Family Fun on the Fox by Ryan Kurtz

YOUR

GUIDE TO THE BEST THE FOX RIVER VALLEY HAS TO OFFER

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

a l i t t l e a b o u t m e

IamalifelongresidentoftheFoxRiverValley.

I was born and raised in Sandwich, went to Aurora University, taught,andcoachedtrackatAuroraChristian,andhavespentthe last15yearslivingintheAuroraarea.

One of my great joys in life is exploring our area and all it has to offerwithmywifeandtwodaughters.

One of the coolest professional accolades I have received is being atwo-time"BestoftheFox"winner.

AsatopperformingagentintheFoxRiverValley,oneofmyfavorite ways to add value to the clients I serve is by sharing all of these wonderfullocaldiscoveriesandinsights.

I wrote this guide to share my discoveries and insights with anybody currently living in or considering moving to the Fox River Valley.

I hope you enjoy it and if I missed a great spot, don't keep it a secret.Iwanttohearaboutit!

Ryan Kurtz

watering holes

When it comes to summer fun in the sun, the Fox River Valley is home to some awesome swimming holes and water recreation. Herearesomeofmyfavorite...

FOX RIVER

TheFoxRiveristhemaingeographicstapleofourarea,butitserves as more than just a river on a map. In the summer it turns into a recreationalplayground.Deepenoughinspots(northofSt.Charles) toenjoyboatingactivities.

A series of dams from St. Charles to Aurora make certain sections impassable; however, south of Aurora starting in Montgomery and running to Plano the Fox River offers a wide and shallow section of water that is perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Drop your watercraft of choice in at the many municipal parks and enjoyanicescenicpaddleorrow.

For the adventurers, Yorkville put in a bypass chute that navigates around the lock making the dam passable and creating a whitewaterplaygroundforkayakers.Ithasbecomeamainstapleof thedowntownYorkvillescene.

Don'thaveakayakorcanoe?Noworries,theYAKShacksitsrighton therivermakingiteasyforyoutoenjoyadayonthewater.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Hall Quarry Beach, Batavia

OneoftheFoxRiverValley'scoolest wateringholes,HallQuarryBeach, sitsrightontheFoxRiverjustsouth ofhistoricdowntownBatavia.With asandybeach,concessionstands, zero–depthentry,divingboards, andslides,yougetthebestofboth worlds:thefeelingthatyouare spendingadayatthelake,with theamenitiesofapublicpool.

Centennial beach, Naperville

Ashort,butworthwhile,drivefrom theFoxRiverValleytakesyouto CentennialBeachinNaperville. Anotherfamouswateringhole developedonanoldquarrysite. CentennialBeachisaniconic summerdestinationinthe Chicagolandarea.Situatedrightin theheartofvibrantdowntown Naperville,Centennialbeachoffers visitorsasandyarea,sand volleyballcourts,alargeshallow waterpool,andadeeppoolarea completewithahighdiveanda divingplatform.Adventurerscan meandertoanadjacentbodyof waterknownas"thequarry"and rentkayaks,paddleboards,and paddleboats.

Raging Waves, Yorkville

TheFoxRiverValleyishometo RagingWaves,Illinois'largest waterparkfeaturing32slides,a lazyriverandwavepool,43private cabanas,and11differentdining options.Openedin2008,Raging Wavescontinuestoexpandand attractvisitorsfromalloverthe region.

Civic Center, Oswego

Oneofourfamily'spersonal favoritewateringholes,this aquaticcenterisgreatforfamilies withyoungchildrenofferinga playground,sandplayarea,kiddie slides,andplayfountains.Bigkids willlovetheflumeanddropslides.

Fox Valley Splash Country, Aurora

RunbytheFoxValleyParkDistrict andco-ownedbythecityof Aurora,SplashCountry,isavery family-friendlyaquaticcenter featuringazero-depthpoolwith children'splayfeatures,Illinois' secondlongestlazyriver,asand playarea,andsandvolleyball courts.Onenicefeatureisthat outsidefoodandbeverageis allowedatthispark.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

ice cream spots

NothingsaysMidwestsummerquitelikeafamilytriptoalocalice creamshop.TheFoxRiverValleyishometosomeofthebestyoucan find.

