SciTech Hands on Museum
18 W Benton St, Aurora, IL 60506-6013
From the website: “SciTech Hands on Museum appeals to all ages. The museum is accessible with elevators between floors. A few of the activities are not accessible. SciTech Hands on Museum consists of hundreds interactive science and technology exhibits. Three floors and 30,000 square feet of science fun are in an historic post office building in downtown Aurora. Imagine standing inside a tornado! Discover how much energy you can generate. Explore technologies from ancient times to modern space travel! In the summer months (June – September), experience full-body physics experiments in the Fox Motion Park outside! Stop by the STEAMart Discovery Shop for gifts, gadgets, and gizmos-to-go for your budding scientist!”
Phillips Park Zoo
1000 Ray Moses Drive
Aurora, IL 60505
Zoo Hours
Sunday – Saturday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The entire zoo is wheelchair accessible, including the reptile house. Bonus! Phillips Park Zoo admission is free. The zoo began in 1915 and expanded over the years. Originally birds were exhibited. Today’s exhibits include river otters, great horned owls, llamas and pygmy goats, gray wolves, farmyard animals, bald eagles, reptiles from over ten different species along with a variety of smaller animals, peacocks, and elk. There are several Kids Zone activities including a scavenger hunt
Fox River Trail
The Fox River Trail consists of over 40 miles of wheelchair accessibility! The trail starts in Oswego and ends in Algonquin. The beauty of Illinois’ trails is that you can hop on and off for sightseeing, restroom and restaurant breaks. You can travel the trail for only a mile or the whole route. If you are starting the trail in Aurora, take Interstate 88 to Aurora, exit onto State Route 31 and drive south to Willis McCullough Park, where the trail starts. The trail map may be accessed through the Rails to Trails website and app.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum
53 N Broadway, Aurora, IL
630-256-4140
According to the website: “This wheelchair accessible museum is located in Aurora’s old Central Fire Station. According to the museum website “the museum features a variety of interactive exhibits designed to educate and entertain children, families, and firefighters. The museum’s primary exhibit, Getting There, Getting Water, Getting Rescued traces the evolution of the tools and technology used by firefighters. Visitors can pass a leather fire bucket from the early 1800s. See the horse stalls and the “real” fire horses. Discover what was found under the floor boards of the old central fire station. Marvel at the strange looking Vajen-Bader smoke mask. See and hear how modern fire apparatus clears the streets with sirens, air horns, and devices that change traffic lights green. Watch vintage film clips of firefighters and fire engines on one of five video touch-screens. All this in addition to five pieces of fire apparatus on display in a fully restored 1894 fire station.”
Blackberry Farm
Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is illustrated by educational demonstrations and hands-on activities. Blackberry Farms has limited accessibility. The picnic areas, restrooms, and demonstration areas are accessible. The train and paddle boats are the only two rides that are handicap accessible.
Paramount Theatre School of the Arts
John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center
20 South Stolp Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 896-6810
The accessible school will open June 1, 2019. The school will offer classes to all ages and acting backgrounds (from 1 year olds to seniors). Approximately 20 summer camps are scheduled in addition to the classes. The arts they focus on include: dance, theater, voice and visual art (costume design).
Hollywood Casino Aurora
You can always count on casinos to be an accessible means of entertainment for adults. The casino has 4 restaurants and offers live entertainment on Saturday evenings (ticket prices vary for entertainment).
1 W New York St, Aurora, IL 60506-4120