What a gem in the heart of downtown Denver! We came here on a spectacular weather day and…read morethroughly enjoyed watching an NFL game in the big screen in the Adirondack chairs while drinking a beer or High Noon. The service was great and there were several beers on tap to choose from. I like they offered a water station and clean port o potties. The rooftop umbrellas are so fun for pics! We did try out the putt putt course and loved the themed Denver holes but found it to not be in great shape- wrinkles in the mats but it was free!

Unless you know the precise location of this sculpture, you can easily drive right past it! You…read morecan find it on Champa St. between 17th & 18th Streets. It is set next to the Hotel Registration sign leading to the Residence Inn. Drive by viewing! I couldn't find parking, so luckily, traffic came to a stop and I snapped a quick pic. This is definitely a whimsical piece! It's also a sort of abstract since there's basically only a pair of pants and an odd shaped abdomen with a belt in between. What might be perceived at first as arms are actually pistols. There's no face, arms, hands, nor feet. In summary, this is a cowboy with its guns drawn. Cowboy Pajamas is a solid work made from bronze, weighing three tons! It stands at over 20 feet tall. The sculptor is Sean O'Meallie. It was installed in 2008. Why is this sculpture in front of a hotel? This hotel, the Residence Inn at this address, hosts an Annual Pajama Party fundraiser. The fundraiser benefits and raises awareness for the homeless.

You will find this little nugget right outside of the Residence Inn, in a small alcove. It is the…read morework of Sean O'Meallie who did the sculpture in 2008. It is starting to show signs of wear and is a bit weathered. It also has some graffiti on it. It is 20 feet tall, weighs about 3,000 pounds, and is made from bronze and acrylic paint. It is rumored to have chosen the Residence Inn as the site of the sculpture because the hotel had hosted has a Pajama Party fundraiser benefiting Denver's Road Home program in the past. It is an interesting piece that depicts a cowboy holding up two side arms. The cowboy has heart shaped balloon hat and what looks like a magnet for legs. It is all on a platform. As I mentioned, it is abstract AF. You have to stare at it for a little while to decipher what it is, a cowboy in pajamas. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. Even though I passed it a few times since I was staying at the hotel next door. I recommend making this stop part of a larger itinerary or checking it out if you are in the area and/or on your way somewhere else, to maximize your time.

With family in the area, I've been going to Old Town Arvada for as long as I can remember. It's…read morebeen the neighborhood for countless happy hours, dinners, get-togethers, brunches, farmers' markets visits and more! The little neighborhood is filled with brightly painted murals, lined with bars, restaurants and shops which create the cutest of vibes and environments! Sure, parking can be a bit tricky, but park on the outskirts and walk the streets or simply take the lightrail, as the train now pulls directly up to Old Town! With the influx of Christmas events, local shopping and delicious eats, I know I'll be back!

Reasons why Historic Olde Town Arvada needs to be on everyone's "must see/visit" list:…read more 1) Everything is walkable! We picked a central area to park and made our way around the area with ease. Be careful to abide by the parking signage during your visit. Certain areas appear to be significantly more restrictive than others! 2) Why even deal with parking? Currently under testing, the G-line will feature an oh so convenient Olde Town Arvada commuter rail stop. 3) There's a little bit of everything! Restaurants? Yep! Breweries? You got it! Toy stores? Sure! Plus lots more to find and discover! 4) Sooo many events are held here! During my visit this past weekend my friends and I stumbled across the cutest farmers market! 5) Tons of great unique local businesses! We checked out The Cereal Box, New Image Brewing, The Bluegrass, and Denver Beer Co! Loved them all and there is even more on my list to see!! 6) Everyone was super friendly! 7) I totally dig the reclaimed spaces! Historic Olde Town Arvada def exudes that Colorado "vibe" we all seek! Go check it out for yourself - I know I'll be back!

Located at second floor of Denver Pavilion, this store has quality souvenir items from mugs,…read moreshirts, magnets, pins, postcards, pictures, and more. They have a decent variety of items but they are on the pricier side.

