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Denver is an excellent hub for exploring the state beyond the city limits. 1 LAKEWOOD RTD Commuter Rail-connected Lakewood makes a good homebase between Denver and the mountains. Many take advantage of a few close-to-civilization campgrounds. For more civilized fare: The Lakewood Cultural Center hosts performances and events in pedestrian-friendly Belmar, which is home to shops and restaurants. (Colorado Mills Mall is also a hub for metro-area retail action.) 40 West Arts is the city’s Certified Colorado Creative District. Two new ways to experience it: The new 40W ArtLine, a 4-mile walking/bike path with interactive art, murals and large installations all along the way; and 40W Art Crawls, with First Friday art walks as well as three large-scale art events each year. Drive: 15 minutes 2 CASTLE ROCK The Outlets at Castle Rock and upscale Promenade at Castle Rock are big draws, along with The Barn’s antique and specialty shops, 44 miles of trails, the year-round Castle Rock Zip Line Tours and Epic Adventure Tower at P. S. Miller Park (where you scale a 40-foot climbing wall, zip and jump from a 42-foot platform or choose to free-fall from a 75-foot platform). There’s also the pedestrian-friendly downtown, galleries, golf courses, bistros, coffee houses, a new green space along the South Platte River and Ecclesia Market and a new food hall in a former church. Castle Rock has year-round hiking and biking trails and spectacular views from on top of The Rock — the historic namesake for the community. Stop into the visitor center for ideas on exploring the area and beyond. Drive: 35 minutes 3 EVERGREEN Acres of forest and open space surround this vibrant downtown, lined with galleries, boutiques, patio cafes and bistros. The foothills community boasts miles of hiking and biking trails, plus Evergreen Lake is packed with ice skaters each winter and hosts a summer concert series. For a bit of history of the area, Hiwan Heritage Park holds an 1893 log lodge that’s now a museum with original and historic furnishings as well as American Indian artwork. Drive: 40 minutes @xianye6 4 AURORA Seek out nine beautiful golf courses, three gorgeous reservoirs, unique museums, U-picks, breweries, shopping at Southlands, Aurora Fox Arts Center in the Cultural Arts District and much more. Check out the Stanley Marketplace, a collection of independently owned places to eat, drink, shop and play. Make plans to visit the Colorado Freedom Memorial. Constructed of glass panels that reflect Colorado’s beautiful scenery, it holds the names of more than 6,000 Coloradans killed or missing in action in all wars and all branches of service. Take a driving tour of the Story Line, passing by farms, historic homesteads, schoolhouses and other landmarks that make it hard to believe you’re in the state’s third-largest city. Download the audio guide: AuroraGov.org/StoryLine. Aurora is just minutes away from Denver International Airport by car, as well as RTD’s R Line lightrail. Drive: 25 minutes 5 LITTLETON This tree-lined downtown somehow combines the sophistication of a relaxed urban center packed with local eats and unique boutiques with small-town charm — and, of course, plenty of craft wineries, distilleries and breweries, including Breckenridge Brewery’s massive campus with brewery tours and the Farm House Restaurant. The Littleton Museum is an 1860s homestead with living-history exhibits and a children’s interactive gallery. To get to Littleton, bike the Platte River Trail or take the RTD light rail. Drive: 23 minutes 6 ARVADA Historic Old Town is the best way to get a taste of this hip suburb — and you can take the RTD Commuter Rail G Line straight there from Denver’s Union Station. The walkable section of town is packed with restaurants, breweries and boutiques. North of this area, the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities hosts summer concerts at its outdoor amphitheater where you can grab a blanket and soak up the sounds in the grass. Elsewhere, there are 150 miles of biking/ hiking trails, 4,000 acres of parks and Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge. Drive: 20 minutes 7 BRIGHTON One of Denver’s northern gateway cities, Brighton is a mix of urban amenities (think craft breweries and a burgeoning arts scene), heritage farm activities and markets, and great outdoors experiences that include Barr Lake State Park (a great place to spot bald eagles). The Armory Performing Arts Center hosts theater, dance and music events throughout the year. Drive: 25 minutes 8 BOULDER With 200 miles of trails, a laid-back vibe and the Pearl Street Mall — a charming outdoor shopping and dining locale — it’s easy to see why visitors fall in love with Boulder. See page 158 for more. Drive: 30 minutes 9 CENTRAL CITY & BLACK HAWK Home to 24-hour casinos, top-notch opera and gorgeous scenery, these two historic mining towns have burst to life recently. See page 140 for more. Drive: 45 minutes 10 COLORADO SPRINGS Iconic Pikes Peak is Colorado Springs’ showpiece, which features dozens of attractions, including the famed Garden of the Gods. See page 110 for more. Drive: 1 hour, 30 minutes 11 SUMMIT COUNTY A popular snow-sports destination in winter, this region attracts visitors year-round with quintessential mountain towns and scenic vistas. See page 146 for more. Drive: 1 hour, 30 minutes 12 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK One of the nation’s top outdoor destinations, this natural wonder boasts 350 miles of trails, unparalleled wildlife sightings and Trail Ridge Road. See page 124 for more. Drive: 1 hour, 40 minutes 13 GOLDEN The historic downtown is packed with Wild West attractions and shops nudged up against dozens of mountain parks and hiking/biking trails. See page 185 for more. Drive: 25 minutes COLO ROAD TRIPS ESTABLISHED IN 2017 Be sure to visit COLORADO.com/ColoRoadTrips for even more itineraries!
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