Beat the Heat

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.

Day 1: Make a Splash

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.

Day 2: Farms and Festivals

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:

Just east of Aurora, Naperville hosts Naper Nights, themed tribute concerts held throughout the summer. Enjoy cold drinks and great food, and dance to your favorite rock, pop, Motown and soul hits.
To the north, if you can get to downtown Batavia on a Wednesday night, enjoy the free River Rhapsody concert series, featuring live music on the picturesque riverwalk. Or, plan ahead and get tickets for the town’s exclusive annual riverside Cocktails in the Park event, with cocktails and food provided by local restaurants. Later in the summer, the town hosts the Batavia Block Party and Taste of Batavia on the brick-paved North River Street downtown.
South of Aurora in Yorkville, catch the Summer Solstice Indie Music Festival, with free admission, a full two-day lineup of music and, yes, ice cold craft brews.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s festivals so you can bring your friends and do it all again!

Plan Today!

Start planning your trip to the Naperville and Aurora area...book your perfect hotel stay today with Holiday Inn Express & Suites Aurora - Naperville, Illinois!

From cozy accommodations for two with a jetted tub to kid-friendly suites with bunkbeds and a Playstation 4, this hotel truly has something to offer everyone. Spend your evening enjoying the indoor pool and hot tub, and kick off your morning with a workout in the on-site gym followed by a delicious complimentary breakfast served up by our friendly staff.

For those who are traveling to and from “the other big city” in Illinois, the hotel is located just steps away to the Metra station serving the BNSF rail line with easy access to Chicago’s Union Station.

Beat the Heat

Day 1: Make a Splash

Day 2: Farms and Festivals

Plan Today!

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