Denver’s one of those cities that’s just plain awesome all year long. Winter can be downright freezing, but there’s plenty of sun and enough snow to actually have fun with. Spring and fall are positively gorgeous. And summer? Well, summer is kind of perfect. You can hike. You can swim. Low humidity provides relief from that gnarly swampy feeling associated with the hottest summer days in many parts of the country. The attractions, events, and people found in Denver only add to its summertime madness.
Here are five summer traditions many Denver residents partake in annually.
Hit Up a Waterpark
Denver’s Water World and Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park are two of the most outrageous water parks in the country. Consistently ranked on lists of the best water parks around, Water World has 49 slides and attractions, including a lazy river and two wave pools. The water park at Elitch is smaller, but is free with admission to the theme park and still has a balanced mix of thrill rides and tamer water attractions. Elitch Gardens is a three-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from AMLI Riverfront Park.
Go to a Rockies Game
Rockies fans expect to have fun when they visit Coors Field. You don’t even have to enjoy baseball to have a great time there. Great views, a fun crowd, and one of the finest selections of food and draft beer any sports venue can boast make it a place just about anyone can enjoy. While you can also go to a game in spring or fall, Coors Field is special in the summer because the days are longer and the weather warmer. Just over a 10 minute walk from AMLI Riverfront Park and 20 minutes from AMLI Park Avenue, Rockies’ games come with the extra advantage of not having to pay or find parking for residents of apartments near Coors Field.
Spend Time at Sloan’s Lake
Sloan’s Lake is a Denver summer hangout many locals try to visit at least once per week when the weather’s nice. Its idyllic setting and proximity to LoHi apartments make it the most accessible water skiing destination for tens of thousands of Denver residents. Mercifully, you’ll rarely ever see more than a few out on the water at one time. Sloan’s Lake’s elevated position makes it a place to simultaneously enjoy the natural side of Denver and appreciate the city’s attractive skyline. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, held in July, is a unique Denver summer tradition that’s always a good time.
People Watch on the 16th Street Mall
The 16th Street Mall has long been a hotbed for the sort of activity that just invites people watching. Spend an afternoon watching street entertainers, observing unique fashion trends, and keeping your eye out for a range of extraordinary behavior. If you live in one of the Broomfield apartments, you can pop over to Pearl Street in Boulder for similarly visually stimulating experiences.
Chill Out with Little Man Ice Cream
Who says something has to be new in order to be a tradition? Little Man may have opened less than a decade ago, but it’s very much a Denver institution. Besides, the ice cream parlor has an old-time feel and its ice cream makers and scoopers wear vintage uniforms. Grab a cone or cup of Little Man’s delicious frozen goodness at least once this summer, and start your own tradition. With new locations opening this year, residents of other parts of Denver won’t have to travel as far to enjoy the goodness that is Little Man. The original Little Man Ice Cream parlor is just a 15-minute walk from AMLI Riverfront Park.
If you recently moved to Denver and you want to make the most of the Mile-High city, don’t let the summer months pass you by without partaking in one (or all) of these lively Denver summer traditions.
What Denver summer tradition are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst