Introduction
If you’re looking for things to do in Aurora, Colorado, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got everything from hiking trails and hidden waterfalls to professional sports teams and live theater. We also have plenty of restaurants with every type of cuisine imaginable.
Visit the Colorado Rockies (#1)
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team that plays in the National League West Division. They play at Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies were founded in 1993 as an expansion team and are one of only two professional baseball teams that play in the state of Colorado (the other being the Colorado Springs Sky Sox). The Rockies have won two World Series titles: one in 2007 and another in 1995.
Visit the Flatirons (#2)
The Flatirons are a series of sedimentary rock formations that can be seen from many locations in the Front Range. These geological wonders have become one of Colorado’s most recognizable landmarks, which is why they are considered one of the best things to do in Aurora.
The flatirons were formed by repeated uplift and erosion over millions of years. They were named by early settlers who thought their shapes resembled flat irons (which are used for ironing clothes). Today you can visit these impressive sculptures at Red Rocks Amphitheatre or see them up close at Garden of the Gods Park or on any number of hiking trails throughout their natural habitat: The Flatirons!
Skyplane over Mountainview Ranch (#3)
Take a one-hour flight over Mountainview Ranch and see the Front Range from above. You’ll be able to see the Flatirons in Boulder, some of Colorado’s most recognizable landmarks like Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak, or even the Continental Divide from above!
If you have time during your visit to Aurora, consider making this flight part of your itinerary.
Snake River Fishing and Float (#4)
This is one of the best ways to get away from it all and enjoy nature. The Snake River Fishing and Float is a great way to spend a day or even an afternoon! You can expect to see a lot of wildlife on your trip including deer, elk, and even bears! It takes about four hours long with the opportunity to fish while you go. The cost is $75 per person which includes everything you need: fishing pole, life jacket, and shuttle service from your pickup location back home after floating down the river (don’t worry! They’ll pick you up!). There are picnic tables available as well as restrooms.
Before heading out on this adventure make sure to bring food/snacks/drinks with you because there aren’t any places along the way where you can stop for lunch or snacks without having something packed beforehand for yourself – unless of course if there’s another group floating down at around same time then maybe someone else will have extra food too so share afterward 🙂
Hike Red Rocks Park and Ancient Bristlecone Pine Grove (#5)
You can hike all over Red Rocks Park, which is one of the most popular parks in Colorado. The Bristlecone Pine Grove is home to some of the oldest trees in the world—some are over 5000 years old! These ancient pines were once a source of food for Native Americans. You’ll also see petroglyphs at this park, which were carved into rocks by ancient peoples who lived here centuries ago.
Camp at Chatfield State Park (#6)
Camping is a great way to connect with nature and spend time with family. Chatfield State Park offers a variety of camping options, including campgrounds inside the park and nearby campgrounds. The park has nine group campsites that can accommodate up to 25 people each, as well as two horse campsites for equestrian enthusiasts.
In addition to its extensive campsite offerings, Chatfield also has cabins available for rental year-round. The three one-story cabins are available at $35 per night; they sleep four people each and include indoor plumbing but not electricity.
Find the hidden waterfall in Buena Vista (#7)
- To get there, head south on Highway 285 and turn right at the first traffic light in Buena Vista.
- Drive approximately 2 miles until you see a sign for Stave Falls (a well-known local hiking spot), which will be on your left side just off Highway 285.
- Keep driving past Stave Falls and follow the road until it dead-ends into a parking lot near some picnic tables, bathrooms, and water fountains (parking is free).
- Start hiking up the trail that leads away from these amenities towards an old cabin with an outhouse next to it; this is where you will begin your hike to find Stave Falls:
Discover the Colorado Garden (#8)
The Colorado Garden is a public garden located in the city of Aurora, Colorado. The garden is open year-round to the public and features a variety of plants and flowers.
The Colorado Garden was established in 1967 when it served as an experiment station for research into new varieties of plants and flowers. After this initial period ended in 1993, the city took over management of the site and has since worked to maintain its status as one of Denver’s most popular attractions.
Get a photo with a mountain lion at Horseshoe Park (#9)
Another must-see attraction in Aurora is Horseshoe Park, which is home to several trails and many species of wildlife, including mountain lions. You’ll find the park at the end of Sable Boulevard just north of downtown Aurora. There are over 14 miles of hiking trails in this park, as well as some great opportunities for picnicking and swimming when you have time to take a break from exploring.
There’s also a guided tour offered at Horseshoe Park that will allow you to learn more about how it was formed by glacial processes thousands of years ago! The tour takes visitors up close with several different types of wildlife found in this natural area including deer, coyotes, and even some rattlesnakes!
If you’re looking for a place to stay while visiting Horseshoe Park then consider staying at one of these nearby hotels: The Hotel Colorado; Hampton Inn – Denver/Aurora South; Homewood Suites by Hilton – Denver/Aurora East; Residence Inn by Marriott – Denver Airport South
Go on a Ghost Tour of Downtown Aurora (#10)
If you have an interest in the paranormal, a haunted history tour of downtown Aurora is a must. Aurora Ghost Tours is a company that offers ghost tours of historic sites around town every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8 pm. The tour lasts 90 minutes and begins at the Aurora History Museum located at 15151 East Alameda Parkway, next to the Castle Rock Entertainment Center.
See one of the Foothills Historical Street Shows (#11)
Aurora is a city with a lot of history, and one of the best ways to learn more about it is by attending one of the Foothills Historical Society streets shows. The annual performances are free and open to the public, held in April and October at the historic community center.
The shows feature residents dressed up as historical figures from Aurora’s past who tell stories about their experiences living in the area. There are two different acts: one for children (ages 3-7), which lasts 30 minutes; and one for adults which lasts an hour or longer depending on how much time you have available.
Watch an Aurora Pride parade (2-month long event!)#12
The Aurora Pride Parade is on the first Sunday of June, and the Aurora Pride Festival is on the second Saturday of June. Both events are free.
The parade begins at 1:00 p.m., traveling through downtown Aurora before ending at the festival grounds off East Colfax Avenue. There you can enjoy live music and performances, food trucks, family-friendly activities like face painting and balloon twisting, and lots more!
Takeaway:
Aurora is a great place to visit, with a lot of things to do. There are free events and activities, as well as those that require a ticket. It’s easy to get around with the RTD light rail system, which stops at all the major landmarks in downtown Aurora.
If you want to live in this area, it has many affordable housing options and rents are much lower than in other places in the Denver metro area.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found some great ideas for things to do in Aurora. If you have any questions about this city or would like help planning your trip, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
