Touch the Rockies in Lakewood
Standing on the edge of the famous American Rocky Mountains, Lakewood has long been the stepping stone between downtown Denver and iconic ski fields like Echo Mountains, Winter Park, and Vail, not to mention hiking on the Dinosaur Ridge and in the vast Roosevelt National Forests. On the other side of town are totemic attractions like the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Zoo, making Lakewood vacation rentals a well-rounded choice for a vacation that has both outdoors exploration and cultural treats for the whole family.
Sightseeing in and around Lakewood
Do you want to find attractions to see while you're in town? Although it can be tempting to stay in your comfortable vacation rental, you'll want to experience everything that makes Lakewood a one-of-a-kind vacation spot. Here are some of the top attractions to explore, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Denver's Downtown Aquarium (4.5 mi / 7.3 km)
- Elitch Gardens Theme Park (4.6 mi / 7.3 km)
- Denver Zoo (7.4 mi / 11.9 km)
- Water World (10.8 mi / 17.3 km)
- Butterfly Pavilion (12.2 mi / 19.6 km)
- Topgolf (14.2 mi / 22.9 km)
Walking boots are required in Lakewood
No matter if you want to pull on the ski boots or the walking shoes, Lakewood has you covered. Just an hour's drive to the west on I-70 gets you into the deep heart of the Rockies, where countless gondolas and swinging ski lifts serve thousands of miles of groomed piste – some of the best in America. Summertime ushers in oodles of other activities, ranging from swimming in mountain lakes to clambering on craggy trails over the Front Range. Those less inclined to go outdoors could opt for helicopter flyovers of the mountains, or just linger in town to taste Denver's top-notch craft beer.
There’s snow and sun in Lakewood
Eager to pull on the ski boots and don the salopettes in the Rocky Mountains? Then it's surely the main winter season, between December and March, that's the best time for you to book those Lakewood vacation rentals. Prefer hitting dry hiking trails, picnic parks, and sunny mountain lakes? The summer is high time for that, which means searching for places to stay on the edge of Denver sometime between May and August.
Lakewood’s horizon is dominated by the Rockies
The rising peaks of the Rocky Mountains soar like a wall of stone just to the west, and are a real playground for outdoorsy types who vacation here. The first reserves to encounter as you make your way out of the city are spots like the Golden Gate Canyon and Elk Meadow, which have humble acre counts containing hiking routes and clusters of pine forest. The real wildernesses begin with the vast Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, home to dramatic migrations of waterfowl and formidable pronghorn bucks alike.
Traveling to and around Lakewood
The nearest airport is in Denver Intl. Airport (DEN), located 23.7 mi (38.2 km) from the city center. If you're unable to find a flight that fits your schedule, you could also fly into Broomfield, CO (BJC-Rocky Mountain Metropolitan), which is 13.8 mi (22.3 km) away.
It's easy to get around Lakewood by jumping on the metro at Lakewood - Wadsworth Station, Lamar Station or Garrison Station.