Blake Walsh

16 Best Things to Do in Northglenn, CO

  • Published 2022/08/30

The City of Northglenn is home to a thriving suburban community in Adams County, Colorado.

Less than ten miles from downtown Denver, the city has that friendly small-town feel with the comforts of a big city.

Northglenn started as a planned community in the late 1950s and became a city in 1969.

The city offers various recreational opportunities, including outdoor activities and indoor entertainment.

It has more than 20 parks, tens of miles of trails, flourishing arts and culture programs, and great dining spots.

Here are the best things to do in Northglenn, Colorado, to get you started on your adventure.

Spend a Day at Boondocks Food & Fun

Rope course at Boondocks Food & Fun

Red Herring / Shutterstock.com

Exciting activities and great food await you at Boondocks Food & Fun.

Aim for an afternoon of strikes at their bowling lanes or enjoy a round of mini golf with friends.

Feel the adrenaline rush of go-karts and rope courses.

If you’re up for some fun in the water, get on a bumper boat and aim not to get drenched as you dodge and bump other boaters.

People on bumper boats at Boondocks Food & Fun

Red Herring / Shutterstock.com

After a fun round of activities, refuel with burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and other tasty treats.

They also have a bar menu featuring cocktails, beer, and wine to enjoy after a game with friends.

You can visit Boondocks & Fun along Community Center Drive.

A bumper boat at Boondocks Food & Fun

Red Herring / Shutterstock.com

Visit the Croke Reservoir Nature Area

Go for a scenic walk at Croke Reservoir Nature Area, one of the city’s best spots for nature lovers.

The area is excellent for a stroll, sitting amid lush greenery, and home to many species of wildlife.

Visit in the fall to see a lovely display of fall colors.

It also offers year-round fishing opportunities, except ice fishing.

If you get tired of exploring, you can rest under the shade of the trees and see wildlife.

See fox squirrels, red-winged blackbirds, mallard ducks, and other exciting wildlife.

The Croke Reservoir Nature Area is along Huron Street and Naiad Drive.

Tour the Historic Thede Farmhouse

Take a glimpse into the area’s past when you visit the historic Thede Farmhouse.

Also popularly known as the Stonehocker Farmhouse, the house sits at the oldest homestead in the city.

Dating back to the early 1900s, the owners built the house in the Queen Anne style with an elaborate design.

It is the only standing brick farmhouse in Adams County.

You can tour the house and see artifacts such as antique furniture from different periods and families who lived in the house.

In 1997, the National Register of Historic Places added the Thede Farmhouse to its record, given its architectural and agricultural significance.

You can visit this landmark at Fox Run Parkway.

Explore E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park

Spend a day unplugged at one of Northglenn’s most popular recreation spots.

The E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park features 28 acres of open green space, play areas, picnic sites, and trails.

This award-winning park is also home to Webster Lake.

You can rent a paddle boat and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the lake.

It also has sports facilities, including a skate park.

Check out the sculptures at the park, part of the city’s public art program.

The park serves as a venue for many of the city’s local events, such as festivals and summer activities.

You can access the E. B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park via Lincoln Street or Community Center Drive in the west.

Catch a Show at the D.L. Parsons Theater

Check out the local performing arts scene at the D.L. Parsons Theater.

Built in 1975, the theater is home to several Northglenn live performance art groups, such as youth theater and chorale group.

This modern space offers a variety of stage productions throughout the year, including theater plays, musical events, and ballet shows.

Apart from living performances, you can also catch film screenings at this theater.

You can find D.L. Parsons Theater at the Northglenn Recreation Center on Community Center Drive.

Take a Splash at the Kiwanis Park and Pool

Are you looking for some pool time to beat the heat?

Head to Kiwanis Park and Pool for a fun summer day.

This 2.3-acre public facility features an outdoor pool with a diving board and slide.

There’s also a wading pool for the young ones to enjoy safely.

A beautiful modern splash pad adds to the fun.

This award-winning park has a concession area and picnic spots perfect for post-swim snacks and refreshments.

Check out Kiwanis Park and Pool along Garland Drive.

Test Your Skills at the Puzzle Effect

Take your family or friends on an exciting escape room challenge.

The Puzzle Effect offers themed escape rooms with unique storylines.

Exercise your brain cells as their realistic rooms transport you to the world of your chosen game.

From 80s-themed mysteries to legendary quest rooms, your team only has an hour to find clues, navigate twists and turns, and solve the puzzle.

Are you celebrating a milestone or occasion?

You can also book one of their rooms to throw a one-of-a-kind party.

Find The Puzzle Effect on N. Huron St.

Go Stargazing at Northwest Open Space

Are you thinking about taking your date on a romantic outdoor date night?

Gaze at the beauty of the Colorado night sky with your special someone at the Northwest Open Space.

This 50-acre complex features outdoor sports fields.

At night, however, its open fields serve as the venue for stargazing.

The dark skies over the area are perfect for seeing constellations and observing the moon.

You can reach Northwest Open Space via 112th Avenue and Ranch Drive.

Find Unique Pieces at Old Wagon Antique Mall

Spend the afternoon browsing vintage items and collectibles at Old Wagon Antique Mall.

Their showroom features thousands of high-quality items from selected antique dealers and consignors.

Check out the furniture, clocks, home decor, vintage records, and turntables.

There are toys, jewelry, pottery, porcelain pieces, and other beautiful small items.

Whether you’re just casually browsing or looking for something to add to your collection, this showroom will pique your interest.

The Old Wagon Antique Mall is along Melody Drive.

