7 Quietest Small Towns Near Aurora

Aurora, Colorado, is far more than just a neighbor to Denver; it is a high-plains gem with a fascinating backstory that began in 1891 when it was founded as the town of Fletcher. Today, it stands as one of the state's coolest, most unpretentious destinations. In this place, you can tour a marketplace housed in a former aviation ejection-seat factory (The Stanley Marketplace) or sample cuisine from an impressively wide range of cultures along Havana Street.

For those who love Aurora’s relaxed pace but crave the smell of pine and the crunch of snow underfoot, the historic mining camps and quiet hamlets of the Front Range are the perfect next step. Just a scenic two-hour drive (or less) from Aurora, these seven small towns trade the sweeping plains for granite canyon walls. They are the keepers of Colorado’s Gold Rush secrets and local legends, offering a weekend retreat that is as rich in history as it is in silence.

Georgetown

Located just one hour west of Aurora along Interstate 70, Georgetown sits deep in a canyon carved by Clear Creek. While nearby neighbors like Black Hawk filled up with casinos, this village decided to stay exactly as it was during the 1870s silver boom. It is often called the "Silver Queen of the Rockies," and walking the streets feels like stepping onto a movie set. The best way to see the steep landscape is aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a steam train that spirals over the skinny, 95-foot-tall Devil’s Gate High Bridge. In the center of town, you can visit the Hotel de Paris Museum, where a mysterious Frenchman named Louis Dupuy once served oysters and fine wine to rough miners in a building that used to be a bakery. Just outside the village, drivers can take the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, where you can often spot wild bighorn sheep. For a weekend stay, the Rose Street Bed & Breakfast offers a comfortable room just steps away from the old shops on 6th Street.

Lyons

Drive about an hour north of Aurora to reach Lyons for a weekend away. It sits right where the flat plains meet the mountains. People know this spot for two things: music and sandstone. In the late 1800s, workers extracted the red rock here to build elaborate houses in Denver and the university campus in Boulder.

Today, crowds gather at Planet Bluegrass to hear banjos and guitars echo off the canyon walls. If you prefer games, Lyons Classic Pinball lets you play dozens of vintage machines. Hikers and mountain bikers love Hall Ranch Open Space for its tough trails and views of Longs Peak. When you get hungry, grab a burger at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, the original home of the famous beer maker. For a unique place to sleep, try WeeCasa Tiny House Resort, where you can stay in your own miniature home right by the river.

Nederland

Journey about an hour and a half northwest of Aurora to spend a weekend in Nederland. This community sits high in the peaks and takes pride in being a little unconventional. It is famous for a strange local legend about a frozen dead man kept in a shed, a story that inspired a wild festival for years.

The heart of the village beats at the Carousel of Happiness. A Vietnam veteran spent decades hand-carving the wooden animals to bring joy to riders of all ages. Just across the street, you can walk along the edge of Barker Reservoir to see the water reflect the mountains. For a unique snack, stop by The Train Cars Coffee and Kava, where you can sip a latte inside real, restored railroad cars. In the winter, locals skip the heavy highway traffic and head here to ski the slopes at Eldora Mountain. When you are ready to rest, the Boulder Creek Lodge offers rustic rooms right in the center of town, making it easy to walk to dinner.

Evergreen

Evergreen sits just 45 minutes west of Aurora, a place where elk often wander right through the streets to stop traffic. It feels deep in the mountains without the long drive. Life here centers on Evergreen Lake House. In the summer, you can paddleboard on the Evergreen Lake, but in winter, it turns into one of the largest outdoor ice rinks in the world.

If you like live music, grab a seat at The Little Bear Saloon. This famous watering hole has rough wood floors and has hosted big bands for decades. For a walk in the woods, Alderfer/Three Sisters Park offers giant rock formations that are fun to climb and trails that are easy enough for families. To turn the trip into a getaway, stay at Highland Haven Creekside Inn, where you can listen to the stream right outside your door.

Fairplay

Fairplay is known to many as the real-life setting for the animated series "South Park," but this community, located roughly two hours southwest of Aurora, has an intriguing past. It sits high up in a grassy basin where miners once searched for gold. The main attraction here is the South Park City Museum. It's not a typical indoor exhibit; it is a collection of over forty real buildings from the 1880s, relocated here to create a massive open-air ghost town that you can walk through.

Just outside the main streets, you can relax by the water at Fairplay Beach, where people fish for trout or walk the easy loop trail. If you have a sturdy car, drive up Boreas Pass to see golden aspen trees and old railroad remains. For an authentic Wild West experience, book a room at the Hand Hotel. Locals say this old bed and breakfast overlooking the river might have a few friendly ghosts wandering the halls.

Idaho Springs

Idaho Springs claims the title of where the Colorado Gold Rush actually began. Just 45 minutes west of Aurora, this narrow strip of buildings clings to the side of the highway, but there is plenty to explore. You can tour the massive red building on the hill, the Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel, to see how raw rock was turned into wealth.

If you prefer snow over gold, hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier. It is a short but steep climb that leads to a lake and a permanent snowfield where people ski even in summer. When you get hungry, head to Beau Jo’s Pizza to try their famous "Mountain Pie," a pizza so thick that they serve it with honey for the crust. For a relaxing weekend, stay at Indian Hot Springs. You can sleep in a historic room and soak in the natural mineral caves that miners used to rest their aching bones.

Manitou Springs

Manitou Springs sits right at the base of Pikes Peak, about an hour and fifteen minutes south of Aurora. This community is famous for its strange history and naturally bubbly water. You can bring a cup and walk around town to taste the water from the different mineral spring fountains, but be warned: some taste sweet, while others taste like soda water.

If you don’t mind a strenuous workout, athletes challenge themselves on the Manitou Incline. The steep trail is made of old railway ties that lead straight up the mountainside. If you prefer games over hiking, spend an afternoon at the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade, where you can play hundreds of vintage machines outdoors. To see the top of the mountain without walking, take a ride on the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway. For a fancy weekend stay, book a room at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, a grand hotel that has hosted famous guests since the 1870s.

Small Towns To Visit Near Aurora

Aurora is the perfect base camp for exploring the Rockies. You do not need to travel far to trade the city streets for mountain peaks. Whether you spend your days climbing the Manitou Incline, soaking in historic hot springs, or wandering through a ghost town, these nearby destinations show you a different side of the state. So, leave your luggage behind for a day or two and hit the road. The real adventure is just a short drive from your hotel.