Valerie’s guidebook

Valerie
Valerie’s guidebook

Food scene

Our favorite sushi place! This is where we take all of our sushi loving friends who visit us from out of town! Namiko’s Sushi and Japanese Restaurant is Denver’s best sushi! Why? Because our sushi taste great! Plus it’s larger, fresher and better priced than anyone else in town! That’s why Namiko’s has proudly served the best sushi for over 30 years. It’s not just our sushi, you have to taste our tempura. Light and flaky, Namiko’s tempura is made with premium soy bean salad oil. If your tempura isn’t golden white, then it’s not fresh. Proudly Japanese owned and operated.
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Namiko's Japanese Restaurant
7310 W 52nd Ave
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Our favorite sushi place! This is where we take all of our sushi loving friends who visit us from out of town! Namiko’s Sushi and Japanese Restaurant is Denver’s best sushi! Why? Because our sushi taste great! Plus it’s larger, fresher and better priced than anyone else in town! That’s why Namiko’s has proudly served the best sushi for over 30 years. It’s not just our sushi, you have to taste our tempura. Light and flaky, Namiko’s tempura is made with premium soy bean salad oil. If your tempura isn’t golden white, then it’s not fresh. Proudly Japanese owned and operated.
A great little restaurant for food and premium cocktails. If you're a whisky drinker, want to have the Olde Town Fashioned. The Tavern mac and cheese is like no other!
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The Arvada Tavern
5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd
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A great little restaurant for food and premium cocktails. If you're a whisky drinker, want to have the Olde Town Fashioned. The Tavern mac and cheese is like no other!
La Dolce Vita is a quaint little coffee shop located in the heart of Olde Town Arvada. It was opened in 1993 and is currently run by a local Arvada family. The coffee shop lives by its name, meaning “The Sweet Life” by only selling local made products from Coda its coffee bean roaster to Liks a delicious local Ice cream manufacture. But the sweet life doesn’t end there, the pastries are made in house every morning. The quiche is made from scratch with fine detail to the freshest ingredients. The coffee cake is the owners great-great grandma’s receipt. On the weekends there is live music. Well know by the locals that frequent the shop the costumer service is top notch, where you are treated like family and are sure to get a smile on the grayest of day.
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La Dolce Vita
5756 Olde Wadsworth Blvd
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La Dolce Vita is a quaint little coffee shop located in the heart of Olde Town Arvada. It was opened in 1993 and is currently run by a local Arvada family. The coffee shop lives by its name, meaning “The Sweet Life” by only selling local made products from Coda its coffee bean roaster to Liks a delicious local Ice cream manufacture. But the sweet life doesn’t end there, the pastries are made in house every morning. The quiche is made from scratch with fine detail to the freshest ingredients. The coffee cake is the owners great-great grandma’s receipt. On the weekends there is live music. Well know by the locals that frequent the shop the costumer service is top notch, where you are treated like family and are sure to get a smile on the grayest of day.
Voted Denver's Best! Homemade ice cream- all of the ice cream is made in the store and made from all natural ingredients. Not an ice cream fan? They also have 100's of candies as well as bottled soda.
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Scrumptious
7523 Grandview Ave
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Voted Denver's Best! Homemade ice cream- all of the ice cream is made in the store and made from all natural ingredients. Not an ice cream fan? They also have 100's of candies as well as bottled soda.
Coffee, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, pastries and bagels during the day, and a bourbon bar and pizzas at night. Check out their website for local music nights.
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The Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge
7415 Grandview Ave
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Coffee, breakfast sandwiches, burritos, pastries and bagels during the day, and a bourbon bar and pizzas at night. Check out their website for local music nights.
Our friend Jim, owns a few of these burger joints in town. He has unique and delicious gourmet burgers made with quality ingredients. It's not your typical fast food place, expect to pay a little for for these burgers, they are delish! 5 minutes from our house.
Illegal Burger Arvada
15400 W 64th Ave
Our friend Jim, owns a few of these burger joints in town. He has unique and delicious gourmet burgers made with quality ingredients. It's not your typical fast food place, expect to pay a little for for these burgers, they are delish! 5 minutes from our house.
If you happen to be tooling around downtown Golden, you will want to check out Snarf's. Snarf's wouldn't be a Colorado essential food destination without its location in the charming mountain town of Golden. Nestled next to the foothills, we can be found on the main downtown strip of Washington Street next to Woody's Pizza along with dozens of shops and attractions in this historic area. Clear Creek runs through downtown making Snarf's a go-to picnic pick-up spot before fishing, kayaking and tubing. We offer a special discount for School of Mines’ students, so ask us about it! We also offer convenient catering, delivery and online ordering.
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Snarf's Sandwiches
1003 E 11th Ave
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If you happen to be tooling around downtown Golden, you will want to check out Snarf's. Snarf's wouldn't be a Colorado essential food destination without its location in the charming mountain town of Golden. Nestled next to the foothills, we can be found on the main downtown strip of Washington Street next to Woody's Pizza along with dozens of shops and attractions in this historic area. Clear Creek runs through downtown making Snarf's a go-to picnic pick-up spot before fishing, kayaking and tubing. We offer a special discount for School of Mines’ students, so ask us about it! We also offer convenient catering, delivery and online ordering.
Miners Saloon is a modern day saloon reminiscent of Golden’s mining days in the late 1800s. With a rustic, cozy interior and a perfect balance of period details and modern comforts, Miners provides an old West saloon feel with a contemporary edge. 24 beers on tap, more than 50 beers in bottles and cans, impressive mixed drinks, wine and weekly live music makes this a cool place to hang out!
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Miners Saloon
1109 Miner's Alley
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Miners Saloon is a modern day saloon reminiscent of Golden’s mining days in the late 1800s. With a rustic, cozy interior and a perfect balance of period details and modern comforts, Miners provides an old West saloon feel with a contemporary edge. 24 beers on tap, more than 50 beers in bottles and cans, impressive mixed drinks, wine and weekly live music makes this a cool place to hang out!