See the Sculptures at the Eleanor M. Wyatt/Centennial Park

See more of Northglenn’s local arts program when you visit the Eleanor M. Wyatt/Centennial Park.

This little tree-lined park near the city’s center is excellent for a short stroll.

The park’s main attraction is the sculpture garden, which features several public art sculptures scattered around the green open space.

The 2.6-acre park once went by the name Civic Gardens.

You can find Eleanor M. Wyatt/Centennial Park along Kennedy Drive.

Have Fun at the Pirate Festival

If you happen to visit Northglenn in September, check out the fun Pirate Festival.

The festival features a weekend of great entertainment for everyone.

Come in your best pirate costume and indulge in tasty food and pirate drinks!

There are also a lot of fun activities for kids, such as crafts, a bounce house, games, and a costume contest.

The festival also holds a cardboard regatta, where you can enlist your cardboard boat for a race across Webster Lake.

The city hosts the Pirate Festival at the E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park.

Go on a Bike Ride at Grant Park

Take a bike and go for a leisurely ride at Grant Park.

The seven-acre park is home to the C. A. “Gundy” Gunderson Trail, also known as the Grand Ditch Trail.

Ride easy along the 6,855-foot trail and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

If you’re up for a longer ride and want to explore further, this multi-purpose trail links to trails in other parks in the city.

You can find Grant Park along Grant Drive and 106th Avenue.

Shop at Painted Tree Boutiques

Do you want to do some shopping in Northglenn?

Head to Painted Tree Boutiques for a lovely shopping experience.

Whether you’re looking for home décor, jewelry, or clothing, the lovely shops in this space have a lot to offer.

This shopping site is also great for finding unique gifts.

This site is a great way to shop locally and support small businesses and artists.

Painted Tree Boutiques sits along 104th Avenue.

Relax at Charles C. Winburn Park

After days of activities, slow down and unwind at Charles C. Winburn Park.

The lush greenery at the park is perfect for rest and reflection.

Relax by the beautiful tiny pond and watch the ducks glide in the water.

Otherwise, take out your paperback and catch up on some reading at one of the benches under the shade.

There are also picnic tables around for lunch or an afternoon snack with friends or family.

The 11.9-acre park gets its name from former Mayor Charles C. Winburn.

You can find Charles C. Winburn Park along Huron St. and Santa Fe Drive.

Enjoy Mudapalooza

If you visit Northglenn at the right time, don’t miss Mudapalooza!

Watch as teams battle it out in this annual adult mud volleyball tournament.

Enjoy food and refreshments onsite while cheering on the teams.

This fun event is a fantastic way to experience the lively community atmosphere in the city.

Mudapalooza occurs at the Northwest Open Space on 112th Avenue and Ranch Drive.

Feast at Cinzzetti’s Italian Market

After a day of sightseeing and activities, head to one of the city’s popular dining spots to refuel.

Cinzetti’s Italian Market offers an all-you-can-eat style dining experience in a Tuscan village.

Unwind and feast on a wide selection of authentic Italian dishes.

See the chefs whip up classic Italian fare at cooking stations around a cobblestone piazza.

You can find Cinzzetti’s Italian Market north of 104th Avenue.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Northglenn’s proximity to main transportation routes makes exploring nearby cities and towns easy.

See some of these spots near Northglenn that you shouldn’t miss.

Visit the Butterfly Pavilion

Welcome sign of Butterfly Pavilion

photo-denver / Shutterstock.com

Discover the hidden wonders of nature at the Butterfly Pavilionin Westminster, Colorado, 14 minutes from Northglenn.

The facility is the world’s first stand-alone invertebrate zoo.

You can explore the immersive exhibits and learn about these species’ essential roles in nature.

Step into a world of fluttering and flying butterflies in the 7,200-square-foot rainforest setting.

Butterfly on a flower at Butterfly Pavilion

S.Evig / Shutterstock.com

Otherwise, explore the Colorado backyard exhibit and discover unique habitats as part of the area’s ecosystem.

The zoo also features various programs and activities daily, including animal interactions.

Butterfly Pavilion is just about a six-mile drive from Northglenn.

A pretty butterfly at Butterfly Pavilion

S.Evig / Shutterstock.com

Grab a Pint at Satire Brewing Company

Grab excellent craft beer at Satire Brewing Company in Thornton, Colorado, six minutes from Northglenn.

This nano-brewery features a wide selection of craft ales and refreshments.

Visit their tasting room to find your perfect pint.

You can pair your drink with handcrafted small dishes to complete your craft experience.

Their large outdoor patio area is excellent for a fun night out with friends.

Satire Brewing Company at Grant Circle is just a two-mile drive from downtown Northglenn.

Take the Family to Water World

Visit Water World in Federal Heights, Colorado, for some fantastic family weekend fun.

This place is nine minutes from Northglenn.

Likewise, the large water park features several themed areas featuring more than 30 attractions.

From gentle slides for your little ones to thrilling waves and rides for adventure-seekers, the park offers hours of water fun for everyone.

Swing by and take a break at food and refreshment sites throughout the park to fuel more of your water adventures.

You can reach Water World after a four-mile drive from downtown Northglenn.

Final Thoughts

Known as one of the country’s best-planned communities, Northglenn is a thriving community with modern conveniences amid a small-town feel.

With expansive open spaces, designated nature areas, and arts and entertainment programs, various recreational opportunities await you in this Colorado city.

Start planning your trip now and experience some of the best things to do in Northglenn, Colorado.

© All rights reserved.