2021-12-03 13:10:12
Denver is an excellent hub for exploring the state and the outdoors just beyond the city limits. Lakewood RTD Commuter Railconnected Lakewood is a solid homebase between Denver and the mountains. 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 retail action.) 40 West Arts is the city’s Certified Colorado Creative District. Two ways to experience it: The new 40W ArtLine, a 4-mile walking/ bike path with interactive art and murals along the way; and First Fridays gallery openings, artist lectures and more. There are lots of ways to get outside, too. Stroll through Kendrick Lake Park’s garden or hit the trails of William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain. Spend a day at Bear Creek Lake Park boating, fishing, swimming and paddleboarding. Meander the 5-mile Discover Alameda bike/walk path’s loops, ponds and birding spots. Drive: 15 minutes 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 Edge Ziplines & Adventures (where you scale a 40-foot climbing wall, zip and jump from 42 feet high 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 — a 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 Evergreen Acres of forest and open space surround this vibrant downtown, lined with galleries, boutiques, day spas, patio cafes and bistros. The foothills community boasts miles of year-round hiking and biking trails (pick up a trail map at the visitor center), plus Evergreen Lake is packed with ice skaters each winter and hosts a summer concert series, boaters and fishers. For a bit of history on the area, Hiwan Heritage Park holds an 1893 log lodge that’s now a museum with original and historic furnishings as well as Native American artwork. Drive: 40 minutes Aurora Seek out five 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. Another idea: Book a class at the Create Cooking School and learn to make pasta, French fare, Indian flavors and much more. 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 the self-guided Colfax Canvas Mural Tour — a “collaboration of culture and creativity” in the heart of the Aurora Cultural Arts District. Get maps and audio guides at colfaxcanvas.com. Or take a driving tour of the Story Line, passing 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 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 nearby 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 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 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 outdoor 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. There’s a free walking tour of the downtown historic district, which highlights several architectural styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Drive: 25 minutes Boulder With 200 miles of trails, a laid-back vibe and Pearl Street Mall, it’s easy to see why visitors fall in love with Boulder. See page 152 for more. Drive: 30 minutes 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 126 for more. Drive: 45 minutes Colorado Springs Iconic Pikes Peak is Colorado Springs’ showpiece, which features dozens of attractions, including the famed Garden of the Gods. See page 101 for more. Drive: 1 hour, 30 minutes Summit County A popular snow-sports destination in winter, this region attracts visitors year-round with quintessential mountain towns and scenic vistas. See page 130 for more. Drive: 1 hour, 30 minutes 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. A new seasonal Bustang route runs from Denver to the park. See page 110 for more. Drive: 1 hour, 40 minutes Golden Historic downtown is packed with Wild West attractions and shops nudged up against dozens of mountain parks and hiking and biking trails. See page 163 for more. Drive: 25 minutes
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