22 W E S T W O R D S u m m e r G u i d e 2 0 2 6 westword.com Bucket List Blowouts TEN MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN METRO DENVER WORTH THE SPLURGE. BY A BIGA I L BL ISS Summer fun doesn’t have to be expensive. But every now and then, it’s worth spending big on something special. While some of those bucket-list experiences might have you eating ramen on your front porch for a few weeks, the memories will last long after the season ends. Splurge on Red Rocks concert tickets, a day boating with friends, a fancy farm- to-table dinner or maybe even that hot-air balloon ride you’ve always dreamed of. All these and more are available in the metro area, so at least you can save on gas! Red Rocks Amphitheatre 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison 720-865-2494 redrocksonline.com With performances by the Strokes, Foster the People, LCD Soundsystem and more, it’s well worth shelling out some cash for this season’s Red Rocks concerts. Tickets to catch world-class talent don’t come cheap, but seeing a show at this iconic outdoor venue is a local rite of passage. Massive red rock formations fl ank the benches that hold nearly 10,000 people during sold-out performances; revel in the sights and the crowd’s energ. For a cheaper option, fo for signature events like sunrise Yoga on the Rocks and evening movie screenings. Underground Music Showcase River North Art District undergroundmusicshowcase.com After talks of discontinuation, fans were stoked when the Underground Music Show- case announced its return from July 24-26. Rather than taking over Broadway as in years past, the lineup of local musicians and na- tional headliners will appear on main stages, at independent venues and in creative spaces like galleries and studios throughout the RiNo. Discover the artists shaping the city’s music scene and see such touring acts as 54 Ultra, Slenderbodies and Goldie Boutilier. A weekend pass will run you $111.10 — not bad for access to 200 performances. Denver Performing Arts Complex 1400 Curtis St. 720-865-4200 artscomplex.com Treat yourself to an event at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, which has a full calendar of Broadway productions, live orchestra concerts and outdoor movie screenings this summer. Audiences will be spellbound by “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” an award-winning theatrical expe- rience that starts at $58 per ticket and runs through June 21. Other winners this season include the musical comedies “Beetlejuice” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” For an eve- ning of music and cinema, attend one of the Colorado Symphony’s performances set in sync to classic fi lms; seating starts at $51.20. Or catch the symphony at Red Rocks, to put two events in a single bucket. Elitch Gardens 2000 Elitch Circle 303-595-4386 elitchgardens.com Summer demands at least one trip to Elitch Gardens, a world-class theme and water park in the heart of the city — for now, any- way. Though the River Mile development has threatened to relocate the attraction for years, business is operating as usual, and this summer marks its longest season yet. Get twisted upside down on thrilling roller coasters, ride family favorites like the carousel and tea cups, play carnival games and cool off on fun water slides. Daily tick- ets cost between $42.99 and $72.99, while season passes are $154.99. Chatfi eld Marina 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton 303-791-7275 chatfi eld-marina.com The reservoir at Chatfi eld State Park is one of the state’s best boating destinations, and with its full-service marina, you don’t have to own a vessel to enjoy a day on the water. Gather a group of friends and splurge; for a half-day, six-person crafts are $350 and ten-person boats are $475. Admire views of the foothills as you fl oat, then have lunch at the marina’s waterfront restaurant and enjoy the park’s other amenities, including a swim beach and thirty miles of trails. Wellshire Golf Course 3333 South Colorado Boulevard 720-865-0440 cityofdenvergolf.com While by no means the metro area’s most expensive place to tee off, Wellshire ranks among the greatest public golf courses in the country. This year, the historic venue cele- brates its hundredth anniversary, though little has changed since it was fi rst laid out by famed golf architect Donald Ross. His design once attracted national golf tournaments, including PGA events. Today’s visitors can play tree-lined fairways that challenged the likes of Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and other professional icons. A full round of eighteen holes costs around $60. A show at Red Rocks is money well spent. BRANDON JOHNSON
