Summer is a great time to get outside and have some fun! And that we did, in August of 2023, when my my cousin, her husband, and their daughter came to visit from Canada. We started the brief Colorado tour close to home: Arvada, Golden, and Morrison, Colorado.

Denver welcomes our visitors with elegant and modern Union Station, one of my favorite places around here. I love the architecture (Beaux Arts Italianate Romanesque), the Tattered Cover Book Store hidden inside, and the many delicious eateries.

We are lucky to live in a lovely Arvada neighborhood, with access to Davis Lane Park and the greenway (often) leading us to Colorado Tap House, about 3 miles west, a 45 min. walk or 15 min. bike ride. It’s always comforting to sit on the sunny patio looking at the mountains in the distance or watching kids and dogs play in the little summer garden adjacent to the patio. Even more rewarding is a cold Colorado beer (delicious!) and an indulgent ooey gooey cinnamon roll (totally worth the calories!).

The little town of Golden, Colorado is one of my favorites. Cute and quaint, this old gold rush town has a lot to offer. Clear Creek runs through town providing hours of entertainment to avid tubers and fresh mountain water to the Coors beer plant. One can stroll down the riverwalk, stop and take a photo by the Golden mural; hike or bike up Lookout Mountain or Table Mountain; chill with a picnic in Parfet Park—whatever your vibe, you’ll find something to do. The food options are also not too shabby. I love Thai Gold and would probably like Sherpa House (Nepalese/Himalayan fare) if I weren’t allergic to garlic.

We are also lucky to live within 20 minutes’ drive from two incredible places: Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks Amphitheater. We braved the intense summer sun and walked the path from fossil to fossil. If you want to, you can pay for an air conditioned bus and a guided tour, which are both worth it. Across the street, we hiked to the magnificent Red Rocks Amphitheater, with extensive views of Denver and surrounding areas. I love stopping by the Trading Post and admiring the latest expo (a good history of the place’s musical past) and fun Colorado memorabilia.

We strolled through Olde Town Arvada, adorned with fresh sidewalk artwork, posed with dinosaurs across from the light rail station, and delighted in finger-licking good Mexican fare at Teocalli Cocina.