| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Sample the Local Craft Beer Scene | Explore over 10 breweries and taprooms to enjoy craft beers in Aurora. |
| Explore the Outdoors | Hike in Aurora’s parks and trails, including Cherry Creek State Park and Sand Creek Regional Greenway. |
| Tour Historic Places | Visit well-preserved historic sites like the 1858 Four Mile House mansion and the High Line Canal. |
| Try Ax Throwing | Experience ax throwing at Bad Axe Throwing for an adventurous challenge. |
| See Exotic Wildlife | Discover a diverse range of animals at the Denver Zoo in City Park. |
| Tour a Historic Battlefield Site | Learn about the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and its history. |
| See a Show | Enjoy theater and music performances in Aurora’s theaters and arts centers. |
| Shop Upscale Outlets | Shop for bargains and international cuisine at Colorado Mills mall. |
| Play Disc Golf | Play disc golf in Aurora’s courses, including Utah Park and Saddle Rock course. |
| Tour a Buddhist Temple | Visit the Shambhala Mountain Center for cultural understanding and tranquility. |
| Catch a Ballgame | Attend Grandview High School Wolves games for exciting sports action. |
| Dine Al Fresco | Savor a variety of cuisines at outdoor dining spots in downtown Aurora. |
Sample the Local Craft Beer Scene
Name and Location: Local Craft Breweries, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Craft breweries have surged in popularity, offering unique and flavorful beers that showcase local creativity.
What to Expect: Tasting rooms with a wide range of craft beers, from IPAs to stouts, often with food pairings and brewery tours.
Visitor Information: Check individual brewery websites for locations, hours, and tour availability.
The craft beer scene is booming in Aurora, with over 10 breweries and taprooms to choose from. Head to Dry Dock Brewing Company, one of the most popular, for a flight to sample a range of their refreshing IPAs, robust porters and everything in between. Aurora Brew Works is another must-visit, located in a converted 1920s firehouse with a family-friendly taproom and large outdoor patio. Don’t skip Comrade Brewing Company either, which whips up creative concoctions like a Superpower IPA with hints of mango and guava. With so many high-quality options on tap around town, you’ll want to designate a driver for checking out multiple spots.
Explore the Outdoors
Name and Location: Outdoor Recreation Areas, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Natural beauty and outdoor activities have been a source of relaxation and adventure for generations.
What to Expect: Hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife watching in parks, forests, and nature preserves.
Visitor Information: Check local park websites for trail maps, hours, and admission fees if applicable.
Lace up your hiking boots and get outside to enjoy Aurora’s wealth of parks and trails. Circumnavigate the scenic 655-acre Cherry Creek State Park via the 8-mile Mary Carter Greenway, crossing wetlands and forests teeming with wildlife. For peaceful prairie panoramas, connect to the 60-mile Sand Creek Regional Greenway winding northeast through plains dotted with wildflowers. Or rise with the morning sun and attempt to spot balloons sailing silently above the wide-open spaces of Aurora Hills Natural Area. When you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the parks before hitting the trails again.
Tour Historic Places
Name and Location: Historic Sites, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Preserving the past, historic sites offer a glimpse into the history, culture, and architecture of a region.
What to Expect: Guided tours or self-guided exploration of landmarks, museums, and buildings with historical significance.
Visitor Information: Check opening hours, admission fees, and tour schedules on respective historic site websites.
Discover Aurora’s frontier foundations with a trip back in time to some of its best preserved historic sites. Costumed guides at the 1858 Four Mile House mansion provide unique insights into upper-crust living during the city’s early days. Or step inside the tiny 1889 Plains conservation area, showcasing what life was like for working-class families with its rustic log cabins and artifacts. Also worth a visit is the two-century old High Line Canal, hand-dug by settlers and still channeling water today. On weekends, join free walking tours to uncover the canal’s heritage while strolling or pedaling along smooth dirt pathways shaded by cottonwood trees.
Try Ax Throwing
Name and Location: Ax Throwing Venues, Various Locations.
History and Significance: A modern recreational activity, ax throwing has gained popularity as a fun and competitive pastime.
What to Expect: Professional instructors, safety guidelines, and a thrilling experience of throwing axes at targets.
Visitor Information: Reservations are often required. Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes.
