Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Centennial, CO

  • Published 2022/09/28

One of the youngest cities in Arapahoe County, Colorado, is Centennial, a Home Rule Municipality located in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city formed on February 7th, 2001, from parts of unincorporated Arapahoe County, including the former Castlewood and Southglenn census-designated places (CDPs).

Centennial also boasts that it is technologically advanced, highlighting its focus on bringing convenience to its inhabitants.

Aside from technological advances, you can also marvel at the beauty of its natural resources, as it’s home to magnificent mountains, verdant green rainforests, turquoise streams, dense gorges, and spacious parks.

You can also experience more than 300 days of sun in a year, which means that you can go on a plethora of outdoor activities all year round.

Visit the city to discover why 24/7 Wall Street named Centennial as one of the best cities to live in the country.

For a more intimate knowledge of the city, here are 15 of the best things to do in Centennial:

Marvel at the Denver Colorado Temple

Exterior of the Denver Colorado Temple

Lane V. Erickson / Shutterstock.com

The Denver Colorado Temple is a beautiful piece of architecture worth visiting.

This temple is famous for its intricate exterior design, which includes a gold statue of the angel Moroni on top of a high-rising pinnacle.

The Denver Colorado Temple is in the Centennial district, a picturesque residential area.

Side facade of the Denver Colorado Temple

Wayne Broussard / Shutterstock.com

Streams of vibrant flowers in bloom during the planting season and a façade of sparkling colored glass above the temple entrance are the significant features of the exquisite white temple and its gardens.

Spanning a land area of more than 29,000 square feet, the Denver Colorado Temple features ordinance rooms, sealing rooms, and baptistries.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at the Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park

Perched on the mesmerizing Cherry Creek border, the Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park is a nature lover’s haven.

The 75-acre Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park is a perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors while reading the interpretive signs scattered in the Park.

Observe the native species of plants and animals that thrive along Cherry Creek by entering a watershed in the city’s center.

Marvel at the rare flowers in the Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park, such as the Rocky Mountain Bee Plant.

The Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park is also ideal for bird watching, as you can see different kinds of birds not commonly found in urban areas.

The Cherry Creek Valley Ecological Park has tables and chairs, a pavilion with amazing views of the Cherry Creek watershed, and smooth and paved trails for strolling, running, and taking in the scenery.

A kid-sized wooden farmhouse house and Native American mud huts are the recreational attractions in the Creekside Quest outdoor playground.

Summertime creek crossings and various water play options are possible because of the intricately carved concrete boulders and shorelines that line the stream.

Visit Centennial Center Park

In 2012, Centennial welcomed its citizens to the brand new Centennial Center Park, an 11-acre park.

The Park also incorporates various historical and educational components, with the Cherry Creek Watershed map and the detailed chronology of the Cherry Creek Basin displayed in the central plaza.

The Centennial Center Park boasts an amphitheater with its architecture representing the Lithic, Classical, Contextual, and Ancient eras of human history.

You and your kids can visit the Park during the summer and beat the heat with the Water Pad, as it features fountains, ground sprays, and a water-play area for the little ones.

Another famous spot is the Playground, which has climbing walls, a jungle gym, and play equipment.

The Centennial Center Park is also home to an outdoor event venue that can accommodate many people, making it perfect for weddings, birthday parties, and other special occasions.

Go on a Shopping Spree on the Streets at SouthGlenn

The Streets at SouthGlenn is a lifestyle center serving as Centennial’s retail hub.

With about 100 stores and restaurants, the Streets at Southglenn offers a one-stop shopping destination for fashion, beauty, dining, and entertainment.

The Streets at Southglenn is also home to the Holywood Theaters, where you can catch the latest blockbusters.

Southglenn Public Library is in the Streets at Southglenn, perfect for bookworms and students looking for a quiet place to study.

The mall is also a great place to dine, as it has a wide variety of restaurants that satisfy your cravings.

