Greenwood Village is located south of downtown Denver and just west of Interstate 25.
With just over 16,000 residents at the last census, the town is ideally located to offer visitors an impressive array of both urban and rural activities; many of which are just minutes away.
Denver, Centennial and Aurora offer plenty of dining and shopping options, as well as theaters, museums, and historic attractions. There are also several local, state and national parks nearby.
Here are 15 things to do in and around Greenwood Village that rank high on many travelers’ itineraries.
1. Cherry Creek State Park
State parks are usually inexpensive or free to visit and often offer guests a variety of recreational options.
Cherry Creek State Park’s most prominent feature is its massive lake that spans nearly 900 acres.
In summer, the lake attracts boaters, swimmers, anglers and kayakers. The trails through the park are popular with horse riders, cyclists and hikers.
For those interested in spending a night or two outdoors, the park has more than 100 individual campgrounds, most of which have full water and electricity hookups for RVs.
2. Kennedy Golf Course
Unlike most courses with only 18 holes, Denver’s Kennedy Golf Course has 36.
The course’s 27 holes are the stated length, but for those who don’t want to spend four or five hours on the link, there is a short 9-hole par 3 course that usually takes just over an hour to play.
Amenities at the course include a popular restaurant, an illuminated driving range and a miniature golf course open from dawn to dusk in good weather.
It’s a family-friendly attraction, there’s something for everyone, regardless of age and skill level, and it’s not too expensive.
3. Aurora Reservoir Recreation Area
Spread over 30,000 acres, the Aurora Reservoir is a massive cistern that supplies most of the city’s water, while the surrounding parks appeal to outdoorsmen who like to enjoy nature without going too far.
The Aurora Reservoir Recreation Area features designated swimming and sunbathing areas, as well as ample space for picnics, biking and walking.
The reservoir is open between Memorial Day and the end of September; lifeguards are on duty from 10am to 6pm during this time.
Don’t expect to own this place if you visit on a summer weekend.
4. Milano Coffee
Located on East Arapahoe Road in town, Milano Coffee opens early at 5:30 on weekdays.
That’s earlier than most of its competitors, and it’s one of the reasons it’s so popular with those early risers.
In addition to hot and cold coffee drinks, they also serve Italian sodas, teas and smoothies, as well as yogurt, fruit and baked goods.
Milano offers guests indoor and outdoor seating, the latter being separated from the street so you don’t have to deal with annoying road noise.
They are open every day with slightly reduced hours on weekends.
5. Surena
Because of their relative proximity to Denver and the area’s colleges and universities, many small towns like Greenwood Village have a surprising variety of restaurants featuring international cuisine.
Rumor has it that Surena is the first Persian restaurant to open in Colorado. For those who have never tried it, Persian food has exotic flavors and unique spices that are unfamiliar to many.
Stews, soups, saffron rice and kebabs are perennial favorites, and previous guests have raved about their black tea.
The ambience of the restaurant is stylish, warm and comfortable, including traditional Persian artwork, furniture and tableware.
6. Denver Colorado Temple
You don’t have to be a Latter-day Saint dying in wool to appreciate the stunning architecture of the Colorado Temple in Denver.
Officially opened in the mid-1980s, the temple includes scenic grounds, stained glass windows depicting major events in the church’s history, and a spire towering over the church and grounds.
Guided tours are available, but only for those who call ahead to let the staff know when they’re coming and how many people are in their party.
The tour includes historical accounts of active church members and officials, which most guests find both interesting and enlightening.
7. Aurora History Museum
The Aurora History Museum is located on East Alameda Parkway and has been open since 1979.
Over the years, the museum has housed a large collection of historical artifacts and memorabilia related to the founding of the region, most of which date back to the early 1800s.
While much of what’s on display is historical in nature, there are some rotating exhibits that touch on contemporary themes, such as the state’s craft beer renaissance.
Expect to see historical documents and photos, Native American artifacts, and first-hand accounts of the people who settled in the area when it was mostly dangerous and unexplored.
