Last weekend, Laurie DiBerardino, director of public relations and marketing for the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, offered me a tour of historic downtown Aurora, IL, a gem of a city located less than an hour west of Chicago. I didn’t know what to expect from Aurora, but I was very impressed by everything I saw.

We met for dinner at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, a traditional Irish pub. This is a fascinating place. It is warm and inviting, lively and upbeat and cozy and intimate all at the same time. Owner Phil Cullen stated that they wanted to create an atmosphere where anyone could come in and feel welcome, and he succeeded. Part of the appeal of Ballydoyle is the unique interior. Each beautiful piece was purchased through a church sale, an estate sale or a demolition sale. The authentic church pews, the Gothic chandeliers and the iconic artwork inspire and conjure the feel of a beautifully restored cathedral. Its elegance is combined with the attention to detail and special care of the tartan-clad staff. Cullen himself went table to table, checking on and chatting with every patron. This rare combination created an ambiance which made me feel comfortable and stately all at once.

The character of Ballydoyle was so impressive, I almost forgot to mention the food. Their extensive menu is full of homemade delights. I can still taste their succulent shrimp, possibly the best I have ever had. (Be sure to check out my upcoming review in a June issue of GT’s eFlyer.)

ID 146561782 © Chris Rizzuto | Dreamstime.com

After dinner, we went to see Movin’ Out at the Paramount Theatre. I had seen the Billy Joel musical twice before in Chicago, but this was a whole new experience. The Paramount Theatre, which opened in 1931, was designed by C. W. and George L. Rapp and is the sister to Chicago’s Oriental Theatre and Joliet’s Rialto. Everything in the Paramount was designed for acoustic perfection. Even details such as the seat cushions were designed with acoustics in mind (they are also plush and roomy, for maximum comfort). The sound was so pure and crisp even my untrained ears could tell the difference. Acoustics aside though, the Paramount is a breathtaking theater. I could have spent the entire evening viewing the Venetian-inspired murals. The lobby and balcony are simply regal.

After the show, we walked through the downtown area, which is bisected by the Fox River. The Leland Tower is a 22-story building, which at one point was the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago. Previously at the top of the tower was the Sky Club, where famous blues musicians recorded their songs in the 1930s, resulting in the historic Bluebird recordings. Currently an apartment complex, the Leland Tower is also believed to be haunted.

We stood on the bridge for a few minutes to enjoy the Fox River. We saw some people fishing, a few walking near the river and some sitting by the river. Again, there was something and some place for everyone.

Finally, we hit the Hollywood Casino to end the evening. A few spins at the roulette table, followed by a few hands of blackjack, followed by a stretch at the slot machines made for an exciting time in the 53,000 square-foot movie-themed casino. The casino also houses several pieces of movie memorabilia, including Sharon Stone’s dress from Casino.

When the evening ended, I was sad to be leaving Aurora. I can’t believe all of this was within a short walk. I wanted to see and experience more of this great city. As I walked by an advertisement for the ‘Blues on the Fox‘ (featuring national blues artists) in June, I knew I had one more good reason to return.

-John Wroblewski, writer