Lakewood boasts an abundant amount of beautiful Colorado scenery, offering many different ways for visitors to spend time outdoors and admire the gorgeous surroundings. Visitors will also find live music, breweries, cafes, and more throughout the city. Lakewood is just 20 minutes from Denver (8.9 miles via US-6 W).
Go boating in Bear Creek Lake Park
Bear Creek Lake Park, centered around three different lakes in Lakewood’s foothills, is a bit hidden away from everything. The main attractions found in the park are camping, fishing, boating, and biking. The park is surprisingly large and is home to its namesake lake, Bear Creek Lake, which measures about 100 acres in size. The lake is open for motorized boating between March 15 and November 15. Fifteen miles of trails and forty-seven campsites are also located in Bear Creek Lake Park, along with three cabins. Other popular activities at the park include hiking, horseback riding, and archery.
Address: 15600 W Morrison Rd, Lakewood, CO 80228, Phone: 303-697-6159
Hike in the William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park
The William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park features over 2,400 acres of wide open space and is the city of Lakewood’s second largest park. Visitors can hike along the park’s sometimes challenging multi-use trail network leading to the summit of Green Mountain. The summit offers hikers stunning and unique views of the high mountain peaks off to the west and the Denver metro area over to the east. The grounds of William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park were once home to buffalo but now provide a habitat for a variety of different wildlife, such as mule deer, rabbit, bluebirds, and hawks.
Address: 1000 S. Rooney Rd, Lakewood, CO 80228, Phone: 303-697-6159
Learn about local history at the Lakewood Heritage Center
The Lakewood Heritage Center highlights the local history of the city of Lakewood, Colorado, along with the lifestyles, inventions, and numerous changes of the twentieth century. The center is situated within Belmar Park and is home to a museum with more than ten historic buildings, thirty thousand artifacts, an outdoor amphitheater, and an area for festivals. The Lakewood Heritage Center’s gift shop and gallery are open to visitors free of charge Tuesdays to Saturdays. Tours of the historic buildings are also usually offered on Saturdays at certain times. It’s recommended that visitors interested in a tour reserve their spot in advance.
Address: 801 S. Yarrow St, Lakewood, CO 80226, Phone: 303-987-7850
Shop at Colorado Mills
Colorado Mills in a large shopping mall of over one million square feet in the city of Lakewood. The mall is home to more than 135 stores and is anchored by ten stores and entertainment options, including Forever 21, Jumpstreet, United Artists Theater and IMAX, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Eddie Bauer Outlet, H&M, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Burlington, and Super Target. Many of the shops at Colorado Mills are outlet shops, along with several local shops. There are also an array of dining options, such as Cinnabon, Sarku Japan, Qdoba Mexican Eats, and the Yard House.
Address: 14500 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80401, Phone: 303-384-3000
See wildlife in Crown Hill Park
Crown Hill Park provides a natural haven within a suburban Colorado neighborhood, a place for people to retreat and relax, enjoy some outdoor recreation lakeside, and admire the many species of birds that call the park home. Crown Hill Park is situated between the city of Lakewood and the city of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and is the site of a National Urban Wildlife Refuge within its borders. Activities visitors can find in the park include hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, biking, picnicking, jogging, rollerblading, walking, and horseback riding. The wetlands in the park’s northwest corner are a Wildlife Sanctuary.
Address: 9357 West 26th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, Phone: 303-271-5925
View exhibits at Valkarie Gallery and Studio
Valkarie Gallery and Studio is the vision of Karrie York and Valerie Savarie, opened to the public in Lakewood in 2013. The gallery strives to offer diverse artists a collective, creative creation and exhibition space, cultivating a family atmosphere among its resident and exhibition artists. Guests can view works by resident artists such as Kim Anderson, Dorothy DePaulo, Aria Fawn, Miki Harder, and Josh Davy, along with works by featured guest artists working in a variety of diverse media. Past exhibits have showcased media ranging from traditional forms such as painting, drawing, and photography to crafting media such as jewelry, paper cutting, and book sculpting.
Address: 445 S Saulsbury St, Lakewood, CO 80226, Phone: 720-220-7587
Follow the Bear Creek Greenbelt
The Bear Creek Greenbelt is an out and back 3.5-mile trail in Lakewood, Colorado that is a good walk for people of all ages and skill levels. Visitors can find that trailhead on Estes Street in the Stone House Parking Area. From the trailhead, the path follows along the shore of a large pond before crossing over a bridge and into an open meadow. Crossing a second bridge leads to another pond and then to a small boardwalk that crosses over wetlands. Following Bear Creek on to Wadsworth Boulevard leads to another bridge before Wadsworth Overpass, and then hikers can head back west.
Address: 2800 S Estes St, Lakewood, CO 80227, Phone: 303-987-7800
Enjoy contemporary American cuisine at 240 Union
240 Union -A Creative Grill serves a variety of contemporary American cuisine in the heart of Lakewood, Colorado. The restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, and specialty pastas, along with chicken, lamb, pork, and beef dishes. 240 Union provides an upscale, yet still casual experience in dining in the Denver-West metropolitan area. The creative 240 Union has been open in the Lakewood-Denver community since 1989, serving spirits and delicious meals in a unique showroom-type restaurant. The large open kitchen lets guests watch the cooks preparing meals from a menu that changes with the season and includes daily specials.
