THE NEW OLDE TOWN A RVA DA
Whether you ’ re looking for a night out on the town or a day trip with the kiddos , look no further than Arvada . Just a short trip northwest of downtown Denver , Arvada truly does have it all — from cultural amenities to outdoor adventure to drinking and dining . It ’ s definitely worth a visit .
The city was incorporated in 1904 , although adventurers had been mining for gold in the area since way back in 1850 . From 100 citizens , Arvada has now expanded 1,000-fold to approximately 100,000 residents . Fueling the city ’ s growth in recent years is the new light rail service from Union Station right to downtown Arvada .
New businesses have come to the city in droves , with creative new enterprises that have drawn visitors of all ages . Kids will absolutely love the Super Zoom Bang Bang toy store which is only a hop , skip , and jump to the fabulous sock boutique , Sock ( sockstandproud . com ), where you can find a pair of socks to show off any personality , mood , or hobby . The over-21 crowd has plenty of options as well , including the popular Blue Grass Coffee and Bourbon Lounge ( thebluegrasslounge . com ) which serves up great pizza , with coffee by day and with bourbon by night . Here are some of the other gems we recommend if you go :
Hunter Bay Coffee Bar ( hunterbay . com ) – Although this eclectic cafe was rooted in Montana for over 25 years , it ventured south to Arvada just last year . Besides brewing a great cup of joe , the company prides itself on its core value of sustainability , with a low-impact roasting plant , a variety of organic and direct-trade coffees , and a lack of excessive packaging . The company also sells bulk coffees online , and its website offers plenty of useful information for the coffee enthusiast .
Scrumptious ( scrumptiousco . com ) – Prepare to overwhelm the senses with a dazzling array of candy , homemade ice cream , and bottled sodas . Looking for novelty candy like Pucker Powder , toy soldiers , or Sushi On-the-Go ? You ’ ve come to the right place . The company also has a Scrumptious Ice Creamer food truck available to service private events . Fair warning : there is also an array of suggestive joke candies , so keep this in mind if you ’ re with the family .
Tracy ’ s Place ( tracysplc . com ) – To fulfill a creative itch , look no further than this local paint bar and studio , which is open to individuals as well as corporate groups and private parties . Choose a class in painting , string art , or beading , or just come in during open studios to create something magical and sip on a glass of wine with friends . Husband-and-wife owners Mary-Ruth and Jeff Tracy work hard to create a fun environment that all adults will enjoy — even if they weren ’ t born a Michelangelo .
Kline ’ s Beer Hall ( klinesbeerhall . com ) – Are you a craft beer aficionado who enjoys a great homemade sausage ? If so , stop by this popular downtown hangout and enjoy a hearty meal in its rustic surroundings . Menu choices go far beyond sausage , with a wide selection of appetizers , sandwiches , salads , and even a kids ’ menu . You can catch live music — ranging from jazz to blues to polka — on the weekends beginning at 8:00 p . m . with no cover charge .
Book Cranny ( bookcranny . com ) – Owners Angelika and Wayne describe their midlife foray into the used book business this way : “ We were an over-educated , middle-aged couple who could not find a decent job . So , we did what everyone else does and started selling online .” Now , their brick-and-mortar store is packed floor to ceiling with interesting reads , designed to appeal to all tastes and ages . There is also a section featuring stylish jewelry and crafts if you are looking for that perfect gift .
Majestic View Nature Center – This highly-rated attraction features handson displays , wildlife exhibits , kid ’ s play spaces and incredible views and hiking options . Targeted toward school groups , but open to the public on weekdays only , visit this beautiful space to enjoy a taste of wildlife and a leisurely walk .
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities ( arvadacenter . org ) – To take in a bit of culture , you can meander through 10,000 square feet of galleries on Docent-led tours . The Center is also home to a wide range of top-notch dramatic , musical and live concert performances .
One last word of advice : Don ’ t think twice about visiting Arvada ( visitarvada . org ) in the depths of winter . There are events scheduled throughout the year , and the city ’ s warm and welcoming environment — and maybe a cup of hot cocoa — will more than make up for a cold nose or two .
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