Overview
Aurora is a city of about 400,000 of the Denver Metropolitan Area in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies immediately east of Denver in Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, and Elbert counties. In 2008 it was named the "All American City."
3 sights · 7 things to do · 5 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Aurora
Aurora Reservoir
A wide array of activities can be done here like fishing, sailing, non-motorized boating, windsurfing, a seasonal swim beach (Check website to see when open), SCUBA area, archery range, and large group picnic shelters, a…
Cherry Creek State Park
An 880-acre reservoir that offers a multitude of outdoor activities and unique activities such as horseback riding and a shooting range. You can also do boating, hiking, fishing, camping and biking. A sandy beach with ro…
Bally's Arapahoe Park Racetrack
Colorado's only venue for horse racing. Dress code is casual. Serves food that you would find at most places: hot dogs, hamburgers etc.
Aurora History Museum
The Aurora History Museum is a community-based cultural center featuring changing history and decorative arts exhibits with educational programs, tours, workshops and family events offered for all ages throughout the yea…
Plains Conservation Center
An outdoor education area with 1100 acres, it shows the natural wonder of the Prairie.
The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch
A 200-acre ranch and outdoor learning center.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 17°F. Wettest: May and Jul.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BJC Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Denver — 20 mi away. Directions
Renting
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Aurora Reservoir, Bally's Arapahoe Park Racetrack, Plains Conservation Center
- Lunch Rosie's Diner
- Afternoon The Aurora Fox, Quincy Reservoir
- Dinner Carrabba's Italian Grill
- Evening Sheabeen Irish Pub
Day 2
- Morning Aurora History Museum, Cherry Creek State Park, The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch
- Lunch Dating Yumy
- Afternoon Golfing, Aurora Skate Park
- Dinner Sushi Katsu
- Evening Stampede
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Aurora has many typical fast food joints including Wendy's, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell.
There's a number of restaurants serving the cheap and filling Vietnamese dish Pho throughout Aurora and the surrounding area. Each restaurant however tends to use different names for the dish.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Aurora originated in the 1880s as a town called Fletcher, taking its name from Denver businessman Donald Fletcher who founded the town. He and his partners staked out 4 sq mi east of Denver. He left two years later during the silver crash, leaving the community with a huge water debt. Inhabitants decided to rename their township Aurora in 1907. It has been growing ever since then and at one time was the fastest growing city in America.
- Aurora municipal website.
Get in
By car
Renting
With Aurora's considerable sprawl, car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors. Local companies tend to offer better prices, but national chains might be more convenient as far as return policies and hours.Rental companies include most major car rental chains
Weather conditions The colder weather months (November–February) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks. Also, pay strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies to avoid being towed away at the car owner's expense. During the winter months, a snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid is essential, and many natives opt to carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt/road salt in the trunk just in case.
By plane
By plane then you are coming from Denver International Airport which isn't too far away. Denver International Airport, (DEN). Commonly referred to as DIA. It is about 20 miles to the east of downtown Denver. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.
Get around
You can get around with local transit via RTD. The new light rail R line runs in a north-south direction and is a useful way of getting around. Aurora Metro Center Station, near the Aurora Mall, is the preferred station for changing between local buses and light rail.
See
Aurora has over a dozen historical sites to see ranging from historical farms, buildings and homes.
See Aurora History Museum
The Aurora History Museum is a community-based cultural center featuring changing history and decorative arts exhibits with educational programs, tours, workshops and family events offered for all ages throughout the year.
Do
Do Aurora Reservoir
A wide array of activities can be done here like fishing, sailing, non-motorized boating, windsurfing, a seasonal swim beach (Check website to see when open), SCUBA area, archery range, and large group picnic shelters, also has 8 miles of concrete trails around the reservoir.
Do Cherry Creek State Park
An 880-acre reservoir that offers a multitude of outdoor activities and unique activities such as horseback riding and a shooting range. You can also do boating, hiking, fishing, camping and biking. A sandy beach with roped-off swimming area and a bathhouse is open Memorial Day-Labor Day.
Do Quincy Reservoir
Do Aurora Skate Park
Events
- Fourth of July Spectacular
- KidSpree
Buy
Shop Southlands
Southlands is home to some of today's leading retailers and restaurants including Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek, Francesca's Collections, The Gap, J. Jill, McCabe's Irish Bistro & Pub, Ted's Montana Grill, Tilly's, Wine Experience Café and World Cellar Wine, Beer & Spirits and many more.
Eat
Aurora has many typical fast food joints including Wendy's, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell.
Budget
There's a number of restaurants serving the cheap and filling Vietnamese dish Pho throughout Aurora and the surrounding area. Each restaurant however tends to use different names for the dish.
Eat Rosie's Diner
The definition of a classic American diner.
Mid-range
Eat Carrabba's Italian Grill
Carrabba's serves fresh, flavorful Italian dishes prepared from the finest ingredients sourced from around the world.
Eat Sushi Katsu
This is an all-you-can-eat sushi joint that serves delicious sushi and other Japanese food. Its $26 per person at dinner time and at lunch its half that.
Eat Dating Yumy
A good place for wontons and soup dumplings.
Eat Seoul Korean BBQ & Sushi
Korean BBQ.
Splurge
Drink
Drink Las Adelitas Night Club
Helps if you like Spanish music.
Drink Stampede
A local country club where you can do line dancing. It's pretty large with a few bars inside. Also has a mesquite grill restaurant you can eat. Its ladies nights are known for drawing a huge crowd.
Drink Sheabeen Irish Pub
Has a few pool tables and electronic video games like Deer Hunter, also does karaoke on Sundays that is themed.
Drink U Time International Billiards And Sports Bar.
Has over a dozen pool tables, also has dart boards and foosball. Also does beer pong tournaments on Thursdays.
Sleep
Stay safe
As in any city, use common sense. Simply using caution and avoiding any situation in which you are uncomfortable will keep you out of trouble.
Climate
Aurora has all four seasons of weather. Remember that it is very near the Rocky Mountains and weather can change very quickly from starting out sunny to snowing within a few hours.
Spring usually comes around May. There is still a chance of snow but usually the snow won't stick because of temperature at that time of year.
Nearby
Denver
City / town · 177 listings · 9 mi away
Centennial
City / town · 13 listings · 9 mi away
Greenwood Village
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Englewood
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Littleton
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Thornton
City / town · 7 listings · 14 mi away
Arvada
City / town · 49 listings · 14 mi away
Highlands Ranch
City / town · 6 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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