Lakewood is a vibrant suburb located just outside of Denver, Colorado. With its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, abundant parks and open spaces, and lively mix of attractions, it has something for everyone.
From exploring the great outdoors to learning about local history and culture, engaging in sports or recreation, shopping til you drop, or simply relaxing with a cold craft beer, Lakewood invites you to make a connection.
The “City Above The Plains” seamlessly blends urban convenience with a friendly small-town vibe. This list of 12 top things to do will help you maximize your Lakewood experience.
Hike Mount Morrison at Morrison Nature Center
Stretch your legs on the 1.5-mile hike up Mount Morrison, a prominant foothill visible around Lakewood. Enjoy panoramic views and watch for wildlife along the way. At the summit, take time to reflect and soak in the scenery at over 7,100 feet elevation.
Then continue exploring Morrison Nature Center’s 146 acres of mountain terrain criscrossed by hiking trails. Sign up for one of their public programs or schedule a private guided trek to gain a deeper appreciation of the local ecology.
Tour Historic Sites
Transport back in time as you explore Lakewood’s Heritage Culture Center campus. This collection of historic buildings includes the 1889 Three Creeks Homestead, Belmar School built in 1887, and Victorian cottage dating to 1883.
Costumed guides and hands-on exhibits provide a lively interpretation of what pioneer life was like for early homesteaders and farmers settling the region. The Heritage Culture Center also hosts a jam-packed calendar of cultural festivals, concerts, farm dinners, seasonal celebrations, hands-on workshops and more.
Float Clear Creek
What better way to cool off on a hot summer day than an inner tube float along Clear Creek? Rent tubes, rafts or kayaks and launch for a relaxing one to three-hour float along the creek as it winds through Lakewood.
Shaded areas with rock cliffs, gentle rapids, access points and watering holes make this an appealing float for all ages. Stop to try your hand at gold panning or enjoy a riverside picnic. Clear Creek offers a scenic slice of nature in the city.
Romp Around Belmar Park
Belmar Park welcomes kids of all ages with its phenomenal playground, spray grounds, skate park, climbing wall, ball fields, bocce courts and more. Challenge your crew to a game of oversized chess or checkers, conquer the ninja course or test your skills on the pump track.
When you work up an appetite, Belmar’s restaurants and eateries are steps away. Don’t miss the original gravity-fed fountain flowing since Lakewood’s early days, reminding you how the town was founded around this vital water source.
Shop til You Drop
Are you in the mood for retail therapy? Lakewood has no shortage of shopping spots, like the quaint historic 40 West Arts District dotted with boutiques, galleries and creative stores. Meander the pedestrian-only Belmar shopping district with blocks of shops, restaurants, a movie theater, plazas and art installations.
Or seek familiar stores and major retailers at Colorado Mills or Orchard Town Center. From antiques and gifts to fashion and home goods, Lakewood tempts you to bring home special finds.
Catch a Show
Lakewood’s creative scene thrives with live music and performing arts. Intimate venues like 40 West Arts and the Historic Lakewood Cultural Center host concerts, theater productions, dance performances and more. Or sit under the stars during outdoor summer shows at venues like the Levitt Pavilion.
Don’t miss original musicals with family appeal from Lakewood’s longtime Bandimere Performing Arts program. And look out for street performers and pop-up shows around Belmar. Lakewood takes its arts scene seriously.
Sample Local Brews
With over two dozen breweries and taprooms, Lakewood is something of a beer-lover’s paradise. From veterans like CAUTION Brewing Company and Chain Reaction Brewing Company to newcomers like Farm Yard Brewing and Midnight Bourbon Brewing, you’ll find award-winning ales, bubbly sours and crisp lagers.
Many taprooms boast family-friendly patios and food menus. Or hit up a brewery tour along the Lakewood Beer Trail. However you choose to sip and savor, just don’t miss out on Lakewood’s booming brew scene.
Play on the Greens
Calling all golfers! With six public courses in Lakewood’s borders, you have ample opportunity to perfect your swing amid gorgeous vistas and parkland settings. Play the challenging Fox Hollow course featuring water hazards and bunkers that bites your scorecard.
Or book Bear Creek for spectacular mountain views paired with an easier layout for beginners. Other courses range from short executive to championship length. Most courses stay open year-round, with cost-saving twilight and super-twilight rates to chase the setting sun. Fore!
Explore History at Heritage Lakewood Museum
You can’t fully appreciate Lakewood without understanding what came before. At Heritage Lakewood Museum, discover how early settlers eked out a living farming this once-rural landscape through imaginative hands-on displays.
See how streetcars catalyzed Lakewood’s early suburban growth, linking it to boomtown Denver. Learn about the visionary developers behind Belmar, Colorado Mills and other familiar Lakewood sights. Temporary exhibits profile influential residents like actress AnnaSophia Robb. From Native American roots to today, Lakewood’s story fascinates.
Have an Outdoor Adventure
Lace up your hiking boots, inflate your bike tires or lace up your skates to experience Lakewood’s stellar outdoor recreation offerings. Miles of trails like Bear Creek Greenbelt, Weir Gulch and Fehringer Ranch wind through natural areas and connect neighborhoods.
Or pedal the 40-mile Greater Denver loop circling through Lakewood using designated bike lanes. In winter, Evergreen Lake offers ice skating with sweeping mountain views as a bonus. Play a round at Aqua Golf miniature golf or test your skills at Adventure Golf and Raceway’s mini dungeons and dragons-themed course. Outdoors is where Lakewood shines.
Pig Out at a Festival
Foodies flock to Lakewood’s tasty line-up of annual food festivals promising delicious fun for all ages. At the Lakewood Kickoff Grilling Challenge, professional grillers face off as attendees sample free bites from award-winning pit masters.
The Lakewood Fall Food & Flea celebrates the harvest season with local produce, baked goods, food trucks and artisan vendors as lively entertainment plays. At the Downtown Lakewood Mardi Gras Parade and Festival, catch shiny beads along the parade route then feast on classic cajun bites from area restaurants. Bon appetit!
Relax at the Lake
Last but not least, spend a laidback day soaking up sunshine at the tranquil 24-acre Bear Creek Lake Park. Rent a paddle boat, swim in the roped-off swim beach, play beach volleyball or basketball, cast your fishing pole or spread out a picnic blanket and watch white pelicans glide overhead.
The Junior Regatta course welcomes model sailboat enthusiasts to run remote races. With lush lawns, shady groves of trees and the signature water feature lending scenic views, Bear Creek Lake Park is the cherry on top for living like a Lakewood local.
Conclusion
From admiring dazzling mountain scenery to diving into arts and culture, playing across sports fields and greens or tapping your foot to live music, Lakewood rolls out endless possibilities.
Its rich historic heritage blends seamlessly with an innovative, active lifestyle vibe as the city continues charging ahead.
Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, family-friendly fun or trendy urban experiences, Lakewood delivers as a charming Front Range destination. Use this list of top things to do to uncover your own personal favorites. One trip may not be enough to soak it all in!