From Vidler’s 5 & 10 to the legacy of the Roycroft movement, East Aurora embodies much of the character that shaped Western New York in the early 1900s. Located an hour and a half west of Rochester and about 10 minutes east of Orchard Park—home of the Buffalo Bills—the village features a walkable Main Street, historic landmarks, locally owned shops, and ties to both the Arts and Crafts movement and Fisher-Price.
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, is lined with shops, restaurants, and historic landmarks. The Roycroft Campus and the Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum offer insight into the Arts and Crafts community that once thrived here. The campus contains nine of the original 14 buildings, including the inn, chapel, print shop, furniture shop, and copper shop.
A short distance from Main Street, the Fisher-Price Toy Store on Girard Avenue reflects the company’s longstanding ties to East Aurora. Founded in 1930, Fisher-Price remains headquartered here.
The Millard Fillmore House on Shearer Avenue is the only known home built by a U.S. president.
Lunch
For a taste of local flavor, try a meal at Bar-Bill Tavern, Kornerstone Café & Juice Bar, or Left Coast Taco.
Afternoon
Browse shops including 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 operated since 1930.
Sample some local brews at 42 North Brewing Company or Aurora Brew Works.
Afterward, catch a matinee at the Aurora Theatre. 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 historic Knox Farm State Park. Walking paths wind through woodlands, meadows, and former estate grounds surrounding the residence, including a former swimming pool that has gradually been overtaken by vegetation.
Dinner
Dine at Griffon Gastropub, 189 Burger, Rick’s on Main, or The Roycroft Inn, where Arts and Crafts architecture and decor reflect the legacy of the Roycroft movement. Save room for Rosie’s Handcrafted Ice Cream!
Signature Events
Borderland Music Festival in mid-September brings three days of Americana, folk, indie rock, roots music, and visual arts to Knox Farm State Park.
Carolcade in late December brings nearly 2,000 singers together on Main Street in front of Vidler’s 5 & 10 for a community holiday sing-along.
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 Roycroft Museum 363 Oakwood Ave., (716) 652-5980, aurorahistoricalsociety.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
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, parks.ny.gov
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 Presidential Site 24 Shearer Ave., (716) 652-2621, 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
The 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 reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
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?
Will enough be open in February or March to schedule a get away weekend to East Aurora?