Things to do nearby Gaylord Rockies
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center sits off E‑470 in Aurora (marketed as Denver area) and offers on‑site activities such as the Arapahoe Springs Water Park, Relâche Spa, multiple restaurants and large meeting space. Guests can also reach downtown Denver, Denver International Airport, and local Aurora attractions by car or the airport train plus hotel shuttle.
In this guide
Top on‑site activities
Registered overnight guests have access to Arapahoe Springs Water Park, a roughly three‑acre facility that includes an indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, multiple water slides, whirlpools and a seasonal lazy river.
Relâche Spa offers treatments (appointments required), 17 private treatment rooms, separate men's and women's lounges and the Rocky Mountain Rain Shower signature experience. The resort also operates a 24‑hour Relâche Fitness Center.
- Arapahoe Springs Water Park: indoor pool, heated outdoor pool, slides, whirlpools (family and adults‑only whirlpool sections noted), seasonal lazy river
- Relâche Spa: massages, facials, body treatments, Alpenglow Fireside Lounge; appointments required
- Relâche Fitness Center: open 24 hours for guests
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Water park access | Exclusive to registered overnight guests |
| Spa | Appointment required; offers treatments and lounges |
| Fitness center | 24‑hour access for guests |
Dining and bars at the resort
Gaylord Rockies has several on‑property restaurants and bars covering breakfast through late night, plus a grab‑and‑go marketplace and in‑room À la Carte delivery. Some venues are open to outside diners; check with the concierge for current hours and reservation needs.
Old Hickory Steakhouse operates as the resort's steakhouse for dinner; Mountain Pass Sports Bar stays open late for games; Embers Lodge Bar is a late‑night lounge option. Rockies Marketplace and Cocoa Bean provide quick options and coffee.
- Old Hickory Steakhouse — dinner (reservations recommended)
- Garden + Grain Seasonal Kitchen — lunch & dinner
- Copper Table — breakfast, lunch & dinner (open to outside diners)
- Mountain Pass Sports Bar — casual menu, open late
- Embers Lodge Bar — late night cocktails
- Rockies Marketplace & Cocoa Bean — grab‑and‑go and coffee
| Venue | Type | Typical service |
|---|---|---|
| Old Hickory Steakhouse | Steakhouse | Dinner (reservations recommended) |
| Copper Table | American/Colorado | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (open to outside diners) |
| Rockies Marketplace | Grab‑and‑go cafe | Early morning to late night |
Meetings, weddings and event spaces
Gaylord Rockies offers extensive event and convention space for meetings, trade shows and weddings, with more than 500,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space and over 70 meeting rooms.
Key named venues include the Juniper Ballroom (used for receptions and ceremonies) and the newer Mountain View Pavilion, which offers indoor/outdoor function areas and mountain views—speak with the events team for capacities and configuration options.
- Juniper Ballroom — ballroom space for ceremonies and receptions (capacity listed in event materials)
- Mountain View Pavilion — indoor/outdoor pavilion with mountain views and terraces
- Aurora Exhibition Hall & Aurora Ballroom — large exhibition and ballroom spaces for conferences and trade shows
| Venue | Use |
|---|---|
| Juniper Ballroom | Weddings, receptions, flexible ballroom |
| Mountain View Pavilion | Indoor/outdoor events, ceremonies with mountain views |
| Aurora Exhibition Hall / Aurora Ballroom | Large conferences and exhibitions |
Getting here and local transport
Gaylord Rockies is located off E‑470 at 6700 N Gaylord Rockies Blvd in Aurora. The property markets itself as minutes from Denver International Airport; drive times commonly cited are about 10–16 minutes by car depending on route and traffic.
There is no complimentary direct airport shuttle, but guests can take the RTD A‑Line train from DEN to 61st & Peña station and use the hotel shuttle (the hotel operates a complimentary shuttle between 61st & Peña station and the resort at scheduled times). Taxis, rideshares and rental cars are also common options.
- Nearest major airport: Denver International Airport (DEN); drive times vary by traffic
- Public transit: RTD A‑Line train + hotel shuttle connection at 61st & Peña (check schedules and fares)
- Parking: self‑parking and valet are available (rates vary; verify with the hotel)
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Car / Rideshare / Taxi | Direct drive to property; fares and times vary |
| RTD A‑Line + hotel shuttle | Train from DEN to 61st & Peña then hotel shuttle (train fare applies) |
| Rental car | Major rental agencies operate at DEN; on‑site parking available |
Nearby attractions and day trips
Downtown Denver destinations—Union Station, Coors Field and Ball Arena—are commonly listed as nearby attractions and are roughly a 30‑minute drive from the resort. Many guests use car or the A‑Line/shuttle combination to reach central Denver.
Within the Aurora area, Stanley Marketplace, Wings Over the Rockies Museum and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge are items often suggested as local things to do. For longer day trips, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and Rocky Mountain National Park are reachable by car; travel times depend on traffic and destination.
- Union Station, downtown Denver — transit or ~30‑minute drive
- Stanley Marketplace — local shopping and dining in Aurora
- Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge — outdoor wildlife viewing near Aurora
- Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and Rocky Mountain National Park — longer day trips by car
| Attraction | Typical access |
|---|---|
| Stanley Marketplace | Drive from the resort; local shopping and dining |
| Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR | Short drive; outdoor refuge near Aurora |
| Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre | Longer drive; allow extra time for event traffic |
Practical tips for your stay
Check‑in begins at 4:00 PM and check‑out is 11:00 AM; guaranteed early check‑in at 10:00 AM or late check‑out at 2:00 PM can be requested for an existing reservation. The resort is non‑smoking and requires a photo ID and credit card at check‑in; minimum check‑in age is 21.
A mandatory daily resort fee covers certain amenities (resort‑fee details vary by source); parking and valet are offered for a nightly fee. The property operates cashless and accepts major credit cards and mobile payments.
- Check‑in/out: standard 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM; early/late guaranteed upgrades available to existing reservations
- Minimum check‑in age: 21
- Pets: allowed with a non‑refundable fee per room and restrictions (service animals exempt); pets not permitted in pools or dining areas
- Cashless property: credit cards and mobile payments accepted; verify any on‑site gift card or cash conversion options if needed
| What to know | Quick detail |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Mandatory daily fee covers select amenities (verify current amount and inclusions) |
| Parking | Self‑parking and valet available for nightly fees (rates vary) |
| Room types to consider | Options include Room, Deluxe Room, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom, Executive Suite and others |
