The best arts & culture spots in Aurora

16 arts & culture spots we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Arts & Culture · 16 places · showing the latest additions first

Paramount Theatre

Arts & Culture

Broadway-style productions, performances & comedy acts on stage in an ornate, old-school playhouse.

23 E Galena Blvd

“Broadway-style productions, performances & comedy acts on stage in an ornate, old-school playhouse.”

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Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Arts & Culture

Whether you need a midweek reset or want to wow a curious kid, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum delivers immersive exhibits, live animals, and…

2430 N Cannon Dr (Chicago)

“Whether you need a midweek reset or want to wow a curious kid, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum delivers immersive exhibits, live animals, and very chill butterflies. Drop-by programs and hands-on science make it feel like nature class, minus the homework, right in our own backyard.”

From the Chicago newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Aurora Public Art

Arts & Culture

Whether you’re into bold murals or thoughtful exhibits, Aurora Public Art keeps the city looking fresh with rotating shows and…

20 E Downer Pl

“Whether you’re into bold murals or thoughtful exhibits, Aurora Public Art keeps the city looking fresh with rotating shows and community-made pieces around town. Check their current lineup, then take a mini art walk this week and remember why living here has its perks.”

From the Aurora newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Chicago Sports Museum

Arts & Culture

Interactive exhibits, artifacts & memorabilia help tell the story of the city's rich sports history.

835 N Michigan Ave (Chicago)

“Interactive exhibits, artifacts & memorabilia help tell the story of the city's rich sports history.”

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Chicago Children's Museum

Arts & Culture

Family museum on Navy Pier with lots of interactive exhibits, including many for young kids.

700 E Grand Ave (Chicago)

“Family museum on Navy Pier with lots of interactive exhibits, including many for young kids.”

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Field Museum

Arts & Culture

State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.

1400 S Lake Shore Dr (Chicago)

“State-of-the-art museum of science & invention, with the world's largest Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

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Museum of Illusions Chicago

Arts & Culture

Immersive rooms with optical illusions & holograms designed to deceive the eye, popular for photos.

25 E Washington St (Chicago)

“Immersive rooms with optical illusions & holograms designed to deceive the eye, popular for photos.”

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National Museum of Mexican Art

Arts & Culture

Some 18,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures & more are housed at this art museum.

1852 W 19th St (Chicago)

“Some 18,000 paintings, photographs, sculptures & more are housed at this art museum.”

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Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden

Arts & Culture

Colonel George Fabyan's historic home, with his collection of Asian artifacts plus Japanese gardens.

1925 S Batavia Ave (Geneva)

“Colonel George Fabyan's historic home, with his collection of Asian artifacts plus Japanese gardens.”

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Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Arts & Culture

This venue hosts the Chicago Opera Theater as well as a variety of music and dance performances.

205 E Randolph St (Chicago)

“This venue hosts the Chicago Opera Theater as well as a variety of music and dance performances.”

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The Art Institute of Chicago

Arts & Culture

Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries.

111 S Michigan Ave (Chicago)

“Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries.”

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Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Arts & Culture

Sprawling, hands-on museum full of informative, child-friendly scientific & industrial exhibits.

5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr (Chicago)

“Sprawling, hands-on museum full of informative, child-friendly scientific & industrial exhibits.”

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DuPage Children's Museum

Arts & Culture

Play & education center for young children, with many fun & experimental activities, plus a cafe.

301 N Washington St (Naperville)

“Play & education center for young children, with many fun & experimental activities, plus a cafe.”

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Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum

Arts & Culture

Historic site & meeting hall built in 1878 as a monument to regional Civil War veterans.

23 E Downer Pl

“Historic site & meeting hall built in 1878 as a monument to regional Civil War veterans.”

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Chicago History Museum

Arts & Culture

Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & culture.

1601 N Clark St (Chicago)

“Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & culture.”

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Charnley-Persky House Museum

Arts & Culture

Important example of early modern architecture from 1892 by Louis Sullivan & Frank Lloyd Wright.

1365 N Astor St (Chicago)

“Important example of early modern architecture from 1892 by Louis Sullivan & Frank Lloyd Wright.”

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