Visit

Visit Lakewood, Colorado

Where Denver meets the foothills.

Watch cliff divers at the reimagined Casa Bonita, hike Green Mountain for Front Range views, swim at Bear Creek Lake Park and explore Belmar's walkable downtown of shops, restaurants and galleries — all with the Rockies rising at the edge of town.

Plan your trip
Abbi, Explore Colorado travel navigator (AI-assisted portrait from photos of the real Abbi)

Ask Abbi

Plan Colorado with Abbi.

Abbi is our AI trail guide with live data — weather, current alerts, trails, camping, dog rules, and honest local answers. Ask anything.

Abbi is checking the map…

Full disclosure: Ask Abbi is an AI trail navigator. The real Abbi is a dog — and a great trail navigator, which is how she earned the job. She can be wrong: confirm closures, hours, and forecasts before you go. She may highlight featured Explore Colorado partners, always labeled. Emergencies: call 911. Take Abbi with you at /ask-abbi.

A Perfect Day

One Day in Lakewood

Morning

Hike Green Mountain at William F. Hayden Park — a quick climb to panoramic views of the Front Range and the Denver skyline, then coffee in Belmar.

Afternoon

Swim, kayak or bike at Bear Creek Lake Park, or get tickets to Casa Bonita — the reimagined cliff-diver restaurant from the South Park creators.

Evening

Dinner at 240 Union for elevated New American, then walk the 40 West Arts District galleries on a First Friday or catch a show at Lakewood Cultural Center.

Things To Do

Parks, art and Casa Bonita

Bear Creek Lake Park at the foothills, Green Mountain for sunrise views, a creative arts district, a walkable downtown at Belmar and Colorado's most famous restaurant — Lakewood packs a surprising amount between Denver and the mountains.

Casa Bonita

The legendary cliff-diver restaurant — reimagined by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone with elevated Mexican food, caves, puppet shows and the 30-foot waterfall. Tickets required.

Bear Creek Lake Park

Swim beach, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking — 80+ acres of lakes and trails at the foothills' edge.

Green Mountain (Hayden Park)

Quick summit hike with 360-degree views of the Front Range and Denver — trails for hiking and biking, dog-friendly.

40 West Arts District

Certified Creative District along West Colfax — 20+ public art installations, galleries, studios and First Friday art walks.

Belmar Downtown District

Lakewood's walkable downtown — shops, restaurants, a movie theater and seasonal events from farmers markets to ice skating.

Lakewood Heritage Center

15 historic structures, 40,000+ artifacts and an outdoor amphitheater — the story of Lakewood and the Front Range.

Where To Stay

Sleep between Denver and the mountains

A walkable hotel in Belmar, a Sheraton near I-70, campground sites at Bear Creek Lake Park and Denver's full hotel scene 15 minutes east — Lakewood is the gateway to both.

Rates shown include Booking.com Genius and partner discounts where available.

Plan

Not sure where to stay?

Tell Abbi your dates and your pace.

Ask Abbi →

Cabins & Camps

Sleep at the park

Bear Creek Lake Park campground right in Lakewood and foothill rentals toward the mountains.

Lakeside

Bear Creek Lake Park Campground

Tent & RV sites at the foothills · swim beach & trails

Directions →
Rentals

Vacation rentals on Vrbo

Homes, lofts & foothill retreats near Denver

Browse rentals →
Plan

Camping near the foothills

Chatfield, Bear Creek & foothill sites — ask Abbi.

Ask Abbi →

Browse Every Stay

The full Lakewood map

Every bookable hotel, rental and campground around Lakewood — live prices, one map.

Map not loading? Browse all Lakewood stays →

Where To Eat

Belmar dining and a legendary cliff-diver restaurant

Casa Bonita's cliff divers and elevated Mexican food, Belmar's walkable restaurant row, craft breweries and a New American spot that draws from across Denver — Lakewood eats well beyond its suburban reputation.

Eat

Casa Bonita

Cliff divers, caves & elevated Mexican · the South Park creators' reimagined icon · tickets required

Directions →
Eat

240 Union

Elevated New American & craft cocktails · Belmar's fine dining anchor

Directions →
Eat

Lady Nomada

Baja-inspired tacos & vibrant interior · Belmar

Directions →
Eat

Green Mountain Beer Company

Craft brewery & taproom · dog-friendly patio near Green Mountain

Directions →
Eat

Abrusci's Fire & Vine

Italian & wood-fired pizza · family-owned favorite

Directions →
Plan

Can't decide?

Tell Abbi what you're craving.

Ask Abbi →

Explore Colorado

More Colorado Adventures

Explore scenic drives, historic places, protected landscapes and iconic peaks throughout Colorado.

Events

Coming up in Lakewood

What's on in Lakewood over the weeks ahead.

SummerNow

SoundsExciting! Summer Concerts

Free weekly outdoor concerts at the Heritage Center amphitheater

Details →
FriMonthly

40 West First Friday Art Walk

Galleries, studios & public art along West Colfax · monthly

Details →
YearRound

Casa Bonita

Cliff divers, caves & elevated Mexican dining · tickets required

Details →

Shop Local

Take Lakewood home

Belmar's walkable outdoor shopping, the 40 West Arts District galleries and Colorado Mills' outlet stores — three distinct shopping scenes in one city.

Shop

Belmar Shopping District

Outdoor dining, boutiques & entertainment · Lakewood's walkable downtown

Directions →
Shop

40 West Arts District Galleries

Studios, galleries & public art · West Colfax Creative District

Directions →
Plan

Find something specific

Ask for a shop, outfitter or service.

Ask Abbi →

Move Here

Could Lakewood become home?

Learn about housing, neighborhoods, work and daily life, then connect with a local broker through the Lakewood relocation page.

Make the move

Housing, neighborhoods, jobs and what daily life really costs — then a broker introduction when you're ready.

Broker introductions are subject to Explore Colorado's referral disclosure.

For Business Owners

Promote Your Business

Reach travelers actively planning their Colorado adventures. Feature your business across Explore Colorado and become eligible for relevant recommendations from Ask Abbi.

Advertising & Featured Listings

Increase your visibility with sponsored placements, featured recommendations, and enhanced business profiles throughout Explore Colorado.

Ready to Launch?

Already decided to advertise? Submit your business details, images, and creative assets to begin.

Business Opportunities

Buy a business. Sell a business.

Buying an established business can be one path to making Colorado home. Owners considering a sale can begin a separate, confidential conversation.

Nearby Towns

The Front Range gateway

Lakewood sits where Denver meets the foothills — Golden ten minutes west, Denver 15 minutes east, the mountains rising from the city's edge.