My Wee College Town: Aurora, NY

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Aurora. The leaves are changing and the days tend to be fairly warm. The Aurora Inn is a beautiful establishment that was restored and re-opened in 2003 by The Aurora Foundation (a partnership organization between Wells College and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, Pleasant Rowland is author of the American Girl series and graduated from Wells in 1962). The Aurora Foundation is dedicated to revitalizing Aurora, but some feel that the Aurora Foundation and Pleasant Rowland are a bit out of touch as far as the history of Aurora goes, and you will see many "Keep Aurora Weird" bumper stickers. Either way, the town is a gem and a great place to visit.

Quick Tips:

Pick up area newspapers and ask around for ideas of the best things to do. Try touring a local winery, exploring the nearby city of Ithaca, eating at the Aurora Inn, or taking a scenic drive.

Best Way To Get Around:

You'll need a car to get around. Parking in Aurora is no problem, so you'll be able to park once you get here and then walk around the town. There is not much in the town, so you'll want to drive into surrounding areas if you are planning a long trip.

Dorie's is a cute little ice-cream shop, cafe, and bakery. Dorie's is open for breakfast and lunch, serving both eggs and sweets at breakfast and sandwiches, soups, salad, and a hot special at lunch. The chili is highly recommended. Also, be sure to try dessert at Dorie's. All their cakes, pies, and cookies are homemade, and there is also a variety of ice-cream flavors available.