Sightseeing

The best place to watch a concert! Hands down! Also, the best place to visit or work out. Check out the musem of all the greats who have performed there. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails as well.
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Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda Parkway
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The best place to watch a concert! Hands down! Also, the best place to visit or work out. Check out the musem of all the greats who have performed there. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails as well.
DinosaurHwy. 93 and The Back Road to Boulder The most interesting way to drive Boulder from Denver is to head west to Golden, then go north on Hwy. 93. This is one of the last undeveloped stretches of road along the Front Range for two good reasons. Large parts of it have been preserved as open space by Boulder and now offer ranch lands, canal walks and pretty grass fields with the Flatirons as a backdrop. The east side of the road was preserved because it was Rocky Flats, a high security area where the triggers for nuclear bombs were once made. All 70,000 atomic bombs made by the U.S. have parts that were made at Rocky Flats. The bombs are long gone, and Rocky Flats is being restored and brought back as a wildlife refuge. Trails, biking and horseback riding will soon be open in the area. In addition to the scenic drive, two attractions along Hwy. 93 are well worth a stop. Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of the world’s top rock climbing attractions. The sheer 500-foot high cliffs here are dotted with climbers, seeming to defy gravity. If you’re not a rock climber, you’ll still love the views, the scenic river flowing through the center of the canyon, and a wonderful one-mile trail that is an old abandoned railroad cut, every inch of it offering incredible scenery into the canyon. In South Boulder is the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The buildings were designed by I.M. Pei, who also designed the pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. NCAR is considered one of his masterpieces and was also used in the Woody Allen movie, “Sleeper.” There’s also an outdoor half-mile Weather Trail that explains some of the unique aspects of weather in Colorado. From here, you can backtrack down scenic Hwy. 93 to Golden, for a quick stop in one of the town's restaurants or breweries. You'll also want to look for the colorful dinosaur art installations just outside of Golden. Spot the colorful Triceratops sculptures, located off Hwy 93, near 56th Ave.
Colorado 93
Colorado 93
DinosaurHwy. 93 and The Back Road to Boulder The most interesting way to drive Boulder from Denver is to head west to Golden, then go north on Hwy. 93. This is one of the last undeveloped stretches of road along the Front Range for two good reasons. Large parts of it have been preserved as open space by Boulder and now offer ranch lands, canal walks and pretty grass fields with the Flatirons as a backdrop. The east side of the road was preserved because it was Rocky Flats, a high security area where the triggers for nuclear bombs were once made. All 70,000 atomic bombs made by the U.S. have parts that were made at Rocky Flats. The bombs are long gone, and Rocky Flats is being restored and brought back as a wildlife refuge. Trails, biking and horseback riding will soon be open in the area. In addition to the scenic drive, two attractions along Hwy. 93 are well worth a stop. Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of the world’s top rock climbing attractions. The sheer 500-foot high cliffs here are dotted with climbers, seeming to defy gravity. If you’re not a rock climber, you’ll still love the views, the scenic river flowing through the center of the canyon, and a wonderful one-mile trail that is an old abandoned railroad cut, every inch of it offering incredible scenery into the canyon. In South Boulder is the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The buildings were designed by I.M. Pei, who also designed the pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. NCAR is considered one of his masterpieces and was also used in the Woody Allen movie, “Sleeper.” There’s also an outdoor half-mile Weather Trail that explains some of the unique aspects of weather in Colorado. From here, you can backtrack down scenic Hwy. 93 to Golden, for a quick stop in one of the town's restaurants or breweries. You'll also want to look for the colorful dinosaur art installations just outside of Golden. Spot the colorful Triceratops sculptures, located off Hwy 93, near 56th Ave.
