(4 Miles from The Canyons)
Part of Castle Pines North Metro District, Coyote Ridge Park has your go-to neighborhood ball field, and whether it’s kickball, baseball, or softball, your teams are set up for success. The park amenities don’t end with only those sports, there’s also another multi-purpose sports field for soccer, a skateboard park, two basketball courts, trails, and a playground. With shade pavilions, picnic tables, and barbeques grills, plan to hang out with snacks or have a full picnic.
While You’re There: Check out the new open-air basketball courts just south of the skateboard park with lots of hangout room around them. The courts are a great place for nighttime pick-up games and basketball practice.
7485 Serena Drive
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Phone: 303.242.3267
(4 Miles from The Canyons)
Sky View Farm is your neighbor’s horse farm. Besides the beautiful offerings of kids’ camps and therapy sessions, Sky View has horse riding lessons, and whether you’re an experienced equestrian or riding for the first time, there’s a challenge waiting for you. From jumpers to trail riding, the trainers help you better connect with horses and advance your skills in both indoor and outdoor arenas. Private and group lessons are also available.
While You’re There: Check out Robin’s Nest Summer Pony Camp in the summertime for a fun approach for kids to learn horse-handling skills, riding disciplines, parts of the horse and tack.
1705 Outter Marker Road
Castle Rock, CO 80108
Phone: 310.844.2627
(12 miles from the Canyons)
With a great central location, Chatfield could be the perfect day trip for you and your family. Chatfield State park offers boating, fishing, hiking, and even flying model airplanes. There are also picnic tables and grills for you to utilize while visiting the area. You can also enjoy educational programs, walk your dog, go on a horseback ride, or even catch a glimpse of a beautiful hot air balloon.
While You’re There: Reservations are highly recommended for all year-round camping spots at Chatfield. Their campground has full-service sites available seasonally and offering water, sewer, and electric hookups. Over thirty sites have new detached tent pads. Get your camping gear ready!
11500 N Roxborough Park Rd
Littleton CO 80125
Phone: 303.791.7275
(10 Miles from The Canyons)
Your kids will have fun imagining and pretending and exploring the many interactive exhibits and kids’ activities in the educational play space at the Play Street Museum. Adults are welcome to join in on the adventure or sit back and relax while their children discover a world that is just their size, in this interactive children’s museum.
While you’re there: Check out the “Crafting Co” section of the museum. Allow your kids to express themselves through art. This includes drawing, painting, and even pottery. Perfect for all artistic skill levels!
9370 S Colorado Blvd
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Phone: 303.357.3024
7 Miles to The Canyons
Intimate, innovative, and international, that’s Lone Tree Arts Center. Set in a LEED-certified venue, their concerts and shows also lead. With fresh perspective lectures and storytelling, musical performances with a twist or two, and a National Geographic Live series, these events and performers are knock-your-socks-off engaging. Truly, nothing here is ordinary or been-there. We’re talking always-wanted-to-know-that topics, what-an-incredible-take music. With programming this nuanced and thoughtful, and in a location so close to The Canyons, you’ll want to explore the discounts offered for ticket subscription packages. To continue this local, modern adventure, consider using RTD Light Rail to get to this leading edge theatre.
While You’re There: Just down from the arts center on Commons Street is Via Baci, Modern Italian Kitchen + Bar. Known as Lone Tree’s best Italian restaurant, they use fresh, simple ingredients to make delightful sandwiches, pastas, and Neapolitan pizza. Enjoy the easy-going dishes and friendly staff before or after a show. And if it’s Tuesday or Thursday, enjoy select bottles of wine at all-day happy hour prices.
Lone Tree Arts Center
10075 Commons Street
Lone Tree, CO 80124
Phone: 720.509.1000
(13 miles from the Canyons)
Kids Wonder is a children’s play center that invites you and your kids to “Enjoy the Wonder of Simple Play!” With different areas and themes to play in, your kids will be excited to explore this amazing place. This is South Denver Metro’s only intentional play center that is dedicated to the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of children.
While you’re there: Book a birthday party or private event for your children. Kids can wander around ‘Lil’Town,’ where they can pretend play in a home, a school, a grocery store, or even a fire station. For older children, there are inflatables for the kids to enjoy.
