Hike peaceful trails under Colorado’s open skies, dig into bold flavors from around the world and jump into family-friendly activities. From tasting your way through locally loved restaurants to settling in for a much-needed wellness retreat, Aurora has plenty to keep all kinds of travelers busy.
Scenic Trails & Parks for Adventurers
If wildlife watching, peaceful scenery and leisurely walks pique your interest, explore the Aurora Reservoir Trail. This paved loop surrounds the reservoir, offering serene views across the water and plenty of birding opportunities.
Another great option is the High Line Canal Trail, stretching 71 miles and divided into 27 segments ranging from 2 to 5 miles each. Surfaces vary from paved paths to gravel trails and wooden bridges, guiding you through urban neighborhoods, suburban areas and peaceful landscapes.
Cherry Creek State Park draws both locals and visitors with activities like camping, cycling and fishing. The park’s Wetland and Cherry Creek Trail Loop blends two trails into one scenic journey, leading you through grassy meadows, wetlands and picturesque creek views, all framed by distant vistas of the Rocky Mountains.
Nearby at Jewell Wetlands Park, a boardwalk trail curves over a quiet waterway and leads to a butterfly garden filled with colorful flowers. The park is a peaceful place for a family picnic or a slow stroll through nature.
Murals, Museums & Theater for Art Lovers
Step into the city’s past at the Aurora History Museum, where exhibits spotlight local culture and creativity. The permanent Growing Home exhibit features more than 100 historical photos, personal stories and a fully restored trolley trailer.
In the Aurora Cultural Arts District, The Aurora Fox Arts Center stages Broadway-style plays and musicals in an intimate theater that once operated as a classic cinema. Across the street, The People’s Building brings more creative energy with a gallery of local art, live performances and community events.
Aurora’s public art has a way of surprising you — tucked into parks or brightening unexpected corners of the city. At Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, it’s hard to miss Umi, a 21-foot-tall sculpture blending the form of a woman and a tree. Meaning “ocean” in Japanese, Umi evokes a sense of nature and almost feels otherworldly.
Morrison Nature Center is home to the Steel Stampede, a striking installation of galloping horses representing the Paint, Appaloosa and Arabian breeds. At Windy Plumes Park, the Whispering Wind sculpture swirls with orange, red and yellow that mimic the movement of high-plains grasses. The artwork includes a wrapped seat beneath its sweeping form, inviting a place to rest.
Must-Try Local Flavors to Satisfy Foodies
Aurora’s global food scene serves up mouthwatering bites from all over the map. At Aki Asian Hot Pot, build-your-own soup bowls start with a bubbling broth — then it’s your call. Choose beef or pork, toss in squid or clams for a seafood twist, or keep it vegetarian with a colorful mix of fresh add-ins. Over at Aroma do Brazil, the menu leans cozy, offering hearty Brazilian beef stew and tacos filled with top sirloin.
If warm spices and rich sauces are calling your name, head to Haldi Indian Cuisine & Bar for dishes like butter chicken or herb-packed goat curry. The aloo gobi, made with spiced potatoes and cauliflower, is a go-to for vegetarians. For a taste of the Mediterranean, The Athenian Restaurant serves classics like gyro-meat stuffed sandwiches with tomato and onion in pita along with refreshing Greek salads.
Mexican cuisine gets the spotlight at La Morena Restaurant, where fresh ingredients and traditional flavors shine. The menu is stacked with favorites like melt-in-your-mouth shredded-chicken quesadillas, seafood fajitas with scallops and breaded-shrimp tacos.
Wellness Retreats for Couples & Friends
Kick off a wellness escape with an overnight stay at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, where self-care starts with sunrise yoga. Inside the resort, the Relâche Spa — open to both guests and the public — offers aromatherapy, body massages and other feel-good treatments. You can also float the day away in the resort’s pool.
Sink into the steamy calm of Havana Health Spa, where hot and cold tubs, Korean-style body scrubs and Thai massages are designed to revive both skin and spirit. Over at Simply Amazing Spa, tension fades with ease during couples massages or cryo-facials, said to reduce inflammation.
Wellness takes a holistic turn at Yogi Colorado, where the focus goes beyond the physical. Massage therapy, assisted stretching and nutrition coaching all come together with Reiki — a Japanese technique rooted in relaxation and balance.
Activities for the Whole Family
Kids can burn off energy in big ways at Lava Island, where themed play zones include volcano and animal slides, an ice room and a trampoline court. The three-story jungle gym and ninja course challenge bravery — just don’t forget your socks, as bare feet aren’t allowed!
Stanley Marketplace has plenty to keep young minds and hands busy. MindCraft Makerspace stocks STEM kits, puzzles and board games, while Friend Assembly invites kids to paint pre-made pottery in their open studio. Bounce Gymnastics, also inside the marketplace, hosts open-gym sessions from September through May for a fun way to flip and tumble around.
Outdoors, LuBird’s Light Playground offers a fully inclusive space designed for all abilities, including kids in wheelchairs. If you’re up for a scenic ride, head to 12 Mile Stables at Cherry Creek State Park for a guided horseback adventure across 3,000 acres of open space — the sunset tour is especially popular. For even more action, Urban Air Adventure Park features go-karts, dodgeball, rope courses and trampolines for nonstop motion.
