Things to do & places to visit in Aurora, Colorado, 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.

Aurora city in Colorado, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 11:20.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Aurora Central Library (11 reviews)
- I love my library!
Spent 2-3 hours Libraries
I was stuck in a non-fiction rut, and decided to give the staff a chance by picking some of the fiction books they featured on the display as you walk in the door. I've found so many interesting books here, a great variety, and I feel like I've found some wonderful writers who I'll be following for years to come. Thank you, Central staff, for expanding my reading horizons! See more..
5.0 Bounce City (5 reviews)
- WHAT A FUN TIME
Monday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Rides & Activities • Playgrounds

Indoor Playground featuring 8 bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, ride on toys, a special toddler area and more. All day admission Parents & crawlers are always FREE. Our great open gated area allowes parents to keep eye on their little ones at all times. See more..
5.0 Pilothouse Brewing Company (4 reviews)
- A great local watering hole!
Monday: Breweries
They have a great beer selection! Prices are reasonable and the staff are very friendly. The place is very clean and relaxing. We always enjoy their pizzas. Highly recommended to our friends! See more..
5.0 Colorado Community Church (1 review)
- One of the best places to be.
Churches & Cathedrals
Even though we moved away from Aurora, I still consider CCC a home church. When I visit family, I go to CCC. During Covid, CCC was considered essential, because they are such an important help for the community. A wonderful church family.. See more..
5.0 Haykin Family Cider (1 review)
- Excellent Cider
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Haykin Family Cider is an award-winning small batch cidery located in Aurora, Colorado. With tiny bubbles, they produce a sparkling wine-like cider in a variety of sweetness levels. Elevating the apple like wineries treat grapes, Haykin Family Cider highlights the flavor and complexity of interesting and unique apples. See more..
5.0 Iliff Unique (1 review)
- Shop here when looking for a deal!
Spent 1-2 hours Flea & Street Markets
This thrift store is owned by the Goodwill industries, but they were allowed to keep their name. A large portion of their proceeds goes towards the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado, so you can feel good when shopping for your thrift store finds! My girls and I spent more than two hours there and came away with a large haul of spring/summer apparel. When I inquired about making a donation, I was told to pull up to the front doors and look for an employee in a bright green vest. When dropping off, you'll receive a tax-deductible receipt as well as a 30% off coupon. I had four bags to donate in the car, but was already checking out and explained that I'd drop off the donation right after checkout and asked if the cashier could give us the discount right away. We live five hours away from this store and she did it! That made this trip the best two hours and $50 spent in all of Denver! See more..
4.5 Cherry Creek State Park (521 reviews)
- The Cherry Creek Family Shooting Center is a Gem
Monday: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM State Parks

Part of Cherry Creek State Park, this recreation area offers miles of bike trails. See more..
4.5 Aurora Reservoir (153 reviews)
- Best reservoir in south Denver
Monday: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas

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. See more..
4.5 Southlands (134 reviews)
- What a nice place
Shopping Malls

Southlands is a wonderfully thought out center. Not crowded, lots of open space. Pleasant place to go. See more..
4.5 Stanley Marketplace (63 reviews)
- This is a fun place to be for shopping, eating and just vegging out.
Monday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Shopping Malls

A small group of neighbors turned an abandoned airplane manufacturing facility into a gigantic food hall and urban marketplace, a celebration of independently owned Colorado businesses and a community gathering place for neighbors near and far. Stanley includes places to eat and drink, shop, work out, a massive events venue, a hair salon and dental practice, and much more. Just 20 minutes from the Denver International Airport and downtown Denver. The marketplace is a great first or last stop for people traveling to or from Colorado. We host year-round events like Farmers Markets, live music, pop-up art experiences, yoga with rescue puppies and just about everything in between. See more..
4.5 Vintage Theatre (37 reviews)
- Outstanding Local Theater
Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

Vintage Theatre presents fantastic musicals and plays in Aurora, Colorado to thousands of patrons every year! A portfolio of our past productions and a list of what is currently playing can be found on our website. You'll often find photos, trailers, and behind-the-scenes looks at the productions Vintage Theatre offers! See more..
4.5 Plains Conservation Center (27 reviews)
- Fun, interesting and informative
Monday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

I am a kindergarten teacher and we take field trips to Plains Conservation at least twice a year. They have friendly and knowledgeable staff that seem to enjoy teaching the little ones. Inside one of the buildings they have some animals such as snakes, lizards, and turtles. They have different options such as wagon rides on the plains or exploring various items in a yert. You and see prairie dogs and they have teepees and sod houses. Sometimes they will show the children games pioneer or Native American children played. There are more options but you can probably call them for more information. See more..
4.5 The Colorado Freedom Memorial (25 reviews)
- Ya gotta check this out!
Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues

