From Aurora, several day trips can be enjoyed to take in the
beauty of Colorado. See how the song “America the Beautiful”
was inspired, and enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountain region.
Here is a list of just a few things to do:
Arapahoe Park
Check out the live action and bet on a winner at Colorado’s only
horse-racing track. Admission fee. [more info]
Aurora Fox Arts Center
Enjoy comedy, drama, musical productions and more at this restored
1940s-era movie house. Admission fee. [more info]
Aurora History Museum
A permanent exhibit tells the tale of Aurora’s past and
present while unique traveling exhibits and a hands-on children’s
area offer plenty of reasons to visit often. Admission is free. [more info]
Aurora Reservoir
This 2,500-acre site features swimming, diving, boating, fishing,
an 8.5-mile hike-and-bike trail and more. Admission fee. [more info]
East End Arts District
Explore Aurora’s burgeoning arts district featuring several galleries
and a number of public art pieces. Admission is free. [more info]
Eisenhower Suite at Fitzsimons
Take a trip back in time to 1955 and see the newly restored Eisenhower
Suite at Fitzsimons where the former president recovered from
a heart attack. [more info]
Morrison Nature Center
The 200-acre Star K Ranch and Morrison Nature Center along the
Sand Creek Greenway features riding trails, nature hikes and workshops.
Admission is free. [more info]
Plains Conservation Center
The 1,100-acre Plains Conservation Center in Aurora provides
an intimate look at the flora and fauna of Colorado’s eastern
plains. Admission is free. [more info]
Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway
Highest cog railroad in the world journeys to the summit of Pikes
Peak at 14,110 ft./4,300 above sea level. Admission fee. You may
also take the drive yourself up the high winding rode for free.
Garden of the Gods
A Magnificent red rock formation in a spectacular setting at
the base of Pikes Peak. Admission is free.
Cave of the Winds
Guided tours through 20 caverns of outstanding beauty. Admission
Fee.
Air Force Academy
One of three U.S. Military Academies with museum, fascinating
architecture and aviation exhibits. Admission is free.
Flying W Ranch
An Old West town from the late 1800s with authentic chuck wagon
supper and famous Flying W Wranglers stage show.
United States Olympic Training Center
Take a tour of the site where 12,000 athletes prepare every year
for Olympic competition. Admission is free.
Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame
The only museum devoted exclusively to professional rodeo. Admission
fee.
Royal Gorge
The world’s highest suspension bridge spans the Arkansas River
at a height of 1,050 ft/320 meters. Admission includes an aerial
tram trip, which takes up down the world’s steepest incline railway
to the bottom of the Gorge.
Royal Gorge Route
A 24-mile roundtrip train ride through the base of Royal Gorge
on a route that has been called, “the most arresting scenic
site in all of American railroading.
Buckskin Joe Town & Railway
A Re-assembled Old West Colorado town that has been used as a
filming location for dozens of Western movies with stagecoach
rides, shoot-outs, horseback rides and entertainment. Admission
fee.
Colorado Territorial Prison and Museum
Take a tour of the old prison known as a one of the “Hell
Holes” of the Old West. Admission fee.
Blackhawk & Central City Casinos
There are more than 10,000 slot machines, blackjack tables and
poker tables in 30 different casinos, many of them housed in historic
old buildings.
Central City
Once called the “Richest Square Mile on Earth,” this
historic old mining town is dotted with the old gold mines and
hundreds of Victorian buildings. More than a half billion dollars
of gold was mined in the area and the town once boasted a population
of 30,000. Today, there are 300 year-round residents. Along with
Black Hawk, it is part of a National Historic District.
Central City Opera House
Ornate opera house originally opened in 1878 and still offers
an ensemble repertory each summer performing opera classics in
English.
Gilpin County Historical Society Museum
Includes mining artifacts and tours, Lost Gold Mine walking
tour into an old mine shaft, it show how hard rock mining was
done in the late 1800s. Teller House and old hotel where President
Grant once stayed is now a museum with authentically furnished
rooms and the famous face on the barroom floor.
Boulder
A delightful college town located at the base of the Flatirons,
a series of vivid red rock formations that lie at the foot of
the Rocky Mountains. Home to the University of Colorado, the town
has a four-block pedestrian mall that is lined with shops, outdoor
cafes, bookstores, brew pubs and flower gardens.
Boulder Creek Bike Path
A Nine-mile long jogging/biking/rollerblading path that follows
Boulder Creek from a mountain canyon through the town and out
into the plains. Boulder Falls is located 8 miles/13 km west of
the town.
Celestial Seasonings
The largest herbal tea manufacturer in the U.S. produces over
a billion tea bags a year. Free tours and tastings.
Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art
The largest private collection of contemporary Western Art open
to the public, this free museum has over 200 paintings and 85
bronzes by some of he best Western artists.
National Center for Atmospheric Research
Offers free self-guiding tours of exhibits that explore the wonders
of the earth’s atmosphere. The unusual modern building (used a
location for Woody Allen’s movie “Sleeper”) is in a
stunning location with panoramic views.
Anheuser Bush Brewery
Offers free tours of this new high-tech brewing center, which
can produce 2,200 cans of beer every minute. Free samples to those
over 21.
Colorado State University
This college campus has five art galleries open for tours as
well as a beautiful grounds in the center of town.
Poudre Canyon/Red Feather Lakes
A narrow rock canyon near town, named in 1836 by a French group
of mountain men. The area offers scenic views and hiking trails.
Horsetooth Reservoir
A pretty mountain lake and state park with boating, hiking trails
and picnic areas.
Estes Park
An attractive resort village at the edge of the national park,
this small town has shops, restaurants and flower gardens. Ideally
suited for motor coach tours with motor coach drop off stations
and parking in town. Admission is free.
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of the most scenic spots in North America, offers an opportunity
to travel above the timberline on Trail Ridge Road, the highest
continuous highway in the nation. The highway is usually open
from May until late October due to snow; the rest of the park
is open year-round. Wildlife viewing, hiking trails, fishing,
mountain lakes, and meadows of wildflowers, horseback riding and
camping are just some of the attractions. Admission fee.
Stanley Hotel
A 1909 historic hotel that inspired Stephen King to write “The
Shining” (1997 movie version was filmed here). This hotel
sits in a dramatic location at the base of the mountains. Admission
is free.
Aerial Tramway
Offers a panoramic view of Long’s Peak and Rocky Mountain National
Park. Admission fee.
