July is upon us! The season of hot dogs, fireworks, patriotism, and cooling off in any available body of water 🥵 From riverfront concerts and fancy iced teas to July 4th tips, we’re here to help you make the most of July in the Mile High!
🌊 Make a Splash
It’s HOT. Looking for some cool waters to wade into? Grab a festive inner tube, load up the cooler with your favorite cold beverages, and grab a free patch of sand on Bear Creek Lake Park’s swim beach in Lakewood.
- Too crowded? For the price of a $10 day pass ($15 on the weekends), Aurora Reservoir’s chilly blue waters tend to have fewer visitors, plus fishing, boating, and beach yoga!
🍿 Catch a Flick Under the Stars
Pack the snacks and park the truck bed at one of Colorado’s few remaining drive-in movie theaters. The 88 Drive-In Theatre in Commerce City is (surprisingly!) back for the summer, but we prefer the Holiday Twin Drive-In in Fort Collins if you’re up for the trek.
🎵 Enjoy Music and Fun for a Good Cause
The annual CROSSCURRENTS riverfront festival returns to Confluence Park on Saturday, July 13, to raise funds for the Denver-based Greenway Foundation and its mission to keep the South Platte Clean. DJ Girl Talk will be headlining. Good vibes guaranteed 😎
🍧 Treat Yo’self!
Perhaps the quintessential summer treat, I certainly won’t make it through the season without a scoop (or 10!) of shave ice. In honor of July 4th, we’re ordering coconut, tiger’s blood, and blue raspberry flavors 😉🇺🇸
- What’s your flavor? We’re eyeballing Punch Buggy’s all-natural Hawaiian-style scoops. But where do YOU go for this cold, tasty treat? Give us recs!
People enjoy a hot summer day floating in Lakewood’s Bear Creek Lake Park. (RJ Sangosti / The Denver Post / Getty Images)
🎆 Water Your Roof
‘Tis the time of year for fireworks … aaand also wildfires. Do your due diligence and give your house and lawn a quick spray from the hose while festivities are underway to help prevent any unwanted ignitions.
- A gentle reminder: Shooting off fireworks of any kind in Denver is illegal. They can also be triggering for pets and veterans. Consider checking out a drone show instead, like the one the City of Denver will be putting on for its annual Indy Eve celebration.
🥳 Hang Out With US!
The City Cast Denver team (yep, hi 🙋🏻♀️) will be kicking it with all the incredible independent artisans, vendors, and business owners of Colfax Avenue for the annual Colfax Indie Bash on July 18 to celebrate our community’s vibrance, tenacity, and creativity!
🍽️ Try This Mountain Town Gem
Next time you’re on Highway 285 headed toward Bailey, make a stop at Snowpack Taproom & Pizzeria, a strip mall gem on the outskirts of Conifer. Heck, we’d make the drive even if we weren’t headed that way.
- Our order: Try the Pear & Gorgonzola Salad or the Snowpack Nachos (or both!).
🍓 Sip On Something Summery
We’d suggest an iced strawberry matcha latte from Littleton’s own Ground Up Coffee. The drinks are as tasty as they look and the crepes are made fresh to order. *chef’s kiss*
🎟️ Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Bazaar
This community festival celebrates the vibrant Italian culture rooted in Denver’s Northside. Enjoy delicious meatball and sausage sandwiches, raffles, games for kids, and more family fun at the 93rd annual bazaar hosted by the historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Highland on July 20-21.