Address: 240 Union Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80228, Phone: 303-989-3562
Have a romantic dinner at Cafe Jordano
Cafe Jordano is a little Italian restaurant in the city of Lakewood that doesn’t take reservations for groups consisting of fewer than six people in order to still have open table for their neighbors. Regulars often arrive at the restaurant at least thirty minutes early to make sure they can get a table. The menu features classic Italian dishes prepared well by an Italian family. The Heitman family has been welcoming guests to Cafe Jordano for more than twenty years. The Italian eatery is open for dinner six days a week, closed on Sundays, and open for lunch Monday through Friday.
Address: 11068 W. Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80227, Phone: 303-988-6863
Stop for breakfast at the Blue Sky Cafe
The Blue Sky Cafe is a locally owned and operated cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. Along with serving an array of dishes, the cafe also offers a coffee and juice bar, and transforms into a yoga studio at night. Blue Sky Cafe strives to provide a delicate balance between food that really tastes good and food that is actually good for you. The restaurant is committed to offering the most natural and freshest ingredients, with no preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, or fillers. Only healthy oils and fats are used, such as canola oil, pure butter, and olive oil.
Address: 14403 W. Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80401, Phone: 303-216-2670
Taste unique brews at Great Frontier Brewing Company
Great Frontier Brewing Company prides itself on creating handcrafted, great tasting, and quality beer that include Gluten-Reduced beer and Gluten-Free beer. The first letters of the name of the brewery are intentionally “GF” to recognize the specialization of the beer company in Gluten-Free brews. Great Frontier got its beginnings thanks to a brewing kit Mike Plungis received for Father’s Day. After some of his family needed to go gluten-free, Mike began making gluten-free beers out of a desire to make beers for them that tasted like regular beers. The first gluten-free beer, Blonde Annie, has won several awards.
Address: 2010 S. Oak St, Lakewood, CO 80227, Phone: 720-328-1758
Step back in time at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys celebrates childhoods of the past through their preservation and showcasing of an impressive permanent collection of miniatures, dolls, teddy beers and other toys. The majority of the collection is comprised of unique hand-made toys and miniatures which have been made from all kinds of materials including wood, fabric, ivory, silver and even gold. One of the highlights of the collection is the Miss Yokohama doll, which was made in 1927 as a Friendship Doll. Other nostalgic toys you will enjoy admiring include numerous beautiful antique doll houses, vintage children’s books and games including a classic Nintendo.
Address: Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, 830 Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80223, 303 322 1053
Enjoy unique activities with Rocky Mountain Ski and Wake
Located on Little Soda Lake, Rocky Mountain Ski and Wake is a popular destination for everyone who enjoys motorized water sports. As a bonus, all the on-water fun takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Behind-the-boat activities include water skiing, wake surfing, tubing or wake boarding. Expert tutors are on hand to assist children and novices and to ensure that you find your ski legs in no time at all. 15 minute packages are ideal for beginners, while the 1-hour package is great value for families. The outfit supplies all you need including life jackets, boards, skis and tubes – just bring your towel and sunscreen and prepare for fun.
Address: Rocky Mountain Ski and Wake, 15600 W. Morrison Rd, Lakewood, CO 80465, 303 697 0121
Visit the Green Mountain Beer Company
When you have worked up a good thirst out in the fresh Rocky Mountain air, head to the Green Mountain Beer Company to taste some great locally brewed beers. The company is owned by Brian Milhaupt who brings many years of brewing experience in a large corporate brewery to Green Mountain Beer Company. The beers on tap include something for all tastes; choose from IPA’s, American Pale Ale, Pilsner, Sour, Stout and more. The brewery offers an indoor tap room as well as outdoor patio seating and their Barrel Room is ideal for parties or functions. When hunger strikes you can get find something good to eat from the on-site food truck.
Address: Green Mountain Beer Company, 2585 S. Lewis Way, Lakewood, CO 80227, 303 986 0201
Take a class at the Carmody Recreation Center
You will find every resource you need to keep you fit and healthy at the Carmody Recreation Center on Kipling Street. Here you can join one of several daily aerobic classes, work out in the gymnasium or built up muscle in the weight room. There are also indoor and outdoor swimming pools where you can train or just have fun. (Children will love the Splash Pad). The entire indoor center is air-conditioned for your comfort and other activities include pickle ball, basket ball, aqua aerobics classes and much more. Some of the activities require you to book in advance – you can do so online or phone them for same-day bookings.
Address: Carmody Recreation Center, 2200 S. Kipling St, Lakewood, CO 80227, 303 987 7000
Test your skills at the Conundrum Escape Rooms
Whether you are new to escape rooms or a die-hard escapologist, you have an exciting treat in store for you at the Conundrum Escape Rooms in Lakewood. Conundrum Escape Rooms have been offering visitors a brilliant escape room experience since 2015. To keep it fresh and exciting the company regularly launches a new themed escape room to get you coming back time after time. Each room has been meticulously thought out and there is great attention to detail. Current rooms include the Cabin in the Woods, the Mystic Chamber, Submersion and the Dead Man’s Secret. Round up your friends or family and come and do some puzzle solving.
Address: Conumdrum Escape Rooms, 2480 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80215, 720 441 3011
Plan on Fox Hollow Golf Course
Located within easy reach of downtown Denver, Fox Hollow Golf Course is a popular golfing destination. The course is a little unusual in that it offers 3 nine-hole courses, which means that golfers can choose which 2 courses they play each round. To make things even more interesting, each course has five sets of Tees so that each and every golfer can find their comfort zone or take on the challenge of a longer or shorter course layout. Golfers are invited to visit the well-stocked pro shop to kit themselves out. There is a comfortable clubhouse for drinks or meals after your game.
Address: Fox Hollow Golf Course, 13410 W. Morrison Road, Lakewood, CO 80228, 303 987 7000
