Top 10 Reasons to Visit the Aurora Area this Summer

Posted on 06/19/2017 by  James Cardis

Looking for a last-minute vacation idea? We've got 10 great reasons you should visit the Aurora Area this summer. Lined up below is an action-packed list of things to do and places to go in the Aurora Area, an outstanding travel destination just 40 miles west of Chicago. Make it a getaway with great packages at Aurora Area hotels and #EnjoyAurora this summer. 

1. Outdoor concerts on the Fox River

At RiverEdge Park in Aurora you can catch some of the biggest acts play their hits in a gorgeous outdoor setting on the Fox River all summer long. 

2. It's a true shopping destination

At the largest outdoor outlet shopping destinations in the Midwest, Chicago Premium Outlets offers everyday savings of up to 65% at over 150 exclusive designer and brand name stores, and the Route 59 retail corridor anchored by Fox Valley Mall offers deals on popular brands along with dining and entertainment options. Check out our shopping page to discover antiques, boutiques, and farmer's markets throughout the Aurora Area. 

3. We make learning fun

Kids of all ages can explore interactive STEM exhibits and demos at SciTech Hands-On Museum in Downtown Aurora and the Lederman Science Center at Fermilab. Living history museums like Blackberry Farm show kids up close what life was like in pioneering days. The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is a hit with kids and adults alike with an interest in the rich history of municipal firefighting, with antique fire trucks on display year-round. 

4. Beat the heat at Aurora Area Water Parks

The Aurora Area is home to an awesome collection of water parks, including Raging Waves, the largest in Illinois! 

5. Sunny outdoor patios paired with some of Chicagoland's finest craft beers

"Ground to glass" craft beer is our specialty at celebrated breweries, gastropubs, and beer bars throughout the region. Check out our guide to a craft beer tour through the Aurora Area. 

6. Wholly unique summer festivals

Sandwich Fair / Photo credit: William Trudo

At events like the Sugar Grove Corn Boil, the Big Rock Plowing Match, Plano's Smallville Superfest, Fiestas Patrias in Aurora, and the Sandwich Fair—the longest-running fair in Illinois—you can find a great time with family and friends celebrating the distinct character of each of these charming towns. Plan your festival season at our events page. 

7. Fun for the whole family

Whether it's good old-fashioned recreation you're after or something new, like the area's only indoor trampoline park at Sky Zone, you can find an opportunity to entertain the whole family in the Aurora Area. Check out our dedicated family fun page to discover your family's new summertime tradition at Aurora Area entertainment centers, museums, parks, farms, and orchards. 

8. Outdoor adventure on and along the Fox River

The Fox River and its adjacent trails are Chicagoland's most scenic and lively destination for paddling, cycling, fishing, and more. Want to take your adventure to the next level? Test your skills at the Marge Cline Whitewater Course in Yorkville. 

9. Modern masterpieces and historic gems

Love design? The collection of architecture in the Aurora Area includes Mies van der Rohe's captivating Farnsworth House to Victorian and Italianate structures and some of the oldest buildings in Kane County. Read our self-guided tour of the iconic architecture of the Aurora Area. 

10. Hotel packages make your getaway easy and affordable

Great deals on overnight stays at Aurora Area hotels make it easy and affordable to plan a weekend or week-long getaway.