Everything We Know About Denver

Last night, we went Putt Putt Golfing, but this was unlike any Putt Putt course I have ever been to before. Adventure Golf and Raceway, part of Hyland Hills Park and Rec, a little bit of a hike from Denver (located in Westminster, 9650 N. Sheridan Blvd), has some intense courses, mostly due to their entertaining theme - including music, exploding volcanoes that made me jump every single time there was an explosion, and best of all is the 18th hole.  All I can say is, watch out for this guy:

There is a cool site called 43places.com that I want to recommend checking out. It’s been around for quite some time, but you could use it to find new places to check out in Denver. It lists pictures of places, user’s descriptions, stories and reviews of places, and allows you to ask other users questions about those places.

See something missing? Add your place!

Read a post from the Central Denver Blog today, which has some great info on it. The writer is in real estate, but also posts general helpful posts about Denver sometimes. This one is about Denver Skate Parks, as one of her 1001 things to do in Denver posts. She’s only at #4 so she has some work ahead of her, but I love the idea and the info. As she posts these, we’ll pick out ones that are relevant and link to them here, so check back! Thanks Jennifer!

Other Denver blogs to check out:

The Latest Word (mentioned previously)
Mile High Buzz (coffee shops in Denver blog)
Denver Politics
Denver Infill (development of downtown)
Elevated Voices (5280’s blog)
Nic and the city (Gay male in Denver)
Denver Doings - from the Post
Get Real Denver - on music and bars
Mile High Mama’s
28 Deep - photography & fashion
Denver Syntax - literary, art & music
Denver metblogs

Friday’s installment of Summertime Funtime!

part 4

This weekend I’m headed out of Denver to camp and hike at Maroon Bells, reportedly the most photographed 14′er in Colorado. Also this weekend: Aspen Food & Wine - check it out.

Other great just west of Denver locations to check out:

Hike a fourteener
Camp and hike St. Mary’s Glacier
Chatfield State Park (lake and outdoors)
Garden of the Gods (near C. Springs)
Estes, and Rocky Mountain National Park has a plethora of hikes to offer
What else do you think should be on the list??

Welcome to Friday’s installment of Summertime Funtime in Denver!

Part 3

Attend some summertime free concerts:
Confluence Park (mentioned in part 1),
Tabor Tunes - Every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m @ the Tabor Center’s 3rd floor food court.
Skyline Park Concert Series - Fridays from noon to 1:15 pm June - August @ Skyline Park (Spanning the length of Arapahoe Street from 15th to 18th Streets)
Hot Sounds Concerts @ the Denver Pavillions (Glenarm & 16th) - Thursdays at 5 pm starting June 19th.

Visit Water World! Just North of Denver @ 88th & Pecos. Tickets are $34 for adults.

Check out the Botanic Gardens Denver, located at 1005 York Street in Denver (other locations in South Denver). Open May 12 through September 14, 2008 from Saturday through Tuesday - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or, better yet, attend their summer concert series. Ticket prices vary from about $40 to $55 and artists vary throughout the summer months of June, July & August. View the site for more info!

Attend the Colorado Renaissance Festival. Open on weekends in the summer starting June 14th. Highlights I recommend include face painting, watch the joust, and the ever popular Puke & Snot show. Also consider purchasing a crown, sword & shield - or my favorite, the crunk cup. Tickets are about $18 pp.

Check out the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art in it’s new location: 1485 Delgany Denver CO 80202. Hours are Tue – Thurs 10 am – 6 pm, Fri 10 am – 10 pm, Sat & Sun 10 am – 6 pm. Insider tip: go on the 1st Saturday of each month and pay only a penny to get in! Also get $1 off your ticket to get in when you use public transportation, bike or walk on any day.

The 31st Starz Film Festival Denver 2008 is approaching - this year’s will be November 13 - 23, 2008. However, right now is the time to consider submitting your own film. You can enter under:

• Shorts (Film)
• Contemporary World Cinema (Film)
• Documentary (Film)
• First Look Student Film Section (Film)

Not a film maker but just love film? Check out the Starz Theater’s Movies that Missed Us, every Wednesday in June. The artistic director of the film festival has chosen four films that have never aired in Denver - check them out.

Wondering about the Starz Film Festival or the DFS? The DFS has been around since 1978, and the Starz Center since 2002. More here: About Denver Film Society.