7562 S University Boulevard, Suite GG
Centennial CO 80122
Phone: 303.835.0709
(37 miles from the Canyons)
The Butterfly Pavilion is an incredible experience for you and your family. Learn about different species, learn about the world around us, and have an incredible experience that you and your family will never forget. The Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world, and a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration, and connection.
While you’re there: Join camps, family nature clubs, or even volunteer with this community. Check out exhibits including their ‘Wings of the Tropics,’ ‘Crawl-A-See-Em,’ ‘Water’s Edge,’ or the ‘Colorado Backyard,’ where you can learn about your own home.
6252 W 104th Avenue
Westminster CO 80020
Phone:303.469.5441
(20 miles from The Canyons)
The Denver Zoo is an amazing part of the Denver culture. With 84 acres of land and over 3,000 animals, your family will love this experience. While learning about your favorite animals, you will also be able to learn about wildlife conservation and the rich history of the 125-year-old zoo.
While you’re there: Grab some food at the many restaurants around the park, learn about special ongoing events, and so much more. One of the best times to go is during the holiday season when the Denver Zoo puts on a magical evening, “Zoo Lights,” where they fill the zoo with festive lights.
2300 Steele Street
Denver Co 80205
Phone: 720.337.1400
1.8 Miles from The Canyons
With the proximity to The Canyons, this restaurant may be ideal on a night you don’t want to cook. This restaurant has been a staple in Castle Pines for over 15 years. Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar offers everything from high quality steaks and seafood to your favorite Italian dishes, and perfectly paired wines. Pino’s truly has something for everyone. Whatever you’re craving, you can find it at Pino’s. It’s been described as a perfect setting for business meetings, family gatherings, or a romantic dinner.
Phone: 303.663.3421
(9 miles from the Canyons)
Enjoy a new way to jump right into Colorado’s picture-perfect scenery, at The Edge Ziplines and Adventures! With hands-on assistance, you’ll navigate 10 different ziplines and soar over 320 acres of landscapes. Enjoy Rocky Mountain vistas as you go! This is Denver’s top rated Zipline Tour, and you’ll have to see for yourself why that is!
While you’re there: Put your strength and agility to the test when you visit the Epic Sky Trek aerial obstacle course. The Epic Sky Trek is equipped with 120 aerial obstacles, ziplines, and more, soaring up to 50 feet (15 meters) in the air. Have fun and stay safe!
1375 West Plum Creek
Castle Rock CO 80109
Phone: 720.733.9477
(6 Miles from The Canyons)
Intimate, innovative, and international… that’s Lone Tree Arts Center. With fresh perspective lectures and storytelling, musical performances with a twist or two, and a National Geographic Live series, these events and performers are knock-your-socks-off engaging. With programming this nuanced and thoughtful, and in a location so close to The Canyons, you’ll want to explore the discounts offered for ticket subscription packages.
While You’re There: Just down from the Arts Center on Commons Street is Via Baci, Modern Italian Kitchen + Bar. Known as Lone Tree’s best Italian restaurant, they use fresh, simple ingredients to make delightful sandwiches, pastas, and Neapolitan pizza.
10075 Commons Street
Lone Tree, CO 80124
Phone: 720.509.1000
23 Miles from The Canyons
In 1970, a group of Denver citizens saved social activist and Titanic survivor Molly Brown’s house from demolition. Born of this effort, Historic Denver has worked to preserve and promote many urban landmarks. After five decades of work, Denver history thrives and Historic Denver Walking Tours has the inside scoop. There are five main tours and three specialty walks, each putting you ringside to the people and places of the past. From warehouses to mansions, from main streets to clock towers, all you need are comfortable shoes, sunglasses – or sometimes an umbrella – and the desire to learn the stories behind many of the city’s most iconic and memorable buildings, homes, and streets.
While You’re There: After saving Molly Brown’s home, Historic Denver converted it to the Molly Brown House Museum and opened it for guided tours. Located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street, the carefully restored house demonstrates how J.J. and Margaret “Molly” Tobin Brown lived in the early 1900s. The home is also known as the House of Lions and Molly, of course, as The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Besides daily tours of the museum, there are themed tours and events that capture the spirit of the times and Molly’s philanthropy and adventures.
