From Vidler’s 5 & 10 to the Arts and Crafts movement, the early 1900s come to life along Main Street US 20A through East Aurora. With its charming small-town atmosphere, rich cultural offerings, and beautiful natural surroundings, East Aurora is a must-see destination located an hour and a half west of Rochester and just 10 minutes east of Orchard Park, home of the Buffalo Bills.
Fun fact, East Aurora has become a popular location for Hallmark holiday movies, with six films being filmed there. The charming historic town, picturesque Main Street, and beautiful countryside make it the perfect setting for these films. After visiting East Aurora, you can watch A Prince For Christmas, A Christmas in Vermont, Hope for Christmas, A Christmas Princess, A Royal Christmas Engagement, and A Royal Christmas on Ice and recognize the locations from your visit.
Plan Your Day Trip to East Aurora
Breakfast
Start your day at Elm Street Bakery, Charlie’s Diner, The Poked Yolk, or Taste Bistro & Coffee Bar.
Morning
Main Street in East Aurora, between Olean Street and Buffalo Road, boasts a variety of shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks. The Roycroft Campus and the Elbert Hubbard Museum provide insight into the successful Arts and Crafts movement community that once thrived here. The campus contains nine of the original 14 buildings, including the inn, chapel, and workshop buildings.
Turning down Riley Street, visitors can find the Fisher-Price Toy Store on Girard Avenue. The company, founded in 1930, is still headquartered in East Aurora.
The Millard Fillmore House on Shearer Avenue is also a must-see, as it is the only home in the country that a president built with his own hands.
Lunch
For a taste of local flavor, enjoy a meal at Bar-Bill Tavern, Kornerstone Café & Juice Bar, or Left Coast Taco.
Afternoon
Visit unique shops such as Beulah’s General Store, Fowler’s Chocolates, Four Honey Bees Cottage, Head Over Heels, and Vidler’s 5 & 10, a historic five-and-dime that has been in operation since 1953.
Sample some local brews at 42 North Brewing Company or Aurora Brew Works.
Afterward, catch a matinee at the Aurora Theatre and enjoy their delicious popcorn. Be sure to check out the extraordinary historic murals in the lobby.
Alternatively, drive one mile west of the village on Buffalo Road to explore the historic Knox Farm State Park. This park offers walking paths that wind through the former country estate of the Knox family. Visitors can explore woodlands and meadows while taking in the sights around the impressive residence, which features an abandoned swimming pool that has been reclaimed by nature.
Dinner
Treat yourself to a delicious meal at The Griffon Gastropub, 189 Burger, Rick’s on Main, or The Roycroft Inn, where you’ll find Arts and Crafts decor throughout the historic building. Save room for Rosie’s Handcrafted Ice Cream!
Signature Events
Borderland Music Festival
Mid-September
Get your tickets early for the popular grassroots music and arts festival at Knox Farm State Park.
Carolcade
Late December
Bring a thermos of hot cocoa and join nearly 2,000 singers on Main Street in front of Vidler’s 5 & 10.
Contact Information
42 North Brewing Company 25 Pine St., (716) 805-7500, 42northbrewing.com
189 Burger 189 Main St., (716) 652-8189, oneeightynine.com
Aurora Brew Works 191 Main St., (716) 652-2337
Aurora Theatre 673 Main St., (716) 652-1660, theauroratheatre.com
Bar-Bill Tavern 185 Main St., (716) 652-7959, barbill.com
Beulah’s General Store 726 Main St., (716) 714-9322, beulahsgeneralstore.com
Charlie’s Diner 510 Main St., (716) 655-0282, charliesdinerea.com
Elbert Hubbard Museum 363 Oakwood Ave., (716) 652-4735, roycrofter.com
Elm Street Bakery 72 Elm St., (716) 652-4720, elmstreetbakery.com
Fisher-Price Toy Store 636 Girard Ave., (716) 687-3300, fisherpricetoystore.com
Four Honey Bees Cottage 306 Main St., (716) 652-0292, fourhoneybeescottage.com
Fowler’s Chocolates 671 Main St., (716) 655-9915, fowlerschocolates.com
The Griffon Gastropub 634 Main St., (716) 714-9301, griffongastropub.com
Head Over Heels 662 Main St., (716) 655-1811
Knox Farm State Park 437 Buffalo Road, (716) 652-0786, friendsofknoxfarm.org
Kornerstone Café & Juice Bar 33 Elm St., (716) 687-8303, kornerstonecafe.com
Left Coast Taco 54 Elm St., (716) 805-7724, leftcoasttacoea.com
Millard Fillmore House 24 Shearer Ave., (716) 652-4735, aurorahistoricalsociety.com
The Poked Yolk 227 Main St., (716) 902-9655, thepokedyolk.com
Rick’s on Main 687 E. Main St., (716) 652-1253, ricksonmain.com
Rosie’s Handcrafted Ice Cream 431 Main St., (716) 805-7322, havearosieday.com
Roycroft Campus 31 S. Grove St., (716) 655-0261, roycroftcampuscorporation.com
Roycroft Inn 40 S. Grove St., (716) 652-5552, roycroftinn.com
Taste Bistro & Coffee Bar 634 Main St., (716) 655-1874, thetastebistro.com
Vidler’s 5 & 10 676 Main St., (716) 652-0481, vidlers5and10.com
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What are your favorite things to do on a day trip to East Aurora?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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Enjoy the Journey Together!
Will enough be open in February or March to schedule a get away weekend to East Aurora?
Deborah, my apologies for not having responded to your question sooner. Yes, most things are open now, possibly with modified scheduled. Did you end up planning and taking a trip to East Aurora?