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Broomfield, Colorado: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Broomfield sits between Denver and Boulder and does not look like a place that would surprise you. It holds an invertebrate zoo that was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. It has hot air balloons going up at dawn over the Front Range. And it has a recreation center with a lazy river running through the middle of it. The odd things here are the good ones.

Planning a trip to Broomfield, Colorado and wondering what to do? You are in the right place. Broomfield has a version of most things, from outdoor time through to shopping and dining.

To get active, head to the Paul Derda Recreation Center, where you swim, rock climb, play basketball and more. For something with more edge, Broomfield Community Park runs a skate park, a BMX track and a disc golf course. And for the outdoors, the trails here are the draw, the Rock Creek Trail and the Broomfield County Commons Open Space among them.

If shopping is more the point, check out the Flatiron Crossing mall or the Denver Premium Outlets. And on dining, Broomfield holds a spread of local restaurants, Big Mac & Little Lu’s Seafood, North Side Tavern and Burnt End BBQ among them.

Key Takeaways

• Broomfield offers a variety of outdoor activities, from rock climbing to disc golf.
• The city has plenty of shopping and dining options, including the Flatiron Crossing mall and local restaurants like Big Mac & Little Lu’s Seafood.
• Don’t miss out on the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum or the Butterfly Pavilion for a bit of history and nature.

Dive in the Fun at Paul Derda Recreation Center

Looking for somewhere to cool off in Broomfield? The Paul Derda Recreation Center is the answer. The place covers slides and pools through to fitness classes and climbing walls.

Slides and Pools

Get ready to make a splash. The Paul Derda Recreation Center holds two indoor pools rather than one. The leisure pool runs a lazy river, a vortex and a water slide. The lap pool is for exercise or a slow swim. And there is a diving board if you want it.

Climbing Wall

Looking for a challenge? The Paul Derda Recreation Center has a climbing wall that will test you. The routes cover all experience levels, so something will suit. And the staff will get you started if you have never climbed.

Fitness Classes

Want the workout alongside the fun? The Paul Derda Recreation Center runs fitness classes, yoga through to Zumba. The classes cover all ages and fitness levels. So try something you have not done before.

Children’s Areas

Got kids? The Paul Derda Recreation Center handles them. The Kid’s Zone has an indoor playground, which is where the energy goes. And the drop-in child care means you get your own workout in.

So what are you waiting for. Get into the Paul Derda Recreation Center and use it.

Experience the Thrill at Broomfield Community Park

Looking for outdoor time in Broomfield, Colorado? Broomfield Community Park is the answer. With over 40 acres of green space, there is room for most things.

Soccer and Basketball

Sports enthusiasts are covered. Broomfield Community Park runs a variety of sports facilities, soccer and basketball fields among them. So gather the friends and family and get a game going. Bring the A-game with you.

Dog Park

Got a dog that needs a run? Bring it to the Broomfield Community Park dog park. The dog park is fenced and safe, which is where dogs run and meet other dogs. So let it off the leash and watch.

Lazy River

Looking for a slower way to spend the day? Broomfield Community Park has the space for it, and the lazy river people mention is over at the recreation center rather than here. Either way, a hot summer day passes easily on this grass. So bring the picnic blanket.

With this range of activities, Broomfield Community Park handles a full day outdoors. So pack a picnic, grab the friends and family, and head over.

Shop Till You Drop at Flatiron Crossing

Looking for shopping on a serious scale? Flatiron Crossing Mall in Broomfield, Colorado is the destination. The place has what you need and rather more besides.

Macy’s and Dillard’s

Start at Macy’s and Dillard’s, the major anchors of Flatiron Crossing Mall. Between them you get clothing and accessories through to home goods and beauty products. And the sales come round often enough to be worth watching.

Food Court

Shopping is tiring, so take a break at the Food Court. The options run wide. Chinese, Mexican, or a classic burger and fries, it is all in there. And take something sweet for afterwards.

Arcade

Once the shopping and the eating are done, head over to the arcade. There are classic games like skee-ball and air hockey, plus the prize machines. It is the right way to finish a day at Flatiron Crossing Mall.

So what are you waiting for. Take the wallet to Flatiron Crossing and see what happens.

Taste the Best at Local Restaurants

Broomfield eats well, with a range of dining that covers most palates. Classic American cuisine through to Indian and Mexican dishes, the city has it. Here are the local restaurants worth the trip.

Kachina Southwestern Grill

For Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, head over to Kachina Southwestern Grill. The place is known for its tacos, enchiladas and fajitas. The room is warm and rustic, which suits the food.