Historic Denver Walking Tours
1420 Ogden Street, Suite 202
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 303.534.5288 ext. 7
Hours of Operation:
Mondays | Closed
Tuesday through Sunday | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
(4 Miles from The Canyons)
If you’re looking for a top-rated Denver golf course, look no further than The Ridge at Castle Pines North. With spacious fairways, sculpted bunkers, and well proportioned, rolling greens, challenges coexist with the potential for a day of great shots and satisfying play. With the onsite restaurant, Park Place at the Ridge, plan for breakfast before or happy hour after, and linger on the patio, which overlooks the Castle Rock valley.
While You’re There: Ever wonder how much a golf lesson would improve your game? Want to get out to more social golfing events? The Ridge offers both! Check out their Private Instructions, Junior Golf, Ladies Golf, and more!
1414 Castle Pines Parkway
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Phone: 303.688.4301
(4 miles from the Canyons)
Living in The Canyons brings many opportunities to explore Colorado, and one of our favorite spots is in our own backyard. The Reuter Hess incline is a 132-step incline with trails around the area. Once you have made it up the steep incline, you will have beautiful views of both Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. Visitors should turn west off Heirloom Parkway when they reach the Rueter-Hess Water Purification Facility and continue west to the designated Incline parking area.
While You’re There: Check out Rueter-Hess Reservoir. Enjoy a big open space, both quiet and safe to float your stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe on in the summertime.
11865 Heirloom Pkwy
Parker CO 80134
Phone: 720-842-4264
32 Miles from The Canyons
Because Red Rocks Park serves as a crossroad, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheatre becomes the only naturally occurring open air venue with ideal acoustics in the world. Attracting the best voices and musical groups, the amphitheatre sound moves both the audience and the artist. Songs and set lists transform into powerful performances. The park also inspires. With tours, trails, dining, and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, you’ll experience many Denver-specific moments in one place. Geological wonders and abundant wildlife and views rub shoulders with great food and entertainment. Again, a crossroad—one where, whatever direction you choose, you’ll discover a good time.
While You’re There: Built in 1931, the Trading Post greets Reds Rocks visitors as they arrive. Stop and take a look around. The building precedes the amphitheatre by a decade and is built in Pueblo Revival style to honor Native American historical architecture, which aimed to compliment the landscape. In 2015, the Trading Post became home to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame exhibit, and in 2016, was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
18300 Alameda Parkway
Morrison, CO 80465
Phone: 720.865.2494
(21 miles from the Canyons)
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is one of the best places to spend a day. Whether it’s the middle of summer to stay out of the heat, or in the coldest weather during winter, this museum is a great family place. Since the early 1900s, the museum has continued to grow and develop.
Catch a movie at their IMAX theater, or spend the day browsing exhibits, and much more. With rotating exhibits and amazing collections of artifacts, you will be able to learn about the past as well as the future.
While You’re There: The museum also features a Gates Planetarium. You can discover black holes, volcanos, galaxies, and much more about the dark universe. Are you ready for an adventure that is out of this world?
2001 N Colorado Blvd
Denver CO 80205
Phone: 303.370.6000
23 Miles from The Canyons
Now in its 43rd year, the Denver Film Festival has set the bar high, aiming to promote film as both an art form and a civic forum while also developing programming for diverse audiences. The festivals activities take place at The Sie FilmCenter at the Tivoli and at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, which serves as home to Red Carpet events during the festival. This 2,400-seat theatre provides a state-of-the-art movie going experience while Sie FilmCenter features twelve screens. With a dedicated staff and an eye on entertaining extras like Q&As with filmmakers, workshops, short films, and gear demos, the festival is twelve days of movie bliss.
Sie FilmCenter
2510 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80206
Phone: 720.381.0813
(13 miles from the Canyons)
Boondocks is a place full of fun for both kids and kids at heart. Boondocks features over 8 acres of rides and attractions, including a Bowling Center, Ballard Tables & Shuffleboard, 3 Go-Karting Experiences, Bumper Boats, Miniature Golf, Laser Tag, an Arcade, and more. There’s fun for everyone!
