Aurora (Colorado)

Aurora originated in the 1880s as a town called Fletcher, taking its name from Denver businessman Donald Fletcher who founded the town. He and his partners staked out 4 sq mi east of Denver. He left two years later during the silver crash, leaving the community with a huge water debt. Inhabitants decided to rename their township Aurora in 1907. It has been growing ever since then and at one time was the fastest growing city in America.

Aurora has all four seasons of weather. Remember that it is very near the Rocky Mountains and weather can change very quickly from starting out sunny to snowing within a few hours.
Spring usually comes around May. There is still a chance of snow but usually the snow won't stick because of temperature at that time of year.

By car

Renting
With Aurora's considerable sprawl, car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors. Local companies tend to offer better prices, but national chains might be more convenient as far as return policies and hours.Rental companies include most major car rental chains
Weather conditions The colder weather months (November–February) often bring snow and ice to area roads. Visitors who park their cars should be prepared in case their car is "snowed in" by snow removal trucks. Also, pay strict attention to parking rules and snow emergencies to avoid being towed away at the car owner's expense. During the winter months, a snow brush, ice scraper, and plenty of windshield washer fluid is essential, and many natives opt to carry a shovel, some sand, and a bag of ice melt/road salt in the trunk just in case.

By plane

By plane then you are coming from Denver International Airport which isn't too far away. Denver International Airport, (DEN). Commonly referred to as DIA. It is about 20 miles to the east of downtown Denver. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.

You can get around with local transit via RTD. The new light rail R line runs in a north-south direction and is an useful way of getting around. , near the Aurora Mall, is the preferred station for changing between local buses and light rail.

Aurora has over a dozen historical sites to see ranging from historical farms, buildings and homes.

• Aurora History Museum

  phone: +1 303 739-6666
  address: 15051 E Alameda Pkwy
  The Aurora History Museum is a community-based cultural center featuring changing history and decorative arts exhibits with educational programs, tours, workshops and family events offered for all ages throughout the year.

• Plains Conservation Center

  address: 21901 E Hampden Ave
  An outdoor education area with 1100 acres, it shows the natural wonder of the Prairie.

• The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch

  phone: +1 303 739-2428
  address: 16002 E Smith Rd
  A 200-acre ranch and outdoor learning center.

• The Aurora Fox

  phone: +1 303 739-1970
  address: 9900 E Colfax Ave
  Professional theatre in the heart of the East End Arts District.

• GolfingAurora has 7 golf courses throughout the city, perhaps the most famous one is the 18 hole Fitzsimons Golf Course on the former Army base, which President Eisenhower regarded as one of his favorites.

• Aurora Reservoir

  phone: +1 303 690-1286
  address: 5800 S Powhaton Rd
  A wide array of activities can be done here like fishing, sailing, non-motorized boating, windsurfing, a seasonal swim beach (Check website to see when open), SCUBA area, archery range, and large group picnic shelters, also has 8 miles of concrete trails around the reservoir.

• Cherry Creek State Park

  phone: +1 303 690-1166
  address: 4201 S Parker Rd
  An 880-acre reservoir that offers a multitude of outdoor activities and unique activities such as horseback riding and a shooting range. You can also do boating, hiking, fishing, camping and biking.

• Quincy Reservoir

  phone: +1 303 693-5463
  address: 18350 E Quincy Ave

• Arapahoe Park Racetrack

  phone: +1 303 690-2400
  address: 26000 E Quincy Ave
  Colorado's only venue for forse racing. Dress code is casual. Serves food that you would find at most places: hot dogs, hamburgers etc.

• Aurora Skate Park

  address: 2500 S Wheel Park Circle

Events

• Fourth of July Spectacular
• JavaFest
• Asian Annual Film Festival
• KidSpree

• Southlands

  phone: +1 303 627-5000
  address: 6155 S Main St
  Southlands is home to some of today's leading retailers and restaurants including Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek, Francesca's Collections, The Gap, J. Jill, McCabe's Irish Bistro & Pub, Ted's Montana Grill, Tilly's, Wine Experience Café and World Cellar Wine, Beer & Spirits and many more.