Anewadditiontothedowntown Aurorarenaissance,Charlie's Creamery,offersanartisantwist onicecream,servingup homemadeflavorswithanodeto Aurora'srichhistory.Onecool featureofCharlie'sistherotating varietyofflavors,includinga themedflavortomatchthe currentproductionofthe BroadwaySeriesatthe neighboringParamountTheater.

Apersonalfavoriteofourfamily, BataviaCreameryoffersawide varietyofflavors,offeringover40 flavorsdailyandrotating betweenover150flavorsinall. Followthemonsocialmediato stayuptodateonyourfavorite flavors!

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Charlie’s Creamery, Downtown Aurora

Batavia Creamery, Batavia

Cookie Dough Creations, Naperville

VenturejustofftheFoxRiverValleyPathintoNapervilleforanincredibly uniqueicecreamexperienceatCookieDoughCreations.Asthename states,theirnicheishand-mixedcookiedoughservedcold.Pairitwitha scoopoficecreamoreatitonitsownforacoolanduniquetreat!

Foxy's, Yorkville

Astapleicecreamstand,butwhatmakesFoxy'sstandoutisitslocation. GrabyourfavoritetreatandeatitattheparkontheFoxRiver,andtakein natureortheadventurersnavigatingthewhitewatercourseontheirkayaks.

Banana Split, Aurora

Quintessential,old-schoolicecreamstandontheeastsideofAuroranextto GarfieldPark.Theyofferthreestaplesoft-serveflavors:vanilla,chocolate,and strawberry!Truetoitsname,itsbananasplitisoneofthebestyouwilleverhave.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

municipal festivals & celebrations

TheFoxRiverValleyishometomany annualfestivalsputonbythelocalcities. Hereisalistofsomeofthebest.

First Fridays in Aurora

OnthefirstFridayofeverymonth,exceptfor JanuaryandJuly,thecityofAuroraputsits downtownrenaissanceonfulldisplay.First Fridaysisanightofart,fun,music,dance,and communityatlocalbusinessesandvenuesin downtownAuroraonthefirstFridayevening ofthemonth.WeloveFirstFridays!

Prairie Fest in Oswego

HostedbytheOswegolandParkDistrict, PrairieFestisanannualfour-dayfestivalthat kicksoffthebeginningofsummereachyear inOswego.Thefestfeaturesahostof activitiesincludingacarnival,concertseries, vendorexpo,parade,5k,andDogJog.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Sandwich Fair

Theysavethebestforthelastofthe fairseason.Takingplaceannuallyon theweekendafterLaborDayatthe DekalbCountyFairgrounds,the SandwichFairhasbeeninoperation since1888.TheSandwichFairattracts largecrowdsfromallovertheregion andoftenattractsmajormusical headliners.Ifyoufindyourselfatthe SandwichFair,doyourselfafavorand makeyourwayoverto5B’stentfora porkchopdinnerandthankmelater!

Sugar Grove Corn Boil

Heldannuallyonthelastweekendof July,theSugarGroveCornBoilisa stapleintheregion'sfestivalschedule. Enjoylivemusic,carnival,carshows, andsomeoftheripestsweetcornyou canimagine.

Swedish Days Geneva

Startedbythechamberofcommerce ofGenevatopromotepost-WorldWar 2commerce,SwedishDaystakes placeinmid-Juneeachyearto celebratethebeginningofsummer. Thenamecomesfromthefactthat manyofthearea'ssettlerswereof Swedishdescent SwedishDaysis oftenreferredtoasthe"granddaddy ofallIllinoisfestivals".

KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

fARMERS MARKETS

aurora farmers market

RunningonSaturdaysfromJune throughOctoberinWaterStreet Square.TheAuroraFamers Marketfeaturesfresh,locally grownfruitsandvegetables, decadentbakedgoodsand pastryitems,aselectionoflocal foodtrucksandvendors, deliciouscoffee,one-of-a-kind artisanitems,andmore!

oswego country market

ShoplocalonSundays(JuneSeptember)withplentyof choicestobuyfreshproduce, meats,eggs,artisancheeses, specialtyfoodslikebakedgoods &honey,andhandmadeitemsin theoutdoor,open-airmarket.The markettakesplaceatthe OswegolandParkDistrictonMain Street.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

zoos & animals

WhilemanypeoplethinktheyneedtodriveintoBrookfieldandLincoln ParktogettheChicagolandZooexperience,Iamheretotellyou aboutthreelocalanimal-themedattractionsyourfamilywilllove.