While you’re there: Grab a bite to eat or a cold drink at their on-site, full-service restaurant featuring burgers, shareables, pizzas, desserts, and more. They also have a variety of alcoholic drinks to choose from at their fully stocked bar.
18706 Cottonwood Dr
Parker CO 80138
Phone:720.842.1100
14 Miles from The Canyons
Do you have a love for and experience with horses? Are you a competent ranch-hand or skilled with duties unique to fundraising? Have you wanted to do more for those who are differently abled? If so, there are fantastic and impactful volunteer opportunities at Promise Ranch in Franktown. Promise Ranch delivers therapeutic equine experiences for those in need of nature-based healing modalities. Services include Adaptive Riding, occupational and speech therapy sessions, and programs for active-duty and veteran military professionals. Volunteers can help manage and care for horses, the ranch grounds, or provide clerical or administrative support, all things that boost the experience for horse and rider at the ranch.
While You’re There: If you want to give something other than time, consider sponsoring a Promise Ranch horse. Therapy horses work six days a week and provide hours of healing, joy, and transformative learning and confidence to the riders. Sponsoring a Healing Horse helps Promise Ranch cover food, boarding, and veterinarian care. Whether it’s Mambo, Lily, Comet or any other horse in the herd, monetary sponsorship covers the basics so they’re comfortable and focused for therapy sessions.
Promise Ranch Therapeutic Riding
6230 E Hwy 86
Franktown, CO 80116
Phone: 303.817.6531
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday | Closed
2.5 Miles from The Canyons
Reading enthusiasts, book lovers, and literacy champions unite! Douglas County Libraries have volunteer opportunities to help you spread the learning and leisure value of book-in-hand. Visit their website, at dcl.org, or ask librarians or staff at one of the eight county libraries how you can support giving the gift of reading. Maybe you’d like to help expand adult literacy or deliver books to homebound readers. Maybe becoming a Child Care Center Reader is what you have interest in and talent to do. The libraries also hold special events where they need greeters and set-up or cleanup crews. And of course, there’s always the important work that takes place inside each library, stocking shelves, repairing books, and providing clerical assistance. The giving options are as varied as the books offered on loan, so come book time to share your unique bookish skills with the community.
While You’re There: The Douglas County library system is an interesting place to volunteer, but you’ll also find engaging programs and extensive author events for both kids and adults. For instance, Book Lovers is a lively, adult-only evening book club and the Lifelong Learning series is for those 18 and older to deep dive into distinctive topics. For kids, Bark for Books and Book Buddies provide readerly fun. Bark for Books turns kids into storytellers. The audience? Trained therapy dogs! Book Buddies pairs older readers with younger ones to build literacy skills and love of reading.
Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines
360 Village Square Lane
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Phone: 303.791.7323
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Thursday | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday & Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM
5 Miles from The Canyons
Located in Castle Rock, this Mexican restaurant should be on your list to check out. What started as a Denver staple decades ago is now a well-known favorite around the state. La Loma began as a family-owned Mexican restaurant in a small brick house just a block away from what became their permanent location for over thirty years. In recent years, La Loma added its newest addition in Castle Rock. Be sure to try their sizzling fajitas and their fan-favorite margaritas!
Phone: 303.632.9900
5.1 Miles from The Canyons
Trestles Coastal Cuisine is a family-owned establishment awarded “Best Seafood” by Restaurant Guru in both 2019 and 2020. With a happy hour from 2:00pm until 5:00pm, this could be a great spot to meet up with friends and family. The name, Trestles Coastal Cuisine, was selected to evoke thoughts of perfection: the perfect day, the perfect wave, the perfect meal.
