar Grove Campus, Rt. 47 at Waubonsee Dr., Sugar Grove (630) 466-7900
Copley Campus, 2060 Ogden Ave., Aurora
(630) 585-7900
Plano Campus, Rt. 34 at
Waubonsee Dr., Plano
www.waubonsee.edu