Top 27 Things To Do In Aurora, Colorado

things to do in aurora co
Anaanya
Anaanya 
Updated
| 11 min read

Aurora, the third-largest city in Colorado, is known for many things. It is known for its amazing food which every foodie will love, the various parks, and nature centres for all those outdoor enthusiasts, the art centres and exhibits for the people with an artistic side, and the overall relaxing atmosphere which everyone will surely love. So, who wouldn’t love a trip to Aurora? You’re sure to have a nice relaxing vacation where you get to enjoy the city, its greenery, and its delicious food! If you’re heading there for a long vacation or even a mini-break, you can book a room in one of the extended-stay hotels for a pleasant stay. The place has plenty of Airbnb vacation rentals as well should you prefer a home-away-from-home experience. While you decide on that, you can scroll down to find a list of the top things to do in Aurora, Colorado.

1. Enjoy a picnic at Quincy Reservoir

things to do in aurora co | enjoy a picnic at quincy reservoir
Source: instagram

Quincy Reservoir is the place where Aurora gets its water supply from. It’s a small reservoir surrounded by a park and lush green nature. You can go spend a lazy, relaxing afternoon in the park chill by the water and get a nice tan, take a walk along the hiking trails, or even go fishing. However, since this is a city reservoir there are strict rules when it comes to water activities.

Quincy Reservoir

Address: 18350 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80015, USA

Website: Quincy Reservoir

Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

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2. Witness amazing performances at Vintage Theatre

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Vintage Theatre is one of the best places to visit in Aurora, Colorado, and offers an exciting array of fun and entertaining performances that cater to diverse audiences. Known for its commitment to producing high-quality shows, the theatre stages a mix of classic plays, contemporary dramas, musicals, and engaging theatrical experiences. With talented actors, directors, and production teams, each performance promises a captivating and immersive experience for theatre enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Whether you’re a fan of time-honored classics or seeking to explore new and thought-provoking pieces, Vintage Theatre has something delightful to offer. The intimate setting of the theatre allows for a close connection with the performances, making it an enjoyable destination to witness the magic of live theater.

Vintage Theatre

Address: 1468 Dayton St, Aurora, CO 80010, United States

Website: Vintage Theatre

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3. Catch the latest blockbuster at Cinemark Century Aurora and XD

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

One of the fun things to do in Aurora, Colorado, is catching the latest blockbuster at Cinemark Century Aurora and XD. This is a fun and exciting destination for those seeking an unforgettable movie-watching experience in Aurora. With its modern facilities and XD screens, visitors can immerse themselves in mainstream and independent films, enjoying larger-than-life visuals and exceptional sound quality.

The theatre’s diverse movie selection ensures there’s something for every taste, making it a perfect outing for individuals, families, or groups. The venue offers various amenities, including a concession stand with a variety of snacks and drinks to enhance your viewing experience!

Cinemark Century Aurora and XD

Address: 14300 E Alameda Ave, Aurora, CO 80012, United States

Website: Cinemark Century Aurora and XD

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4. Browse the exhibits at Aurora History Museum


The Aurora History Museum will tell you everything that you need to know about the history of Aurora. It isn’t an interactive museum – you’ll just see pictures on the walls and informative text along with them. This is the kind of museum which will make you feel nostalgic and remember the good old days! This museum also has changing exhibitions, and the most sought after attraction here is an old trolley car.

Aurora History Museum

Address: 15051 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012, USA

Website: Aurora History Museum

Opening hours:Tue - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Free

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5. Admire nature at Morrison Nature Center


Morrison Nature Center is a famous part of Star K Ranch. If you want to enjoy a day of indoor and outdoor family-friendly fun, then this place must be on your list of things to do in Aurora. This place is known for its nature trails which kids and adults can walk along to explore nature and wildlife. This centre has even designed scavenger hunts for the kids where they walk around nature trails and find things on the list like dead bugs and heart-shaped leaves. Think of this as a hidden gem for education – you have to take your kids here!

Morrison Nature Center

Address: 16002 E Smith Rd, Aurora, CO 80011, USA

Website: Morrison Nature Center

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 12pm - 4:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: Free

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6. Go jogging around Aurora Reservoir


Aurora Reservoir is huge, providing drinking water to the citizens of Aurora and also a great venue for recreation. There are several trails around the reservoir–you can use these trails for hiking, jogging or running, depending on what kind of experience you’d prefer. You can even go fishing with your mates! This is a rather scenic and peaceful area, with a beautiful view of the reservoir and the surrounding nature. If you can, try coming here to watch the sunset or the sunrise. It is a sight to behold!

