17 Cool Things to Do in Arvada, CO
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Food & Drink | Sites & Attractions | Outdoor Attractions
Arvada is one of Denver’s greatest suburbs and located just a 20-minute drive from downtown. I’m an area local and in this guide, I cover the best things to do in Arvada!
Discover historical and cultural attractions in Olde Town, nearby parks, and some of my favorite places to dine in Arvada. I also share family-friendly attractions, including one of the country’s largest spots for a popular action sport. Who would’ve guessed?
If you’re in town for a few days, be sure to check out my guide to where to stay in Arvada as well!
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17 Best Things to Do in Arvada
Olde Town Arvada
Shop and eat in an area on the National Register of Historic Places.
📍 Google Maps | Olde Town Arvada Website
Olde Town Arvada has shops, galleries, and some of the best local restaurants, as well as food trucks and craft breweries. There are also public fountains for kids to cool off in summer, and you can spend time walking and admiring the historic buildings.
Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
See a local show with impressive talent.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 898-7200 | Arvada Center Website | Hours: 11 am – 7 pm weekdays, 10 am – 4 pm Sat, 12 pm – 4 pm Sun | Entrance: Free gallery, Show ticket prices vary
The Arvada Center houses the Arvada Historical Museum, which you can visit for free. You can see plays, musicals, and other performances at this center. It also hosts classes for acting and other forms of artistic expression.
Archery Games Denver
Spend an afternoon living out a video game.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 305-4531 | Archery Games Denver Website | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $30
This is a great spot for team building, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and kids’ birthday parties. Teens and adults will enjoy archery dodgeball at Archery Games Denver, while younger kids will have fun playing Nerf wars.
You can purchase beer, wine, and spiked seltzer on-site, or bring your own food and drink to enjoy.
Food & Drink
Odyssey Beerwerks
Try a local beer at this award-winning brewery.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 421-0772 | Odyssey Beerwerks Website | Hours: 2 pm – 9 pm Mon – Thurs, 12 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat, 12 pm – 8 pm Sun
Odyssey Beerwerks is one of the area’s best breweries. It has seasonal and permanent beers on tap, plus packaged beers to-go. This family-owned business is a popular spot for locals to hang out and is loved for its many planned events.
Talnua Distillery
Sample locally-produced whiskey or a hand-crafted cocktail.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 431-4949 | Talnua Distillery Website | Hours: 3 pm – 9 pm Tues – Thurs, 3 pm – 10 pm Fri, 1 pm – 10 pm Sat, 1 pm – 7 pm Sun, closed Mon
Talnua Distillery features a variety of whiskeys, along with gin and cold-press coffee liqueur. You can stop in to try it straight or get a cocktail (or two!). On Wednesday nights, it also offers distillery tours.
Silver Vines Winery
Sample local wines made right in Arvada.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 456-5212 | Silver Vines Winery Website | Hours: 2 pm – 10 pm Mon – Thurs, 11 am – 12 am Fri & Sat, 11 am – 9 pm Sun
This local, family-owned winery makes over 15 varieties of wines. Stop in to sample some and grab a bottle (or several!) for later. The winery also hosts live music on many weekends and is available for special events like weddings and parties.
Sites & Attractions
The Arvada Flour Mill
See an Arvada building listed on the Register of Historic Places.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 431-1261 | Arvada Flour Mill Website | Tours by appointment
The Arvada Flour Mill was built in 1926 and is an iconic Arvada building. You can request a tour to get a closer look at the mill if you want to dig deeper into Arvada’s history. Regardless, the building is a beautiful spot for fun pictures in the historic downtown area.
Cussler Museum
Admire vintage vehicles from around the world.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 420-2795 | Cussler Museum Website | Hours: Seasonal (May – Sept), 10 am – 4:15 pm Thurs, Fri, & first Sat of the month | Entrance: $15 adults, $8 under 13
The Cussler Museum preserves rare and vintage cars from 1906 to 1965. The 100+ automobiles were owned by best-selling author Clive Cussler, who wrote many of these cars into his books. The museum is a fun stop for anyone who loves reading Cussler’s books, or who has an appreciation for vintage autos.
