Town Square Closing Location Question

[NosferatuBGC]

I defeated the Henchmen at the Town Square and now I can close the location. My question is can I choose not to close the location and continue exploring, there is a 50% chance the villain is in this deck and not many cards so rather do that keep exploring than banish a card if possible. Please let me know if you have to close locations or if its a choice, thank you.

[glenn3e]

Henchmen: choice. Villain: no choice.

[NosferatuBGC]

Can I also cast spells before I explore? For example cast cure before I explore my current location?

[h4ppy]

Yes, you can play spells before you explore if they're not exploration/check related spells.

Try these timing docs for more info on what you can do when:

http://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/95118/turn-sequence-breakdown