Cosley Zoo, Wheaton

LocatedashortdrivefromtheFoxRiverValleyinWheatonisCosley Zoo.ManagedandoperatedbytheWheatonParkDistrict,CosleyZoo beganoperationinthemid-1970's.IttrulydeservesthenameZoo, havingbeenaccreditedbytheAssociationofZoosandAquariums (AZA)andhometoover50speciesand200animals.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora

Locatedintheheartoficonic PhillipsParkontheEastsideof Aurora,isthePhillipsParkZoo. ThePhillipsParkZoohasarich traditiondatingallthewayback to1916.Awidearrayofbirds, mammals,andreptiles.The reptilehouseisalocalfavorite andahitwithkids.

Blackberry Farm, Aurora

LocatedonAurora'sfarwest side,acrossfromSplashCountry Waterpark,sitsBlackberryFarm, alocalfamilyfavorite.

BlackberryFarmisaliving historymuseumcelebrating earlysettlersandpioneersinthe region.Thereisfunforallwith plentyofchildren'sactivities fromacarousel,totrainand ponyrides.Adultswillenjoythe antiqueandliveexhibits.

BlackberryFarmisagreatspot duringtheholidayswhenit transformsintoawinter wonderland.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

frisbee golf

Eagle Ridge Park, Oswego

ParkattheCivicCenterintheOswegolandParkDistrict.A nice,challenging18-holecoursewithacombinationofopen spaceandseveralholesthatweavethroughthewoods. Somechangeinelevationalsomakesthiscourseattractive.

Knoch Knolls Park, Naperville

TheDisccourseatKnochKnollsisattachedtooneofthe mostscenicparksinthearea,nestledalongtheDuPage River.Averypopulardiscgolfcourseifyouarelookingto meetupwithotherenthusiasts.

Jericho Lake, Montgomery

PartofthesprawlingStuartSportsComplexmaintainedby theFoxRiverParkDistrict,JerichoLakeoffersoneofthebest discgolfcoursesinthevalley.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

biking

TheFoxRiverValleyisbuiltforbikerswithmilesandmilesofwell-maintained, inter-connectedtrailsystems.

Gilman Trail

Anawesomepavedtrail,12.2milesin totalthatextendsfromtheeastsideof AuroraallthewaytoWaubonsee CommunityCollegeinSugarGrove

Fox River Trail

TheFoxRiverTrailoffersanamazing 44.6-milescenicbikeridealongtheFox Riverthatyoucantakeallthewayfrom OswegotoAlgonquin.Somany amazingnaturecentersandvibrant downtownsarenestledalongthetrail youcanmakeanentiredayoutof spottingnestingbaldeaglesand stoppingforagreatbitetoeator coffee

Prairie Path Trail

ThePrairiePathrailsystemincludes3 branches;main,AuroraandElginwith twospursinGenevaandBataviathat allowcyclingenthusiaststoexplorea vastridethroughouttheChicagoland region.Oneofthewonderfulthings aboutthePrairiePathisthatitlinksup withtheGilmanandFoxRiverTrails allowinglocalriderstoexploreavast arrayoftheFoxRiverValley.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

hiking

ThescenicFoxRiverValleyistheperfectgeographyformanystate andmunicipalparksandforestpreservesofferingyousomeamazing hikesinnature.

