Aurora Travel Guide, Illinois

Aurora Travel Guide – ”The City of Lights”

Aurora, the second largest city in the state of Illinois, United States, lies on the banks of the Fox River near Syracuse. It has about 168,180 inhabitants and it is part of Chicagoland. Its actual nickname was adopted at the beginning of the 20th century as a result of the fact that the city was the first to implement electric street lighting in 1881.

The story of its settlement is quite fascinating. When the McCarthy brothers arrived in 1834, they found out that the land they owned was situated on both sides of the Fox River which was an impediment for them so they sold the west lands. The Lake brothers, the buyers, opened a mill there. So did the McCartys on their eastern land. At first, there were two distinctive villages on both sides of the river. In 1857, the two villages joined together into a town which is now the city of Aurora.

Aurora travel guides point out that Aurora has a long tradition in manufacturing and, today, it is part of the Illinois Technology & Research Corridor.

Aurora Travel Guide – The City Of Entertainment and Knowledge Gains

Located at a short-drive distance from Chicago, the city of Aurora combines its historical features alongside modern conveniences into perfect urban attractions which draw curious visitors from the continent and over the seas. If you are planning a visit to ’the city of lights’ and looking for learning about its cultural and historical heritage, several museums range in subject from fire trucks, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, to classic cars and old aircrafts, Ageless Classics Museum, or the history of black veterans, African American Heritage Museum & Black Veterans Archives. But do not avoid visiting Aurora Art & History Museum which is the home of rotating exhibits.

The Blackberry Farm’s Pioneer Village and the SciTech Hands On Museum can also satisfy the curiosity of those encouraged by learning and interaction. It’s worth knowing that the Midwest Literary Arts Festival is held in Aurora every year. This event gathers together most of the authors from across the state and the country.

Aurora is also a perfect place for entertainment as it boasts many theatres, cinemas, baseball stadiums, water parks and trails for various outdoor recreational activities. Its downtown is a fabulous complex in which the Paramount Theatre with its large live performance stage, the Hollywood Casino that features more than 53,000 square feet of gambling space, the Leland Tower, supposed to be the tallest building outside Chicago, and other main commercial buildings are located.

Aurora is also dedicated to providing high-quality education in its schools and colleges. The Rasmussen College campus is the second largest in Illinois. Having more than a century of experience in education and training, the Rasmussen College can help any student gain the knowledge he or she needs to get a successful career.

Aurora Travel Guide – Accommodation and Public Transport

Situated in the heart of the USA, Aurora has a busy network of public transport. Conveniently located near important state highways, railroads and the short distance from Chicago, the city provides a good train and bus services. Shuttle buses serve the city and the regional area. Taxicab services are also provided by six companies. Aurora Municipal Airport operates eight miles west of downtown and handles more than 450 flights a day. Rail passenger service is also available and it provides good connections between main areas and the suburbs.

Whether on business or simply visiting, the city of Aurora offers the highest standards of accommodation in its modern luxurious hotels, motels, bed & breakfast inns, all services at competitive rates. Booking in advance can be well done online!