Things To Do
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
For all of the animal and nature lovers - we would recommend making this your first stop after you leave the airport! It is about a 26 minute drive from the airport. It is an 11 mile loop around the park and only takes about 30 minutes driving to see the entire park. We also highly recommend listening to the audio tour while driving. It tells you all about the park and animals inside of it. The link takes you directly to the audio tour. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a 15,988-acre National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is on the grounds of the former Rocky Mountain Arsenal, a United States Army chemical weapons manufacturing facility. They have Bison, Prairie Dogs, White Tailed Deer, Mule Deer, many Birds, and Black Footed Ferrets. If you want to see a black footed ferret up close - visit the enclosure behind the visitor center. You will be able to meet their resident ferret, named Snowman!
First Creek at DEN Open Space
Love Prairie Dogs? This is the place to be! Stop off at this little site right off of the highway either before or after you visit Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. It is close the airport as well!
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
THIS IS A MUST VISIT! You are able to visit the Amphitheater during the day for free and there are many hiking spokes (paved and unpaved) around the entire venue. We recommend parking in the Upper North Parking and walking into the venue from up top so that you do not have to climb all of the stairs up. The Upper North Parking is off of W Alameda Pkwy on the map. We would recommend going early and bringing a lunch to picnic somewhere in the park. Bring plenty of water and keep an eye out on how you feel climbing at the higher elevation. Red Rocks Amphitheater is a naturally formed, world famous outdoor venue just 15 miles west of Denver.
Evergreen, Colorado - Evergreen Lake
An absolutely beautiful lake located about 20 minutes from the venue. Elk are a common sight in Evergreen, often seen near the lake. The walk around the lake is a paved circle path with minimal elevation. It's a beautiful place to grab a coffee and have a relaxing morning walk. If you go in the afternoon, they have a little mountain town downtown area with little shops to walk around to. 10/10 would recommend.
Golden, Colorado - Clear Creek Trial & Golden History Park
We highly recommend vising Golden, Colorado as it is only about a 30-minute drive from Denver. It is a beautiful mountain town with Coors Brewery Tour, lots of shops and restaurants, along with mountain views. We recommend visiting for either lunch or dinner and walking the Clear Creek Trail plus visiting the Golden History Park for the chickens!
Tiny Town & Railroad
We recommend getting a coffee or hot coco at Lynn's Whistle Stop and walking along the outside of Tiny Town. They are not open during the fall. Tiny Town & Railroad is a miniature village containing over 100 1/6 scale buildings and a 15 in gauge miniature railway about 10 minutes from the venue. Caleb thought it was silly, and Mary thought it was super cute!
Blackbird Cafe - Mountain Brunch & Lunch
Beautiful spot to have breakfast and sit outside. We recommend going early and dressing warm as the mornings in the mountains are a little chilly
Red Rocks Beer Garden
Red Rocks Beer Garden had a great patio, and we loved walking around downtown Morrison!
Downtown Denver - River North Art District
Walking around the River North Art District in Denver was super cool! Tons of wall murals and restaurants to visit.
The Homestead Golf Course
This golf course looked like a must visit for beautiful views