Aurora travel guide
Aurora Tourism | Aurora Guide
You're Going to Love Aurora
Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city and home to the Rocky Mountain and Great Sand Dunes National Parks. If you love adventure, then Aurora's diverse outdoor recreation activities are waiting for you.
Get a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains nearby as you glide down the slopes of Aurora's various ski resorts.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Aurora
1. Plains Conservation Center
Hike six miles of prairie land and become immersed in raptors, pronghorn antelope, insects, snakes, and prairie dogs at this wildlife conservatory.
2. Aurora Symphony Orchestra
Follow Norman Gamboa as he conducts the Aurora Symphony Orchestra on several concerts, musical, and dance performances throughout the year.
3. Aurora History Museum
Visit the museum's two small galleries exhibiting documents, artifacts, art, and cultures of Aurora and Colorado's past.
4. Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch
Greet red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, western meadowlarks, and coyotes residing at the Star K Ranch, and learn about their habitats.
5. Aurora Reservoir
Scuba dive, kayak, or paddle board the waters of the Aurora Reservoir.
What to do in Aurora
1. Aurora Reservoir: Cool Off
Comprising over more than 31,600 feet of water, the Aurora Reservoir is simply the best place to be when summer heat starts baking the streets of town. Whether you're looking to swim, boat, windsurf or fish, there's room for you here. Over 800 surface acres of water allow for everyone to make use of this sparkling city resource. Bike and boat rentals are available from the office, and much of the lake is surrounded by parkland and walking and biking trails. It's a must for those travelling with children.
2. Morrison Nature Center: Get in Touch with Nature
Nestled in the heart of the pristine Star K Ranch, the Morrison Nature Center is a quaint little place where you and your family can learn all about Aurora's rich wild life. With an expansive library, interpretive exhibits, and even animal costumes and puppets, there's something at the center for everyone. The Star K Ranch on which the center is located houses dog-friendly trails, a wetland observation area and plenty of self-guided tour trails as well. Naturalists lead guided walks of the ranch on a regular basis. Join one and you might see mule deer, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and coyotes.
3. Aurora History Museum: Explore Aurora's Past
Aurora has a vibrant history all its own, and the History Museum is where you'll find it displayed. While small, the museum's collection includes artifacts from Colorado's 'wild west' days as well as stories about Aurora's founding. A cast of rotating exhibits livens up the offerings at this free museum. Of special notice for children will be the train car located on site.
4. Cherry Creek State Park: Get Outdoors
Cherry Creek offers an impressive list of attractions and amenities -- one that will surprise visitors expecting a typical park experience. Cherry Creek offers visitors the chance to fly model airplanes, ride horses or shoot a rifle at the family shooting range. If you bring a bike, you'll be treated to miles of biking trails on grassland surrounded by the mighty Rocky Mountains. Birders should note that this park is home to a variety of species including bald eagles, northern harriers and ferruginous hawks. Songbirds fill the air with their warbles in the springtime and waterfowl are plentiful as well.
5. Aurora Sports Park: Let's Play Ball!
If you're visiting Aurora as an athlete, chances are you've already heard of the Aurora Sports Park. This 220-acre site is home to 12 baseball fields and 27 soccer fields that can be converted to host football, rugby and lacrosse. It's a great place to come and play even if you don't play sports. Kids can expect four separate playgrounds and parents can look forward to seven picnic shelters and five concession areas. The park regularly hosts national events, so be sure to check the schedule while you're in town.
1. Aurora Reservoir: Cool Off
Comprising over more than 31,600 feet of water, the Aurora Reservoir is simply the best place to be when summer heat starts baking the streets of town. Whether you're looking to swim, boat, windsurf or fish, there's room for you here. Over 800 surface acres of water allow for everyone to make use of this sparkling city resource. Bike and boat rentals are available from the office, and much of the lake is surrounded by parkland and walking and biking trails. It's a must for those travelling with children.
2. Morrison Nature Center: Get in Touch with Nature
Nestled in the heart of the pristine Star K Ranch, the Morrison Nature Center is a quaint little place where you and your family can learn all about Aurora's rich wild life. With an expansive library, interpretive exhibits, and even animal costumes and puppets, there's something at the center for everyone. The Star K Ranch on which the center is located houses dog-friendly trails, a wetland observation area and plenty of self-guided tour trails as well. Naturalists lead guided walks of the ranch on a regular basis. Join one and you might see mule deer, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and coyotes.