8. Resolute Brewing Company
Colorado has always been a beer powerhouse, but for most of its existence it was dominated by the massive Coors Brewery in nearby Golden.
Decades ago, craft breweries began popping up everywhere, and today, visitors to the Rocky Mountain state typically don’t stay far from at least one.
The Resolute Brewing Company is located on South Yosemite Street in Centennial. Although it has only been open since 2016, it has attracted a loyal following.
Favorite beers at Resolute Brewing include wheat beers, amber, stouts and hoppy IPAs. It’s also dog-friendly and has indoor and outdoor seating.
9. Streets of SouthGlenn
Located on South Vine Street in Centennial, The Streets at SouthGlenn is a new and improved shopping centre that operated on the site for over 30 years in the 70’s and early 2000’s.
The Streets has been in business since 2009 and includes retail anchors such as Macy’s, Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The perfect place to spend a few hours here with the elements, its amenities include a movie theater with a dozen screens, and many delicious dining options, from burgers and pizzas to Asian cuisine, seafood and steaks.
10. Plains Conservation Center
The Plains Conservation Center is a popular aurora attraction and is the perfect place to spend a few hours for those interested in learning about the history and ecology of the area.
The facility has been in existence for more than seven years; its primary goal is to educate and continue the conservation efforts needed to preserve the state’s natural wonders.
The site is divided into two distinct areas, the first including historic buildings, blacksmith workshops and settler-era school buildings.
The second area focuses on the natural history of the region, most notably the mass extinction of dinosaurs that occurred during the Cretaceous period.
11. Bear Creek Green Belt
Colorado’s weather is perfect for outdoor activities during most of spring and summer.
Many visitors to the Greenwood Village area spend most of their time driving to the state’s top attractions, but there are plenty of options closer to home.
Bear Creek Greenbelt is located in nearby Lakewood and stretches for nearly four miles. It is suitable for the most suitable person regardless of age.
Parking and trails are located on South Estes Street and the trails pass through meadows, wooded wetlands and wetlands with a variety of birds and animals.
12. Aurora Fox Arts Center
Located on East Colfax Avenue in the downtown arts district of Aurora, the Aurora Fox Arts Center features a theater that seats nearly 250 guests.
The center offers performances throughout the year, many of them Broadway-style, far exceeding the expectations of most visitors.
The theatre where the centre now houses was originally a cinema built in the mid-40s; live music, dance and recitals are also on the centre’s calendar of events.
Many popular shows sell out weeks before the date, so if possible, it’s best to buy tickets in advance of your visit.
13. William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park
At nearly 2,500 acres along South Rooney Road, William F. Hayden Green Mountain Park in Lakewood is one of the largest parks in the city.
Featuring an extensive network of multi-use trails, the park offers walkers, runners and cyclists incredible views of the Green Mountains, as well as favorable conditions for the downtown Denver skyline.
The trails range from easy to difficult, and for super-fitters, hike to the highest peak overlooking the park.
Bird watching, photography, and wildlife viewing are popular pastimes in the park, and deer, foxes, and a variety of birds can often be seen—especially in the mornings and evenings, when many of them are most active.
14. Clue Room
Centennial’s Clue Room is said to be Colorado’s first escape room. While there may be others who also claim to be the first, it is one of the most visited attractions in the area for those who like to add a touch of suspense and mystery to their holiday experience.
The Clue Room offers many different themed rooms. For those who have never tried them, they are unique activities for different ages and interests.
Escape rooms are great for date nights, bachelorette parties and corporate team building events, most of which take just over an hour.
15. Downhill Distillation
Although Colorado is known for its abundance of craft breweries, the distillation of small-batch spirits has also taken off in recent years.
Located at South Dawson Circle in nearby Englewood, Downslope Distilling produces ten different spirits from a variety of ingredients including rye, sugar cane, agave and barley.
Guided tours of the facility are offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but must be booked in advance.
Some of their most popular products include American rye, rum, vodka, and a tequila-like tequila. They also offer multi-day courses for those who want a deeper understanding of how spirits are made.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels in Greenwood Village, CO
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