Aurora Bucket-List

Explore top activities to make the most of your time in Aurora, CO. From sweet treats and yoga on the reservoir to adventure parks and must-visit attractions, this list will provide a roadmap to your next great adventure in the Gateway to the Rockies!

Outdoor Activities

There are plenty of things to do outside in Aurora year-round, but when the weather gets to be just right and you want to spend as much time outside as possible, the city has some amazing options for fresh-air adventures.

Discover Wildlife

Wherever you’re in Aurora, you’re never too far from wildlife. Take a hike at the Pronghorn Natural Area at sunset to look for pronghorn deer and red fox darting in-between the tall grass. Spend an afternoon at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge to see American bison roaming the plains right from your car. Get up early and make the trip to The Wild Animal Sanctuary to view tigers and lions rescued from captivity.

Horseback Riding

Experience Aurora’s natural landscape like a true local – on horseback! Gather the family for a guided horseback tour across the 27 miles of riding trails. While this activity is ideal for older children, 12 Miles Stables has Pony Rides for younger kids. See hours and prices on their website.

Catch a Colorado Rapids Game

Attend a Major League soccer game that is family-friendly just outside of Aurora. Check out their schedule on the Rapids website.

Date Night Activities

These date night activities are sure to impress. Get creative, start a friendly competition, or pick up a sweet treat with your special someone.

Try a New Recipe

You'll feel perfectly at home in a Create Kitchen And Bar class, regardless of your culinary skills. A chef-instructor will teach you something new, whether it's how to burn toast just perfectly or how to make an authentic paella, you will be sure to connect over great food and cocktails. Be sure to reserve your space early, classes fill up fast!

Practice Your Swing

The Local Drive offers 12 active golf bay simulators, with one inside a private speakeasy that is available for private rentals. They offer a large bar on the main floor with 20 taps, a variety of spirits, and handcrafted cocktails. The second-floor mezzanine features a secondary bar that can be rented out privately or will be open on busier nights for guests to enjoy. The space is packed with large tables, comfortable lounge areas, pool tables, and other fun games for everyone to enjoy. In the spring and summer, enjoy live music along with beach volleyball on the large outdoor patio.

Sample Tasty Tayaki

This charming ice cream shop is brimming with delectable delights, one-of-a-kind treasures, and the ever-popular taiyaki! In this lovely ambiance, enjoy other favorites including snow bowls, boba teas, Korean street cuisine, and more.

Award-Winning Cuisine

Annette is known for its many awards and renowned chef and, Caroline Glover This modern gastropub combines the wholesomeness of farm-fresh ingredients with the creativity of a top-notch restaurant. Diners can expect a delicious menu based on a scratch-to-table mantra. Book a table or go for something with a larger wow factor like the outdoor greenhouses or stunning yurt.

Colorado Craft Beverages

The most mouthwatering brews & cocktails in Aurora show off the diversity of this amazing city. Aurora has numerous locations to enjoy delicious margaritas and cocktails.

Cheluna Brewing Company

Cheluna Brewing Company, located inside Stanley Marketplace, serves Mexican-style beers at Colorado's first Latino-owned brewery. Their vibrant taproom is one of 50+ companies open to the public. The Lowrider Mexican Lager is an instant favorite, with a flavor of lime that is a tremendous hit with the casual beer drinker. Check out the full menu here. Make sure to listen to our podcast episode with Javi & Jen from Cheluna Brewing Co.

Haykin Family Cider

The Haykin Family Cider Tasting Room, located five minutes from Stanley Marketplace, is the ideal venue for drinks before or after a night out. Sparkling wine-like cider is made with small bubbles in a variety of sweetness levels. Haykin Family Cider elevates apples in the same way that wineries elevate grapes, highlighting the flavor and complexity of unusual and distinctive apples. Check out their full bar menu.

Muse Noraebang and Café

Muse Noraebang and Cafe is a welcoming establishment offering a wide range of food and beverage options. Try the Toasted Almond cocktail or the Colorado Bulldog cocktail. They even have private karaoke rooms, so round up your pals for a fun night out!

Hit the water

Thanks to the city’s long list of available watersports, you have quite a few aquatic adventure options, from kayaking to water skiing, to jet skiing. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorite options.

Watersport Activities

The Aurora Reservoir features paddleboards, canoes, and kayak rentals on-site. The location also features a shipwreck for divers to explore in the northeast part of the lake. Cherry Creek State Park is a great place to go if you want to go for high-octane watersports. Rent a jet ski, pontoon, or ski boat and waterski, wakeboard, or wakesurf. If you have your own equipment, try Quincy Reservoir for a serene, less crowded setting.

Plan a fishing trip

Pick up a fishing license and book a local guide to hit the water. Aurora's reservoirs feature some of the greatest water in the state, and four state-record fish have been caught there: tiger muskie, catfish, smallmouth bass, and white sucker.

Try a yoga class

Allow your instructor to lead you through a soft paddle and flow. There is no magic pill for wellness. It’s a constant journey, and Vibe Wellness has a team of dedicated practitioners to help empower people with the tools to get and stay healthy.

Trampoline and adventure parks

Whether you're an adult, a kid, or just a kid at heart, Aurora is the perfect place to find adventures and new experiences that the entire family will remember for a lifetime.

Slick City Action Park

Located in the Southlands, this indoor action park offers a thrilling, all-ages entertainment experience combining slick, high-speed dry slides (yes-no water!) with air courts, junior play zones and designated spaces for birthday parties and group events. Founded by the team behind the world's first indoor slide park concept, the venue aims to deliver big thrills, fun for the whole family and a destination where both kids and adults can play.

KA-KO JO'S

The center features glow golf, over 60 arcade games, a room for virtual reality, a laser maze, and endless activities for your little one. A good old arcade night will do the trick if you want to add fun and nostalgia to your adventure. An afternoon of fun starts at $7.

Lava Island

Lava Island is your one-stop shop for nonstop entertainment. In a tropical-themed indoor park with trampolines, climbing walls, ladders, slides, and mazes. The entire family will be whole and exhausted by the conclusion of the day!

Urban Air

Explore an indoor amusement area bound to leave your kids jumping higher. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is the ultimate indoor playground with trampolines, go-karts, VR simulations, suspended playgrounds, climbing walls, ropes courses, and so much more. Reserve your spot today online. Tickets start at $11.99.

Shop till you drop

Aurora is filled with unique stops and must-sees that are perfect (and perfectly priced) for families. Check out these options.

Stanley Marketplace

This former aviation factory has been converted into a marketplace featuring a variety of entertaining (and typically free) activities. There is plenty to do and see, from restaurants to shopping. After the activities, visit Miette du Chocolat to sample sweet delicacies and gourmet chocolates. All of your favorite Mexican dishes, BBQ, and sushi are all available in one convenient location. There are dozens of must-see events on their schedule, including live concerts, pop-ups, and seasonal activities.

Southlands

Festivals, a kid's zone, farmer's markets, concerts, and other activities may be found on Aurora's Main Street. Southlands is an outdoor lifestyle center with a four-block Main street and community plaza, as well as other businesses, restaurants, and an AMC movie theater.

Town Center at Aurora

This location includes a wide range of retailers, a large food court, free Wi-Fi, and is pleasant to roam about. Inside, it's well-lit and large, with a children's play area and a variety of tiny booths offering a variety of services.