Aurora Public Library

Total holdings: 545,936
Items checked out per year: 1.2 million
Visitors per year: more than 1 million

Higher Education

Aurora University – 347 S. Gladstone. A liberal arts college with undergraduate majors in education, business, nursing and social work, seven adult degree completion programs, 16 Masters degrees and multiple certification programs. 630 844-5533

Waubonsee Community College –18 S. River St. Offers associates degrees and transfer-track credits in 100-plus courses, plus non-credit community education programs. 630 585-7900

Muesums

Aurora Regional Fire Museum – 53 N Broadway St. A variety of interactive exhibits featuring firefighter gear and history. 630 256-4140

David L.. Pierce Art & History Center – 20 E. Downer Pl. Art exhibits and collections of historical artifacts, plus a civil war veterans memorial, the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall. 630 256-3340

Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures – 1315 Prairie St. Exhibits to promote native American art. 630 844-7844

SciTech Hands on Museum – 18 W. Benton St. Interactive science and technology center for all ages, with 200-plus exhibits. 630 859-3434

William Tanner House – 305 Cedar St. Furnished Italianate home from the 1830s, housing Aurora  Historical Society’s collections of photos, maps and artifacts. 630 906-0650

Activities

Hollywood Casino – 1 W. New York St. A 53,000-sq-ft casino with slots and table games plus stage shows and dining. 630 801-1234

Paramount Theatre – 23 E. Galena Blvd. A historic theatre with professional Broadway style shows,celebrity concerts, music and dance. 630 896-6666

RiverEdge Park – 360 N. Broadway. A summer concert venue and park on 30 acres. 630 896-6666

Recreation 

Blackberry Farm –100 S. Barnes Rd. Outdoor pioneer history museum with demonstrations and hands-on activities. 630 892-1550

Kidz Fun Land – 2109 Fox Valley Center Dr. A soft-play indoor playground for young children. 630 585-1505

Phillips Park Aquatic Center – 828 Montgomery Rd. Outdoor water park with slides, volleyball courts and a lap pool. 630 851-8686

Phillips Park Zoo –1000 Ray Moses Dr. An educational zoo with a gallery of Mastodon bones. 630 256-3861

Splash Country Water Park – 195 S. Barnes Rd. An outdoor park with slides, a lazy river and sand volleyball courts. 630 906-7981

Vaughan Athletic & Aquatic Center – 2121 W. Indian Trail. A multi-use fieldhouse with a fitness center, tennis courts and an indoor water park and lap pool. 630 907-1931

Events

Food Truck Festival – An annual celebration on Benton Street on May 4.

Aurora Kite Festival – A day to bring or make kite, meeting at 220 N. Broadway on May 19. 630 906-0332

Summer Concert Series – Live bands at weekends from June to August, performing outdoors at RiverEdge Park. 630 896-6666

Winter Lights – A November celebration to kick off the holiday season. 630 256-3370