56 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | Best Denver Park Rental Swan Boats 805-650-7770 wheelfunrentals.com Since 2004, Wheel Fun Rentals has of- fered rentals of bicycles, tricycles and pedal car bikes in Washington Park. A few years later, Wheel Fun took over rentals at City Park, adding boating options to both Denver parks — and Wheel Fun’s most popular vessels are the signature swan boats, which are outfi tted with LED lights for sunset and night rides. In 2024, some of the swans migrated from City Park to Wash Park, so now patrons of both can rent them for a great time on the pond during the spring and summer for just $12 for adults and $7 for children. The swan boats can command a line, however, so be prepared to enjoy the park while you wait on busy summer nights. Best Guide to Biking in Denver Colorado Department of Transportation Bicycling Manual codot.gov/programs/bikeped/ information-for-bicyclists/ bicycling-manual Confused about navigating a roundabout on your bicycle? Don’t know what to do at intersections with mysterious markings meant for bicyclists? Download the Colorado Department of Trans- portation’s free 53-page bicycling manual to get information about bike maintenance; co-existing with scooters, strollers and dog walkers; getting a DUI while riding (yep); what to do if you’re involved in a crash, and much more. The section on children explains how to teach them to ride, how to transport them with a bike, and how to size a bike to a child. As Denver’s streets get more crowded, smart bicycling has never been more important. Best Family Bike Trail High Line Canal highlinecanal.org Biking on the narrow, crowded streets and disappearing bike lanes of Denver is tough enough, but to do it as a family is down- right scary. Luckily, families can fi nd the perfect place to hook up bike trailers and enjoy the outdoors along the 71-mile High Line Canal. The winding trail cuts through Aurora, Cherry Hills Village, Centennial and Denver, with access in the middle of neighborhoods and even some backyards. For those who live farther from the High Line, larger trails like the South Platte and Cherry Creek connect to it. Playgrounds and parks dot the entire trail, so stopping to let the kids play or refresh with a snack is possible every few miles. A journey on the trail can be educational, too, as it’s marked with signs describing the canal’s nearly 150-year-old history and its ecosys- tem, which includes toads, salamanders, birds and dozens of types of trees and fl ora. Best Neighborhood for an Easy, Breezy Bike Ride Golden Triangle goldentriangleofdenver.com A bike ride is one of the best ways to soak up a sunny Denver day, and few neighbor- hoods make it easier than the Golden Tri- angle, a quiet area sitting in downtown’s shadow. Although it’s bordered by Broad- way, Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue, just a few blocks from those big streets you’ll fi nd tranquil spots to stop and ex- plore small shops and unique architecture and niches. Afterward, take a break at West 12th Avenue and Acoma Street, where you can relax in the cozy seating of the Civic Center Cultural Complex or the shade of the Denver Art Museum. The intersection is just a short ride to Leven Deli, Denver Public Library and Civic Center Park, and restaurants, bars and shops along Broad- way are reachable without having to ac- tually bike on Broadway. The peaceful sharrows and green protected bike lanes of the Golden Triangle take cyclists to some of the neatest corners of Denver without daring them to cross or share the city’s busier, more dangerous streets. Best Urban Park Cheesman Park 1599 East 8th Avenue Some people are creeped out by the fact that Cheesman Park was once a cemetery (remains are still unearthed every now and then), but we fi nd it eerily endearing. With plenty of trees for shade, fl ower gardens, a fountain (that is rarely on, but still) and views of both the city and the mountains, Cheesman Park gives lovers of city life and the outdoors the best of both worlds. The park’s ample space serves a wide range of people and activities, from musicians, readers, picnickers, volleyball players and dog walkers to quinceañeras, raves, art club meet-ups and voguing in the pavilion. Best State Park Within an Hour of Denver Golden Gate Canyon State Park 92 Crawford Gulch Road, Golden 303-582-3707 cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/golden- gate-canyon-state-park You can access all of Colorado’s wonderful state parks for just $29 per year by opting into the Keep Colorado Wild Pass when registering your vehicle. And for an easy, satisfying trip to the outdoors from Den- ver, we recommend Golden Gate Canyon State Park for hiking, sightseeing and more. Located less than 45 minutes from the city, Golden Gate Canyon has more than 35 miles of trails, 125 picnic areas and over 150 campsites, and visitors often report seeing bighorn sheep, black bears, beavers, foxes, moose and golden eagles. The park is a hot spot for fall leaf-peeping, thanks to its old- growth aspen trees, which you can see from horseback on your own steed or by book- ing a ride with Bear Creek Stables. Golden Gate Canyon also has hunting grounds and fi ve fi shing ponds, and stays open during the winter for cross-country skiing. Head home for a cold beer after all the fun, or book a hotel for a different kind of game at a casino in Black Hawk, which is just fi fteen minutes away. Best Park to Be Alone Huston Lake Park 850 South Bryant Street Looking to avoid the crowds at Cheesman or Wash Park? Huston Lake Park in south- west Denver is one of the city’s best spots to enjoy some alone time outdoors. The 34-acre park boasts numerous amenities — including pickleball courts, a softball fi eld and a children’s playground — but the real draw is its lesser-known, locals-only status. Whether lying on the grass under a shady tree, sitting on a park bench overlooking the lake or taking a stroll on the paved trail, there is endless tranquility to be found at this neighborhood treasure. Best Place for a Quiet Walk Fairmount Cemetery 430 South Quebec Street 303 399-0692 fairmountfuneralhome.com If you stroll through the 280 acres of Den- ver’s second-oldest cemetery, you’ll see the fi nal resting places of many promi- nent Coloradans, including educator Emily Griffith, actress and newspaper legend Helen Bonfi ls, and nineteen gov- ernors. Enjoy the shade provided by the state’s largest arboretum, with its cham- pion trees and one of the nation’s largest collections of heritage roses. There are plenty of things to see along the way, too, like a wide variety of birds and wildlife, as well as a number of striking monuments. Fairmount’s Ivy Chapel is a miniature Notre Dame, and the mausoleum has one of the largest stained-glass collections in Colorado. Best Hike for People Who Hate Hiking Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park Wild Basin Trailhead, Allenspark nps.gov/thingstodo/romo_ ouzelfalls.htm Contrary to the stereotype, not all Denver residents are hippies in touch with the outdoors. But even if you aren’t champing at the bit to head to the mountains every weekend, you still need to complete at least one hike a year to claim your Denver card. And for that we recommend a trek to Ou- zel Falls in Rocky Mountain Na- tional Park. Hikers can go as far as they like on the out-and-back trail, around 5.4 miles in total. You’ll get to see waterfalls at regular intervals for the entire hike, and all you have to purchase is an RMNP day pass beforehand. (Note: Cell service does not really exist on this trail.) Best Hike for Moss Lovers Maxwell Falls 8399 Black Mountain Drive, #8101, Conifer Many hike Maxwell Falls looking for the wa- terfall, which is beautiful, albeit quite small and easy to miss. But those who love moss will be delighted by the trail itself, which is lined with the green stuff. Maxwell Falls has plenty of trees for a nice, shady hike during warm weather, and it’s a great place to spot local birds, chipmunks, elk and other wild- life, inspect rocks and fi nd different kinds of fl owers. A small creek runs through much of the trail, with places to sit, rest or even have a picnic. continued on page 58 s p o r t s & r e c r e a t i o n ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETT Y IMAGES/DENIS NOVIKOV