Silver Springs State Park, Plano

LocatedinPlanoalongtheFoxRiverValley,SilverSpringsStateParkis runbytheIllinoisDepartmentofNaturalResourcesandoffers activitiesforalloutdooradventurers.Hiking,boating,fishing,and huntingareallavailableatSilverSpringsStatePark Theparkoffersa scenicfour-milehikingtrailthatisarguablythebestintheregion.For horselovers,a7-mileequestriantrailawaits.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Saw Wee Kee Park, Oswego

ManagedbytheOswegoland ParkDistrict,SawWeeKeePark isalocalhiddengem,asits locationistuckedbackalong theFoxRiverattheendofa residentialstreet.Aparkonthe FoxRiverprovidesascenicspot forapicnicortodropincanoes orKayaksontheriver.SawWee KeeParkisalsooneof Chicagoland'sfewplacesfor mountainbiking.Tuckedalong oldstripmines,thetrailsmake upatight,technical,and challengingrideforeventhe mostexperiencedmountain bikers.

Red Oak Nature Center, North Aurora

Oneofourfamilyfavoritesfora hikeistheRedOakNature CenterinNorthAurora.Nestled ontheeastbankoftheFoxRiver RedOakNatureCenteristhe region’spremierfacilityfor natureandconservation education.Surroundedbymore than40acresoflushforestand wildlifehabitat,thenature centeristheidealdestinationfor anyonewithadesiretodiscover moreaboutthegreatoutdoors.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Entertainment

ThehistoricParamountArts CenterindowntownAurorais locatedatthecenterofallthe action.TheirBroadwaylevel talentisonfulldisplayduringthe fourBroadwaySeriesshows performedeachyear.Becomea subscriberandgetfourshowsfor thepriceoftwo.Thewintershow istypicallyfamilyfriendlyand makesforniceChristmasgifts.

Kane County Cougars, geneva

Thislocalminorleaguebaseball teamplaysatNorthwestern MedicineFieldinGeneva,IL.

SummerFunneverfallsshort whenattendingaCougars game.Fireworksarecommonon FridayandSaturdaynight.Kids ofallagescanrunthebases afterthegame.Foodanddrink specialsaswellasthemenights happeneveryweek.

Paramount Arts Center, aurora

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

River Edge Park

LocatedacrossBroadwayfrom WalterPayton’sRoundhouseand thetransportationcenteris Aurora’sRiverEdgePark.This sprawlingparkisan amphitheatervenuethatcan seatover8,000guests.Itisthe homeofBluesFestandinrecent yearshashostedartists:Willie Nelson,Alabama,Kansas,Bob Seger,SammyHagar,REO Speedwagon,andGladysKnight.

Mini-Golf

SugarGroveFamilyFun

Center,SugarGrove

Funway,Batavia

SportsZone,Aurora

StoneCreekMiniatureGolf, Geneva

KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

pumpkin patches

Avisittoapumpkinpatchisquintessential Midwestlivinginthefallaspumpkinsand cornarereadytoharvest.TheFoxRiverValley offerssomeamazingpumpkinfarmsfullof familyfun.Hereisalistofourfavorites.

Abbey Farms, North Aurora

KnownasPumpkinDazeatAbbeyFarms,this isoneofourfamily'sfavoritespots.Thefarm hasbeeninexistencesincethe1940sandis ownedbytheMarmionAbbeyandsits adjacenttoMarmionAcademy.AbbeyFarms offersahostoffamily-friendlyactivitiesthey call"scream-freefun".Youwillgetthevibeof anoldcountyfair.Makesuretocheckoutthe humanhamsterraceandtheziplines!

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Woody’s orchard, Plano

Woody'sOrchardinPlanoisone ofthenewerpumpkinpatches onthesceneandisagreat additiontotheFoxRiverValley.A beautifulparcelofproperty, Woody'sislinedwithbeautiful evergreentreesandfeaturesan impressiveappleorchard.When it'stimeforfun,Woody'shasall thestaples:ziplines, playgrounds,jumppad,hay mazeandmuchmore.

Kuiper’s, Maple Park

Oneofthelargestpumpkin patchesintheregion,Kuiper's,is afallplaygroundfortheentire family.Kuiper'sishometo arguablythebestappleorchard intheregionandoffersawide varietyofdeliciousapples throughouttheseason.Allkinds offamilyfunawait,butifyouare upforathrillmakesuretocheck outthemountainslide.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

sledding hills

Whilethemidwesterngeographydoesnotalwayslenditselftowinter activities,whensnowdoescometotheFoxRiverValleyyoucanfind hoursoffamilyfunonafewlocalsleddinghills.Hereisalistofour favorites.