Early Bird Restaurant

Looking for breakfast or brunch? Early Bird Restaurant is the one. The cafe serves classic American dishes, pancakes, waffles and omelets, with breakfast burritos and green chili alongside. The portions are generous and the prices are fair, which makes it work for families and groups.

Azafran Indian Cuisine

For something more exotic, try Azafran Indian Cuisine. The restaurant serves authentic Indian dishes, biryani, tandoori chicken and butter chicken among them. The room is elegant, with soft lighting and comfortable seating.

The Burns Pub & Restaurant

For pub fare, head over to The Burns Pub & Restaurant. This family-owned pub serves classic British dishes, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash among them. The portions are generous and the prices are fair, which makes it work for a casual night out.

The Melting Pot

For a special occasion, head over to The Melting Pot. The upscale restaurant specializes in fondue, with cheese, meat and chocolate options across the menu. The room is intimate, with dim lighting and quiet music.

Garden of the God’s Market & Cafe

Looking for something fresh? Try Garden of the God’s Market & Cafe. The cafe serves salads, sandwiches and smoothies made with fresh, organic ingredients. The room is bright and full of plants, which does its own work.

So what are you waiting for. Work through the local cooking Broomfield has to offer.

Explore the History at Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum

History readers should not miss the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum. The museum covers the town and its military history. The exhibits run from the Civil War up to the current period. It opened in 2002 with nine exhibition rooms, a library holding over 2,500 military history books, and hundreds of archived video interviews with veterans.

Exhibits

The exhibits at the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum carry real weight. You see the artifacts and read the accounts that shaped this country’s military history. From the Civil War to the current period, the range is wide. You come away knowing more about the wars the United States has fought and about the people who served in them.

Staff

The staff at the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum know the collection and care about it. They will answer questions and fill in what the labels leave out. They are approachable and glad to talk about the history.

So for a day in Broomfield with something in it, the Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum earns the time. The exhibits and the people running them are both worth it.

Get Active on Broomfield Trails

Looking for a way to get active outdoors? Broomfield’s trail system is the answer. Dozens of miles of trail run through the open spaces here, which covers hiking, biking and simply walking.

Hiking Trails

Put the boots on and get out. Broomfield has hiking trails for all skill levels. For an easy walk, check out the Broomfield County Commons Open Space. The park runs gentle trails through grassy meadows and past a pond. Watch for the wildlife, deer and rabbits and the occasional fox.

If you want something harder, head to the Chautauqua Trailhead, which is a drive west rather than a local walk. The trail climbs steeply into the foothills and opens out onto the mountains. Bring plenty of water and food, because it asks something of you.

Biking Trails

Prefer two wheels? Broomfield has biking trails to choose from. For a family ride, check out the Big Dry Creek Trail. The paved trail runs through parks and neighborhoods, which makes it safe and scenic for all ages.

For a harder ride, head to the Anthem Highlands Trailhead. The trail runs rocky in places with climbs that experienced riders enjoy. Wear a helmet and bring plenty of water.

Whichever trail you pick, take the time and look around you. Broomfield’s trails are the best of the town, and they are a healthy way to spend a morning.

Enjoy the Shows at Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery

Looking for entertainment in Broomfield? The Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery is the venue. It runs a range of performances and events across the year.

Performances

The Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery hosts a broad spread of performances, theater productions through to dance. Drama, comedy or musicals, something in the programme will land.

The theater productions are the strongest part of the Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery. The venue has a proper theater built for plays, musicals and other performances. The standard of the work is higher than you expect.

Live Music

For live music, the Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery is where it happens. The venue hosts concerts and music events across the year, with local and national acts.

Jazz through to rock and classical, the Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery covers it. Check the calendar of events for what is coming up and take a night out of it.

Whatever the taste in entertainment, the Broomfield Auditorium and Gallery will have something. So take a friend or two and go.

Experience the High at 4 Noses Brewing

For an unusual afternoon in Broomfield, 4 Noses Brewing is the answer. The family-owned brewery does well with locals and visitors, and the reason is obvious once you are in.

Tours

The best way into 4 Noses Brewing is the tour of the facility. You get the brewing process up close, the different beers explained, and samples of the results.

But this is not the average brewery tour. At 4 Noses they run it loose. You may end up playing giant Jenga or cornhole while you drink. And there is often a dog about the place, a friendly golden retriever named Barley.

Team Building Activity

For a team-building day, 4 Noses Brewing has packages for it. These include brewery tours, beer tastings and the chance to brew your own.

And again, this is not the average team-building activity. You may end up in a beer pong tournament or a game of human foosball. And there is plenty of beer through the day.

Beer lover or simply after an unusual afternoon, 4 Noses Brewing is worth the visit. So grab some friends and head over.

