There's nothing quite like enjoying an adventure in the great outdoors, and when you're in Aurora, the best place to have that experience is at Cherry Creek State Park. There are group camping sites available, or just enough space for you and the family. Either way, camping fees apply and they do not include the price of a park pass. The site gets rave reviews for being a safe, quiet area with lots of great amenities and attractions that include walking paths, horse stables, restrooms, jet ski rentals and even firewood for your campsite.
For a more manageable recreation trail, walkers and runners opt for the inviting 3.5 mile Westerly Creek. The trail travels north to south, and it connects Cherry Creek State Park with the High Line Canal at Expo Park. Access and parking to the trail are conveniently found at Expo Park and Utah Park.
The Centennial House is one of Aurora's most significant pieces of history for various reasons. The structure is a Queen Anne Victorian-styled home and is the oldest of the nine houses Donald Fletcher built to begin developing a new community east of Denver. The community's original name, Fletcher, was later changed to Aurora. The home was one of the first in the area to feature plumbing and has had both its interior and exterior restored to reflect its original 1890s appearance. Tours are available, but you must call to reserve your time.
Get a feel of what it was like to attend class in a two-room schoolhouse when you visit Aurora's Melvin School. The structure, built in 1922 and named a landmark in 1986, originally served the outlying community of Melvin. In 1949, the structure was carefully moved to make room for the Cherry Creek Reservoir. After being used as a tavern for 17 years, the Cherry Creek Historical Society moved the school to its current location on the grounds of Smoky Hill High School where it continues to be owned and maintained by the Cherry Hill School District.