Family Fun in Aurora

Aurora is filled with exciting, memorable, and creative things to do. Explore a range of activities for children and families alongside places for exploring the mountain views.

Neighborhood Gems

Admire the Street Art

Experience the burst of creativity and energy that defines Aurora! Discover stunning murals by talented Colorado artists, transforming key spots around the city into living canvases. Don’t miss the colorful showcase along East Colfax, stretching from Dayton Street to Florence Street. They have an online map of the art locations as well as a self guided audio tour to embark on your own art adventure right in your backyard!

Explore Aurora's Main Street

Main Street at Southlands buzzes with excitement year-round! Think festivals, kid zones, farmers’ markets, live concerts, ice skating, and much more. This contemporary retail and community hub stretches across four vibrant blocks, anchored by a central plaza surrounded by local boutiques, favorite national shops, delicious eateries, and an AMC theater. While you’re in Southlands, don’t miss the fun at Lucky Strike, where you can enjoy a drink while aiming for a perfect bowling score, or head over to Slick City Action Park for all-ages thrills in an incredible indoor adventure park. There’s always something unforgettable happening at Southlands!

Discover Something New

On Havana Street in Aurora is a vibrant hotspot where international flavors and fun come together. Savor authentic Korean barbecue at Seoul BBQ & Hot Pot, have a karaoke night at Muse Noraebang and Cafe, or enjoy a sweet treat from Tous Les Jours bakery. Get creative at Olive Art Studio, where you can craft and paint your own unique projects in a welcoming, hands-on environment or browse unique finds at Heirlooms Antique Mall. With community festivals, celebrations, and diverse dining experiences, On Havana Street always offers a fresh adventure for the whole family!

Indoor Escapes

Aurora History Museum

As the third-largest Colorado city, Aurora is home to diverse cultures and had a rich historic significance. Stop by the admission-free Aurora History Museum, Tuesday through Sunday, to explore the Gateway to the Rockies a little differently. Snap a picture inside a restored 1913 trolley or learn more about Aurora’s role in history from the rotating exhibits.

Stanley Marketplace

This aviation factory-turned marketplace is filled with fun (and often free) things to do. From restaurants to shopping, there is much to experience and explore. Work on your golf swing or play a round of corn hole while sipping carefully crafted cocktails or mocktails at The Local Drive. After games, taste-test sweet treats, and designer chocolates at Miette de Chocolat. Explore Mexican-inspired eats, BBQ, and sushi all in one spot. Check their events calendar for dozens of must-sees, including live concerts, pop-ups, and seasonal activities.

Defy Denver

Experience the countless hours of fun that Defy Denver has to offer. This trampoline park is enjoyable for kids and teens looking to jump higher, explore ropes courses, or practice gymnastics. Kids can soar through the air in the extreme dodgeball arena, climb above the foam pit, or hit the trapeze bar. Consider ordering your tickets online to save time.

Activate Aurora

Activate Games is a modern, immersive gaming experience that combines physical and mental challenges. It offers a series of interactive rooms, each with unique games requiring teamwork, strategy, agility, and problem-solving. Players earn points by completing challenges, which vary in difficulty, within a set time limit. The experience is designed for groups, making it perfect for friends, families, or team-building activities.

Other Action Parks

Aurora is packed with indoor action parks and adventure centers perfect for year-round family fun, offering everything from high-speed slides and trampolines to arcades and multi-level play zones. Families can bounce, climb, slide, and explore at popular spots like Urban Air or Lava Island, each featuring unique attractions such as ropes courses, foam pits, dry slides, climbing walls, and themed obstacle areas. Younger kids can enjoy soft-play zones and inflatable fun at places like Go Bonkers, while Ka-Ko Jo’s adds arcade nostalgia with glow golf, VR, and laser mazes. See a complete list of adventure parks here.

Nature Adventures

Cherry Creek State Park

Find yourself immersed in breathtaking nature at Cherry Creek State Park. This park offers trails both paved and unpaved, accessible for every member of the family. Explore the hundreds of acres of open space that are perfect for hiking, biking, trail rides, and horseback riding at 12 Mile Stables. During the warmer months, take advantage of the freshwater reservoir for paddleboarding and beyond.

Wings Over the Rockies

Explore how flight and aviation have shaped history at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Open every day; this nationally-recognized museum is a hub for innovation, education, and events. With rotating exhibits and an airplane hangar filled with iconic aircraft, families can easily fill the day. Their newest exhibit, Drones: Is the Sky the Limit?, is a high-flying examination of pilot-less flying. As a family, you can save money on entry tickets by purchasing them through the downloadable Visit Aurora Savings Pass.

Plains Conservation Center

This nature preserve and educational center features replicas of a homestead village and tipi camp that showcase pioneer and plains Native American life in the late 1800's. It encompasses over 1,100 acres of short grass prairie with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. Come into the visitor center before you head out on the trails to pick up a map and learn about the history of the site. Visitors can hike along rolling trails and are likely to see bald eagles, prairie dogs, pronghorns, coyotes, and red-tailed hawks. Entry is free, hike the trails, explore the visitor center and check out the tipis and homestead village.