This is such a fantastic shop to pick up all those unique gifts. I got something for everyone and…read moreeveryone was very pleased with the quality

I happily happened upon this year's Highlands Street Fair, held annually on the third Saturday in…read moreJune. 32nd Ave was closed between Perry and Irving to accommodate 4 stages with live music on each, a huge inflatable slide for the kids, a classic car show, beer, margarita and food vendors, and all the quaint shopping you'd expect for the area: cool t-shirts for the alternative/indy pregnant woman, purses made of Brazilian magazines, art, jewelry, hippy clothing, etc etc. And, as you'd expect, SAFER (http://www.safercolorado.org/) had a fairly strong presence. I don't often walk that area, and doing so made me see all the awesome local shops and restaurants that are there! It's certainly worth checking it out next year! Good for all ages fun! The Highlands rock!

I thought there were some great booths there. It was a rather small fair but in a way that was…read morewhat was nice. It was a very hot Saturday. I liked the music and the food trucks are always a nice touch. Wish more people slowed up and maybe later in the day they did. I will go again next year if I am here.

Quick, short trolley ride. One way toward the aquarium and children's museum and then back. Get on…read morethe trolley right by REI. Twenty five minute ride. A little history along the way.

This summer our family is on a quest to find some local lesser known adventures. I read about the…read moretrolley and though it sounded like a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. The trip is short and sweet. I didn't expect to learn so many facts about Denver on our ride so that was a nice surprise. And while our boys (teens) were the only ones older than 4 years they still enjoyed the ride. After we finished our trip, we learned that your tickets are good for the entire day so we could have ridden again.

I was in Denver for work and had to make a stop to see my girl Frida. The music, artwork display,…read moremotion, and lights were a whole vibe! Even if you aren't well versed on her life this immersive "explained" a lot about her without saying a word. It was a lot of fun to watch and I would highly recommend for anyone who appreciates art in general and Frida lovers like me.

Because you're venue is unsafe! My mother fell off the painted stairs at the Van Gogh exhibit in…read moreDenver. She's 81 years Young. She had just had reverse shoulder replacement surgery on her left arrm. The stairs the exit which was the only exit available! There was no ADA accessible access to the parking lot which we had parked in. Those stairs had been painted to match the paint of the V"an Gogh Blue" marketing schematics, in order to match the exhibit. The stairs she was forced to use, as the only exit accessible, were not only painted dark blue, but also, didn't have a safe handrail for the entire stairwell. The rrailing ends before the last 2 steps of this very very dangerous exit! My mother, 81 years young, took a tumble off of those stairs, and then fell again from those unmasked, unlighted, and dangerous EXIT ONLY stairs, onto the next unmarked curb-to-parking lot. That is about a 1.5 ft curb that's was painted/marked f previously before was a hazard, designated as a no Park no standing fire lane. That City required fire lane designation and safety hazard that's required by the City and county of Denver was painted over by the lighthouse venue to match theVan Gogh dark navy blue exhibit color palette. 100% unacceptable that this happened with such disregard for public safety and those that have disabilities! The staff would not respond to an emergency, when they were allergic to the situation. Paying such an exuberant amount of money for a immersive experience, if that experience is so immersive that it caused bodily damage, they should be response enough to help the people that have paid the money to attend the exhibit. The lack of responsibility, the lack of education of the employees responsible for the safety of the guests, and a lack of not giving a crap about its patients with disabilities is more than disappointing I would highly recommend that any events lighthouse is hosting, whatever it might be, should be ill advised for those with disabilities or a handicap status. They are obviously discriminatory and do not care about the community that deserves I have the same experience that any fully capable individual can experience without a disability. Lighthouse is a irresponsible venue, and a hazard to the community and the health of the artistic community. I would never recommend this venue for any event! EVER I TRIED TO REACH OUT PRIVATELY TO THE VENUE, AND THEY TOLD ME NOT OUR FAULT THAT SHE CAN'T WALK! #lighthouse #Denver #Vangough #metropolitanStateUniversity #Metro #Msu #DenverArts #DenverNews #9Kusa #Channel7Denver #TheDenverChannel This resulted in many trips to the ER, neurologists, and general practitioner. The security closed the event early that night, because there was not very many people at the exhibit. When we tried to ask for help and knock on the exhibit exit and entrance doors, which were closed an hour earlier than our ticketed time because there was not enough people in the venue, not one person would respond or interact with us regarding the serious accident that occurred out front of the venue. We waited for over an hour for help to get my mother the assistant that she needed. The property managers that own the property that is least to Metropolitan State University told us they're not responsible for anything related to the use of this space. City and county of Denver should be appalled at how they're handling this management situation! Disgusting! What money hungry property development / property management company would be so irresponsible not only for the safety of guest visiting and experience within the campus environment, but to the residence of the property. I spoke with numerous individuals it's their safety concerns are never addressed and have been a problem for years now! Speak up, speak out, speak into activism, for people with disabilities and not proper access!

