If you are looking to spend time in Aurora, there are plenty of family-friendly places to visit. Here are 25 destinations to try.
1. Spend the day at Sunny Lake Park
At Aurora’s Sunny Lake Park, you can enjoy boating, hiking and picnicking, or can play volleyball, paddleboat and more. Go around the paved multipurpose exercise trail that goes around the lake and is perfect for walking the dog or taking a stroll with your family. Kids can enjoy the large playground. Check out the disc golf course “Aurora Gold,” which boasts a 9-hole amateur/beginner course, 18-hole intermediate course, and an 18-hole professional course. You can find the map and scorecard on the website. Also, you can head to the trail that connects to the Moebius Nature Center. 885 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora, 330-562-6910
2. Bond with your dog at Tails n’ Trail Dog Park
Aurora even has your best friend covered. Located at 841 Page Road, Tails n’ Trails has separate areas for large and small dogs to socialize and run off-leash and enjoy socializing with other dogs. You will find benches to sit while your pup plays, play features, and a water pump. 841 Page Road
3. Cool off at the splash pad and enjoy Kiwanis-Moore Park
Splash the heat away at the splash pad, play on the playground, have lunch under the pavilion, grab a snack at the snack shack, and show off your skills at the two-level skate park that allows beginners and advanced users to utilize the park together. 35 West Pioneer Trail
4. Get in touch with nature at Moebius Nature Center
Touted as Aurora’s best kept secret, Moebius Nature Center is located on 44 beautiful acres and has hiking trails, a pond where you can see beavers and you can also fish (catch and release). Eat in the picnic pavilion which has a lovely western view, a pollinator garden and a rain garden, a turtle enclosure and a deer exclosure. Mobius hosts many nature-inspired events and programs. Visit and explore the beauty. 929 E. Mennonite Road, Aurora, 216-402-4361, mymnc.org
5. Shop til you drop at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets
Aurora Farms Premium Outlets is conveniently located off State Route 43, minutes from Cleveland and Akron. Shop more than 50 designer and name brand outlet stores including Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York, Aerie, American Eagle Outfitters, Crocs, Nike Factory Store and the North Face. Enjoy exceptional brands at extraordinary savings. 549 S. Chillicothe Road, Aurora, premiumoutlets.com/outlet/aurora-farms
6. Get Lost in a good book at the Aurora Memorial Library
The original library opened in 1966. Aurora Memorial Library is a great place to meet other parents and children at story time, participate in reading challenges, and access computers and internet free of charge. 115 East Pioneer Trail, portagelibrary.org
7. Enjoy a show at Aurora Community Theatre
The ACT, located on Pioneer Trail, presents four shows per year, once in the spring, summer, fall and winter. For the 2022-2023 season, ACT will start with a side-splitting comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Next up they will present a story of a family that is forced to confront its past and present in “August: Osage County.” Their spring offering will be “Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical” and more. If you’re a theater fanatic or on the lookout for local entertainment, consider watching a show at the ACT. 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, auroracommunitytheatre.com
8. Support local and shop small
Aurora is home to several local, quaint shops where you can support local business owners. Some of Aurora’s local shops include:
Schell Bell Boutique ( 334 East Garfield Rd.) where you will find the latest fashions and accessories for women and girls.
Secret Garden Antique Mall (196 S Chillicothe Rd.) that boasts 3000 square feet of antiques and collectibles.
Abigails (178 S Chillicothe Rd.) for jewelry, accessories, bags, and more.
Forage and Feather (311 East Garfield Rd.) specializing in handcrafted local goods.
The Mantua Grain and Supply ( 526 S Chillicothe Rd.) sells a wide variety of items from outdoor decor, furniture, plants all the way to sports items.
9. Pamper yourself at Spa Walden & Inn Walden
Luxury accommodations, relaxation, and tranquility await. 1119 Aurora Hudson Road, yourwalden.com
10. Eat locally
After a day of shopping, you are sure to be hungry and Aurora has many restaurants to choose from.
Mazzulos (302 Aurora Commons Circle) prepares a daily variety of homemade dishes that are deliciously convenient for heat & serve meals.
