Known as a hub for arts and culture in the Denver metro area, Greenwood Village also provides easy access to hiking, biking, and water sports along the Front Range.
In This Article
TL;DR
- Greenwood Village contains an array of cultural attractions like concert venues, public art displays, and theater performances.
- Outdoor recreation abounds with miles of trails in parks and open spaces around Greenwood Village.
- Seasonal events like summer concerts and holiday light displays make Greenwood Village an all-year destination.
- Families appreciate the kid-friendly museums and entertainment options.
- Dining ranges from casual eateries to fine dining at award-winning restaurants.
- Accommodations span luxury hotels to budget-friendly chains.
Overview of Greenwood Village
Greenwood Village offers a blend of culture, dining, shopping, and outdoor activities just minutes from downtown Denver. Many Fortune 500 companies attracted by the business-friendly climate have headquarters in Greenwood Village. This influx of major corporations and young professionals contributes to the city’s thriving arts and dining scenes.
Visitors can experience public art installations across Greenwood Village, including sculpture gardens and murals by local artists. The Denver Tech Center anchors the city’s robust arts community with the Landmark Arts District. Concert venues, theaters, comedy clubs, and other performance spaces bolster Greenwood Village’s cultural appeal.
When it comes to the outdoors, Greenwood Village provides a gateway to the foothills. Parks protect stretches of prairie grasslands and connect an extensive trail network. Water sports at man-made reservoirs offer city dwellers an easy mountain getaway. The city strikes an alluring balance between urban conveniences and access to Colorado’s natural beauty.
Local Experiences and Culture
Greenwood Village celebrates local arts and culture through events, public displays, and community spaces. Theater performances, musical acts, and comedy shows occur across various venues. Public art installations add visual intrigue with sculptures, murals, and mosaics dotting the landscape. Visitors can embrace Greenwood Village traditions by interacting with artists at cultural sites.
The Landmark Arts District serves as the pinnacle of arts and culture in Greenwood Village. Visitors admire rotating exhibits at the Curtis Center for the Arts featuring works by Colorado artists. Public art installations like Evan Colbert’s kinetic sculpture “Shadow Dance” draw crowds with visual spectacle. People gather at the Landmark for summer concert series and holiday celebrations that foster community connections.
Greenwood Village also hosts cultural events like the DadFest Music Festival, which features local bands and craft beer. The city’s Taste of Greenwood Village allows attendees to sample cuisine from area restaurants. Through these festivals, visitors gain authentic glimpses into local flavors, talents, and traditions. By engaging with cultural displays and community happenings, tourists better appreciate what makes Greenwood Village a dynamic creative hub.
Outdoor Adventures and Recreation
Situated against the foothills, Greenwood Village provides access to hiking, biking, golf, and water sports. Parks conserve native grasslands and connect miles of trails for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Recreational reservoirs offer swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other watersports just minutes from downtown Denver.
Hikers and mountain bikers venture into the foothills via trails in Daniels Park and Cherry Creek State Park. Winding singletrack and wide crushed gravel paths cater to all ability levels. Trail Ridge Road offers cyclists a scenic 50-mile challenge to the peaks of the Front Range. Fat tire biking in winter months extends the trail season thanks to Greenwood Village’s typically mild climate.
Three public golf courses, two private clubs, and a country club span Greenwood Village. With elevated tees showcasing mountain vistas, golfers enjoy both sport and scenery. The Fossil Trace Golf Club integrates a natural history theme with an 18-hole championship course. Golfers discover dinosaur tracks, fossils, and educational plaques about Colorado’s prehistoric landscapes.
Man-made reservoirs, like Cherry Creek Reservoir and Rueter-Hess Reservoir, create water recreation hubs near Greenwood Village. Visitors swim, sail, kayak, and paddleboard against the dramatic backdrop of the Rockies. Conservation efforts protect wetland habitats and promote responsible recreation, especially in and around the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
Seasonal Attractions and Events
While worth visiting any time of year, Greenwood Village shines brightest during summer and winter months. As temperatures rise in summer, free concerts and cultural celebrations take over parks and public spaces. Come winter, the city sparkles with holiday light displays and festive gatherings.
Summer offers a slate of cultural events, many centered around music. Local bands rock out at DadFest in June at Salisbury Park. Weekly summer concert series at Curtis Park draw Greenwood Village residents and music lovers of all ages. The Landmark puts on their Summer at the Landmark program featuring live music and activities.
As autumn arrives, fall foliage cloaks the foothills in vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and harvest festivals reveal Greenwood Village’s agricultural roots. Locals head to nearby apple orchards and wineries to pick fruit, sample vintages, and enjoy the crisp air.
During the holiday season, Greenwood Village is lit up with cheer. Public spaces like the Landmark and Curtis Park dazzle with elaborate light displays. Holiday markets in December allow shoppers to purchase homespun arts, crafts, and gifts. Horse-drawn carriages with carolers remind visitors of cherished traditions. Even in winter’s chill, the community spirit of Greenwood Village shines bright.
Family and Kid-Friendly Activities
With interactive museums, amusement rides, and family-centric events, Greenwood Village entices visitors of all ages. Indoor entertainment like comedy clubs, arcades, and cinemas keep kids engaged rain or shine. Outdoor attractions, from hiking trails to splash parks, let families bask in Colorado’s abundant sunshine.
The Children’s Museum of Denver’s satellite location in Greenwood Village offers hands-on educational fun for kids. Interactive science exhibits teach principles of physics while encouraging curiosity and creativity. Costume dress-up areas and a pretend grocery store foster roleplaying adventures. Monthly events like story time with zoo animals enchant young minds.