• Aurora Mall

  phone: +1 303 344-4120
  address: 14200 E Alameda Ave
  Your typical mall its two stories and has most of the stores that you would see in your typical American mall.

Aurora has many typical fast food joints: Wendys, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell etc.

Budget

There's a number of restaurants serving the cheap and filling Vietnamese dish Pho throughout Aurora and the surrounding area. Each restaurant however tends to use different names for the dish.

• Sam's No 3

  phone: +1 303 751-0347
  address: 2580 S Havana St
  Was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the episode “Porktastic”. Known around the area for its Green Chili. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Serves a mix of American and Mexican food with some Greek specialties.

• Rosie's Diner

  phone: +1 303 752-3663
  address: 14061 E Iliff Ave
  The definition of a classic American diner.

Mid-range

• Carrabba's Italian Grill

  phone: +1 303 338-8600
  address: 2088 S Abilene St
  Carrabba's serves fresh, flavorful Italian dishes prepared from the finest ingredients sourced from around the world.

• Sushi Katsu

  phone: +1 303 368-8778
  address: 2222 S Havana St #H
  This is an all-you-can-eat sushi joint that serves delicious sushi and other Japanese food. Its $26 per person at dinner time and at lunch its half that.

• China Jade

  phone: +1 303 755-8518
  address: 12203 E Iliff Ave #D

• Seoul Korean BBQ & Sushi

  phone: +1 303 632-7576
  address: 2080 S Havana St
  Korean BBQ.

• Bender's Brat Haus Inc

  phone: +1 303 872-3569
  address: 700 S Buckley Rd #A

Splurge

• The Summit Steak and Seafood House

  phone: +1 303 751-2112
  address: 2700 S Havana St
  The Summit is known around Aurora for its steaks and its atmosphere. Also has a fully stocked bar to the side.

• Club Mixx

  phone: +1 303 366-2771
  address: 11249 E Colfax Ave

• Stampede

  phone: +1 303 696-7686
  address: 2430 S Havana St
  A local country club where you can do line dancing. It's pretty large with a few bars inside. Also has a mesquite grill restaurant you can eat. Its ladies nights are known for drawing a huge crowd.

• Sheabeen Irish Pub

  phone: +1 303 696-6131
  address: 2300 S Chambers Rd #A
  Has a few pool tables and electronic video games like Deer Hunter, also does karoke on Sundays that is themed.

• Rack'em Billiards And Sports Bar

  phone: +1 303 755-7675
  address: 1919 S Havana St
  Has over a dozen pool tables, also has dart boards and foosball. Also does beer pong tournaments on Thursdays.

• Best Western Gateway Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 720 748-4800
  address: 800 S Abilene St

• Cambria Suites Denver Airport

  phone: +1 303 576-9600
  address: 16001 E 40th Circle

• Denver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park

  phone: +1 303 371-4333
  address: 16455 E 40th Circle

• Doubletree Hotel

  phone: +1 303 337-2800
  address: 13696 East Iliff Pl

• Fairfield Inn

  phone: +1 303 745-6700
  address: 13851 E Harvard Ave

• Hyatt Place Denver Cherry Creek

  phone: +1 303 782-9300
  address: 4150 East Mississippi Ave

• Motel 6

  phone: +1 303 873-0286
  address: 14031 E Iliff Ave

• Red Lion

  phone: +1 303 695-1700
  address: 3200 S Parker Rd
  Wireless Internet access, telephones with voice mail, cable TV with premium movies, iron/ironing boards.

Aurora is part of the 303 and the 720 area codes.

Emergencies

Like the rest of the United States, the emergency number in Aurora is 911. This will connect you to the local emergency services (police, medical, and fire). If you need to report a crime to the police, such as a burglary (not in progress), minor assault (no injuries and not in progress), car theft, etc. Dial +1 720 913-2000 and request for police assistance.
The Aurora Police is the main police force.

Newspapers

• Aurora Sentinel

As in any city, use common sense. Simply using caution and avoiding any situation in which you are uncomfortable will keep you out of trouble.