The Butterfly Pavilion opened as the first stand-alone invertebrate zoo in the world, which is an unusual thing for a suburb to be holding. The Veterans Memorial Museum came later, built around the recorded interviews of people who served. And the 9/11 memorial in Community Park was dedicated in 2006. None of these three are chain attractions bought off a shelf. That is the real argument for stopping in Broomfield at all.

Relax at Local Spas

You have spent the day working through Broomfield, and now it is time to stop. One of the local spas is the straightforward way to do that.

Broomfield has a range of spas, whether you want a massage, a facial or another treatment. Here are a few of the top-rated ones in the area:

Spa Name	Services Offered	Price Range
The Pampering Place Day Wellness Spa	Massages, facials, waxing, body treatments	$$
The Dragontree Spa	Massages, facials, acupuncture, Ayurvedic treatments	$$$
Peking Therapeutic Massage	Massages, reflexology	$

At The Pampering Place Day Wellness Spa the service is the thing people mention. One Yelp reviewer rated the brow and lip waxing above what they were used to at their regular day spa in California. Take a massage, a facial or a body treatment and come out better than you went in.

For something more holistic, The Dragontree Spa runs services built on Ayurvedic principles. Take the signature massage, which uses warm herbal oils, or the acupuncture treatments.

For a cheaper option, Peking Therapeutic Massage does massage and reflexology at fair prices. Take a foot massage, or the deep tissue version if there are knots to work out.

Whichever spa you pick, you come out of it better. So go ahead and book something.

Discover the Broomfield 9/11 Memorial

The Broomfield 9/11 Memorial is the quiet place in this town. It marks the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The memorial stands in Broomfield’s Community Park and takes the form of a sculpture installation. The dedication ceremony was held on September 10, 2006. It has been a place people come to since.

The installation is built from two 11-foot steel towers, each on a base 9 feet 11 inches square. A 20-foot steel beam connects them, suspended 11 feet off the ground. The towers and the beam stand for the World Trade Center towers and what joined them.

Walking through the memorial, you pass the names of the victims of the attacks, set into the steel plates at the base of the towers. They are there to be read.

The Broomfield 9/11 Memorial is worth stopping at if you are in the area. It marks what happened on September 11, 2001, and what American communities did in the years afterwards. Take the time and pay your respects.

Fly High with Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures

Looking for something out of the ordinary in Broomfield, Colorado? Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures is the answer. The company runs year-round hot air balloon flights along the Colorado Front Range, minutes outside of Boulder.

The pilots are experienced and the staff know what they are doing, so the flight is a safe one. And the views are the reason to go up. You get the Colorado scenery from above, the Rocky Mountains, the rolling hills and the valleys between them.

Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures runs private and group flights, which covers a date or a day out with friends and family. And a private flight is where people tend to propose, if that is the plan.

There is more to it than the flight. Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures also runs a continental breakfast, a champagne toast and a photograph to take away. That is the whole package.

So book the flight with Aero-Cruise Balloon Adventures and go up. It is the kind of thing people only do once.

Celebrate at Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park

Looking for somewhere to celebrate a birthday or simply spend a day in the sun? Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park is the answer. Water slides, a leisure pool and an interactive water play structure, and something will suit.

Birthday Party

Throwing a birthday party the kids will remember? Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park handles it. The party packages include admission, a reserved area and a party host, so you sit down while the children run. And you can add food and drinks to the package.

Lap Pool

For something quieter, use the lap pool at Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park. It suits a workout or a slow swim, and it is the way to beat the heat and stay active. And the zero-depth entry makes it work for swimmers of all levels.

A special occasion or simply a day in the sun, Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park covers both. So grab the swimsuit and the sunscreen and go.

Catch a Game at Eagle Trace Golf Club

Looking for a way to fill a day in Broomfield? Eagle Trace Golf Club is the answer. The 18-hole public course is where you take the swing out and get some air.

Seasoned player or beginner, Eagle Trace Golf Club has something. There are tee boxes to suit and holes that keep you interested. The course is well-maintained and the staff are helpful.

And golf is not only the ball. At Eagle Trace Golf Club they understand that. Start with breakfast at the on-site restaurant. Then take a drink to the patio and sit with the friends you came with.

And if you want a different kind of competition, Eagle Trace Golf Club has run laser tag on the course after hours. It is worth checking whether it is still on the schedule before you plan around it.

So what are you waiting for. Take the clubs and the friends over to Eagle Trace Golf Club for the day. You might even hit something worth talking about.

Shop More at Denver Premium Outlets

You have done the outdoors, the mini-golf and the balloon ride, and now it is time to shop. Broomfield has the place for it, which is the Denver Premium Outlets.

