The Front Range is full of excellent picnic spots. Here are five of our favorites.
Swetsville Zoo
Who it’s for: Folks who appreciate the sublime.
Where it is: One-quarter mile east of Interstate 25, Exit 265 (Harmony Road), near Fort Collins.
Why it’s fun: Retired farmer Bill Swets used to spend his winters welding. The result is a collection of nearly 200 metal sculptures, from dinosaurs to a kinetic tightrope walker. Follow the path through a garden of interactive pieces (think Seuss-ish horns and chimes) to picnic tables on the banks of the Cache La Poudre River.
Chautauqua Park
Who it’s for: Romantics who want to get away without going too far.
Where it is: 900 Baseline Road, Boulder.
Why it’s fun: The acres of grass skirting the historic Chautauqua Auditorium are a perfect place to spread your picnic blanket. Pick the right night and you might be able to hear snippets of Colorado Music Festival performances drifting from the old music barn.
Matthews/Winters Park
Who it’s for: Those who like a hike before dinner.
Where it is: From Interstate 70 or U.S 40, go south on Colorado 26 about one-tenth of a mile and turn into the park entrance, between Morrison and Golden.
Why it’s fun: Four hikes originate from the parking lot – all of them lead to breathtaking views. Take the mile loop and watch the sunset reflect on Red Rocks and the Dakota Hogback, or a longer walk for spectacular city views.
Washington Park
Who it’s for: Families who want to spread out, play Frisbee and fall off the swing set.
Where it is: Central Denver, bordered by East Louisiana and East Virginia avenues, and South Downing and South Franklin streets.
Why it’s fun: This is one of Denver’s flagship parks, with miles of running and biking trails, plenty of tennis courts, two lakes (one with paddle boats) and wide-open fields for every kind of ball, from bocce to volley. Playgrounds abound; you’re never more than a few yards away from a curly slide.
Commons Park
Who it’s for: Urban dwellers who’d rather take the light rail than look for parking.
Where it is: Just west of LoDo, nestled down by the Platte. Little Raven, 15th and 19th streets form its borders.
Why it’s fun: For such a small footprint, Commons Park offers a whole range of places to sit and eat. Head to the top of the grassy hill for full sun, or wander down toward the river for more secluded spots. There’s even a (very small) beach!
With your basket ready to go, just pick one of these concert spots
Now that you have some ideas for what to pack in your basket, why not take it to an outdoor concert? Cities across the state sponsor concerts in the park – check with your local chamber of commerce or visitors bureau. A sampling:
Clement Park, near the corner of West Bowles Avenue and South Pierce Street in Jefferson County, 303-409-2626:
Chase N the Dream, R&B-pop-blues, 7-8:30 p.m. June 22
Wayne & Wingnut, ventriloquist/puppets, 9:30-10:15 a.m. June 28
Red, White & You, patriotic celebration, 6-9:30 p.m. July 1
Dakota Blonde, folk, 7-8:30 p.m. July 6
Beth Epley, The Musical Adventures of Lewis & Clark, 9:30-10:15 a.m. July 14
Denver Municipal Band Wind Festival “Cannon Concert,” 6-9 p.m. July 22
Bill George & the Usual Suspects, classic rock, 7-8:30 p.m. July 27
Broomfield Amphitheater, 3 Community Park Road, 303-469-3301, ext. 7999, “Around the World” free summer concert series 7 p.m. Wednesdays: Conjunto Colores, salsa and Latin jazz, June 28
Kutandara, marimba and drums, July 5
Lion Souljahs, reggae, July 12
Los Lantzmun, Jewish world fusion, July 19
Book’em Danno, Hawaiian swing, July 26
Banks in Harmony, 303-344-1500, free evening concert series in various Aurora parks 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays:
Dean Bushnell Orchestra, big -band swing, June 15, Bicentennial Park
Perpetual Motion, Latin/fusion jazz, June 22, Bicentennial Park
Hot Tomatoes, big-band swing, June 29, Bicentennial Park
Western Flyer, country swing, July 6, Bicentennial Park
Mood Express, Latin/salsa, July 13, Del Mar Park
Moments Notice 25th Anniversary Edition, big-band, motown, jazz, salsa, July 20, Del Mar Park
Queen City Jazz Band, Dixieland jazz, July 27, Del Mar Park
The Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., 720-865-3500, evening series is mostly sold out, but tickets remain for:
Baaba Maal, acoustic African, June 13
Keiko Matsui, piano, and The Yellowjackets, jazz, June 19
Susana Baca, Afro-Peruvian, and Conjunto Colores, Aug. 6
Nanci Griffith, “folkabilly,” Aug. 10
Third annual Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Music Festival: Buddy Guy, The Robert Cray Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, 1 p.m. Aug. 19
