Location: Aurora
Top Things to do in Aurora
Top 10 Things to do in Aurora, United States
Although its highly residential quality and proximity to Denver make Aurora seem like simply a suburb of the larger metropolis, this bustling city has a flavor all its own. With seven golf courses, a reservoir beach, hiking trails and a multi-use Sports Park, the city is a major hub of athletics and hometown to numerous pro football, basketball, hockey and soccer players and coaches. Aurora's emerging arts scene brings forth vibrant theater and visual arts to liven up the city.
Restaurants in Aurora
1. Cherry Creek State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 417 reviews
Part of Cherry Creek State Park, this recreation area offers miles of bike trails.
Reviewed By Jochmarq - Englewod
I love Cherry Creek State Park. I live nearby so visit several times a week. I look for wildlife and birds as I am a photographer. I have enjoyed photographing many birds including eagles, owls, woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, ducks, geese, pelicans, kestrels, and many others. I also see coyotes, deer, prairie dogs, and other animals often. There are a number of trails for short or longer hikes. Many bikers enjoy the park on the weekends. You can ski, fish, swim, hike, bike, picnic, and camp. I feel very fortunate to live just minutes from such a lovely place even though I am in a big city.
2. Southlands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By alash1 - Aurora, Colorado
When you first drive in you don’t realize just how big the area for shopping is. They have everything kind of restaurant you could ask for. They have every type of shopping you could want. Just go there once and you’ll keep coming back. Explore all the connected shopping areas as well.
3. Aurora Reservoir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
With over 800 acres of water surface, Aurora Reservoir is one of the city's largest park and open space sites. Named by Westword as "The Best Park for Fishing" in 2012, the reservoir provides multi-use recreation and serves as a drinking water storage facility for Aurora.
Reviewed By 5280nikki - Denver, Colorado
We went here over Labor Day to have some time by the water as a family. We rented a paddleboard and kayaks and had a wonderful time at and affordable price. The downside was no concessions.
4. Aurora History Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 41 reviews
We are a free community-based history, arts, and cultural center featuring changing history, culture, and fine and decorative arts exhibits focusing on a wide variety of topics. Our new permanent exhibit, "Growing Home," featuring over 100 historic photos, a variety of great stories, and a fully restored 1913 trolley trailer (street car). We offer a number of educational programs, tours, teas, workshops, lectures, film series, and family events for all ages throughout the year. Our hands-on gallery is a great place for children & adults to learn through interaction and play. History reserachers are invited to make an appointment to search our historical archives for photos, documents, and materials covering local, regional, and state history. Something for Everyone! Our hours are Tues-Fri 9am to 4pm and Sat & Sun 11am to 4pm. Admission is FREE.
Reviewed By 1PalapasOnTheBeach - Illinois
Found this museum, which is directly next to a Police Memorial Wall, wall is in the back-outside. This museum is small. We had some time to spare before we headed to the airport and walked through in about thirty minutes. There is no charge to enter.
5. Denver Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Spanning more than 24 acres, Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street presents a wide range of gardens and collections that illustrate an ever-widening diversity of plants from all corners of the world. Distinctive gardens define and celebrate our Western identity and a unique high altitude climate and geography.
Reviewed By Laszlo P - Denver, Colorado, United States
This is one of our favorite weekend destinations in Denver. It's a beautifully kept, fascinating place with various types of gardens, fantastic flowers, tucked-away corners with benches, reflection pools, fountains, ponds, and a jaw-dropping tropical greenhouse. There are regular sculpture and art exhibits, concerts, a couple of great little restaurants, some great permanent exhibits. There is a children's garden that is fun for kids under 10, the gift shop has really nice things, and the annual plan sales are great.
6. Vintage Theater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Vintage Theatre Productions proudly presents comedy classics and daring dramatic theater pieces that challenge, entertain, and grow both our audience and artistic family alike.
Reviewed By John W - Denver, Colorado
Theater is quaint and small. But needs some funds for a rehab. It's in rough shape in some parts.
Theater volunteers and staff very friendly and welcoming.
Talent for the plays were top notch. Surprised some weren't in bigger venues. Due to the talent we will be back when a performance that hits our radar is on again.
7. Arapahoe Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Dudley S - Aurora, Colorado
An afternoon spent in air conditioned comfort in the elevator accessed, upper level adjacent to the finish line and overlooking the whole track with easy access to place your bets if you want to. Reasonably priced beverages and food served at your table by pleasant young ladies and at-table TV with coverage of each race including the option of watching races at other tracks. It is easy to venture down to the trackside to capture the close-up view of the straining horses, the sounds and the smells of racing as the horses thunder past, for a few seconds, if you want to.
This was a Saturday afternoon with a couple of better prized races and races every 20 minutes. We were advised by phone to get to the track an hour before the first race. We arrived 30 minutes early and had no problems with either parking, entry or seat/table selection and the distance from the parked car to gate is not excessive although people with walking difficulties can be dropped off at the entrance.
This facility has neither the notoriety of Churchill Downs nor the caliber of the mounts but I'll bet our comfort level, view of the races, ease of access and enjoyment level was every bit as good and at affordable prices.
We called ahead with questions for information. The young man answering the phone was personable, answered our questions competently and offered suggestions..
Be prepared for patience-challenging, stop and go traffic on leaving the parking lot at the end of the afternoon but once out on Quincy and heading west and once past the traffic lights at Gun Club Road, the traffic lightened up with immediate access on to the toll Interstate 470.
A very enjoyable afternoon for all of us who enjoy watching horse racing even though mostly on TV.
8. Denver Mountain Parks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By Sam S - Longmont, Colorado
The Denver Mountain parks include a variety of locations, though all within the mountains. I never let visitors to Colorado go without seeing Red Rocks Amphitheater. In addtiion to its one of a kind setting, it has fabulous views of the city of Denver.
9. Plains Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Mike P - Phoenix, Arizona
This is some beautiful open space trails for walking and watching for Raptors, Pronghorn Antelope that are not afraid of people, The prairie dogs give off their warnings as intruders get near. Some are comical but remain a distraction from watching for the raptors. The trails that go along the outer boundary of this open area is approximately 4.1 miles. The shortest trail is 0.3 mile in and 0.3 mile out. Bring your camera, plenty of water, sunscreen and good shoes.
10. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe.
Reviewed By Rachel G
This museum felt so comfortable and relaxing. We found something that interested everyone in our six-member group. The children's ages are 6, 11 and 13. The food court offers alternative options, with sustainable cutlery, a generous salad bar and lovely desserts. The coffee was great, too. I highly recommend you sent aside an entire day to visit this museum.