Some of the most popular restaurants on the Streets at Southglenn include Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Cafe Rio, Heaven Artisan Creamery, and Peet’s Coffee & Tea.

Taste the Local Brew at the Resolute Brewing Company

The Resolute Brewing Company is one of the most popular places in Centennial, a microbrewery that produces small-batch beers that are perfect for any occasion.

The Resolute Brewing Company is also famous for its wide variety of beers.

You can try the England-style IPA, made of the best barley, wheat, and oats and offers a delicate, delicious texture.

The Brewing Company also has a 20-line taproom where you can enjoy your favorite beer and a sprawling patio to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The Resolute Brewing Company also offers food trucks for those who want to enjoy a hearty meal with their beer.

This pilsner combines all the essential crispness and freshness with a dash of individuality.

No matter what made you thirsty, this beer has everything you need, with a clean upfront flavor and a taste of melon on the finish.

For those who love music, you can also enjoy live music from local bands and sometimes from Polynesian dancers.

Win a Game at Monster Mini Golf

If you want to play a game of mini golf with a scary twist, you should visit Monster Mini Golf.

Located in Holly St, Centennial, the Monster Mini Golf is famous for its 18-hole glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf course that is perfect for a fun night out with friends.

The Monster Mini Golf also has an arcade where you can play various games and interact with the animated monster as you go about your game.

Monster Mini Golf offers a virtual reality attraction that will take you to a new world.

In addition, Monster Mini Golf also has a cafe where you can enjoy a variety of snacks and drinks.

You can even celebrate your or your loved one’s birthdays at Monster Mini Golf and try their package to access the Haunted mansion room.

Get Fit and Healthy at the Trails Recreation Center

If you are still trying to find out the exercise that will work for you or have a good time while working out, you should head to the Trails Recreation Center.

The Trails Recreation Center spans 78,000-square-feet, located in the heart of Centennial.

The recreation center has strength equipment, Expresso bikes, a lazy river, and pools.

It also offers fitness classes, including Yoga, Kickboxing, and Deep Water Splash.

The recreation center also lets you explore arts and pleasure activities, dance, art, and swim lessons.

The Trails Recreation Center will also get you excited with its season programs, such as TrailXcursion Scavenger Hunt, Easter Egg Hunt, and Halloween Trunk or Treat.

Take a Break at the Clue Room

Take a break from all the sightseeing you do while in Centennial; spend an hour at the Clue Room.

Find out why the Mata family’s owners got hooked on escape rooms and decided to open the first live escape room games in Colorado.

The Clue Room has ten different games, depending on your level of expertise.

All ten games offered in the Clue Room are original and created in-house.

Your team will need to work together and use your collective brainpower to solve various riddles, hints, and conspiracies to complete Clue Room’s thrilling and compelling adventure.

You can be adventurous when you look for the elusive hat and legendary Vorpal sword at the Matter of the Mad Hatter, stop a mad scientist in the Spy Ops, or travel back in time to 1893 and solve a mystery.

Have a Blast at the Centennial Gun Club

The Centennial Gun Club is a one-stop shop regarding firearms, ammunition, and gun safety.

The Centennial Gun Club is perfect for those looking for a place to shoot their guns and those who want to know how to handle firearms safely.

The gun club offers various services, such as gun rentals, gun sales, gunsmithing, and gun safety courses.

The Centennial Gun Club boasts a state-of-the-art shooting range where you can enhance your skills or have fun.

The gun club also has a retail store where you can purchase the best firearms, ammunition, accessories, and even a wide range of knives.

In addition, the Centennial Gun Club also provides training to enhance your skills and be a responsible gun owner.

Relax for the Day at the Spavia Day Spa – Park Meadows

Relish in a day of relaxation when you go to Spavia Day Spa – Park Meadows.

Start your journey to wellness by choosing the spa treatment that will suit your needs.

Choose from various massages, facials, and body treatments to pamper yourself.

Launched in 2005, the Spavia Day Spa – Park Meadows offers packages for the whole experience.