Embrace Aurora’s adventurous spirit by learning the fast-growing sport of ax throwing at Bad Axe Throwing. Their expert “axperts” teach beginners correct technique and safety before you try sinking sharp blades into wooden targets. Test your skills in challenge games that pit you against opponents in feats of accuracy. Adrenaline pumping and confidence up, move on to more advanced throws like the 360 or behind-the-back. Groups can even register for tournament time slots to compete for bragging rights across 15 themed axe-throwing lanes. It offers an exciting change of pace from the typical bar scene to get together with friends.
See Exotic Wildlife
Name and Location: Wildlife Sanctuaries and Zoos, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Zoos and sanctuaries play a vital role in conservation, education, and the preservation of endangered species.
What to Expect: Up-close encounters with exotic animals, educational exhibits, and wildlife conservation efforts.
Visitor Information: Check zoo or sanctuary websites for hours, ticket prices, and special animal encounters.
You don’t have to leave town to go on safari when Aurora is home to one of the country’s largest non-profit zoos. The Denver Zoo sits on 80 acres of City Park with over 700 species to encounter. Hop on the zoo’s train to cover ground seeing Amur tigers prowling their rocky habitat and mischievous monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Check feeding times to watch the playful otters or imposing Komodo dragons chow down. Can’t get enough of the cuddly baby sloths or curious meerkats? Interactive animal encounters provide memorable one-on-one meetings with these fan favorites under expert supervision. Cap off the day admiring the colorful flamingos just as the sunset paints the sky pink behind them.
Tour a Historic Battlefield Site
Name and Location: Historic Battlefield Sites, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Battlefield sites commemorate pivotal moments in history and honor the sacrifices made by soldiers.
What to Expect: Guided tours, interpretive exhibits, and a chance to learn about significant battles and their impact.
Visitor Information: Check the official website for battlefield sites for visitor details and tour availability.
Just eight miles east in neighboring Adams County lies the hallowed ground of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. On November 29, 1864, U.S. Army Colonel John Chivington led over 700 troops in a horrific and unprovoked attack on a Cheyenne and Arapaho village, killing over 230 Native Americans, mostly women, children and elderly. Self-guided trails today wind through the peaceful valley with interpretive signs recounting events as you walk the landscape unchanged in 150 years. Ranger and tribal-led programs also present diverse viewpoints along with healing and reconciliation. The profound history witnessed here forever shifted dynamics between settlers and tribes on the Great Plains.
See a Show
Name and Location: Local Theaters and Performing Arts Centers, Various Locations.
History and Significance: The performing arts have been a source of entertainment, culture, and storytelling throughout history.
What to Expect: Live performances including plays, musicals, concerts, and ballets in a variety of genres.
Visitor Information: Check theater websites for show schedules, ticket prices, and seating arrangements.
Aurora’s central location allows easy access to Denver’s exceptional performing arts. But fantastic theaters and talent also shine within the city’s own borders. The historic 1924 Aurora Fox theater spotlights diverse community productions, while up-and-coming Vintage Theatre Productions performs crowd-pleasing musicals in-the-round at their tiny space. Enjoy creations by the next generation of artists at the innovative Gathering Place teaching theater company. Music resonates from classical to rock at venues like the MLK Performing Arts Center or Breakers music hall. And Aurora’s First Fridays festival on the third Friday evening each month sets stages aglow with free live performances throughout downtown.
Shop Upscale Outlets
Name and Location: Upscale Outlet Malls, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Outlet malls offer discounted high-end fashion and luxury brands, attracting shoppers seeking bargains.
What to Expect: A wide range of upscale stores offering clothing, accessories, electronics, and more at reduced prices.
Visitor Information: Check mall websites for store listings, hours, and sales events.
Planning some retail therapy between adventures? Look no further than the nearby Colorado Mills mall. Sprawling over 1.5 million square feet with over 200 stores, the enormous outlet center combines serious savings with ample selections. Find everything from Nike footwear to Coach leather goods marked down 30-70%, alongside rare family-friendly amenities like a carousel and 19,000 gallon aquarium. Fuel up on international cuisine at Food Court Avenue with Chinese street snacks, sushi burritos or pasta fresh from the Olive Garden kiosk. Or for homegrown Colorado flavors, join the locals at CO+RE Kitchen boutique food hall overflowing with craft kombucha, arepas, doughnuts and more.
Play Disc Golf
Name and Location: Disc Golf Courses, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Disc golf is a popular outdoor sport that combines elements of golf and frisbee.
What to Expect: Courses with unique layouts, challenging holes, and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Visitor Information: Disc golf courses are often free to play and open to the public. Bring your own discs.
