This Summer anyone can stay all day in downtown Aurora by starting the day with a coffee beverage at one of our three coffee shops, then prepare for a day and evening of fun.
The three coffee shops downtown: Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York Street; Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place; Society 57, 100 S. River Street. Sitting outside with a coffee and pastry in hand is arguably living life to its fullest.
Morning options that take advantage of the nearby scenery include strolling or biking along the Fox River, or grabbing a kayak and paddling the River. The Aurora Public Library’s Santori Library offers fishing poles for patrons to check out.
At the Library, a good morning read, or a visit to the outdoor Children’s Garden is a dose of joy for all ages. With a visit to the Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., can mean a vote on new musical instruments that Aurora Downtown’s Streetscape Committee will install in the Garden later this Summer.
Before the day heats up, it can be a good time to take Aurora Downtown’s Summer Fun Hunt which involves finding public art using three different clues each month through August. Find the clues on Aurora Downtown’s or Adventure’s in Scavenger Hunting’s social media pages.
Aurora Public Art has a Public Art Map for downtown Aurora that’s available online and at some spots including If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Avenue.
It’s a good idea to finish up the morning with a stop at Warehouse 55, 55 S. Lake Street. With dozens of vendors, you’ll get an early start on exploring their two floors of wonder.
It’s afternoon already, and a lunch break is due. Visit Aurora Downtown’s dining guide online for lots of yummy options.
Fueled and ready to shop, visit The Cottonseed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River Street, for a selection of artistic and thoughtful gifts. Stop by Aroma Roots, 32 N. Broadway, for soaps and much more. The Cornucopia Shop recently opened at 63 S. Broadway with gift baskets and tea sets.
Visit on or near the weekend, and shop Offbeat Vintage and Thrift, 14 W. Downer Place, then possibly pop over to Undisputed Vintage a couple of doors down, and walk over to Premil, 46 W. New York Street, for urban apparel.
Now a decision might need to happen between a scoop of ice cream or a cocktail. Charlie’s Creamery is open late afternoon if ice cream wins. Sit at the new Wyckwood House cocktail bar, 80 S. River Street if it’s time for a mid-day cocktail or mocktail.
Luckily, it’s time for happy hour. Aurora Downtown offers a self-guided Pub Crawl and Margarita Crawl with maps available on its website. Anyone can enjoy the crawls at any time. There are weekly giveaways for posting on social media while participating in the crawls.
Both self-guided crawls invite participants to visit multiple locations on the map of their own choosing. Aurora Downtown recently tested both crawls with downtown friends visiting three locations each for the Margarita Crawl and the Pub Crawl, and the crawls work very well during weeknights such as a Tuesday or Wednesday.
After dinner, there are several entertainment options such as catching a performance at Paramount Theatre, Copley Theatre, or Riverfront Playhouse. Take in live music at The Venue, or play pinball and arcade games at Yetee Station, 11 N. Broadway. Depending on the evening, there might be live jazz at French 75 Gallery and Lounge, trivia at Tavern on Broadway or Gillerson’s Grubbery, or karaoke or BINGO at Aurora Tap House.
There’s always something happening in downtown Aurora, so to stay all day and enjoy is possible.
Marissa Amoni is the manager of Aurora Downtown, a group of business and property owners in Special Service Area One. Join us at free outdoor movies and concerts this Summer. Follow Aurora Downtown on Facebook and @downtownaurora on Instagram. auroradowntown.org.