👉 Pro Tip: This is just one of many great museums in the Denver area!
Downtown Denver
Spend a day exploring nearby Denver.
📍 Google Maps | Things to Do in Denver | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
Arvada is just 20 minutes from downtown Denver so if you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit! See the Capitol Building, visit the Denver Mint, check out the Denver Art Museum, and choose from many more activities.
If you want to spend a night in the Mile High City before heading back, be sure to check out Nate’s recommendations on where to stay in Denver.
Apex Center
Exercise, ice skate, or take the kids to the activity pool.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 424-2739 | Apex Center Website | Hours: 5:30 am – 9 pm weekdays, 8 am – 5 pm weekends | Entrance: $7.50+ adults, $6+ under 18
The Apex Center has ice skating, a climbing wall, an indoor playground, and a pool with fun water features. There are several gyms for working out, so you can visit to exercise or entertain the family for an afternoon!
Indian Tree Golf Club
Enjoy mountain views and Colorado sunshine at this golf club.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 403-2542 | Indian Tree Golf Club Website | Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily | Course fees: from $37 adults, from $17 under 17
The Indian Tree Golf Club is open year-round. The course offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the public facility has a 9-hole course, a full par-70 course, and a driving range, plus putting and chipping greens. There’s also a restaurant to fuel up before or after a game.
Outdoor Attractions
Arvada Skatepark
Show your stuff at the third-largest skatepark in the country.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 898-7400 | Skatepark Website | Hours: sunrise – 10 pm daily
The Arvada Skate Park is made up of more than 40,000 square feet of ramps, jumps, and other awesome features. In fact, the park has hosted several major skating events and is popular with skaters across the metro area.
Standley Lake
Go paddleboarding or fishing at this regional park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 425-1097 | Standley Lake Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Vehicle pass: $7
Kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, bicycling, and some of the best camping near Denver is available at Standley Lake Regional Park. You can look for local wildlife at the lake and learn about the history of the area at the nature center.
Ralston Creek Trail
Wander along the creek that started Colorado’s Gold Rush.
📍 Google Maps | Ralston Creek Trail Website
Here’s one of the more surprising facts about Colorado: The state’s Gold Rush began along Ralston Creek. You can walk and bike the public trail along the creek, which links a few different parks and open spaces. You’ll also see Arvada wildlife, scenery, playgrounds, lakes, ponds, and other beautiful areas in town.
Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge
Enjoy outdoor recreation in the middle of the city.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 289-0867 | Two Ponds Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset | Entrance: Free
You’ll find deer, birds, coyotes, and even turtles at the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge. The ponds make a pretty spot for a walk, or to let kids run off steam and explore. You’ll also find nature programs and lots of birding opportunities at this park!
🥾 Love Exploring Outdoors? Don’t miss the best hikes near Denver!
Majestic View Nature Center
Learn about the native birds, animals, and plants of Arvada.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 898-7405 | Majestic View Nature Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Wed – Sat, closed Mon – Sun | Entrance: Free
The nature center features hands-on displays and exhibits to teach kids and adults about Arvada’s wildlife. Programs at the center venture into the nearby park, allowing guests to learn more about the wetlands, gardens, trails, and the animals who live there.
Van Bibber Open Space Park
Walk or bike this park’s short, scenic trail featuring lovely mountain views.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 898-7000 | Van Bibber Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free
Van Bibber Park features wetlands and mountain views. A 1.5-mile concrete trail runs through the park and is easy for strollers and wheelchairs to navigate. There is also an observation deck where you can look for wildlife and the birds that stop over in the area as they migrate.
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Whether you’re looking for solo outings, a fun date, or activities for the entire family, Arvada has options for you! Let me know in the comments what you plan to do in the city. And for more nearby activities, see our guide to other great day trips from Denver.