Clear Creek Canyon to Central City and the “Oh My God Road” After a delicious brunch in one of Golden’s many outdoor cafes, head up Hwy. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon. This is one of the narrowest, steepest and most dramatic canyons in Colorado, and is internationally known as a rock climbing area. Depending on restrictions, you might see rafters, kayakers, fishermen, and even gold-panners along the way. Stop at Mayhem Gulch Trailhead, 12 miles west of Golden, and hike for a bit on the new Peaks to Plains Trail. One day, this trail will stretch from Idaho Springs all the way to Golden. Currently, there are four miles of creek side paved trails. At the junction with Hwy. 119, turn right to Black Hawk, the largest gambling center in Colorado with 10,000 slot machines, poker, Black Jack and roulette in nearly two dozen casinos. From Black Hawk, turn left and climb one mile to the historic mining town of Central City. Once called the “richest spot on earth,” Central City in the 1870s had a population of 30,000 and was the largest gold rush boom town in Colorado. On the hills and dirt roads above town, you’ll find historic graveyards, old mines and ghost towns, while the town itself is a treasure-trove of beautiful brick and stone Victorian buildings. Southwest of the town, look for signs for the Virginia Canyon Road, known to locals as the “Oh My God Road.” Legend has it that it got its name because stage coach passengers would look out the window at the sheer drop offs and moan, “Oh My God!” You might too, as you twist and turn on a narrow dirt road with no guardrails and steep cliffs. There are beautiful views of Mount Evans along the way, but key your eyes on the road, go slow, pause on narrow turns, and follow signs for Idaho Springs, another old gold mining town worth a stop. From here, you can take I-70 east for a few miles until the exit for Hwy. 6 and a return to Golden through scenic Clear Creek Canyon, viewing the dramatic rock formations from a different direction. Scenic drives can feel carefree and fun! Load up your car with friends and family and set out to enjoy an adventurous afternoon together. Head to www.VisitGolden.com for more information on all the fun things to do in Golden!
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Clear Creek Canyon Park
U.S. 6
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Clear Creek Canyon to Central City and the “Oh My God Road” After a delicious brunch in one of Golden’s many outdoor cafes, head up Hwy. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon. This is one of the narrowest, steepest and most dramatic canyons in Colorado, and is internationally known as a rock climbing area. Depending on restrictions, you might see rafters, kayakers, fishermen, and even gold-panners along the way. Stop at Mayhem Gulch Trailhead, 12 miles west of Golden, and hike for a bit on the new Peaks to Plains Trail. One day, this trail will stretch from Idaho Springs all the way to Golden. Currently, there are four miles of creek side paved trails. At the junction with Hwy. 119, turn right to Black Hawk, the largest gambling center in Colorado with 10,000 slot machines, poker, Black Jack and roulette in nearly two dozen casinos. From Black Hawk, turn left and climb one mile to the historic mining town of Central City. Once called the “richest spot on earth,” Central City in the 1870s had a population of 30,000 and was the largest gold rush boom town in Colorado. On the hills and dirt roads above town, you’ll find historic graveyards, old mines and ghost towns, while the town itself is a treasure-trove of beautiful brick and stone Victorian buildings. Southwest of the town, look for signs for the Virginia Canyon Road, known to locals as the “Oh My God Road.” Legend has it that it got its name because stage coach passengers would look out the window at the sheer drop offs and moan, “Oh My God!” You might too, as you twist and turn on a narrow dirt road with no guardrails and steep cliffs. There are beautiful views of Mount Evans along the way, but key your eyes on the road, go slow, pause on narrow turns, and follow signs for Idaho Springs, another old gold mining town worth a stop. From here, you can take I-70 east for a few miles until the exit for Hwy. 6 and a return to Golden through scenic Clear Creek Canyon, viewing the dramatic rock formations from a different direction. Scenic drives can feel carefree and fun! Load up your car with friends and family and set out to enjoy an adventurous afternoon together. Head to www.VisitGolden.com for more information on all the fun things to do in Golden!
The Cussler Museum, located in Arvada not far from I-70, is all about the classic cars. Founded by thriller writer Clive Cussler and featuring numerous vehicles mentioned in his best-selling Dirk Pitt books, the museum is dedicated to displaying his personal collection of automobiles, all built between the years 1906 and 1965.
Cussler Museum
14959 West 69th Avenue
The Cussler Museum, located in Arvada not far from I-70, is all about the classic cars. Founded by thriller writer Clive Cussler and featuring numerous vehicles mentioned in his best-selling Dirk Pitt books, the museum is dedicated to displaying his personal collection of automobiles, all built between the years 1906 and 1965.

