Aurora — City of Lights. Although not to be confused with Paris, it is the second largest city in Illinois and is located just 40 miles west of big brother Chicago.
This growing community of more than 180,000 is bisected by the Fox River and earned its nickname by becoming one of the first cities in the United States to implement an all-electric lighting system in 1881.
The word Aurora itself translates to “rising light.”
When I pulled up to the Comfort Suites City Center, my hosts in the heart of downtown Aurora, the neon lights of the nearby Hollywood Casino on Stolp Island shone brightly through a foggy mist.
The revitalized downtown has become a beacon for locals and tourists alike and my first stop was a short walk across the parking lot to America’s Historic Roundhouse Complex.
This renovated 1856 railroad roundhouse was once scheduled for the wrecking ball but the late Chicago Bear great Walter Payton and partner Scott Ascher, a former Bradley University athlete, converted it to the stylish entertainment and fine dining complex it is today.
I bellied up to the bar at the restaurant and ordered one of their signature beers — the Walter Payton Pilsner — one of three gold medal brews from the in-house America’s Brewing Company Micro Brewery.
Although “Sweetness” passed away in 1999, Ascher maintains a museum to Payton and “Da Bears” in the complex along with stand up comedy, art shows and live bands on the weekends.
In warmer weather, the center of the roundhouse where the turntable once stood is now a circular outdoor entertainment venue with a gazebo popular for weddings.
But with winter’s grip outside, I found my way inside to one of the most unique nightclubs I’ve visited anywhere- namely Bar Absinthe.
Complete with modern art from local artists and a magnificent bar salvaged from the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the setting to enjoy this once “illegal” drink offers a perfect escape from your neighborhood bar.
The next morning found me in search of Aurora’s family friendly attractions beginning with the admission free Phillips Park Zoo. This small zoo offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with some of North America’s more elusive species including gray wolves, cougars, elk, and bald eagles. Special clear glass enclosures allowed me to look eye to eye with a cougar and
to listen to the howl of a gray wolf just inches away.
Inside the Phillips Park Visitor Center at the zoo you’ll find prehistoric mastodon bones dug from a pond in the park and just outside is the Sunken Garden featuring over 15,000 annuals. Don’t miss the tulips in the spring!
An 18 hole public golf course along with tennis courts, a family aquatic center, fishing lake, softball fields, picnic areas, and a waterfall honoring the men and women of Aurora who served in the military complete the park.
SciTech Hands-On Museum is located in the old Aurora post office downtown and specializes in engaging young and old alike in experiencing and learning science and technology in a fun and interactive way.
When I visited there were dozens of school children on field trips clamoring over the 200 plus science exhibits.
The new centerpiece of the museum’s weather exhibit is “Dorothy”, a 1992 Chevy S-10 Blazer specially outfitted as a storm chasing research vehicle.
Children will be able to climb in and sit in the front seat behind the wheel and to view the operating weather monitoring equipment with the underlying message of educating them on storm safety.
Another chance for educational fun is available at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. Displays of vintage firefighting equipment, historical photos (including the Chicago Fire of 1871), and hands on, interactive exhibits make this museum a must stop for young and old alike.
Housed in the 1894 Old Central Fire Station at the corner of New York and Broadway, the building has been lovingly preserved by dedicated staff and volunteers down to the horse stalls with replicas of fire horses who once leaped into their harnesses and pulled fire engines away in less than 30 seconds!
But the number one reason people come to Aurora might surprise you. Over 6 million people annually are reported to visit the Chicago Premium Outlets stores just off I-88 near North Aurora.
With over 120 outlet stores from the world’s leading designers and brand names, it claims to offer savings of 25 percent to 65 percent every day attracting many international visitors from Chicago. Shop till you drop!
Aurora has no shortage of great restaurants and my first culinary adventure led me to Fairbanks Steakhouse in the Hollywood Casino. A trio of filet mignons with a side of asparagus drizzled with hollandaise sauce preceded by an appetizer of Oysters Rockefeller and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert proved to me why this award winning establishment is top rated.
Downstairs, Chicagoland’s Best Casino Buffet provides an quick and economical variety of food adjacent to the 53,000 square feet of gaming action in their single level casino complete with soaring ceilings.
I tried my hand at blackjack and was fortunate enough to walk away with more money than I started. Packages with the Comfort Suites and other nearby hotels are available for those gamblers wishing to stay longer as well as offering a variety of other packages.
For a more intimate atmosphere, just across the street is the new Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Restaurant. I enjoyed the specialty of the house — the traditional Irish boxty — a massive potato pancake folded around a meat and vegetable filling. I tried the Shepard’s Pie Boxty washed down with an imported Harp’s draft beer.
I chose to sit in their main dining area and enjoy the live music onstage and backstage I spotted a group of young traditional Irish dancers warming up in this family friendly pub.
Ballydoyle’s offers several more private areas including a confessional pulled from an actual church. Stained glass windows and a new expanded deck overlooking the Fox River for smokers completes the pub that offers something for everybody.
Aurora has a large Hispanic population mostly east of the Fox River and I found some of the best authentic Mexican food this side of the border at La Quinta de los Reyes Fine Mexican Restaurant and Bar.
I arrived on a Saturday morning and enjoyed my favorite breakfast dish- huevos rancheros (fried eggs with ranchera sauce) followed by a tableside server making salsa from tomatoes and guacamole from ripe avacados. It doesn’t get any fresher or more delicious!
Earlier in the trip, I had been given a behind the scenes tour of the Paramount Theatre, a restored art deco theater built during the golden age of movie theaters in the early 20th century. Today it presents live shows including big name entertainers, plays, touring musicals, and other special events.
It just so happened “Steppin’ Out”, a show featuring the stars of the hit musical “Jersey Boys” was playing and I was invited back to hear the performance.
After checking in at the Aurora Staybridge Suites on Rte 59 for the evening, I returned downtown to see the sold out show. The acoustics of the grand old lady were remarkably good and I thoroughly enjoyed the retrospective musical journey.
It was a perfect way to cap my winter trip to Aurora but I was told that during the summer there would be so much more to enjoy in the area including outdoor street festivals, paddling on the Fox River, new waterparks (including a whitewater area), and a special architectural gem known affectionately as the Glass House that awaited my return.
I vowed to revisit in the summer but in the meantime don’t hesitate to enjoy Aurora now. Check out all the attractions, lodging, arts and entertainment at www.enjoyaurora.com.
For more about Mark Bradley, click here.
Chillicothe, Ill. —
