Aurora Travel Guide   by David Urmann

Aurora is the 2nd biggest city within the state of Illinois in the United States. It is situated about 35 miles to the west of Chicago.It also lies on the edge of the Chicago land and located on the Fox River. This sprawling city has many opportunities for suburban and urban as well as rural recreation. This city is often overlooked but it has in fact numerous surprisingly interesting hot spots. It also has a downtown area which is not like any typical suburb. In addition, aurora is best known for the setting of the "Wayne's World Movies".

Getting in and around the city of Aurora is very easy. If you are traveling by car, the city is just off the Interstate 88 highway in Illinois which is on the East-West Tollway. You can take the Route 31 exit on the south that is headed towards the city's downtown area and almost all other interesting sites are easily accessible from there. You can also take the Farnsworth exit on the south to head for the Aurora Transportation Center, Walter Payton's Roundhouse and the Philips Park Zoo.

It is also possible to arrive at Aurora by train for it is a part of the Metra commuter railway system of Chicago. The city is the last stop on the Burlington- Northern Santa Fe railway line that leaves from the Union Station.

Busses are also abundant in the city and you can easily arrive at Aurora in no time. Greyhound always makes a stop at the train station in Aurora on its "Chicago-Des Moines-Omaha" route. Just make sure that you are not on an express bus for it will not make a stopover in Aurora. In addition, the Aurora train station is a hub for "PACE" which is a Chicago land suburban bus service.

You can also get in at Aurora by air for it has its very own airport though it is best to fly into one of the airports in Chicago such as Midway or O'Hare and just take a taxi or train to the city of Aurora.

The easiest place to get in and around the suburbs of Aurora is by car.On the other hand, the PACE bus service also has extensive services in the city due to Aurora being the 2nd largest city. There are also numerous routes that connect the ATC or the Aurora Transportation Center with the entire city as well as other cities such as Geneva, Saint Charles, Naperville and Elgin as well as Batavia. Aurora motels are also abundant in the area.

Cheap Hotels in Aurora

Comfort Suites Aurora Hotel City Centre - This hotel is located at 111 North Broadway. You can contact this hotel for more information about room rates and other stuff at 630-896-2800. It is just 50 minutes away from the Midway Airport of Chicago and O'Hare International Airport. It is also 10 minutes away from the city's municipal airport. It is a great meeting site for it has excellent business meeting facilities.

Hampton Inn and Suites - This hotel is located at 2423 Bushwood Dr. For more information, you can contact the hotel staff at 630-907-2600. This hotel contains 127 guest rooms that are equipped with a refrigerator and microwave oven. It also offers free Internet access.

If you are looking for some fun activities for the whole family to round out the summer, I have assembled a top ten list of places to go to have some fun. As a local Aurora Illinois resident, all of these activities often make up a yearly outing for my family. If you are interesting in the Aurora area, you can also visit my website to find out more about the Aurora Community.

10. Enjoy the benefit of outlet shopping at the Chicago Premium Outlet Mall in Aurora. This mall has it all! Located at 1650 Premium Outlets Boulevard. Just exit the I-88 tollway to Farnsworth Avenue North.

9. Cool off from the heat by taking in an IMAX movie at the Randall 15 IMAX movie theater. This Goodrich movie theater is located at 500 N. Randall Road in Batavia.

8. Investigate the history of Aurora and other surrounding area fire departments, at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. This museum is located at 53 North Broadway in downtown Aurora. The museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00-4:00.

7. Take a Metra train trip to downtown Chicago in the summer. The BNSF Railway Line will take you directly into the heart of downtown Chicago at Union Station. Hop a free trolley from Union Station to a variety of fun locations downtown, such as the museum campus or Navy Pier. Go to the Metra website to find your nearest train station

6. Take a break from cooking a hot meal in your kitchen and explore the fresh fruits and vegetables at the local Farmers Markets this summer. Kane county Farmers Markets are found in Aurora, Batavia, Elgin, Geneva, St. Charles and Sugar Grove. DuPage county Farmers Markets can be located in the towns of Naperville, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove and Lisle.

5. Visit the SciTech Hands-On Museum in Aurora - SciTech's mission is to engage people in experiencing and learning science and technology in a fun and interactive way. This fun museum is located at 18 W. Benton Street in Aurora.

4. Explore small quaint shops in the Fox Valley. Naperville, Geneva and St. Charles are just a few of the many great cities in our area that exhibit the small hometown feel with their downtown shopping opportunities. History, charm and treasures await your next shopping adventure in these local venues.

3. The Naper Settlement offers history and fun in Naperville. Located at 523 S. Webster St. in downtown Naperville, the Naper Settlement is a museum village of 19th century homes, shops and public buildings that exhibit a collection of historical facts and furnishings. Visit their website or call the Settlement at 630-420-6010

2. Visit the Philips Park Zoo for free! This zoo features Bald Eagles, Gray Wolves, Cougars, a Fox, an Arctic Fox, a Platinum Red Fox, North American River Otters, Llamas and a lot more. The Philips Park Zoo is located at 901 Ray Moses Drive in Aurora.

1. Water parks! There is no better way to cool off from the summer heat than in a family fun water park. Fortunately, you do not have to travel far to find relief, as the Fox Valley Park District sponsors two local parks. Splash Country Water Park is located at 195 S. Barnes Road in Aurora and the Philips Park Aquatic Center is located at 828 Montgomery Road in Aurora. These parks feature pools, water slides and fun for the whole family.