City/town information

Golden is a city and former gold rush town at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. The last few years it seems that Metro Denver and a lot of the outer towns have become the mecca for foodies. There are so many restaurants to choose from- you really can't go wrong. Just choose your culinary adventure! Coffee shops, craft beer, taverns and bars, distilleries... Golden also has unique shopping for tourists and locals. Clear Creek Trail is a network of paths running along a waterway. It passes Clear Creek White Water Park, a kayaking course. Golden has plenty of shopping and places to eat. Also, check out the Buffalo Rose for the local music scene. The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum has exhibits on earth science and mining history. Northeast is the Colorado Railroad Museum, with vintage trains and an 1800s-style railroad depot.
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Golden
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Golden is a city and former gold rush town at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. The last few years it seems that Metro Denver and a lot of the outer towns have become the mecca for foodies. There are so many restaurants to choose from- you really can't go wrong. Just choose your culinary adventure! Coffee shops, craft beer, taverns and bars, distilleries... Golden also has unique shopping for tourists and locals. Clear Creek Trail is a network of paths running along a waterway. It passes Clear Creek White Water Park, a kayaking course. Golden has plenty of shopping and places to eat. Also, check out the Buffalo Rose for the local music scene. The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum has exhibits on earth science and mining history. Northeast is the Colorado Railroad Museum, with vintage trains and an 1800s-style railroad depot.
Olde Town is the city’s downtown district, with a turn-of-the-century Main Street Americana ambiance. It is the heart and soul of Arvada and has become a destination for locals and visitors, alike. With a diverse array of shops, boutiques, galleries, events, restaurants, breweries and a winery, Olde Town has something for everyone.
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Arvada
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Olde Town is the city’s downtown district, with a turn-of-the-century Main Street Americana ambiance. It is the heart and soul of Arvada and has become a destination for locals and visitors, alike. With a diverse array of shops, boutiques, galleries, events, restaurants, breweries and a winery, Olde Town has something for everyone.

