Plan Your Visit
GETTING TO DOWNTOWN AURORA
By Car
Downtown Aurora is easily accessible from all directions via major highways. For real-time navigation, enter Aurora City Hall (44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505) into your GPS or mapping app.
From the East
Option 1 – via I-290 & I-88
Take I-290 W to I-88 W. Exit at 117 (IL-31/IL-56 E – Lake St), keep right, and merge onto IL-31 S (S. Lincolnway St). Continue about 2.5 miles into downtown.
Option 2 – via I-55 & I-294
Take I-55 S to I-294 N. Exit at 29 for I-88 W toward Aurora, then follow the directions above from Exit 117.
From the West
Take I-88 E to Exit 117 (IL-31/IL-56 E – Lake St). Keep right and merge onto IL-31 S (S. Lincolnway St). Continue about 2.5 miles into downtown.
From the North
Option 1 – Randall Rd
Take Randall Rd S to Mooseheart Rd, turn left, then right onto IL-31 S (Lake St). Continue about 4 miles into downtown.
Option 2 – IL-25 to IL-56
Take IL-25 S → Dunham Rd → N. Kirk Rd → IL-56 W. Turn left on Mitchell Rd, right on E. Indian Trail, then left on IL-31/N Lake St and continue about 1.5 miles into downtown.
Option 3 – IL-47 & I-88
Take IL-47 S to I-88 E, then exit at 117 and follow the directions above.
From the South
Option 1 – IL-47 & I-80
Take IL-47 N to I-80 E. Exit at 116 (Brisbin Rd) and turn left. Follow local roads to IL-31 N, then continue about 6 miles into downtown.
Option 2 – Ridge & Wolf Roads
Take IL-47 N to I-80 E, exit at 122 (N Ridge Rd) and follow local routes toward downtown via US-30 W and E. Galena Blvd.
Parking
Street parking is free within downtown Aurora, and two public parking garages are available within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and attractions.
By Train
Take the Metra BNSF Railway Line to the Aurora Transportation Center, located less than one mile from downtown and providing convenient service to and from Chicago.
By Bus
Pace Suburban Bus operates several routes with stops in or near downtown Aurora:
- 524 – West Aurora
- 530 – West Galena–Naperville
- 533 – Northeast Aurora
- 540 – Farnsworth Avenue
- 802 – Aurora–Geneva via Lake
Pace On Demand also offers a reservation-based ride service in parts of Aurora.
- Book rides up to 7 days in advance or as little as 10 minutes before pickup, depending on availability.
- Rides are first-come, first-served.
By Bike
Explore downtown Aurora by bike along the scenic Fox River Trail and other local paths.
Bike rentals are available at:
- RiverEdge Park
- Santori Public Library
- Water Street Mall at Aurora City Hall (44 E. Downer Pl.)
Choose from hourly rentals or monthly and annual memberships.
