Expo Park - Aurora, CO

Expo Park serves as one of many smaller neighborhoods that are a part of the City of Aurora. Originally called Fletcher, Aurora changed its name in 1907 after a development company by the same name spurred growth in the area. Now one of the largest suburbs in Denver, Aurora continues to expand since its conception in the early 20th century as a diverse and family-friendly network of neighborhoods.

The nearest historical and cultural center is located in downtown Aurora around the Aurora History Museum and the Aurora cultural arts district. This section of the city contains multiple venues and art displays as well as the iconic Aurora Fox Theatre.

Despite the small size of the neighborhood, residents can find a number of quality restaurants within a mile radius of Expo Park. In addition, the selection of places to eat represents cultures from all across the globe, making for a diverse and refreshing culinary experience. Cafe Paprika serves Moroccan cuisine using family recipes. With influences from the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, the dishes at this popular spot incorporate a wide variety of flavors and styles. Try ordering the lamb shank dinner for a meaty feast, and finish it off with a bottomless cup of mint tea. Cafe Paprika also provides a catering service for larger events and parties.

Taz Indian Restaurant is another popular ethnic restaurant in Expo Park. The most popular feature here is the daily lunch buffet for only $6.99 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the buffet, the restaurant also offers meal specials from time to time on their website. Taz delivers, along with their take out service in case you feel especially lazy one night and are craving some Indian cuisine. Popular dishes include the chicken tikka masala and vegetarian samosas.

The nightlife options in the surrounding Expo Park area is made up mostly of dive bars, with a couple of special lounges in between. The best bar for live music is The Soiled Dove Underground, located a few miles west of the neighborhood. As a music venue, The Soiled Dove leans towards the smaller side, with a capacity of just over one hundred people. This smaller performing space allows for intimate and up-close shows with local, regional and national artists. Unlike larger venues, the drinks remain fairly affordable, and waiters constantly make rounds to take orders from tables throughout the show.

For the best neighborhood dive bar experience, head over to Gibby’s Big Backyard Sports Bar & Grill. People love coming to Gibby’s for the seemingly endless options for entertainment, both indoors and outside. The back patio of the bar includes two sand volleyball courts, horseshoe areas and beer-pong tables. Once inside, guests can order drinks while shooting pool, playing air hockey or just sitting back and watching the game on a big-screen TV. The other big attraction at Gibby’s is the cheap drink prices. Happy hour runs from 2 to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day, with specials such as $2 domestic drafts.

Residents of Expo Park have convenient options when it comes to getting around to both local amenities and farther destinations. Most residents can walk to a few of the local businesses. For destinations just out of walking distance, the system of bike lanes running through the center of the neighborhood on Exposition Avenue are a popular recourse. The nearest bus stops can be found on South Havana Street to the west of the park. For those looking to commute frequently to downtown Denver, the H Line of the rail system stops in southwest Aurora.

Locals who own cars usually don’t have any trouble finding free parking in this area. Access to Interstate 225 can be found on either Mississippi Avenue or Alameda Avenue. If you need to hire a ride, call ahead for a taxi, or use Uber for a trip downtown or to the airport.

The neighborhood owes its name, and perhaps even its popularity, to the centrally located Expo Park. The most popular amenity at this park is the free 18-hole disc golf course. With two ponds, a stream and plenty of trees, this course presents both a challenging and scenic backdrop. In addition, Expo Park also includes numerous walking trails for exercising, basketball and tennis courts, a children's playground and open fields for dogs to play.

The park also abuts the Highline Canal Trail, providing easy access for walkers and joggers. Another popular feature is the park's community recreation center. The rec center hosts classes throughout the year for residents, including canine training, cooking lessons and crafting instruction.

Residents of Expo Park enjoy a low cost of living compared to other areas of Denver. Overall, this neighborhood even averages cheaper prices than most of Aurora. For example, a one-bedroom apartment can typically be rented out for an average of $728 per month.

Getting around the area proves to be relatively affordable as well. Gas prices near Expo Park are typically 11 percent lower than the national average, and a one-way bus ticket to the city of Denver costs $1.75. If you go out to a local bar, expect beer on tap to cost around $4.

The area surrounding Expo Park contains a good variety of shopping destinations. Most of the establishments represent chain businesses and large department stores, such as Target, JCPenney, and Macy's.The Gardens of Havana Shopping Mall serves as the central area of commerce and contains the highest density of common mall stores. Specialty boutiques and shops are rather scarce in this neighborhood, though some local stores can be found in the surrounding region.

If you're looking for a last minute birthday gift, Caboodle Gifts serves as the perfect shop to find something fun and unique to buy. With an emphasis on regional artists and handmade crafts, the eclectic selection and at Caboodle Gifts is sure to inspire you with creative gift ideas.

The grocery options around Expo Park include Target and Safeway. For locally grown fruits and vegetables, locals enjoy visiting Sprouts Farmers Market. As an alternative to the big-box stores, Sprouts features healthy options for produce in the form of organically grown crops.