Things to do in Denver

Looking for a lesser-known way to spend New Year’s Eve in Denver with the family? We dug a little deeper and found some alternatives to fireworks in downtown Denver or Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum. Here’s our list of some unique ways to spend New Year’s Eve in Denver with your kids.

Visit the Great Outdoors
Sure, it is winter, but that is no reason to stay inside! It is Colorado after all.

Noon Year’s Eve Noon 
The beautiful Barr Lake State Park is kicking off the “noon” year with crafts, snacks, party favors and a balloon drop. This party bills itself as “rockin’” and “raucous,” but it is for the family and is sure to be a unique New Year’s Eve event just outside Denver. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

First Day Hikes
Fountain Valley State Park invites you to bring your family and "celebrate the New Year with a 2.2 mile hike to explore the beautiful sandstone formations on the Fountain Valley Trail.” You might see wildlife too! The hike is guided by park experts. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Connect with Art and History

New Year’s Eve Morning Tour...

Neir Team’s LoDo Holiday Gift Guide

Have you already found yourself not knowing what to get a certain someone for Christmas? This happens all too often, and we find ourselves searching phrases online like “things to get your mom for Christmas” or “gift ideas for a boyfriend.” Well look no further than the Neir Team’s LoDo Holiday Gift Guide. We thoughtfully chose to feature these businesses around LoDo for your shopping convenience, to support the local economy and simply because some are flat out cool. We also want to highlight each spot based on characteristics of the person you might be buying for! So, check out what we’ve comprised and Happy Holidays!

For the Outdoor Enthusiasts

It’s not hard to find an outdoor enthusiast in Denver! If you’re gifting to anyone that’s a hiker, biker, climber, camper, angler, hunter or anything in between, head to Patagonia at 1431 15^thSt. For the lady in mind, we love their new fleece jackets. Made with more environmentally friendly materials and in two beautiful neutral tones, these are sure to be a great gift. They are relocating to RiNo very soon, so catch them in LoDo while you can!

When it comes to the man counterpart, we suggest heading to REI Co-Op. This is kind of a no-brainer...

Colorado’s Best Christmastime Activities!

Christmas music playing in stores, decorations going up around town, snowflakes in the air and holiday parties quickly approaching… All of these things can really start to get you into the Christmas spirit. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best Christmastime activities in and around Denver to check out with friends, family or coworkers before Ole Saint Nick comes to town!

Photo Courtesy of Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Perhaps the most creative, immersive and interesting Christmas-time activity to attend in all of Denver is Camp Christmas at The Hangar at the Stanley Marketplace. Full of wonderment, glitter and everything Christmas imaginable, this art installation is undeniably unlike any other! Click on this link https://www.denvercenter.org/tickets-events/camp-christmas/ to watch a quick, informative video that will most certainly make you want to check it out.

Photo Courtesy of Georgetown Loop Railroad and Mining Park

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Everyone knows Denver’s big Labor Day event is the Taste of Colorado. But if you’re looking for some different – and less crowded ways – to celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Denver, we’ve picked five events you may not know about to help you decide what to do. Wanna go beyond Denver this Labor Day weekend? We’ve also provided five what to do ideas outside of Denver, including Summit County, Boulder and Colorado Springs.

Unique Ways to Spend Labor Day Weekend in Denver

Crush Walls

Now in its 10^th year, Crush Walls, transforms the streets and alleys of RiNo into permanent, open-air galleries. The official kickoff is Monday. DRiNK RiNo members will be there to help everyone toast this art show with their drink of choice. Members include C Squared Ciders, Infinite Monkey Theorem and  Epic Brewing – to name just a few.

The Spot Grandopening

Want a festival of fitness fun? The grand-opening of the Spot bills itself as “celebration of fitness, wellness and recreation in the heart of the Golden...

Photo Source: Maros Coal Fired

If you haven’t had your full dose of patio time this summer, there is still time! Here is “The Neir Team’s Guide to Patio Dining in Denver,” providing ideas for whatever patio type you are seeking. While patio season and outdoor dining can go well into October – or even later – take advantage of the great weather now! You might find a favorite outdoor Denver patio that you want to visit every day until the snow comes to stay!

FUNKY FUN

Marcos Coal Fired
With the breathtaking mural that surround its rooftop patio, eating al fresco at Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza sweeps you away to a little Italian town. The mural detail and vibrant colors give you so much to soak in that you may not notice when your food is delivered!

Woodie Fisher
So, to be honest Woodie Fisher has a small patio and the patio itself may not be all the special. What we love about it is sitting outside marveling at the juxtaposition between this beautiful historic building and the new hi-rises that surround it. (We admit it: we are architecture geeks.) Woodie Fisher is a revival of one of Denver’s first firehouses dating back to 1881. And, because it is housed in an old fire station, the interior has incredibly high ceilings and large windows in the garage doors give the space a patio feeling even when sitting inside.

ZEN PATIOS

Vital Root
We can’t think of any other way to describe the atmosphere at Vital Root besides serene. With built-in shade,...

Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels

Dear Old Dad. We love him. And we want to let him know. But how? Ties just don't cut it anymore. So what to do? Dads now want to have quality time with their family. So here’s some ideas on what to do, not buy on Father’s Day in Denver.

What to do in Denver on Father’s Day in Denver with the Active Dad

• Father’s Day 5K/10K and Half Marathon, Central Park, 6-11 a.m. -- Start off with a run and enjoy the park afterwards.
• Free Father’s Day Yoga, Feed Your Souls Fitness, 3:30-4:30 p.m. -- Dad needs some Zen time too.