Aurora Reservoir

Address: Aurora, CO 80016, USA

Website: Aurora Reservoir

Opening hours: Varies (see website)

Price: Free

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7. Pay your respects at Colorado Freedom Memorial


Colorado Freedom Memorial is basically a memorial park which has been created in honour of the Colorado veterans. This memorial honours the sacrifice of the Colorado veterans like no other, even hosting a database of names on their website in recognition of their bravery. To know about any event that is happening at the Colorado Freedom Memorial, just check the events schedule on the site.

Colorado Freedom Memorial

Address: 756 Telluride St, Aurora, CO 80011, USA

Website: Colorado Freedom Memorial

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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8. Go camping at Cherry Creek State Park


Cherry Creek State Park is enormous – this park is spread across 4,000 acres (1,618 hectares) and has an 800 acre (323 hectares) reservoir in the centre! Think of this park as the ultimate place for any sort of outdoor recreations activity. You can head here for a family picnic, you can go for a jog along the tracks, go camping with your friends and family, enjoy an afternoon of fishing, or just stroll around this park. Without a doubt, this state park should be on the top of your list of things to do in Aurora!

Cherry Creek State Park

Address: 4201 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014, USA

Website: Cherry Creek State Park

Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 9 USD

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9. Enjoy a unique shopping experience on Havana Street


If you want to spend your day shopping, then head over to Havana Street. This 5-mile-long (1.6 km) street is known for a unique shopping experience – with designer boutiques, speciality restaurants, popular stores, coffee shops, and ethnic food. If you’re not interested in shopping, at least come here for the food! Other than that, you can even enjoy a seasonal concert, take part in a cultural festival, or just watch a car show, and many other similar activities only on Havana Street. PS, don’t miss the beautiful gardens here!

Havana Street

Address: S Havana St, Colorado, USA

Website: Havana Street

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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10. Grab a beer and dig into some comfort food at Stanley Beer Hall


Stanley Beer Hall is a beer bar which is actually set up in a former aviation plant! This bar has a typical industrial vibe, with American dishes and over 37 different taps for self-serve beer. That’s right, a self-serve bar! What more can you ask for? While it is slightly on the pricey side, the experience and vibe is well worth it. Considering this beer bar is a local and tourist favourite alike, it has to be on your itinerary!

Stanley Beer Hall

Address: 2501 Dallas St #100, Aurora, CO 80010, USA

Website: Stanley Beer Hall

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm

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11. Learn about conservation at Plains Conservation Center


Technically, Plains Conservation Center is a scenic hiking area which is spread over 1,100 acres (445 hectares). But, Plains Conservation Center has also been designed as an outdoor education facility which teaches people the importance of preservation and conservation. This facility aims at teaching kids and adults alike about the eco-history of Colorado and how to make efforts to conserve and nurture the environment. This mission of this centre is to preserve Colorado’s prairies!

Plains Conservation Center

Address: 21901 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013, USA

Website: Plains Conservation Center

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 12pm - 4:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: 10 USD

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12. Delight your taste buds at Annette

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Annette is a really nice and fancy bar that is located in the heart of the city. This is actually a gastropub – and that means your tastebuds are in for a gastronomical delight! The food here is beyond delicious – be sure to try the beef tongue and the tagliatelle pasta, which are some of the popular foods to try in Aurora, Colorado. With a beautiful tree and nature theme, a warm and welcoming vibe, community tables, and shared plates, make sure to head here for a dining experience like no other.

Annette

Address: 2501 Dallas St #108, Aurora, CO 80010, USA

Website: Annette

Opening hours: Sat: 10am -10pm; Sun: 10am - 2pm; Tue - Fri: 3pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)

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13. Place your horse racing bets at Arapahoe Park

Posted by Arapahoe Park & Mile High Racing on Saturday, 23 July 2016

Do you enjoy watching horse races? Would you like to place a few educated bets? In that case, head to Arapahoe Park which is a horse racing track located on the outskirts of Aurora. To know about the upcoming horse races, learn more on the various events that are taking place, and to view the live racing calendar, check out their website. Also, be sure to read the rules, as well as the do’s and dont’s before heading there.

Arapahoe Park

Address: 2026, 26000 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016, United States

Website: Arapahoe Park

Opening hours: Depends on event

Price: 5 USD

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14. Shop like the locals at Southlands


Southlands is one of the most popular shopping malls in the city. This regional shopping mall has everything that you need – retail shopping, well-known restaurants that serve delicious food, and all kinds of entertainment. There is also an outdoor lifestyle centre that hosts various events – you can check out the schedule for these vents on the website! In summer, there is a farmers market that is set up outside while in winter there is a skating rink - talk about a multi-purpose mall!

