Make your neighborhood the destination this season

One of the best ways to celebrate the final weeks of summer is by exploring everything that's already nearby. Living at Five810 Southlands in Aurora, Colorado, puts shopping, restaurants, coffee, entertainment, and recreation right around your neighborhood. Instead of planning a long vacation, spend your free time discovering local favorites before returning home to relax.

Start with coffee, browse the shops, try somewhere new for lunch, and leave plenty of time for entertainment afterward. With so much happening around Southlands, your staycation itinerary can change every weekend.

Start your morning with a local coffee stop

A relaxed summer morning calls for a good cup of coffee. Head to Legends Coffee on East Commons Avenue for a neighborhood coffee stop before exploring more of Southlands.

Another morning can begin at Southlands Cafe on Smoky Hill Road. Grab coffee and breakfast before deciding where the rest of your day will take you.

When you want to make breakfast the main event, Heritage Cafe on East Aurora Parkway gives you another nearby option. Keeping your morning plans local makes it easy to slow down and enjoy the neighborhood instead of rushing into the day.

Spend the afternoon exploring Southlands

After coffee, head to Southlands and make an afternoon of exploring the district. Browse retailers including Nordstrom Rack, Barnes & Noble, Daiso, World Market, Sephora, Dick's Sporting Goods, and locally oriented specialty shops.

Southlands is about more than checking errands off your list. Stop for something sweet at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, grab a refreshing drink from Bloom Tea & Boba, or simply take your time exploring Main Street.

When you're ready for something more interactive, check out Color Me Mine for a creative afternoon or head to Slick City Action Park for indoor entertainment.

Discover new places to dine

A great staycation always includes memorable meals, and Southlands gives you plenty of opportunities to change up your routine.

Meet friends for burgers at Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, enjoy Indian cuisine at Monsoon Cuisine of India, or make dinner plans at Dolce Vita Italian Bistro & Restaurant on Main Street.

For another casual neighborhood option, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar on East State Avenue offers a broad menu for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch.

You can also keep things especially local with Bent Barley Brewing Company, another Southlands destination. Instead of returning to the same restaurant every weekend, choose somewhere new and turn the final stretch of summer into your own Aurora dining tour.

Add entertainment to your staycation

When dinner is over, your evening doesn't have to end. Catch a movie at AMC Southlands 16, or check the Southlands calendar to see what is happening around the district.

Southlands hosts seasonal community programming and events throughout the year, giving you another reason to return even after you've explored your favorite shops and restaurants.

You don't need to plan every hour. Start with one destination and see where the day takes you.

Find more ways to enjoy Aurora

Another weekend can take you beyond the shopping district for a change of scenery. Spend some time exploring the surrounding Aurora area, then return to Southlands for dinner or entertainment.

You can also make the neighborhood itself the destination. Start with breakfast, browse the stores, find somewhere new for lunch, and finish with a movie or another activity.

The convenience of having so many options concentrated in one area means your plans can stay flexible.

Return home and continue relaxing

After spending the day exploring Aurora, Five810 Southlands offers plenty of ways to keep your staycation going. Cool off in the year-round pool, unwind in the spa-inspired hot tub, or gather around the fire pits before preparing dinner at the outdoor grilling stations.

The clubhouse, game room, fitness center, and hammock courtyard give you even more ways to spend your downtime without heading back out.

When you're ready for a quieter evening, return to your apartment, settle in, and start deciding which neighborhood favorite you'll try next.

Enjoy every season close to home

The final weeks of summer are the perfect excuse to discover more of Aurora and Southlands, but your neighborhood adventures don't have to end when the season changes.

Start your morning at Legends Coffee. Spend the afternoon browsing Southlands. Try a new restaurant for dinner. Catch a movie or find another activity before returning home.

Next weekend, switch up the itinerary.

At Five810 Southlands, dining, shopping, entertainment, and community amenities give you plenty of reasons to enjoy staying local throughout the year.