Bears are my favorite animal, and blue is my favorite color. Who knew there would be such a bright…read moresight greeting us all at the convention center for our conference? The Big Blue Bear gets 5 stars from me! Fun for the whole family to take pictures with!

I love me some public art! This 40-foot blue bear is so cute and curious peering through the glass…read morewindows of the Colorado Convention Center. I wonder what the bear is looking for? :) https://yelp.to/JG18P-mkUp I probably only spent a total of 5-8 minutes looking at the sculpture but definitely worth the photo op while walking around Downtown Denver.

What a great day! My husband and I just love local art, and supporting these artists. I hadn't…read moreheard of the Jackalope Arts festival, which apparently appears every year just up the street from me in Olde Arvada. We went out on this sunny and warm October day, glad to enjoy some time outdoors in the sun. We were greeted, as well, with an enjoyable stroll through local venue booths sporting everything from beeswax products to locally mixed spices to jewelry made from local stones (think petrified wood and Marble's marble, among many others). I was drawn to the designs at a T-shirt shop, and when I couldn't find my size in the design I wanted, they assured me that I could email them and they would make it for me and send it along to my home. The jewelry maker at Waystone (mywaystone.com) promised that if I could bring her a piece of petrified wood that I had discovered in my backyard, she would make it into something special to display in my home. While she accepts items through mail, since she is just down I-70 just east of Denver, I mean to bring it right to her. I was excited to visit this arts fair, and came away with some nice items, along with the cards of some artisans to whom I will reach out for some custom items. What a great way to spend a glorious fall day outside!

What a lovely way to spend the morning and support small local businesses. I was able to get some…read moreholiday shopping done and get a little something for myself! Fabulous event!

I love this neighborhood gem…read more I have been coming here for years and this is my first recommendation for people new to the area. Everything is always delicious It can be a little loud, a little crowded, long line, but it's worth the wait and you don't have to wait long. I was sorry to hear that they recently had a fire. I hope they can remodel and open soon. It is a little suspicious that so many great local restaurants are experiencing fire and damage lately, I hope it's just random bad luck and nothing more nefarious.

The "Restaurant Kid" Litmus Test: Parisi Passes with Flying Colors…read more On my first day in Denver, a childhood friend took me to lunch at Parisi, though he was admittedly a bit apprehensive. Having grown up with Italian heritage on both sides and parents who owned an Italian restaurant, I am notoriously hard to please when it comes to authentic cuisine. He was worried I'd be overcritical; instead, I was completely charmed. Located in a quaint, quiet neighborhood, Parisi offers the kind of authenticity that is rare to find. Here is why it earned a perfect score from a tough critic: The Main Course: The Tagliatelle Ragu was balanced and traditional--exactly what you want from a high-caliber kitchen. The "Woodfire" Factor: The aroma of the woodfire pizza oven hits you the moment you walk in. While we opted to eat inside rather than on the lovely patio, those scents alone convinced me that I have to return specifically for the pizza next time. The Grand Finale: I had to finish the meal with my favorite, Stracciatella gelato. It was the perfect creamy, artisanal end to a fantastic lunch. The service was seamless, the ambiance was inviting, and the food spoke for itself. If you're looking for a spot that feels like a true slice of Italy in the middle of Denver, this is it. I'll definitely be back to tackle that pizza menu!