When the heat is on, the Aurora area has plenty of options for cooling off! From splashing around at a nearby water park to sipping a cocktail at a local summer festival, these are the days — and places — to make memories that last a lifetime.
Summers in Illinois are made for swimming, and the Aurora area has plenty of options to choose from. Our suggestion? Slather on the sunscreen and visit Raging Waves. Located just 12 miles southwest of Aurora in Yorkville, this is one of the area’s best waterparks. Whether you’re someone who seeks the biggest thrills or revels in the peace of a lazy river, this family-friendly park has something for you. If you rent a cabana for the day, you can have food delivered to you poolside, and you’ll always have a shaded place to relax and dry off.
If the family prefers their water fun to be a little more lowkey, check out Splash Country Water Park. A great option for the kids, this park features a 1,100-foot lazy river, the second-longest in Illinois, dotted with dumping buckets, sprayers, jets and a bubbling rapids to keep the little ones laughing all day.
Waterlogged? Round out a perfect day with an evening concert at RiverEdge Park in Aurora. Check the website for a full calendar of summer events.
Take advantage of cooler morning temps to visit Aurora’s Blackberry Farm, a living history museum where you can learn about pioneer life. Admission includes unlimited rides on the train, hay wagon, pedal tractors, paddleboats, carousel and ponies. If you’re looking to see a more modern farm in action, consider a trip 12 miles north to Rustic Road Farm, an organic farm in Elburn teeming with goats, chickens and pigs with plenty of delicious food on offer. (Check the website to see current visiting hours.) For the best animal viewing, choose Phillips Park Zoo, where you can visit birds, reptiles and mammals, including wolves, mountain lions and otters.
For your afternoon and evening, do what the locals do: Gather for live music, food and drinks! Summer weekends are made for festivals, and the Aurora area has plenty to choose from. In addition to events at RiverEdge Park, here are a few other options:
Be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s festivals so you can bring your friends and do it all again!
Start planning your trip to the Chicago, Naperville and Aurora area... book your perfect hotel stay today with Hampton Inn & Suites Aurora!
The hotel offers elegantly decorated, comfortable accommodations to suit every visitor’s need. For a romantic getaway for two, consider the King Suite with bar sink and under-counter refrigerator, or choose the Kids Suite for the family, complete with bunkbeds and a Playstation 4! The indoor pool, whirlpool and kiddie pool will please everyone, as will the delicious breakfast “on the house.” No time to sit for breakfast? No problem – the friendly front desk staff has you covered with “on-the-run” breakfast bags to take with you.
For those who are traveling to and from “the other big city” in Illinois, the hotel is conveniently located close to I-88 with easy access to Chicago.
