Located 25 miles east of Denver, this Colorado town of 320,000 residents includes Buckley Air Force Base, the Denver Zoo, and the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest city, sits just east of Denver with open spaces next to city energy. Paddleboard on the Aurora Reservoir’s still waters, walk through reconstructed pioneer buildings at the Plains Conservation Center, or shop from local vendors at the Stanley Marketplace. The city’s location near the Rocky Mountains allows quick trips to hiking trails. Cherry Creek State Park has horseback riding and birdwatching areas. Learn about the area’s past through rotating displays at the Aurora History Museum, or join the Aurora Global Fest each September to experience cultural performances and food. Wide streets, light rail access, and local restaurants make Aurora a practical starting point for visiting Colorado’s Front Range.
Aurora Reservoir and Cherry Creek State Park: Water Sports and Trails
The Aurora Reservoir covers 800 acres with a swimming beach, fishing docks, and an 8-mile paved path for walking or biking. From May to September, rent kayaks or paddleboards directly from the marina. Fish for walleye, trout, or bass any season; winter visitors drill holes in the ice for cold-weather fishing. A 15-minute drive west, Cherry Creek State Park holds a larger 880-acre reservoir circled by 35 miles of dirt and gravel trails. Look for bison grazing in fenced grasslands near the Prairie Loop Trail.
Aurora History Museum and Plains Conservation Center: Local Stories and Prairie Life
The Aurora History Museum charges no admission fee and displays exhibits like “Growing Home,” detailing the city’s expansion since 1891. Interactive panels explain how railroads and farming shaped the area. At the Plains Conservation Center, tour a replica 1880s homestead with a wooden schoolhouse, functioning blacksmith forge, and Cheyenne-style tipi camps. Staff in period clothing teach how early settlers farmed dryland crops and built sod houses. Book tours in advance for weekends.
Stanley Marketplace: Food Halls and Local Shops
Stanley Marketplace occupies a renovated 1950s airplane factory with more than 50 small businesses. Flip through vinyl records at Twist & Shout, taste small-batch chocolate at Temper, or try a Mexican lager at Cheluna Brewing Co. The food hall’s Comal Heritage Food Incubator serves Venezuelan arepas, Syrian kebabs, and Ethiopian injera prepared by immigrant chefs. Browse stores selling Colorado-made pottery, retro denim jackets, and hiking equipment. Weekly events include acoustic performances in the atrium and seasonal craft fairs.
Annual Events: Global Fest and Fourth of July Celebrations
Aurora Global Fest takes over the Municipal Center grounds every September with dance troupes, craft workshops, and food stalls representing over 50 countries. Watch Tibetan monks create sand mandalas or taste Nepalese momo dumplings. The Fourth of July Spectacular at Aurora Sports Park replaces traditional fireworks with synchronized drone light formations. Local bands play rock and country covers, while food trucks sell funnel cakes and smoked brisket. Check Aurora’s website for updates on summer beer festivals and December holiday markets.
Restaurants and Breweries: Global Flavors and Local Brews
Aurora’s eateries mirror its international population—order green chili-smothered breakfast burritos at family-run Mexican diners or flaky Somali sambusas from East Colfax storefronts. Dry Dock Brewing, a pioneer in Colorado’s craft beer scene, pours hazy IPAs and fruity wheat ales in its taproom. Sip Burmese milk tea paired with fermented tea leaf salads at Urban Burma Café. Many restaurants group around Southlands, a shopping area with outdoor seating under string lights.
Getting Around Aurora: Transit and Parking
Denver International Airport sits 20 minutes northeast, reachable via the A Line train. Light rail connects Aurora’s Nine Mile and Florida stations to downtown Denver in 30 minutes. Rent traditional or electric bikes from Bicycle Village stations across the city. Highways provide direct routes to Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs without tolls. Most parks, malls, and museums have free parking lots.