Dodge and weave through wooded corners, open meadows and rock formations playing Aurora’s disc golf courses. Free to use and easy to learn, all you need is a driver and putter disc to start aiming for the hanging basket targets scattered about each park. Utah Park delivers elevation changes and long fairways suited for beginners and casual matches. Master the technical Saddle Rock course winding along Bear Creek with the dramatic Flatirons as a backdrop. Or reserve a spot in the doubles league at City Park’s John C Otero Memorial course, regularly tagged one of the best free disc golf tracks in the country. You can bring your own discs or borrow from the parks department if new to flinging.
Tour a Buddhist Temple
Name and Location: Buddhist Temples, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Buddhist temples are places of worship, meditation, and cultural significance.
What to Expect: Visits to temples where you can learn about Buddhist traditions, meditation, and architecture.
Visitor Information: Check temple websites for visitor hours, guidelines, and any special events or ceremonies.
Find inner peace while expanding your cultural understanding with a visit to Colorado’s oldest Buddhist center. Nestled between Aurora neighborhoods since 1979, the Shambhala Mountain Center welcomes visitors to tranquil grounds dotted with shrines, prayer flags and the intimate Great Stupa of Dharmakaya. Daily guided tours provide a primer on Tibetan Buddhist teachings and symbolism around this ornate structure consecrated by the Dalai Lama himself. Guests can reflect while strolling past stone carvings depicting important moments in Buddha’s life on the beautifully landscaped terrain. Stay for lunch at the Garden Cafe & Bar serving healthy fare with Asian flavors after your calming tour.
Catch a Ballgame
Name and Location: Sports Stadiums, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Sports stadiums are venues for thrilling games, uniting fans in the spirit of competition.
What to Expect: Exciting sports events, including baseball, football, soccer, and more, with enthusiastic crowds.
Visitor Information: Check the official team or stadium websites for game schedules, ticket prices, and stadium rules.
Root, root for Aurora’s home team at a Grandview High School Wolves game. Their stadium topped 5280’s list as Colorado’s best high school facility for enjoying the always exciting Friday Night Lights football atmosphere. The intimate venue means every seat stays close to game action and passionate local spirit on the field. Can’t make it for varsity pigskin? Attend a Saturday varsity baseball matchup or weeknight soccer match to cheer the Wolves across sports seasons. Just remember to wear purple and proudly join fellow community members of all ages supporting talented local student-athletes striving for competitive excellence.
Dine Al Fresco
Name and Location: Al Fresco Dining Restaurants, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Al Fresco dining, dining outdoors, is a timeless and enjoyable way to savor meals in pleasant weather.
What to Expect: Outdoor dining options, from cafes to upscale restaurants, with scenic views and fresh air.
Visitor Information: Check restaurant websites for outdoor seating availability and reservation options.
Linger at a sidewalk table soaking up sunshine and people-watching during a lazy weekend brunch or casual evening out in downtown Aurora. Usher in your day feasting on stuffed French toast drizzled with caramel sauce and maple pecan butter at cozy Little Speedy’s Café. Hang out after dark sipping award-winning margaritas with smoky carne asada tacos at family-owned Colorado’s Best Tamales. Every cuisine craving can be satisfied al fresco from Mediterranean mezze platters at Deno’s to Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches stuffed with savory lemongrass meatballs at Saigon Landing. Don’t forget dessert – the über chocolatey brownies with Reece’s peanut butter cups baked fresh at Sweet Little Things warrant a repeat visit.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Name and Location: Natural Parks and Scenic Areas, Various Locations.
History and Significance: Exploring the great outdoors allows individuals to connect with nature and find solace in its beauty.
What to Expect: Breathtaking landscapes, hiking trails, camping opportunities, and the chance to appreciate nature’s wonders.
Visitor Information: Check park websites for trail maps, camping details, and park hours.
Aurora offers abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation across its collection of lovely parks, nature preserves and vast open spaces. Set off from popular Cherokee Trail, High Line Canal, Sand Creek or Toll Gate Creek regional trails winding past prairie grasses and winding rivers. Or ascend into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where the scenic Alderfer/Three Sisters Park contains epic views along with adventures via zip line canopy tours and 15 miles of multi-use paths traversing evergreen forests. When you work up a thirst, numerous local craft breweries like Launch Pad Brewery feature expansive patios perfect for kicking back after a day spent active outdoors around Aurora.