Whether you love a vibrant urban scene or like to hit the trails in your hiking boots, Denver is a great place to live. Parents enjoy Denver’s many family-friendly attractions that keep kids of all ages entertained. Outdoor enthusiasts revel in the parks and hiking opportunities, and everyone seems to enjoy the wide array of museums. Here is a quick overview of some fun things to do in Denver.
Denver’s Parks
Denver has an abundance of parks and open space areas that provide serene spots to relax, recreate, and rejuvenate. There are over 4,000 acres of parks and parkways. Three notable parks in Denver are City Park, Cheesman Park, and Washington Park.
City Park is located just east of downtown and has over 300 landscaped areas with gardens, fountains, and plenty of grassy areas for picnics. City Park is also where the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Science and Nature are located.
Cheeseman Park is popular with joggers because it has a path that runs around the park. The park is also developed with play equipment for kids. During the summer, the park comes alive with a free summer concert series. These are casual events where people bring a picnic meal, enjoy the lovely park and take in some music.
Washington Park, known as Wash Park by the locals, is a great year-round spot. There are a recreation center, flower gardens, a jogging path with fitness course, horseshoe pit, soccer field, and tennis courts.
Hiking in Denver
If you like to hit the trail, Denver is centrally located to some incredible hiking opportunities. From family-friendly shorter trails to full-on, multi-day hiking, Denver is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts. Three easily accessible hiking trails that can be enjoyed year-round include the South Valley Parks Trails, the Lakes Loop Trail at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, and the hikes in Roxborough State Park.
The South Valley Parks Trails boast red rocks, meadows, and deer. During the snowy season, these trails are great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Sunset hikes are particularly splendid when the colors on the red rocks really come to life. The Rocky Mountain Arsenals has a range of animals and views to the Front Range. Seasonal fishing is also permitted at this site. Hiking at the Roxborough is like entering another world due to the unique sloping rock formations that jut dramatically from the earth. Be sure to bring your camera.
Denver, CO Museums
For those who enjoy museums, there are over a dozen in Denver . Art lovers will appreciate the Denver Art Museum, which has a 120 year history in the City. With a collection of over 40,000 pieces, the Denver Art Museum is the largest between Kansas City and the West Coast. If plants and flowers make your heart sing, be sure to pay a visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens. This is a year-round destination with over 30 distinct gardens across 23 acres. Other notable museums include The Children’s Museum of Denver, the Denver Museum of Science & Nature, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Denver Restaurants
Denver has a diverse restaurant scene with cuisines from around the world represented. From upscale steakhouses to charming corner eateries, you will never go hungry in Denver. Some notable restaurants in Denver include Frasca Food and Wine, Sushi Den, ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro, Luca d’Italia, Fruition Restaurant, and Root Down.
So, whether you like the indoor environments of a great restaurant or museum, or you love to get outside and enjoy a park or trail, Denver is a great place to be. Young couples just starting out, families, and retirees all enjoy the wide range of offerings that can be found in Denver. The hardest thing about finding something to do in Denver is making the decision on what to do, because there are just so many options.
Image Sources: Flickr User Ken Lund & Flickr User minka6