And - on the topic of film in Denver - there are several independent theaters of note to check out if you are into anything outside of the popular box office norm (also note, at many of theaters, you can drink beer and wine in theater - something I consider an added bonus.):

Landmark Theaters:

• Chez Artiste, 2800 South Colorado Boulevard at Amherst
• Esquire, 590 Downing Street
• Mayan, 110 Broadway, Between First and Second Avenues (My personal favorite!)
• Greenwood Village, 5415 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village

Other:

• Neighborhood Flix, 2510 East Colfax Avenue
• Denver Public Library - yes they do show films - 10 W 14th Avenue Parkway - Also sponsoring a filmmaker competition right now.
• Denver IMAX, 2001 Colorado Blvd. - Starting June 13, check out special showings of contemporary and classic films in celebration of 25 years of Denver IMAX films. Runs through September 25th.

All Denver movie show times here.

Oooo! Who doesn’t love a cute affordable boutique shop? Pink’s, I saw driving down University in the Bonnie Brae district. It’s next to the flower shop and a few doors down from Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. It doesn’t look like much but they have really cute trendy clothes, think Forever 21ish/Common Era. Check it out! You can never have too many places to shop!

Looking for some fun summertime ideas that are a little out of the ordinary? Welcome to the Summertime Funtime Series. Posted on Fridays.

Part 1:

Venice on the Creek - June thru August, take a Gondola-esque tour of the Cherry Creek (often mistaken with the Platte). Open in the evenings for a historical boat ride or a candlelight romantic ride. Should run you about $30 for an hour. Check the site to make reservations.

Check out a free concert at Confluence Park on 15th and Platte. Usually the park has free movie night as well - but in 08 is suspending flicks for the DNC. Check back in 09 for River Flicks!

Visit Denver’s drive in theater! The 88 drive in (Cinderella City Drive in was closed last year ) Call 303-287-7717 for showtimes or visit their site. Here are directions.

See a movie at the Red Rocks Amphitheater - Film on the Rocks 2008. Schedule on site - movie choices this year include Fight Club, Shaun of the Dead, 40 YO Virgin,  Labyrinth,  Breakfast Club, Blade Runner,  Purple Rain & Zoolander. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at Red Rocks.

Check back for more - items added all summer long!

Grab your reusable bag, tote or basket and head toward your local farmers’ market!

We are well into May and farmers’ markets across the Front Range are opening for the season. It is still a little early to enjoy the rich and abundant produce you will find late summer months, it is still a chance to purchase locally grown flowers, veggies and sample various chesses, meats, breads, dips and herbs.

From Aurora to Boulder, South Pearl Street to Lonetree you can get your hands on local foods, treats and other goodies!

Check here for a major listing of farmers’ markets across the state.

Great post that a friend sent me today about free days in Denver from A mom in the burbs. If you know of more, feel free to add it in the comments.

2008 free days!
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele St. , Denver, 303-376-4800

Monday, January 14
Saturday, January 26
Thursday, January 31
Thursday, February 14
Tuesday, October 7
Saturday, October 18
Sunday, November 2
Sunday, November 9

Denver Art Museum,
100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, 720-865-5000
The art museum is free the first Saturday of every month:
Saturday, January 5
Saturday, February 2
Saturday, March 1
Saturday, April 5
Saturday, May 3
Saturday, June 7
Saturday, July 5
Saturday, August 2
Saturday, September 6
Saturday, October 4
Saturday, November 1
Saturday, December 6

Denver Botanic Gardens,
1005 York St., Denver, 720-865-3500
Monday, Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Day)
Monday, February 18 (Presidents’ Day)
Monday, March 17
Tuesday, April 22 (Earth Day)
Monday, July 21
Saturday, September 27
Saturday, October 18

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield,
8500 Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton, 303-973-3705
Friday, January 4
Friday, February 1
Friday, March 7
Friday, April 4
Friday, May 2
Friday, June 6
Friday, August 1
Friday, October 3
Friday, November 7
Friday, December 5

Denver Center for the Performing Arts,
1101 13th St., Denver, 303-893-4000
“Our House ” January 10 · 6:30 p.m. · Space Theatre
“Lydia” January 17 · 6:30 p.m. · Ricketson Theatre
“Plainsong” January 24 · 6:30 p.m. · Stage Theatre
“Gee’s Band” March 13 · 6:30 p.m. · Space Theatre
“The Merry Wives of Windsor” March 20 · 6:30 p.m. · Stage Theatre
“Doubt” April 3 · 6:30 p.m. · Ricketson Theatre
“3 Mo’Divas” May 8 · 6:30 p.m. · Stage Theatre

Denver Museum of Nature & Science ,
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, 303-322-7009
Wednesday, January 16
Sunday, April 20
Saturday, May 3
Wednesday, June 25
Wednesday, August 13
Sunday, September 7
Wednesday, October 22
Sunday, December