Harris Forest Preserve, Yorkville

Oneofthebestsleddinghillsin theFoxRiverValleyisatHarris

ForestPreserve,locatedjustoff Route71adjacenttotheKendall CountyFairgrounds.

Phillips Park, aurora

HistoricPhillipsParkontheEast SideofAuroraoffersoneofthe mostpopularsledhillsinthe region.Thehillislocatedsouth ofthezooandRayMosesDrive andtothenorthoftheaquatic center.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

Oakhurst Forest Preserve, aurora

Anotherawesomesleddinghillon theeastsideofAuroracanbe foundatOakhurstForestPreserve. Enteroff5thavenueandmake yourwaynorthtotheparkinglot. Afunridebuttakecaution,when icyitcangetveryquick,takeit frompersonalexperience!

Centennial Park

Locatedintheheartofdowntown NapervilleatCentennialparkisa verypopularsledhilllocation.The charmofthisparticularspotis thesetting,overlookingtheiconic millenniumtower.

christmas lights

ExploringChristmaslightsisanannualholidaytraditionofourfamily, andtheFoxRiverValleyoffersafewcannotmissexhibits.Hereareour favorites:

Phillips Park, aurora

SponsoredbytheAuroraRotary,PhillipsParkbecomesadrivethroughwinterwonderlandeveryholidayseason.Thescenicparkand coordinatedmusicaddtotheambiance.Entranceisfreebut donationsareaccepted.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

aperville Trolley oliday of Lights Tour

onicNapervilleTrolleyofferstwolights ursofhomesthroughoutNaperville.There anorthtourandasouthtour.Thesouth urpicksupanddropsoffatAurelio’sPizza akingforagreatholidayfamilynight.If uareonabudget,werecommendalso akingyourowntourofhomes,here’san wesomemapdirectoryforyou.

LaSalle Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park

Ifyouarelookingforanightlongadventure.Takethehourdrivewestonroute71 towardsStarvedRocktoLaSalle.Thecelebrationoflightsliterallytakes45 minutestotravelthewindingpathofChristmasLights.It’sthebig-papaversion ofAurora’sdisplayatPhillip’sPark.

PreviouslylocatedinElburn,theyhave relocatedtheshowtoGilbertsPumpkin PatchinPingreeGrove.For15years,the Larsenfamilytransformedtheirhomeinto anabsolutespectacle.Theyrebuilta replicaoftheirhomein2023.Nationally recognizedonABC’sChristmasLightFight, thissynchronizedlightandmusicshow nevergetsold.Ticketsarerequired.

Larsen Light Show, Pingree Grove

2 honorable mentions outside of fox valley

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

ice skating

All seasons Ice rink

AllSeasonsIceRinklocatedonNorthAuroraRoadinNapervilleisanarea stapleandavailableforiceskatingyear-round.Hometoalotoflocalhockey clubsandcompetitivefigureskating,thereisalwaysenergyintheair.

Reservedhoursforopenskatingareavailableeachday

Fox Valley Ice Arena

LocatedonKirkRoadinGeneva,nextto theKaneCountyCougarsbaseball stadium,FoxValleyIceArenafeatures twolargerinks,onethatisregulation NHLsizeandanotherthatisregulation Internationalsize.FoxValleyishometo manyicesportsorganizationsinthe areaandoffersavarietyof programmingincludingdailypublic openskatesandskatinglessons.

Centennial Park

Duringthewinter,ifyouarelookingfora greatoutdoorskate,checkout CentennialParkindowntownNaperville.

Youcanmakeadayoutofwinterfun astheiceskatingrinkislocatedright nexttothepopularsleddinghill. Afterwards,grabacupofhotchocolate atanyoftheamazingcoffeeshops nearby.IhighlyrecommendSparrowor Sweetwater.

RYAN KURTZ, JOHN GREENE REALTOR

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST THE FOX RIVER VALLEY HAS TO OFFER

Ryan Kurtz john greene Realtor