Went to pay respect to our military. Very informative,educational and peaceful. No fee charged to go here. See more..
4.5 Launch Pad Brewery (22 reviews)
- Friendly atmosphere. Delicious brews.
Monday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

A space themed micro brewery located in Aurora CO. We have 32 beers on tap that are brewed in house with our 5 bbl brew system. See more..
4.5 Great Plains Park (19 reviews)
- Family park, lots to do
Monday: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Parks

A really nice family park, in season has a water park, really nice playground equipment and hike/bike paths. See more..
4.5 The Aurora Fox (15 reviews)
- Great Little Theater
Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Theaters

Professional live theater in the heart of Aurora's Cultural Arts District. See more..
4.0 Aurora History Museum (53 reviews)
- Small museum
History Museums

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. See more..
4.0 12 Mile Stables (51 reviews)
- A fun family experience
Monday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Horseback Riding Tours

This was our first trip to 12 mile stables and decided to try them out when we had family visiting. We absolutely loved our experience and enjoyed talking to all 3 wranglers ... Brian, Kate and Ryan. They were all so outgoing and had a wealth of information to share. My 9 year old niece was the most experienced rider of our family group and she absolutely gave them all 5 stars. The horses were gentle and the trail and scenery were beautiful. Will definitely visit them again this summer. See more..
4.0 Arapahoe Park (40 reviews)
- Fun afternoon
Monday: Horse Tracks

Had a few extra hours to spend so we drove out to the horse races. While adults can gamble, it's also a fun family outing. Races ran about every 20 minutes. Nice indoor seating or outdoors by the action. $3 admittance fee ($2 seniors and under 17 are fee) is reasonable and parking was free. About 10-15 minutes out of Aurora. See more..
4.0 Movie Tavern (33 reviews)
- Decent pub grub and comfy seats
Spent 1-2 hours Theaters

This is our go-to place for movies because it is so close and we can do dinner at the same time. It's very laid back and they have some decent pub grub (fried pickles, burgers, nachos). The mixed drinks are good too. I have brought my family here from back east and they think its the best place to watch a movie, so every time they come out they say "can we go to that eat and movie place again?" Lol. For popular movies I would suggest purchasing your seats in advance as they sell out quickly. We find that its a lot easier and we don't have to worry about being all the way in the front! See more..
4.0 Quincy Reservoir (11 reviews)
- Quiet urban oasis
Bodies of Water

I love Quincy - it is so peaceful and the view of the Rockies with the lake in the forefront make for a lovely view. A great summer sunset view from my deck overlooking the lake. See more..
4.0 Horseshoe Park (8 reviews)
- Horseshoe Park...
Monday: 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Playgrounds

This is a great park for walking, biking or just relaxing. Don't forget to check out the prairie dogs. See more..
3.5 Spider Monkey Extreme Air Sports (6 reviews)
- So Fun!!
Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes • Playgrounds
My son who is 12 years old, loves this place. We go for birthday parties and just for fun. What a great way for kids to burn extra energy and get some exercise. See more..
3.5 Aurora Sports Park (2 reviews)
- Lacrosse Camp
Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes
My 8th grader did an Amy Patton Lax Camp for girls here this AM the fields are large, turf instead of grass with plenty of goals for both LAX and soccer players. Nice complex with clean bathrooms See more..
3.0 Central Recreation Center (4 reviews)
- LOUD!
Monday: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Sports Complexes
Poorly designed building failed to separate the very loud gymnasium from the rest of the center. As a result, this entire place is uncomfortably LOUD. Also, the walking/running track isn't sufficiently separated from the weight room. I've seen people blocking the track while lifting weights, and using the track as a vantage point to watch their friends play basketball, or just mindlessly wandering across the track. Additionally, the weight room is too small and there are too few exercise machines. Drive the extra distance and go to the Trails in Arapahoe County. Far superior facility. See more..
Summit Life Baptist Church (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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Church In Aurora (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals

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ICE! (0 review)
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Cultural Events

Don't miss all of the fun holiday events and activities offered at Gaylord Rockies Resort. There's no better way to celebrate the season than experiencing Christmas at Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, Colorado. See more..
Heirlooms Antique Mall (0 review)
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Antique Shops

We offer 14,000 sq. ft of shopping with over 65 dealers. we carry items ranging from vintage albums, oddities, depression glass to mantiques, and gems and minerals. See more..
CrossFit Barkada (0 review)
Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes
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