Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city, stretching east from Denver across the high plains. What was once a quiet suburb has become one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the American West, and that diversity shows up most deliciously in its food scene. You can eat exceptional Ethiopian along Colfax Avenue, find outstanding Korean restaurants on Havana Street, and stumble into hole-in-the-wall taquerias that rival anything in Denver proper.
The city itself is largely suburban in layout, but the Stanley Marketplace, a converted aviation factory turned food hall and community space, has become a genuine destination. The Aurora History Museum is free and worth a quick visit, and Cherry Creek State Park, which straddles the Aurora-Denver border, offers a surprising amount of outdoor recreation including a reservoir, trails, and a shooting range just minutes from the suburbs.
For most visitors, Aurora functions as a more affordable alternative to Denver, with easy light rail access to downtown. But do not just sleep here and leave. Take an evening to explore the international dining scene along Havana Street, and you will eat better than you would at most tourist-oriented spots in downtown Denver.