Attractions Nearby Aurora, Day Trips and Excursions

(Aurora, Colorado - CO, USA)

Spread outside the boundaries of Aurora are numerous attractions that present themselves as potential day trips, with many of the most popular being connected by public transport.

To the north of the city is the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, which is a mere 20 minutes away (via interstates I-225 and I-70) and is therefore perfect for an excursion. The refuge is sited within the grounds of an old US army institution and is now called home by in excess of 300 different species of wildlife, ranging from bison and deer, to coyotes and even bald eagles.

Slightly further away from Aurora are the attractions within Centennial, which can be reached by heading southwards along the I-225. Centennial is a fairly simple city with a busy non-commercial airport, although its proximity to the Peak Meadows shopping mall in adjacent Lone Tree sees a stream of traffic passing through at the weekend.

General Information

Of course, if you are on holiday in Aurora and looking to experience some of the very best attractions that Colorado has to offer, it is the city of Denver that will almost always appear at the top of your sightseeing itinerary. By road, Denver can be reached in under 25 minutes, thanks to Highway US-287 (East Colfax Avenue), and it is therefore a tempting day trip destination.

Located directly west of Aurora, the metropolis of Denver (the 'Mile-High City') is packed with places of interest, thanks in no small part to its status as the capital of Colorado. Day trippers will be able to enjoy attractions such as the Black American West Museum, the Byers-Evans House Museum, the Chamberlin Observatory, the Denver Art Museum, the History Colorado Center and the Molly Brown House Museum, as well as the Colorado State Capitol itself. Families visiting Denver will find that the city's zoo is a safe bet, being open all through the year, while a stroll around the botanical gardens may also appeal.

Located approximately 30 minutes to the northwest of Aurora is the small city of Thornton, where the principal attractions are based around its healthy shopping scene. Both the Larkridge Mall and the Thorncreek Crossing Shopping Center are good places to wander around on a rainy day. There is far more going on in Boulder, some 50 minutes to the northwest, and this city is where you will find the Flagstaff Mountain, the Lafayette Miner's Museum, the Pearl Street Mall, the South Boulder Creek Trail and the University of Colorado at Boulder, amongst other attractions.

Further afield, you may like to consider excursions to the Arapaho National Forest (west), the Pike National Forest (southwest), Woodland Park (south) and Estes Park (northwest).