Colorado is THE destination to enjoy the vast outdoors and conveniently positioned midway between Denver and Boulder is an ideal summer destination – Westminster. Easily accessible from either metropolitan area, Westminster CO is not only a great place to live, but with its various attractions, outdoor activities, restaurants, and nightlife, it guarantees an unforgettable experience for tourists of all ages.
Must-See Attractions
Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
The Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center on West 104th Avenue in Westminster easily make the top of the must-see attractions list. This incredible, one-of-a-kind insectarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the first non-profit invertebrate zoo facility in the United States. Opened in 1995, this facility stands on an 11-acre site donated by the City of Westminster. It covers 30 thousand square feet of exhibit space featuring different exhibit areas:
- The Wings of the Tropics rainforest butterfly habitat is the flagship exhibit that features a magnificent, climate-controlled conservatory that allows visitors to observe hundreds of chrysalides hatching weekly and thousands of free-flying butterflies of different species around the world – even all the way from the land Down Under, Australia! Visitors can also explore hundreds of native plant species found within tropical rainforests, as well as other tropical aquatic species like turtles and fish.
- The Crawl-A-See-Em exhibit displays various international arthropod species such as tarantulas, scorpions, millipedes, and beetles.
- The Water’s Edge exhibit’s spotlight is the invertebrate species from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Diverse aquatic animals from the tide pool like horseshoe crabs and sea stars are among those featured.
- The Colorado Backyard is an interactive exhibit that aims to inspire visitors to commit to the conservation of Colorado’s rich and diverse natural treasures.
Bell Tower
Located at the City Hall, the Bell Tower connects the city of Westminster Colorado, United States, and Westminster, England. It is 14 stories tall, topped by a pyramid-shaped steel mesh structure. Proudly standing at 130 feet, it has become an inspiration for the city’s slogan and logos.
The Frightmare Compound
For those who seek the thrill of horror, this haunted house founded by Brad Holder in 1983 is a must-see. Legend says that Brad became manic-obsessive about this horror house that he wanted to be buried on the property grounds and until this day, he can be seen roaming the area, searching for souls to take with him to the afterlife.
Best Outdoor Activities
Golf
If playing golf is your favorite thing to do, then you must visit Westminster Colorado in the summertime along with family, friends, and colleagues as it has the perfect weather for golfing.
The Walnut Creek Golf Preserve is one of the most popular courses. It is certified by the Audubon Society as an animal sanctuary. Spread over 200 acres, numerous species of animals and birds (some rare) are commonly sighted during a round of golf.
The highly-acclaimed Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills has a special atmosphere for golfers to enjoy. Opened in 1959, Frank Hummel designed the hilly landscape with seven ponds. Golf Course, the facility’s only 18-hole golf course, has eleven holes with challenging water hazards, but on the twelfth hole, golfers can not help but bask in the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
Adventure Golf and Raceway is ideal for the entire family. It has three different 18-hole mini golf courses to challenge your putting skills. Each has a different theme with a fun surprise awaiting on the 18th hole! There are also lots of other fun-filled activities such as the eclectic Go Karts at a NASCAR-themed raceway, Electric Bumper Cars, a Maze, and a Rope Course.
Parks and Recreation
Big Dry Creek Trail is open all year round and stretches1.7-miles point-to-point. This trail is enjoyable for people of all ages and skill levels to explore. It usually has traffic between Broomfield and Westminster CO, with a lake along the way. Even dogs are allowed on the trail only if they are kept on a leash.
Westminster Center Park is a well-maintained city park with a playground modeled after Neverland, hence, it is called “Peter Pan Park” by the locals. It also has a replica of Big Ben and a famous water feature designed after the River Thames in London. Near the center of the park is an amphitheater where live entertainment is hosted during summer. Located at West 92nd Avenue, the paved paths, fountains, and grassy areas shaded by trees is known as a pleasant spot for picnics.
Amherst Park is a popular community park for sports enthusiasts. It has an in-line skating rink, a huge soccer and practice field, as well as volleyball and basketball courts.
Standley Lake Regional Park is a 3,000-acre park that also serves as a water storage facility. The water is distributed to nearby cities for drinking, while also used for swimming, fishing, boating (with a permit), kayaking, and water skiing. Standley Lake is the largest body of water in the city of Westminster, and the third largest reservoir in the metropolitan area of Denver. The multi-purpose park also caters to other recreational activities like wildlife viewing, camping, hiking, and biking.
Dog Parks are also popular in Westminster CO. In Westminster Dog Park, your canine buddy can swim in the log swimming pond, then after all the running and playing, drink from a fountain made especially for them. While in Little Dry Creek Dog Park, owners can have their pet dogs socialize with each other’s dogs. There are also separate areas for small and large dogs to play.
Best Indoor Activities
The Fat Cats Fun Center has a pirate-themed 9-hole glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, a large gaming arcade, and a neon-lighted bowling lane. It is also known for hosting parties and events – essentially an all-around entertainment experience with great food that can be delivered right to your lane.
Ice Centre At the Promenade is an indoor ice skating facility where youth and adult hockey leagues are hosted. It also has Wi-Fi access, a smoothie shop, and a bar and grill.
Best Restaurants and Nightlife
GQue Championship BBQ serves in-house smoked barbeque every day to the Westminster and nearby communities. The restaurant has a trendy and contemporary ambiance while serving the only competition-style barbecue in the state of Colorado. Whether you order wings, rings, pulled pork, or brisket, you have the option to choose from a variety of homemade sauces throughout the United States.
Early Bird Restaurant pride itself on a menu made from scratch. It is run by a chef and is open daily. The restaurant promotes healthy food with the freshest ingredients. This is considered a world-class establishment in the city of Westminster.
Cracovia Polish Restaurant
The Cracovia Polish Restaurant and Bar is run by owners acting as executive chefs who came from Poland 25 years ago. They serve Polish food that features a bold and savory blend of herbs and spices of the highest quality. It is Colorado’s most authentic restaurant serving Polish-American cuisine.
Kachina Southwestern Grill is a top-rated restaurant that is influenced by Native American and Mexican cultures. Its chill vibe, extensive menu, and an impressive selection of alcoholic drinks attract the hip, foodie crowd. Old favorites like tacos, burgers, spicy peppers and local bison Rellenos mark it as a culinary destination.
Madcap Theater is a great place to unwind after a long day in Colorado. Local performers entertain guests with sophisticated and rapid-fire comedy.
Why Westminster CO is a Good Place to Visit
Westminster is one of Colorado’s largest cities with a population of more than 100,000. As it was recently added to the list of best places to live in the entire country, it is absolutely reasonable to visit and explore what the city has to offer. From fresh air, a trail network and open space system, fantastic mountains, daily tee time, swimming, boating, paddling, kayaking in the summer, winter skiing and ice skating, delicious ethnic and fresh food, dog/pet-friendly places and events, reasonable commute, low crime, state, and national parks, historical and cultural sites, great coffee, craft brews, to live jazz music – you will never run out of exciting things to do. You are pretty much guaranteed to be happy!