Southlands

Address: 6155 S Main St Suite 260, Aurora, CO 80016, USA

Website: Southlands

Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 6pm; Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm

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15. Relish traditional food at Bent Fork American Grill


Bent Fork American Grill, as the name suggests, is an American diner which serves some authentic and delicious food! The food here is always inventive, modern, fresh, flavourful, and always a good idea. You will even get some great gluten-free meals here! Do try the barbecue ribs, the lobster mac and cheese, the tacos, as well as the fish and chips. Go hungry – the food here is really great, you’ll want to eat it all!

Bent Fork American Grill

Address: 12191 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80014, USA

Website: Bent Fork American Grill

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 9:30pm

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16. Try handcrafted brews at Dry Dock Brewing Co.

Dry Dock Brewing, Aurora Colorado
Source: Photo by Flickr user Dan K used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Dry Dock Brewing Co. is a brewing company that opened in Aurora in 2005. This brewery has two locations – one in the South of Aurora and one in the North. You can read all about the beers that are brewed here – the history behind them, the flavour profile, and where you can buy these beers. You can also visit the website to read the tasting menu at the North and South dock so you can plan your visit accordingly. You cannot leave Aurora without sampling their freshly brewed beer!

Dry Dock Brewing Co.

Address: 15120 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80014, USA

Website: Dry Dock Brewing Co.

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri: 12pm - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm

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17. Catch a musical performance at Vintage Theatre

Posted by Vintage Theatre Productions on Friday, 2 August 2019

Vintage Theatre is a performing arts theatre in Aurora. If you have some time to spare or you’re on a long vacation, then you must go watch a performance at this theatre. From contemporary musicals to revival plays, you will get to see a variety of shows here. In fact, this theatre even conducts acting classes! To check the event calendar or buy tickets for a show, visit the website. This theatre also has a full bar for you to enjoy a drink while watching your favourite performance.

Vintage Theatre

Address: 1468 Dayton St, Aurora, CO 80010, USA

Website: Vintage Theatre

Opening hours: Depends on event

Price: Depends on event

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18. See a show at Aurora Fox Arts Center

“ 'Oracle' is a masterpiece of contemporary dance. The choreography held athleticism in strict service to uncommonly...

Posted by Aurora Fox on Friday, 7 June 2019

Aurora Fox Arts Center is one of the most popular performing art theatres in all of Aurora. This place is frequented by performance art loers and even critics – so it is understood that the quality of performances that take place here is very high. Built in 1964, this theatre has a very olden-day charm and vibe. To know more about the upcoming performances, check out the website. If you have any interest in theatrical performances, add this to your list of things to do.

Aurora Fox Arts Center

Address: 9900 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80010, USA

Website: Aurora Fox Arts Center

Opening hours: Depends on event

Price:Depends on event

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19. Eat German food at Helga's German Restaurant

NEW - Win This Dish From Helga's! You can win this dish for FREE - just guess the correct name! Post your guess here...

Posted by Helga's German Restaurant & Deli on Thursday, 8 November 2018

Helga’s German Restaurant serves some of the best, most authentic, and finger-licking good German food that you can ever have. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant allows you to experience old-world German charm. If you’re looking for home-style comfort food which is as authentic as it gets, then visiting this restaurant is definitely a must. Try the schnitzel, the sausages, and the kroketten – they’re absolutely delicious!

Helga's German Restaurant

Address: 14197 E Exposition Ave, Aurora, CO 80012, USA

Website: Helga’s German Restaurant

Opening hours: Tue - Thu, Sun: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon)

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20. Get into the groove at Stampede

Ladies night tonight and every Wednesday. No cover and free drinks for ladies until 11pm. Come join Chelsea On Air from...

Posted by Stampede on Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Stampede is a country-western nightclub – how cool is that? With seven different bars, one restaurant, and a dance floor, this nightclub is one of the most happening spots in the city. Various concerts and live performances take place here – you can check out the schedule for those on the website. From ladies night to happy hours, from country dance lessons to line dancing, this nightclub is nothing but fun and entertainment!

Stampede

Address: 2430 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014, USA

Website: Stampede

Opening hours:Wed, Fri: 6:30pm - 1am; Sat: 8pm - 1:30am (closed from Sun - Tue & Thu)

Price: 5 USD onwards

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21. Enjoy horseback riding at 12 Mile Stables

Posted by 12 Mile Stables on Thursday, 16 May 2019

12 Mile Stables is a horseback riding centre in Aurora. If you or your kids want to go horseback riding, then this is the place to head to. You get to ride along various nature trails during which you may encounter deer, fawns, foxes, and various other such animals. Since these stables are located in Cherry Creek Park, you can rest assured that the horseback riding trails are rather scenic and also safe.