3. Aurora History Museum: Explore Aurora's Past
Aurora has a vibrant history all its own, and the History Museum is where you'll find it displayed. While small, the museum's collection includes artifacts from Colorado's 'wild west' days as well as stories about Aurora's founding. A cast of rotating exhibits livens up the offerings at this free museum. Of special notice for children will be the train car located on site.
4. Cherry Creek State Park: Get Outdoors
Cherry Creek offers an impressive list of attractions and amenities -- one that will surprise visitors expecting a typical park experience. Cherry Creek offers visitors the chance to fly model airplanes, ride horses or shoot a rifle at the family shooting range. If you bring a bike, you'll be treated to miles of biking trails on grassland surrounded by the mighty Rocky Mountains. Birders should note that this park is home to a variety of species including bald eagles, northern harriers and ferruginous hawks. Songbirds fill the air with their warbles in the springtime and waterfowl are plentiful as well.
5. Aurora Sports Park: Let's Play Ball!
If you're visiting Aurora as an athlete, chances are you've already heard of the Aurora Sports Park. This 220-acre site is home to 12 baseball fields and 27 soccer fields that can be converted to host football, rugby and lacrosse. It's a great place to come and play even if you don't play sports. Kids can expect four separate playgrounds and parents can look forward to seven picnic shelters and five concession areas. The park regularly hosts national events, so be sure to check the schedule while you're in town.
Where to Eat in Aurora
Aurora's cuisine is influenced by a mixture of American, Mexican, and Greek cultures. Savor Sam's No. 3's famous chili rellenos and eggs for $9.99, or indulge in the splendor of a nightclub atmosphere at the Summit Steakhouse. Entrees start at $17.
When to visit Aurora
November to March is moderately cold and consistent year-round. However, March usually brings a foot of snow in Aurora making it the coldest peak season for skiing.
How to Get to Aurora
Plane
Take Frontier Airlines, United, or Southwest Airlines to Denver International Airport (DIA) and then drive to Aurora.
Train
Take the Amtrak California Zephyr line to the Denver (DEB) Bus Station and then drive to Aurora.
Car
From Denver, take I-25 and connect to the I-70 E., I-225 S., and the CO-30 and then exit towards your destination.
Bus
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver's Centerpoint and Sable Transfer Center has nine bus routes that take you to Aurora.
Airlines serving Aurora
Where to stay in Aurora
The conveniently located Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center is highly recommended. Amenities include free WiFi, refrigerator, and an outdoor pool. The Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast's amenities include a coffeemaker, hair dryers, and a fitness center.
Popular Neighborhoods in Aurora
Arapahoe Park - located in East Quincy Ave in Aurora, the Arapahoe Park is a horse-racing track that hosts thoroughbred, quarter horse, paint horse, and Arabian horse competitions.
Aurora Cultural Arts District - home to the Aurora Arts Festival, the Aurora Cultural Arts District is the cultural, artistic, and educational nexus that brings events, performances, and life to Aurora.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park - the Colorado Rapids soccer team has made Dick's Sporting Good Park their home since 2007. In the summer, the park is turned into a venue for farmers markets, live concerts, and community gatherings.
Where to stay in popular areas of Aurora
Most booked hotels in Aurora
How to Get Around Aurora
Public Transportation
The RTD operates 170 local, regional, and SkyRide bus routes serving thousands of bus stops, and connects to nine rail lines. Local one-way fares run at $2.60, regional $4.50, and $9.00 to the Denver International Airport.
Taxi
Union Taxi Cooperative and Yellow Cab Denver provide services from Denver to Aurora. Union Taxi Cooperative's tariff starts at $2.25, with $2.20 each additional mile.
Car
Enterprise's Aurora car rental serves four locations in or nearby Aurora. Rates start at $44.10 a day.
Best car rental deals in Aurora
Compact SUV
4 Adults, 2 Bags
$32/day
Intermediate SUV
5 Adults, 3 Bags
$34/day
The Cost of Living in Aurora
Shopping Streets
The Town Center at Aurora is an enclosed, two-level shopping mall with over 150 stores and restaurants. Southlands is another mall in Aurora that has shops, restaurants, local events, and an AMC movie theater.
Groceries and Other
Arash International Market sells a wide selection of products from all around the world. Europa Grocery carries a plethora of European cheeses, meats, chocolates, and dairy goods. A gallon of milk is $5, a dozen eggs runs $4.50, and a loaf of bread is $1.50.