This shopping mall works for bargain hunters and for people who follow labels. With over 80 stores, something will catch you. High-end designer brands through to athletic wear, the range is wide.

And it gets better. The Denver Premium Outlets run discounts of up to 65% off retail prices. So the shopping happens without the damage.

The stores here include Adidas, Calvin Klein, Coach, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger. And there are plenty of options for a tighter budget too.

And it is not only clothes. There are stores selling accessories, home goods and toys. So a new handbag or a birthday present, both are covered.

And when the shopping works up an appetite, there are dining options. Grab something quick at Auntie Anne’s or sit down at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

So what are you waiting for. Head over to the Denver Premium Outlets and see how long the card holds out.

Experience the Fun at 1stBank Center

Looking for a venue in Broomfield, Colorado? The 1stBank Center, formerly known as the Broomfield Event Center, was the place for a live show, a sporting event or a community function. Check its current status before you plan around it.

With a capacity of up to 6,500 people, it had room for a crowd. The center hosted concerts, family shows and rodeos across the year. And there was even a DockDogs competition for dog dock jumping.

What set the 1stBank Center apart was the room itself. The venue was built for the experience, with good acoustics, proper lighting and comfortable seating. And the staff were helpful with it.

So die-hard fan of one artist or simply after a night out with friends, the 1stBank Center was where that happened. Check the current listings before you count on it.

Visit the Butterfly Pavilion

You may think butterflies are simply pretty insects that land on you occasionally. They are also important pollinators and they do real work in the ecosystem.

To learn more about them, visit the Butterfly Pavilion in Broomfield, Colorado. This non-profit invertebrate zoo was the first of its kind in the world and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Inside the Butterfly Pavilion there is a tropical conservatory holding over 1,200 free-flying butterflies from around the globe. You walk in and they are simply there, moving around you at close range.

But the Butterfly Pavilion is not only butterflies. The interactive exhibits cover other invertebrates, the science behind them and the conservation work. And there is a touch tank where you feel a sea star or the spines of a sea urchin.

For something more, there is a behind-the-scenes tour showing how the Butterfly Pavilion cares for its invertebrates. You meet some of the animals up close on it.

So for something educational that does not feel like it, head over to the Butterfly Pavilion in Broomfield. You may come out thinking differently about the small things.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some unique outdoor attractions to visit in Broomfield?

You are in luck, because Broomfield is largely open country. With over 8,000 acres of public open space and 280 miles of regional walking and biking trails, the list does not run out. One outdoor attraction is the Broomfield Community Park, over 40 acres holding a skate park, a playground and a dog park. The other is the Rocky Mountain Lake Park, with terrain that works for hiking and mountain biking, though it is a drive south.

What makes Broomfield, Colorado stand out from its neighboring cities?

Broomfield is easy to overlook. It sits between Denver and Boulder and has a character of its own. It holds the 1STBANK Center, which ran concerts and events across the year. It also holds the Flatiron Crossing mall, with over 200 stores and restaurants. And what really separates Broomfield is the sustainability record, being the first city in Colorado to adopt a zero-waste resolution.

Are there any hidden gems or secret spots to check out in Broomfield?

There are. One is the Broomfield Farmers’ Market, which runs every Tuesday through the summer, with fresh produce, handmade crafts and live music. The other is the Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park, which is where you cool off on a hot day. And for something different to eat, check out the North Side Tavern, a local favorite with a comfortable room and good food.

Frequently asked questions about Broomfield, Colorado

Is the Butterfly Pavilion zoo worth what it costs?

Yes. It holds up for adults as well as for children, which is not always true of these places. The tropical conservatory is the headline and the invertebrate exhibits either side of it are the part people end up talking about afterwards. Go on a weekday morning when the school groups are not in. Members get in at no charge, so if you live locally it pays for itself inside two visits. Everybody else should budget an easy couple of hours and go early.

Which Broomfield trail costs nothing and still delivers?

The Broomfield County Commons Open Space, without much competition. It is flat, wide and free to use, and it runs through open grassland and past a pond rather than along the side of a road. Parking is free. Big Dry Creek Trail is the paved alternative if you are bringing bikes or a stroller with you. Both are better value than any paid attraction in this town on a clear morning.

Is the Paul Derda Recreation Center a better deal than the aquatic park?

On a wet day, yes. One pass covers the two indoor pools, the climbing wall and the gym, which comes to a great deal less than paying for those separately. The child care is drop-in, which matters if you actually want a workout. The aquatic park is the better call on a hot day in the middle of summer. Non-resident rates are higher at both, so check them before you drive over.

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