West of conventional You'll find historic charm, culture, shopping and night life in Aurora area
The communities of the Aurora area are joined by their ideal placement along the scenic Fox River just west of Chicago.
Boasting a diverse mix of premium outlet shopping, vibrant night life, a lively arts and culture scene, and plenty of historic charm accompanied by modern amenities, the Aurora area is an ideal location for your next meeting or event. At the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, our mission is to match meeting and event planners with lodging and event space connected to all the activities and attractions that make the Aurora Area such a great place to live, work and play.
The Aurora area is anchored by the revitalized urban appeal of the City of Aurora, the second-largest city in the state of Illinois.
A pillar of Aurora's renaissance has been the Paramount Theatre.
The Paramount Theatre's Broadway Series has attracted rave reviews, developed the second-highest subscriber base of any theater in Illinois, and has received numerous "Jeff" awards and nominations for its blockbuster shows. For an elegant event setting or as a group outing destination after your meeting, the Paramount Theatre offers a distinctive and downright gorgeous venue.
RiverEdge Park, Chicagoland's newest outdoor concert venue, has hosted some of the biggest names in independent rock and the Blues on a picturesque stretch of the Fox River near Downtown Aurora. Its summer concert and festival series this year includes a stylish mix of living legends, platinum-selling pop stars, and indie upstarts.
Steps away from the Paramount Theatre and RiverEdge Park sits Two Brothers Roundhouse and the Hollywood Casino-Aurora.
The Roundhouse furnishes a variety of meeting spaces for gatherings of up to 600 attendees and is a favorite of locals and visitors alike for dinner, drinks, and night life thanks to its Two Brothers Tavern at the Roundhouse live entertainment showroom. Hollywood Casino-Aurora offers high-stakes gaming and entertainment in true Vegas-style fashion with a gilded 1930's-era Hollywood theme, with over 1,200 slots and the region's largest poker room.
New spaces and attractions
A number of new venues are available in the Aurora Area. Leading the way is Company 251, a modern, luxury venue just south of Aurora's downtown. Spanning 20,000 square feet of flexible interior space, events held here are custom designed to meet your every need with high-end, contemporary materials and furnishings that elegantly offset the industrial heritage of the building.
In Oswego, two rustic-chic venues are now available to planners doing business in the Aurora Area. Emerson Creek Pottery & Tea Room offers rustic-chic accommodations for gatherings large or small, from barn weddings and tented events under sparkling chandeliers to private parties on the new "Porch" space. You can also pair your next event with sweeping countryside views at Arranmore Farm + Polo Club. Situated on over 300 pristine acres, this stunning venue transforms to accommodate a diverse range of events, from international polo matches to unique outdoor concert experiences.
The Nagel Emporium at Abbey Farms, located on 300 bucolic acres in Aurora, specializes in turnkey solutions for versatile corporate events that will wow attendees. Ashley Farm, a historic landmark in Yorkville, is where guests can enjoy a memorable, lovingly crafted experience.
Outdoor Adventure
Whatever the season, the Aurora area has many reasons to get out and play. Home to three outdoor water parks, including Raging Waves in Yorkville (Illinois's largest), the Aurora area is where visitors make a splash for summertime events. The Fox River and its adjacent trails offer miles of opportunities year-round for cycling, paddling, hiking and cross-county skiing. Local outfitters can gear you up for your outing with kayak, canoe, and bike rentals.
Destinations for Your Next Event
The Aurora area's meetings and events inventory features hotels and facilities with capacity for gatherings large and small, with big city amenities at a great value. You have access to cutting-edge technology at Waubonsee Community College's conference facility at its Sugar Grove Campus, featuring over 10,000 square feet of contemporary meeting space in proximity to lodging in Aurora, North Aurora and Yorkville. Historic charm is available at The Homestead 1854 in Plano, a destination for wellness and creative retreats in addition to its reputation as a perfect setting for weddings. For any occasion, you can find a distinctive setting for your next event in the Aurora area.
To learn more about what makes the Aurora area, contact Pete Garlock, director of sales, at (630) 256-3194 or email pete@enjoyaurora.com.
• Cort Carlson is executive director at the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.