Greenwood Village’s historic settlement area provides old-fashioned entertainment for families. At Four Mile Historic Park, visitors tour restored 19th-century homesteads and explore heritage gardens. Kids can meet farm animals or churn butter during hands-on history programs. Nearby, thrill seekers swoop down the alpine slide or orbit a loop on the cliffhanger ride at Heritage Amusement Park.
When the sun’s out, families flock to the city’s recreation areas. At Curtis Park, an interactive water feature with dumping buckets captivates kids for hours. Creative playgrounds like Rainbow Park challenge children with unique equipment. Shady pavilions and walking paths accommodate parents while kids roam free. By catering to families, Greenwood Village makes memorable adventures available to all.
Dining and Culinary Experiences
Foodies indulge at Greenwood Village’s array of eateries spanning casual cafes to award-winning fine dining. Locally-owned restaurants dominate the landscape, though regional chains have a strong presence. Farm-to-table establishments highlight Colorado’s culinary bounty with seasonal, sustainable fare.
Visitors can sample homegrown ingredients prepared in creative ways at restaurants like Urban Farmer Denver. Their farmhouse burger features beef from cattle raised right on the property, along with vegetables harvested from their garden. Menus shift with the seasons to showcase Colorado’s natural bounty across the Front Range.
Several Greenwood Village restaurants earned accolades from the James Beard Foundation. Frasca Food and Wine made the prestigious Best New Restaurant list months after opening in 2004. French-inspired bistro Carboy Winery took home Best Wine Program honors in 2018. While reservations may be tough to snag at these upscale venues, the culinary creativity they foster trickles down to more casual eateries.
Food trucks and farmers markets are newcomers to Greenwood Village’s dining scene. A weekly gathering of mobile food vendors at CityCenter Park serves up everything from giant turkey legs to vegan cupcakes. Stop by the new Farmers Market at the Landmark through summer and fall to try produce straight from Front Range fields and orchards.
Through fine dining temples, chef-driven eateries, and homespun food trucks, Greenwood Village feeds visitors’ bodies as well as their souls.
Accommodation and Lodging
Visitors can select accommodations in Greenwood Village ranging from luxury hotels to extended stay chains. Many lodgings place guests close to both urban conveniences and outdoor recreation. Business travelers appreciate amenities like conference rooms and executive lounges.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort stands out as Colorado’s largest hotel and convention center. Their indoor atrium complex houses restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Luxury details like plush bedding and marble bathrooms ensure guest comfort. With over 1,500 rooms ranging from standard to presidential suites, they accommodate huge corporate events.
Boutique hotels provide unique stays in Greenwood Village as well. Briar Rose Bed and Breakfast spans a historic farmhouse updated with lavish modern amenities. Guests wake up to home-cooked breakfasts with fresh-baked breads and fruit from their orchard. The property’s tranquil setting contrasts the buzz of downtown Denver minutes away.
For budget-conscious travelers, Greenwood Village offers trusted hotel chains. A Hampton Inn and Suites location rests a mile from Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, making it a top choice for concert-goers. An extended stay Homewood Suites provides kitchenettes for guests on longer visits, whether for business or leisure. These reliable chains keep visitors comfortable without breaking the bank.
Traveler Resources and Tips
Greenwood Village makes an ideal home base to experience urban culture and outdoor adventure. Travelers should come prepared whether planning a day of shopping and dining or an excursion into the foothills. Useful resources and local know-how ensure visitors maximize their time.
Light rail lines connect Greenwood Village to downtown Denver in about 30 minutes. Free shuttle buses run visitors between businesses in the Denver Tech Center area. Walking and biking trails allow car-free transportation across the city’s compact footprint.
The Greenwood Village Visitor Center offers trip-planning assistance to guests. Visitors can access brochures and maps alongside recommendations from staff. Expert advice helps craft custom itineraries tailored to specific interests, from brewery tours to hikes.
Weather changes rapidly in Colorado’s foothills, so proper attire ensures comfort and safety. Pack layers including waterproof jackets, gloves and hats during transitional months. Sturdy hiking shoes provide traction on trails, especially after summer thunderstorms. Sunglasses, hats and sunscreen guard against high elevation UV rays.
By embracing local culture through music and food, admiring public art displays and open spaces, or teeing off on scenic golf links, Greenwood Village envelops visitors in quintessential Colorado experiences. With ample amenities, this Front Range community makes the perfect base camp for Denver explorations.
FAQ
How do I get to Greenwood Village from Denver International Airport?
Several shuttle services like SuperShuttle can transport travelers directly to Greenwood Village lodgings. Guests can also take the A-Line commuter train to Union Station downtown, then transfer to the light rail heading south.
Where can I see public art installations in Greenwood Village?
Rotating exhibits at the Curtis Center for the Arts showcase works by local artists. Outdoor sculptures and murals dot the Landmark public greenway. Pieces also appear across parks and along the High Line Canal trail.
What hiking trails are accessible from Greenwood Village?
The city contains several parks with trails snaking through native grasslands up to the foothills. Popular trailheads near Greenwood Village lead into Cherry Creek State Park, Daniels Park and the mountains beyond.
When does the summer concert series run?
Free weekly concerts at Curtis Park and the Landmark take place on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Concerts typically run early evenings as well as Saturday afternoons.
What family-friendly museums are located in Greenwood Village?
The Children’s Museum of Denver’s satellite location offers hands-on exhibits and programs for kids. Four Mile Historic Park contains restored 19th-century homesteads and heritage gardens to explore.
Are there seasonal farmers’ markets in the city?
Yes, a weekly farmers market sets up June through September at the Landmark district. Vendors sell fresh produce, artisanal goods and prepared foods every Sunday morning.