What to do in Denver on Father’s Day in Denver with the Not-So-Active Dad

• Dad Bod/Dart God, Punch Bowl Social (Broadway and Stapleton), 8 a.m.-midnight -- Hit the bullseye and win your dinner!
• Dad Bod Competition, Station 26 Brewing Co., 2-4 p.m. -- A contest like no other: grocery bag carrying, car washing and putting. Winners will receive a trophy and… beer!

What to do in Denver on Father’s Day in Denver with the Beer-Lovin/Food Eatin’ Dad

• Brunch on the Biergarten, 4586 Tennyson St., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Sweet and savory options from Moontime Crepes and specials on bloodies, mimosas and “manmosas.”
• Dads. Beers. Buses., Mockery Brewing, noon-3 p.m. -- Best Dad Outfit contest, Planet...

photo: The Railbenders/Denver Day of Rock

Still not sure what to do to kick off summer this Memorial Day weekend? Here are 50 great things to choose from!

What to Do in Denver Memorial Day Weekend - Friday, May 24

• Memorial Day Kick Off with the Delta Sonics, Bonacquisti Wine, 6:30 p.m.
• Food + Beer Tour, Denver Central Market, 2-5 p.m., tickets required
• Sunset Paddle, Sloan’s Lake, 6:30 p.m.
• Don’t Tell Denver Comedy Show, TBD in North Capitol Hill, 7:30 p.m.
• Billsner Release Party, Hogshead Brewery, 6-11 p.m.
• Farmer’s Market, Stanley Marketplace, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Colorado Rockies vs. Baltimore Orioles, Coors Field, 6:40 p.m.
• Friday Flicks – Grease, Little Man Ice Cream, 8:30 p.m.
• Whip It! 80s Dance Party, Ophelias, 9 p.m.
• Something is Rotten, Buntport Theater, 8 p.m.
• Tacos and Tequila Cooking Class, The Seasoned Chef Cooking School, 6:30 p.m., tickets required
• Into Color, Sipping N Painting - Highlands location, 7-9 p.m. – tickets required
• Girls Point Out, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 7-11 p.m.
• Walleye Fish Fry Friday, Kentucky Inn, 5-9 p.m.
• Friday Night Craft Social, The Craftsman and Apprentice, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Horse and Dragon Beer Tasting, Pearl Wine Company, 4-7 p.m.
• Leonardo da Vinci Tasting Menu, Il Posto, 5-10 p.m.

What to Do in Denver Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday, May 25

• Denver Day of Rock, Amp the Cause, 2:30-9:30 p.m. tickets required
• Sweet William Market, Stapleton Green, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Denver Arts Festival, Conservatory Green Plaza, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Food + Beer Tour, Denver Central Market, 2-5 p.m., tickets required
• South Gaylord...

Photo by Steven Libralon on Unsplash

Chances are you have something going on every day in May with crazy spring sports schedules and a myriad of activities celebrating the end of the school year. But, if you are looking for something else to do, we’ve got you covered!
Notes:

• Please check this any day you are looking for something to do, but also scroll through the month as there are ticketed events and others that require reservations, which we do try to note.
• It is always a good idea to call ahead to make sure the event you are interested in is still happening.

What to do in Denver with Kids and Family: MAY 15-19
Wednesday, May 15:

• Cardboard Construction, Sam Gary Library, 4-5 p.m.
• All Ages Play and Explore, 7-7:30 p.m.
• Concert on the Green, Park Hill Library,
• ideaLAB Open Hours, Central Library, 1-6 p.m.

Thursday, May 16:

• Carnival, Bill Roberts K-8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Star K Kids (5 and under), Morrison Nature Center in Aurora, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
• Baby Story Time, Park Hill Library, 11-noon
• All Ages Story Time, Park Hill Library, 10-10:30 a.m.
• Toddler/Preschool Tinker Time, Central Library 11-11:30 a.m.
• ideaLAB Open Hours, Central Library, 1-6 p.m.

Friday, May 17:

• Aurora Public Library Pop-up. Stanley Marketplace 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Joy Park FREE Night, Children’s Museum, 4-8 p.m.
...

Photo by Josh Willink from Pexels

It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday and by now you might be out of luck getting brunch reservations. Don’t despair! Here are a few last-minute unique ways to spend Mother’s Day in Denver that will make the special mom in your life think you’ve been planning for weeks!

• Let Mom sleep in and treat her to a gourmet breakfast-in-bed by ordering a take-out brunch from Four Friends Kitchen, named by Westword as Denver’s “Best 2019 Breakfast Spot.” Denver Biscuit Company, with online ordering, is an excellent, super yummy option as well!
• Mom-owned Outer Range Brewing Co. in Frisco is having an all-day Mother’s Day party with an oyster bar, live music and of course delicious Colorado-crafted microbrews. Make a day out of it by heading to Summit County for a hike, then take in the fun on Outer Range’s patio. An easy and beautiful family hike is Sapphire Point Overlook Trail, but there are many other options!
• Two Denver restaurants celebrating Mom in a unique way (i.e., not brunch!) include The Melting Pot: Kids eat free and princesses will keep them entertained so Mom can actually relax and mom/daughters-owned Oblio’s Pizzeria: Complimentary wine, dessert and rose for mom!
• Have Mom’s babies grown out of snuggle time? She can still get some baby cuddles in at Broken Shovels Farm Mother’s Day Baby Animal Snuggle fest! In addition to calves, lambs and baby goats, puppies are on hand for some furry love. All animals are rescues. Love that.
• Mom’s always want a good family photo. Get one free on Mother’s Day at Bass Pro Shops.
• For the mom who is queen to little princesses, head to Second Star on the Right Books. There your royal ladies...