The Aurora directory.

Elevated comfort food with global influence in a preserved 1800s building downtown — a brick-walled backyard, rooftop patio and a warm, stylish room.

Local pick: Rooftop patio on a summer night

A lively bar and grill at Yonge and Murray serving comfort food and crafted cocktails in the heart of Aurora, close to the shops.

Local pick: Crafted cocktails and comfort plates

The plazas at Bayview and Wellington serve the Bayview Wellington community with casual restaurants, cafés and takeout.

Local pick: Easy family dinners near home

The Yonge Street strip through the Highlands offers cafés, casual restaurants and takeout for the central Aurora communities.

Local pick: A bite on the Yonge strip

The Wellington East plazas serve the northeast communities with casual dining, cafés and takeout near the Stronach complex.

Local pick: Quick meals near the rec complex

The Bayview corridor plazas on the southeast side bring casual restaurants and cafés to the established east-side streets.

Local pick: A casual dinner on the east side

Aurora's historic downtown at Yonge and Wellington — a Heritage Conservation District of Victorian storefronts, independent boutiques, spas and restaurants.

Local pick: Boutiques in the heritage district

A large retail centre at Bayview and Wellington with grocery, big-box stores, dining and services for the Bayview communities.

Local pick: One-stop big-box shopping

The shops and services along north Yonge near Bloomington serve the Aurora Estates community and the rural edge.

Local pick: Errands near the estate streets

The Wellington East retail plazas bring grocery, pharmacy and big-box shopping to the northeast Aurora communities.

Local pick: Big-box and grocery in the northeast

The shops and services along north Yonge near St. Andrew's College serve the prestigious Hills of St. Andrew enclave.

Local pick: Everyday shops near the college

A York Region DSB public secondary school (since 1961) on Dunning Avenue, offering the International Baccalaureate program and strong academics.

Local pick: The town's IB high school

One of Aurora's two York Region DSB public high schools, serving the central communities with a broad academic and co-curricular program.

Local pick: A central public secondary

A York Catholic DSB secondary school (opened 2009) serving Aurora's Catholic families, grades 9 through 12.

Local pick: Aurora's Catholic secondary

A renowned independent day and boarding school for boys (grades 5–12) on a grand campus along north Yonge — the namesake of the Hills of St. Andrew.

Local pick: One of Canada's leading boys' schools

A York Region DSB JK–8 public elementary serving the Bayview Wellington community in east Aurora.

Local pick: A Bayview family catchment

A 65-acre conservation area on the east side — mature forest, trails along the Holland River branch, historic buildings and many sports fields.

Local pick: Forest trails and the sports fields

Aurora's flagship recreation complex on Wellington East — arenas, aquatics, a fitness centre and the adjacent Stronach arboretum and trails.

Local pick: Twin pads, pools and the arboretum

Aurora's arts centre in an 1886 heritage building (the former public school) — four galleries, a live music series, classes and family events.

Local pick: A gallery show and live music

The historic downtown park just east of Yonge — home to the Aurora Farmers' Market, the bandstand, festivals and concerts through the seasons.

Local pick: The Saturday farmers' market

A naturalized reserve on Aurora's edge — wetlands, meadows and forest with boardwalks and trails, a quiet refuge for birds and walkers.

Local pick: Boardwalks through the wetland

A community park and greenway on the former Highland Gate golf lands in west Aurora — trails, ponds and open green space among the estate streets.

Local pick: Trails on the former golf lands

The wooded greenways and Case Woodlot threading the Hills of St. Andrew — mature forest and quiet trails near St. Andrew's College.

Local pick: A shaded walk among the hills

The countryside at Aurora's edges — working farms, the Oak Ridges Moraine and quiet concession-road trails just beyond the subdivisions.

Local pick: A drive among the farms and moraine