Phone: 303.663.3622
28 Miles to The Canyons
On the hunt for gourmet goodies and food hall revelry? Check out The Denver Central Market, where a small but mighty group of vendors dish out one-of-a-kind eats and edible gifts. It’s true there’s something for everyone, but some favs include cold brew coffee and kombucha at Crema Bodega, the meatball sandwich at The Local Butcher, and the make-the-mouth-happy Banana Stand chocolate bite at Temper Chocolates. Banana ganache and roasted peanut filling? Yes, please! To eat and imbibe at the marketplace is foodie joy, but the shopping here is great too. With olive oils and bakery and dry goods, assemble a food gift worth its weight or select a pre-made gift basket, curated for best of the best giving. Open from 8:00am to 10:00pm, arrive early and grab Izzio’s poached egg dish, Shaksuka, for breakfast and then shop. Or come later for a tasty dinner of Vero Italian’s Frizzi pizza and Curio’s tiki-inspired Jamaican Sour cocktail as a nightcap. Carry-out means yummy dishes can go with you, market to market and then home again, jiggety-jig.
The Denver Central Market
2669 Larimer Street
Denver, Colorado 80205
Hours of Operation:
Sunday – Thursday | 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday & Saturday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
25 Miles from The Canyons
In 1971, the first Tattered Cover Book Store opened its doors. Today, it’s Denver’s premier indie bookstore, selling both used and new books in four locations. The philosophy at Tattered Cover is to bring people and books together in an in-person, warm-and-cozy, hands-on-literary way. These shops are gathering places. And with their stock of books, expansive newsstands, reader programs, and thoughtful author, illustrator, and public speaking events, you’ll want to linger. Better news? The Historic LoDo and Union Station stores are within walking distance of each other. So, make your book list and put on walking shoes because this is a bookish outing times two! Best news? Historic LoDo’s Tattered Cover Café makes a restful landing pad to sit and sort through any purchases.
While You’re There: Tattered Cover owner Joyce Meskis is a fierce advocate for literacy, evidenced in the extensive community outreach and unique programming provided at the shops. Consider joining a book club – there are seven – or entering a contest or making the Love Letters to Authors series a weekly reading indulgence. Check out the programming for young readers too. Exciting author events, contests, and story times build life-long readers. If you’re a writer or illustrator, check on the opportunities for support. Tattered Cover Book Store is your local creative powerhouse. Use it. Enjoy it. Grow with it.
Tattered Cover Book Store
Historic LoDo:
1628 16th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Union Station:
1701 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202
(7 Miles from The Canyons)
The historic Cherokee Ranch & Castle is something to behold. And a good way to start your adventure is to attend a Guided Tour or enjoy Tea at the Castle. During the tour, you can get an intimate look upon one of Colorado’s finest hidden gems and the treasures inside the castle. Or you can be treated like royalty when you attend Tea at the Castle. It’s the perfect event for clubs, organizations, and bridal showers, or for a special outing with family and friends.
While You’re There: Give your child their very own fairytale or superhero experience at a real Castle!
Your child will enjoy performances, craft or games, photo opportunities, fancy snacks, beverages, and mingling with costumed characters.
6113 N. Daniels Park Road
Sedalia, Colorado 80135
303.688.5555
28 Miles from The Canyons
Globally inspired but distinctly Denver, Great Divide Brewing Company crafts and packages balanced, flavorful beer amidst the energy of downtown. Owned and operated by community philanthropist and local, Brian Dunn, the Ballpark District Brewery & Tap Room and RiNo Barrel Bar & Packaging Hall are within a mile of each other, and both are worthy hangouts. Pub crawl, anyone? Ballpark Tap Room features 16 seasonal and year-round brews while RiNo’s Barrel Bar offers the full line-up of Great Divide beers plus limited release beers. Linger on Tap Room’s sunshiny patio and grab a bite from daily food trucks. Check out Barrel Bar for their show-off city and mountain views. With a vibrant, arty walk through River North’s Art District to get to and from, this crawl has it all.
While You’re There: If you’re heading to Great Divide’s bars, don’t miss their behind-the-scenes tours! The Ballpark location holds daily brewery tours and the RiNo hall offers a peek inside Denver’s largest packaging brewery, dubbed Packaging Wonderland. Be sure to check Great Divide’s website – greatdivide.com – for tour times, important guidelines, and dress code.
Great Divide Brewing Company
Ballpark District: Brewery & Tap Room
2201 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO 80205
RiNo: Barrel Bar & Packaging Hall
1812 35th Street
Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 303.296.9460
Hours of Operation:
Daily | 12:00 – 10:00 PM