1815 Tavern (170 S Chillicothe Road) is located in the heart of historic Aurora, and features modern American fare.
Mad Jacks Grill & Pub (204 S Chillicothe Road) has a relaxed vibe & charming patio for American fare, cocktails & many craft beers.
Evexia Cafe offers an extensive menu of quick, healthy, and flavorful café fare.
Cafe Tuscano’s (46 S Aurora Road) Italian dishes are the perfect blend of inspired recipes and fresh ingredients.
Papous Tap & Grill (360 Aurora Commons Cir) is a sustainable, new American restaurant serving delicious dishes 7 days a week.
11. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Fantasy Delight
Fantasy Delight has been owned by the same family for over 30 years. With a huge selection, there is something for everyone. 21 N Aurora Rd, fantasydelighticecream.com
12. Go for a run at Hartman Park
Hartman Park is a 125-acre parcel on Townline Road. Enjoy all the athletic field complex has to offer: 4 ballfields, 5 full-size soccer fields, playground and a 24×36 pavilion with picnic tables and charcoal grill. Get your running shoes and run the cross-country trail: a mulched loop trail that begins in a meadow and winds through wooded areas. Enjoy Tree Museum: unique half-mile walking trail introduces visitors to over 500 live trees. 305 Townline Road
13. Honor National Wetlands Day
Walk along the grass trails at the Aurora Wetlands on West Garfield Road.
14. Take a hike at Paddock River Preserve.
If you are looking for a beautiful place to walk or cross country ski, look no further than Paddock River Reserve 129 Trails End. The former Aurora Golf Course land includes rolling hills and steep ravines, woodlands, meadows, floodplain pools and creeks. A trail guide can be found on the website. 129 Trails End
15. Learn about Aurora history at the Aurora Historical Society
Learn anything and everything there is to know about Aurora and visit the museum to see the latest exhibits and collections. You can even purchase special gift items and become a member. aurorahistorical.org
16. Find out if the fish are biting at Spring Hill Park
The park consists of 65 acres including a nature trail and fishing dock. 1113 East Pioneer Trail.
17. Remember those who served
Visit Veterans Memorial Park. You can even donate a brick to the Memorial. 40 West Garfield Road
18. Smell autumn in the air at the Fall Festival at Sunny Lake Park
Enjoy free hay rides, an inflatable corn maze, inflatable games, a petting zoo, face painting, visit Flower the Clown for a free balloon creation, see Jungle Terry’s free & fantastic animal show, and meet local businesses.
19. Get festive at the annual tree lighting
Straight out of your favorite Hallmark movie, this is an event not to be missed. 115 E. Pioneer Trail Aurora
20. Show your patriotism at Aurora’s Fourth of July parade and events.
A hometown favorite, the 4th of July parade is one to remember and then stay for hometown activities.
21. Enjoy fresh produce and more from Beck’s Farm & Market
Farm fresh produce picked fresh daily. Open May – October 7 days a week from spring flowers to fall favorites everything has a season and they have the best picks. 1199 E Garfield Road, becksfarmandmarket.business.site
22. Have an extra helping of mashed potatoes after you run the annual Turkey Trot.
People from around Northeast Ohio descend upon Aurora Thanksgiving morning for this 5k run.
23. Enjoy the sounds of summer at the Aurora Concert Series at Veterans Park.
The concerts are Thursdays throughout the summer and are free of charge.
24. Spend time birdwatching at Blanche Katherine Novak Wildlife Sanctuary and State Nature Preserve.
The sanctuary is a rich habitat for nesting birds with at least 56 species on the Aurora side and 41 species on the Mantua side. The area has been part of the spring bird walks of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland since 1993. An observation blind in the wetlands area was completed in 2002, further enhancing their educational potential.
382 Townline Road, clevelandaudubon.org
25. ThornCreek Winery & Gardens
Nestled among eight acres of nationally awarded gardens, ThornCreek Winery & Gardens is a magical and authentic winery and venue. They host local musicians, farm to table dinners, painting classes and a variety of events year round. Join them for weekly live music or a delicious culinary event. 155 Treat Road, Aurora, thorncreekwinery.com