With spring break and warmer weather rapidly approaching, there are many activities available to participate in. With all that time off, why not get out there and try some new things, even if just for a few short hours.
“For me spring break is a fun time to start spending more time outdoors with things like golfing and hiking,” DRHS senior Maryn Talyat said.
There are so many trails to hike in Colorado or in the Littleton area. Hiking is a simple way to get exercise while enjoying the beautiful scenery. One area that has various levels of easy and moderate hikes is Roxborough State Park. Since it is a state park, it does cost $7 per day to enter. A few of the easy trails include Fountain Valley Trail Loop (2.5 miles), South Rim Trail Loop (3 miles), and Willow Creek Trail Loop (1.7 miles). Two of the moderate trails are Carpenter Peak Trail Loop (7.8 miles) and Carpenter Peak Trail (6.3 miles).
Another area that has breathtaking views and simple hikes close by is Red Rocks. This includes the Red Rocks Trading Post Trail (1.6 miles), Mount Vernon Creek Trail Loop (2.3 miles), and the Geological Overlook Trail (0.8 miles).
Another fun-filled outside activity to try is Topgolf. There is a Topgolf course located in Centennial and one in Thorton. Even though this is outside, the weather does not need to be taken into consideration, as climate-controlled hitting bays are provided for year-round comfort. The prices vary based on the times and days, but Tuesdays are half off! On Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the price is $18.50, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. it’s $23.50. In the evenings from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. the price is $29.50. Topgolf also offers a hand-crafted food and beverage menu. Whatever is ordered can be delivered out to the bay as you’re playing, so you can enjoy your food while still enjoying the experience.
(Matt Benson on Unsplash)
If golf isn’t your thing, consider a trip to the mountains.
“I love to go up to the mountains just for the day,” DRHS senior Sophia Martinez said. “Especially Breckenridge, it’s such a fun mini trip.”
Although Breckenridge is an amazing place, it may be hard for some to make it up there. A closer recommendation that still provides that mountain experience is Evergreen. Evergreen is only a 25 minute drive from the Dakota Ridge area. While in Evergreen, there are so many small shops to check out. Some popular shops include Sweet Hayden (a women’s clothing store), The Crystal Garden (a crystal shop), Evergreen Clothing & Mercantile (a gift shop), and many more that fit the interests of everyone.
There are also a variety of places to enjoy lunch, including Beau Jo’s (famous mountain pizza place), Saigon Landing (Vietnamese cuisine), Murphy’s Mountain Grill (traditional American cuisine), and more.
After shopping around and enjoying lunch, it could be relaxing to take a stroll around Evergreen Lake. If you’re visiting in colder weather, ice skating is available. If you’re visiting during warmer weather, like the summer, there is boating and paddleboarding. Although neither of these will likely be open for spring break, it would still be worth it to take a trip and enjoy those warmer weather options another time.
If you aren’t a fan of all the outside activities, there are many inside options as well. Consider visiting Meow Wolf, an art production company that creates immersive, multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into different realms.
The Meow Wolf building offers four floors of different experiences. There is C street (a former sanitation district, like a city), Ossuary (an ancient underground space with crystals that hold memory), Eemia (home to an ancient advanced civilization), and Numia (an organic landscape that is actually a 6th dimension plant). Your mind will be twisting and turning after this unreal experience. Tickets to enter depend on timing and the day, but they start at $35 for general admission for Colorado residents. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Meow Wolf is located at 1338 1st Street in Denver, Colorado.
If you’re looking for a relaxing activity, try lounging in a cat cafe. If you are a fan of cats and have some spring break schoolwork to get done, this is the perfect place to do so. The Denver Cat Company is only a 25 minute drive from the Dakota Ridge area. Visits are $12 if booked online or $13 for walk-ins, and there is also a $2 discount for students. The Denver Cat Company houses adoptable cats rescued from high kill shelters. This cat cafe is a jungle gym for the felines and a lounge space for humans. It is located at 3929 Tennyson St. in Denver, Colorado.
Another relaxing and enjoyable activity is seeing a movie. Local theaters include AMC or, for a more intricate experience, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Some spring release recommendations are Dune: Part Two, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Dune: Part Two is currently available in theaters. It would be recommended to first watch Dune: Part One. The storyline is based on a science fiction novel and set in the future.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is also already in theaters, and you might want to watch the first three Kung Fu Pandas beforehand. The overall story follows a panda that works in his father’s noodle shop and dreams of being a Kung Fu champion.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is set to release on March 22nd during spring break. There are four other Ghostbusters movies that were released before this one — the original Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, a remake of the original Ghostbusters, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Ghostbusters is a science fiction comedy film about three New York scientists that start their own business capturing ghosts.
As for the many students and families in Colorado that plan to travel to warmer weather for a nice relaxing trip, check out Denver International Airport’s tips.
Now, go enjoy spring break with all these exciting activities to look forward to!
