Aurora Attractions. Aurora Tourism and kids attractions

Free U.S. Mint Denver tours: It's all about change...loose change
Pennies from heaven? Nope, Americans who live west of the Mississippi River get their coins from the U.S Mint in Denver (Philadelphia for East Coast residents). Until the 1950s, Denver's Mint churned out only pennies with a signature "D," but these days production includes any circulating currency that jingles. Learn about the process in a 30-minute tour…that doesn't cost a penny.

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City Park: Zoo, golf, museum, IMAX, concerts and kayaks
In 1878, legislators allowed the city to acquire state land that would be the foundation of a municipal park system. First up: City Park, fashioned after New York City's Central Park. City Park offers the most activity options of Denver’s urban playgrounds, beginning with the expected landscaped open space, tennis courts, bandshell and ballfields. But add golf, the Denver Zoo, the Museum of Nature & Science, IMAX Theater, planetarium and water activities…and it's an entertainment haven.

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16th Street Mall: The hub of downtown Denver
When Denver’s central business district went into decline in the 1970s (along with most other metropolitan areas across the country), city officials went into gung-ho “save downtown” mode. Several studies, task-force meetings and consultations later, a federal grant gave the city the money necessary to make positive, long-lasting changes. The first bright spot on the horizon was the completion of a mile-long pedestrian walkway in 1982: the 16th Street Mall.

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Invesco Field: Broncos, events and concerts a mile high
With 1.8 million square feet, 500 concessions stands and 76,125 seats, Invesco Field at Mile High is well equipped to handle outdoor concerts, sports and special events. A slew of plush indoor suites and rooms are available for private functions year-round. It’s a versatile venue. But permanent fixtures such as a white horse sculpture atop the stadium and painted seats that form a horse’s head in the north stands make it clear: First and foremost, this is home of the Denver Broncos football team

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Arvada Center: Setting the stage for performances, exhibits and education
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities claims to the largest multidisciplinary arts center in the country. It features a spectrum of amateur and professional music, dance and theater opportunities, art exhibitions and educational programs for all ages, and special events held at an outdoor amphitheatre and two indoor stages. With the number and variety of programs and participants here, its multi-use label is entirely accurate.

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History and elegance highlight governor's mansion tours
The Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion was originally built in 1908 as home of the Cheesman-Evans family and became a true Denver showpiece. Claude Boettcher purchased it in 1923, and he and wife Edna traveled the world adding treasures to the home until their deaths. Edna bequeathed the house and land to the state of Colorado for use as the governor’s residence, but inexplicably the offer was declined for two years. In 1959, Gov. Stephen McNichols stepped forward to accept.

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Denver B-Cycle: Promoting pedal power
When Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2008, delegates were delighted to learn that hundreds of bicycles were available to them for downtown hops. The program was such a hit, the idea turned into a permanent city fixture beginning on Earth Day 2010. The initial effort supplied 500 bikes for almost 50 stations located downtown, in Cherry Creek and around the University of Denver. What’s red and white…and “green” all over? Two-wheelers in the Denver B-Cycle bicycle sharing system

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Float on with Venice on the Creek's summer boat rides
Venice on the Creek doesn’t technically take its passengers along Cherry Creek in gondolas. The boats are British punts. So when the organization began offering downtown float trips in 1996, the rides were called “Punt the Creek.” In football-crazed Denver, that meant only one thing—a summer camp for kickers. Today, the name more closely conveys the experience: transporting passengers past downtown scenery with accompanying history vignettes…and candlelight excursions full of romance.

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Tickle the ivories at downtown's "Your Keys to the City" project
In November 2009, Denver downtowners began noticing upright pianos placed somewhat randomly about the 16th Street Mall area. Each one was painted with vibrant colors and diverse themes, and promoted as public art. Better yet, the pianos were fully functional. Anyone could play them at no charge…and did. The pianos were such a hit during their holiday run that they were brought back as a permanent series of constantly changing displays.

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Coors Field: Colorado Rockies baseball with altitude
Pure and simple, Coors Field was built for baseball—a grand slam for Colorado Rockies players and fans since its ceremonial first pitch in 1995. Original plans called for 43,800 seats, but the team attracted amazing attendance numbers during its inaugural year at Mile High Stadium and seating was increased to 50,000-plus. Coors Field hosted its first World Series in 2007 and when tickets went on sale online, the system crashed in the first hour from sheer demand.

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