You can get two signature treatments from the Relax package: a massage and a classic refresh facial, which lasts for two hours.

Otherwise, try the Re-Center Package for two to three hours of relaxation as you enjoy a scalp treatment, massage, and facial.

The Spavia Day Spa – Park Meadows is the perfect place to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate.

Soak up the Sun at Walnut Hills Park

A hidden gem in Centennial, Walnut Hills Park is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors.

The Park has two different playgrounds for the little ones and another for more experienced kids.

There are also picnic shelters, grills, and a basketball court for those who want a game or two.

The Walnut Hills Park is also an excellent place for a morning walk or jog, as it has a paved trail called the Little Dry Creek that goes around the Park.

For disc golf players, Walnut Hills Park also features a Disc Golf Course, a challenging nine-hole course.

Benches are also scattered around the Park, so you can sit back, relax, and breathe fresh air.

The best time to visit Walnut Hills Park is during the spring and summer when the weather is perfect for a day outdoors.

Discover the Wonders of Snöbahn Indoor Ski + Snowboard Center

Take a lesson, or enjoy the slopes at Snöbahn Indoor Ski + Snowboard Center.

The center is Colorado’s first European-style indoor facility in the city that offers indoor skiing and snowboarding training for all ages, even those as young as three.

The center features a revolving slope made of a delicate nylon thread carpet to make it feel like a natural slope, ensuring you learn the correct skill.

You can celebrate a birthday or corporate parties at the Snöbahn Indoor Ski + Snowboard Center.

The center also repairs equipment so that you can keep using them for a long time.

Buy the Perfect Gift at Curate: a Local Mercantile

Souvenir shopping is easy at Curate: A Local Mercantile.

The shop specializes in selling local products, so you can be sure that you’re getting an item created by local artists.

Curate: A Local Mercantile also offers a great selection of gifts for all occasions, whether for a birthday, Christmas, or just because.

If you’re unsure what to get, the helpful staff at Curate: A Local Mercantile can assist you in finding the perfect item.

With more than 100 vendors, you can also find various items for your home, such as candles, vases, and pottery.

Curate: A Local Mercantile is a perfect place to shop for unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

It has received various awards, such as Westword’s Shops Inside a Shop; other awards came from 5280 Magazine and Denver A-List.

Visit Celebrity Lanes for a Day of Fun

Celebrity Lanes entertains the whole family with friendly competition.

The bowling alley has 32 lanes with four VIP suites, making it one of Denver’s most extensive bowling alleys.

Arcade games are also available at Celebrity Lanes, as well as a variety of food and drinks to keep you fueled throughout your game.

For a more physical game, try out their Laser Tag, which is perfect for groups.

If you want to rest, you can wander through Celebrity Lane’s patio and take in the Rocky Mountains scenery.

Discover the History of Centennial at 17 Mile House Farm Park

Visit 17 Mile House Farm Park to travel back in time.

The 160-year-old property operated as a vital respite for settlers using the Cherokee/Smoky Hill carriage paths during the 1860s.

Six road stops developed along Cherry Creek to serve travelers during the 1859–60 Colorado gold rush and colonization.

Travelers got food, rested the animals, and stayed the night there.

These homes were named based on how far they were from downtown Denver.

Of the six rest stops, only the original 4 and 17 Mile Houses remain today.

You can wander the farm and explore the 32 acres of outdoor area, windmills, an ancient mansion, a red farmhouse, a mill, a dairy house, and a loafing barn, all restored to their original 19th-century conditions.

The Farm Park also has picnic areas, a parking space, a portable toilet, and a pathway that leads to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.

Final Thoughts

The name Centennial was given to celebrate Colorado’s entry into the U.S. in 1876, the nation’s celebration of its centennial year.

The city is relatively new, but the best things to do in Centennial all focus on the area’s history and natural beauty.

You’ll have a full day of fun as you shop at unique stores, play games, or explore the city’s past.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Centennial, Colorado!

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