Experience the great outdoors at Denver Botanic Gardens. Sprawling over three acres (nine hectares), this natural oasis is replete with several themed gardens. Stroll along bonsais at the Japanese Garden, or enjoy a fairytale-like experience with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Storybook Gardens. Xeriscape Demo Garden is great to gather tips on home gardening and horticulture, while the Rock Alpine Garden showcases a unique topography. Take a guided tour and marvel at the verdant landscape dotted with exotic flora, lawns, waterfalls and ponds. In addition, these gardens offer several botanical exhibitions, illustrations and workshops that are both fun and interesting.
Where else can you visit polar ice caps, a tropical forest, the African Savannah, and a jungle all in one day? The spectacular Denver zoo offers state-of-the-art habitats featuring more than 3500 animals representing 600 species. Visit with sloths, tree frogs, and a moray eel at the indoor Tropical Discovery exhibit. Or wander through the seven-acre Primate Panorama exhibit. From cold climate penguins to tropical flamingos, Bird World will inspire your appreciation of winged things. It is open 365 days a year.
This 314-acre expanse of garden, greenery, fountains, ponds and fine sculpture, located just east of downtown, is home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Built in the early 1900s as part of the popular City Beautiful movement, the park served Denverites as a civic refuge and swimming retreat. The lake beach no longer exists, but the historic boathouse, seen on many area postcards, remains. Three playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts and a public golf course are all available.
This 155-acre (63-hectare) park is home to two formal gardens, one of which is a replica of George Washington's garden at Mount Vernon. The park is always full of walkers, joggers and bicyclists taking advantage of the trails and roads that encompass and dissect the entire grounds. Fishing on the park's two lakes is popular and there are also greens for lawn bowling, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, plenty of space for volleyball games and a recreation center with an indoor pool.
William F. Cody, known to the world as “Buffalo Bill,” was buried here on Lookout Mountain above Golden in 1917. He attained fame through his “Wild West” shows which he performed all over the world. The Memorial museum displays articles from the life and times of Buffalo Bill's adventurous life. Souvenirs and snacks are in abundance at the nearby Pahaska Tepee Gift Shop. Views of Golden and downtown Denver from Lookout Mountain are outstanding.
Nestled in Boulder County, Eldorado Canyon State Park is an entrancing state park is a natural wonder par excellence. A paradise for climbers, mountain bikers, hikers and naturalists alike, this park is encircled by a tapestry of imposing mountain ranges and is a rock climbing and bouldering heaven. The canyon's innermost fabric once sheltered the Native Americans, today stands as a stirring canvas of aged, natural wonders. Many visitors make the trip from Boulder just to rejuvenate their bones within the forested hills and clear mountain streams. Others come just to watch the climbers or to sprawl out and enjoy a picnic, especially during long, bright summers. The park is interspersed with crisscrossing hiking trails, while its summit affords astounding views of its scenic surrounds. Further augmented by stark cliffs, seemingly-gilded rock walls, and agile waters of the South Boulder Creek, the park plays host to other activities like fishing, skiing and snowshoeing.
Ted Asti Park is a memorial park located near the huge Superior Shopping Center, in the oldest part of the town of Superior. The park was dedicated in 2010 in honor of Ted Asti, a Superior resident who contributed much to the city, including funds, land, and other forms of support during Superior's fledgling days. The park is small but makes for a lovely picnic spot. The centerpiece of the park is the first house ever built in Superior, a fun and informative visit. Ted Asti was also a multiple war veteran and the park is dedicated not only to him but in memory of other soldiers who have called Superior their home. -Sabrina Zirakzadeh
Following the meandering flow of a tree-lined canal, this easy, paved trail for biking, running and strolling travels through the southern section of Denver, from the edge of the western foothills to the eastern outskirts of the city. The route runs along side the Wellshire Golf Course before heading decidedly east. This trail crosses the Cherry Creek Bike Trail, which goes southeast to the Cherry Creek State Park, or northwest to the edge of Denver proper. Continue east on the Highline Canal Trail and tour through the Fairmount Cemetery before the trail shoots into the dark reaches of Aurora.
Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway is a 40 mile (64.37 kilometers) stretch of road around the Lookout Mountains and Bear Creek Canyon in Colorado. Travelers on this route enjoy some scenic vistas and the enchanting natural beauty of the region during their journey. There are parks, heritage sites, museums, lakes, and streams throughout this beautiful road for travelers to witness some amazing moments they would cherish for a lifetime.
This park is one of the most visually stunning parks in Colorado, best known for its fabulous red rock formations, with fossils chronicling the life of animals and plants for more than one billion years. The ecological diversity here is a result of the "zone of transition" location, between the plains and the mountains. Micro-climates within the parkland have produced seven unique plant communities, all mixing species from both the mountain and plains zones. This is a great place to hike and view wildlife without dodging mountain bikes. Be sure to watch out for mountain lions.
Deer Creek Canyon, located in the southwestern hills, is 20 minutes from downtown depending on traffic. It presents a variety of challenging single-track trails for the intermediate mountain biker. The Red Mesa Loop, a 2.5 mile thrill ride, offers some of the best biking along the Front Range. The views from the top of the Loop are awe-inspiring and motivate you for the speedy descent down the clay hard pack. Keep an eye out for hikers and pay attention to trail markings because certain trails do not permit mountain bikes.