Recreation

Apex Center is located in our neighborhood, less than a 5 minute drive or a quick jaunt on foot! Indoor slides, lap pool, full gym, rock climbing wall, ice rinks, fitness classes... and so much more! A great place to spend the day... especially if it's raining... or too hot!!
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Apex Center
13150 W 72nd Ave
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Apex Center is located in our neighborhood, less than a 5 minute drive or a quick jaunt on foot! Indoor slides, lap pool, full gym, rock climbing wall, ice rinks, fitness classes... and so much more! A great place to spend the day... especially if it's raining... or too hot!!
Water World is really fun for the whole family. About a 30-45 minute drive... factoring in Denver traffic. Pro tip: reserve a cabana for your day. If it's your first time, hop on the gondola which gives you a pretty cool bird's-eye view of the grounds!
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Vandverden
8801 N Pecos St
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Water World is really fun for the whole family. About a 30-45 minute drive... factoring in Denver traffic. Pro tip: reserve a cabana for your day. If it's your first time, hop on the gondola which gives you a pretty cool bird's-eye view of the grounds!
This place is a local's hidden water park. A "mini-mini-mini version" of Water Wold. Lounge chairs, picnic tables, shade, grassy areas, mini fountains... Less people than Water World and a shorter distance from our house.
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The Splash at Fossil Trace
3151 Illinois St
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This place is a local's hidden water park. A "mini-mini-mini version" of Water Wold. Lounge chairs, picnic tables, shade, grassy areas, mini fountains... Less people than Water World and a shorter distance from our house.
A fun little outing for train enthusiasts. Train museum, and small passenger train that tours you and your family around the museum. Our kids loved this place when they were younger. They used to have visits from Thomas the Train, not sure if that still happens, but easy to find out.
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Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W 44th Ave
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A fun little outing for train enthusiasts. Train museum, and small passenger train that tours you and your family around the museum. Our kids loved this place when they were younger. They used to have visits from Thomas the Train, not sure if that still happens, but easy to find out.

Hiking/ Biking

Meander up the Mesa For more of a vertical adventure, hike one of the moderately challenging trails of North Table Mountain to the top of the mesa the shorter way or take in the panoramic views with a longer hike to the top. Avid climbers will love the Golden Cliffs Trail for its rocky terrain and challenging climbing routes. It’s also ideal for those who want to enjoy a shorter hike. Whichever North Table Mountain trail you choose, you're sure to be rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountainsides and the terrain far below. Parts of the mountain are closed during the spring season for wildlife protection, but most trails remain open year-round. Hike or bike South Table Mountain to experience more than 13 miles of trails and the beauty of the Front Range. Only minutes from downtown Golden, South Table Mountain is perfect for a day spent adventuring, soaking up the panoramic views, and observing local wildlife.
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North Table Mountain Park
4788 CO-93
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Meander up the Mesa For more of a vertical adventure, hike one of the moderately challenging trails of North Table Mountain to the top of the mesa the shorter way or take in the panoramic views with a longer hike to the top. Avid climbers will love the Golden Cliffs Trail for its rocky terrain and challenging climbing routes. It’s also ideal for those who want to enjoy a shorter hike. Whichever North Table Mountain trail you choose, you're sure to be rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountainsides and the terrain far below. Parts of the mountain are closed during the spring season for wildlife protection, but most trails remain open year-round. Hike or bike South Table Mountain to experience more than 13 miles of trails and the beauty of the Front Range. Only minutes from downtown Golden, South Table Mountain is perfect for a day spent adventuring, soaking up the panoramic views, and observing local wildlife.
Triceratops Trail Dinosaur Bones and Tracks The City of Golden offers an extensive and interconnected trail system of 24 miles, providing diversity in both types of trail experience and destinations, and a haven for fossil and dinosaur-lovers. The Triceratops Trail is a 1.5-mile gravel hiking trail that winds between large, vertical walls of sandstone and into reclaimed clay pits. Along the trail are several stops highlighting clay mining as well as invertebrate tracks and traces of dinosaurs, birds, mammals, and insects. There are also several walls full of plant impressions from the tree-lined, delta-like environment.
Triceratops Trail
Triceratops Trail Dinosaur Bones and Tracks The City of Golden offers an extensive and interconnected trail system of 24 miles, providing diversity in both types of trail experience and destinations, and a haven for fossil and dinosaur-lovers. The Triceratops Trail is a 1.5-mile gravel hiking trail that winds between large, vertical walls of sandstone and into reclaimed clay pits. Along the trail are several stops highlighting clay mining as well as invertebrate tracks and traces of dinosaurs, birds, mammals, and insects. There are also several walls full of plant impressions from the tree-lined, delta-like environment.