12 Mile Stables

Address: 5547 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014, USA

Website: 12 Mile Stables

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 39 USD

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22. Play baseball at Aurora Sports Park

things to do in aurora co | play baseball at aurora sports park
Source: instagram

Aurora Sports Park is a sports park that is spread out over 200 acres (80 hectares) – clearly, this place is huge! With 12 baseball courts and 23 multi-purpose soccer fields, this is one of the biggest sports parks in Aurora. This sports park is known to host various tournaments and competitions, which you could compete in or just go watch. Go play a game of baseball on any of the 12 baseball fields with any of the teams playing – you’ll love the experience! Take your picnic basket with you – enjoy a relaxing picnic in this beautiful park after a long day of playing baseball.

Aurora Sports Park

Address: 19300 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80011, USA

Website: Aurora Sports Park

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 8am - 6pm; Mon - Fri: 7am - 5pm

Price: Free entry

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23. Take your kids to Del Mar Park for a family picnic

Park
Source: Pexels

Del Mar Park is an enormous city park that has various sports fields and a spacious recreational centre. There is also an outdoor pool for the public to use as well as a playground for the kids to play. You can head here for a family picnic, take your kids to play with other kids and make some new friends, take your dog for a walk, or go get some fresh air yourself. All in all, it’s a great place to enjoy a lazy and relaxing day!

Del Mar Park

Address: 12000 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80010, USA

Website: Del Mar Park

Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)

Price: Free entry

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24. Jump on trampolines at Jumpoline Family Fun Center

No trampoline at home? We've got you covered.

Posted by Jumpoline Park on Thursday, 20 November 2014

Jumpoline Family Fun Center is a really fun and popular amusement park in Aurora! If you’re visiting Aurora with your kids, then you have to take them here. This amusement park has different types of trampolines, various bounce houses, ball pits, and so much more. In fact, you’ll probably love this place even if you’re visiting Aurora with your friends - Jumpoline Family Fun Center provides fun for all age groups! There is also a yoghurt house here to treat your family to a healthy snack after a long day of jumping around.

Jumpoline Family Fun Center

Address: 15380 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013, USA

Website: Jumpoline Family Fun Center

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 9pm; Fri: 10am - 10pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm

Price: 6 - 13 USD

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25. Hike along the nature trails of Star K Ranch


Star K Ranch is a spacious ranch in Aurora which is known for its lush green spaces, nature trails, hiking trails, and picnic tables. Since the natural habitat of this ranch has not been tampered with, you might come across different species of wildlife here. If you want to hike through the wetlands and the cottonwood forests, bike along the lovely nature trails, or just enjoy a lazy stroll along a scenic path, head to Star K Ranch. Think of this as a quiet, scenic and peaceful stroll among nature.

Star K Ranch

Address: 16002 E Smith Rd, Aurora, CO 80011, USA

Website: Star K Ranch

Opening hours: Dawn to dusk (daily)

Price: Free

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26. Spend a relaxing afternoon with your family at Mission Viejo Park


Mission Viejo Park is another famous park in Aurora. This green and spacious park has several picnic tables, sports fields, and a children’s playground so you’ll have no shortage of things to do here. The playground area in this park is very accessible – there are ramps for wheelchairs and flat surfaces to allow easy maneuvering. You can come here with your dog and play a game of fetch, your kids can have a good time at the play area, and you can enjoy a nice family picnic afterwards. Various day camps and sports camps for kids are also held here.

Mission Viejo Park

Address: 3999 S Mission Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80013, USA

Website: Mission Viejo Park

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

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27. Find out if you'll survive the zombie apocalypse on a zombie scavengers game (from USD 20.0)

Do you think you can survive a zombie apocalypse? Want to find out? Take part in this zombie scavenger hunt game! You and your team have to roam around the city looking for food, supplies, weapons and shelter – basically everything that you need to survive. The only thing you need to play this game is your smartphone. The more you find, the higher the points. You will also be asked some trivia questions to win virtual weapons. The end goal is to find all the things on the scavenger hunt list – if you manage to do so, you’ll survive the apocalypse!

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Zombie Scavengers Game - Aurora, CO

Duration: 1 hour

What made it to your list?

Welcome to Aurora.
Source: Photo by user Jeffrey Beall used under CC BY-ND 2.0

The city of Aurora is filled with nature centres, shopping malls, performing theatres, and recreational activities–clearly, there’s so much to see and do. This list of things to do and acrivities in Aurora has you covered for a nice, long, and relaxing vacation – so what are you waiting for? Head to Aurora, Colorado now.

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Frequently asked questions about things to do in Aurora


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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A freelance content writer by profession, Anaanya is an avid traveller whose main goal in life is to visit as many new places as possible. Anaanya enjoys travelling, not just because of her love...Read more

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