20th April 2015
![Adventure Guide Part I: 5 Unbelievable Places To Take The Light RailPhoto.It still seems so recent that Denver introduced a rail system. The light rail was often viewed as a commuter train for those living/working in downtown Denver and the Denver Tech Center. While it still covered many stops on the I-25 corridor, it left a lot of the Denver Metro Area inaccessible by train.Now, the light rail has expanded to six trains and 46 stops. The expansion will not be put on hold, either. Most recently, outdoor folks can rejoice in the ability to travel to Golden, Colorado. City dwellers can enjoy an urban adventure from one end of downtown to the other experiencing the beautifully renovated Union Station. Then, there is plenty in between appealing to anyone and everyone.If you’re looking for an adventure that requires nothing but your two feet (and maybe a bicycle or you can grab a B-Cycle!) and a light rail ticket (which you won’t pay more than $5 for), look no further. Here are five light rail stops that lead to somewhere filled with fun and unique outings.[[MORE]]Photo.1. Line W: Jefferson County Government Center Station This is the ultimate trip for outdoor enthusiasts. Known as the West Rail Line, the W train will take you from the heart of downtown Denver to the base of the foothills in Golden. From the last stop on Jefferson County Parkway, there is a vast playground begging to be explored. Bring a mountain bike and hit the trails on Green Mountain, Matthews/Winters, or Apex. Each trailhead is no more than three miles from the light rail stop. After shredding the trails, grab a well-deserved beer at Mountain Toad in Golden. You won’t have to worry about driving, as you can hop on the train right back to Denver after pedaling four more miles.2. Line C | D: Mineral Ave. Station Reachable both from downtown Denver on the C line and further north on the D line, the Mineral Ave. station is just a couple miles from Historic Littleton, often overlooked and very underrated with tons of awesome vintage and antique shops, specialty wine bars, boutique shops, and excellent food. If that’s not your idea of an adventure, Chatfield Reservoir is a stone’s throw from the station. From there, you can boat, camp, ride, hike, and more. You’d never know you’re fifteen minutes from the city.Photo.3. Line E | F | H: Louisiana & Pearl St. StationLocated in the heart of Denver’s Washington Park, the Louisiana | Pearl St. station is the perfect stop, especially on a spring or summer Sunday morning. From the station, it’s just a few blocks to the historic Pearl Street District and on Sunday’s they close the streets for an excellent farmers market. You’re sure to feel like you’ve been transported from Denver to Paris. Take a stroll around the park (one of Denver’s largest, covering 165 acres) and enjoy the beautiful, historic neighborhood.4. Line C | D | E | F | H: 1-25 & Broadway St. StationJust about every train hits 1-25 and Broadway. It doesn’t seem like the most glamorous stop, but South Broadway contains some of Denver’s best gems. Upon arrival you can head north to Denver’s Baker district (aka: Hipster Heaven). Eat ice cream at Sweet Action (you’re looking for an adventure, right? Try their Stranahan’s Whiskey brickle among any of their other crazy flavors, like olive oil). Kick it more old school and catch a show at the Hi-Dive. Head South from I-25 and hit one of our new favorite collective breweries, Grandma’s House or one of Denver’s primo dispensaries, Wellspring. There’s something for everyone on Broadway and with all of the options you can string together an awesome urban adventure.5. Line C | E | W: Union StationThis is the stop for the classiest of travelers. Those who wish to be transported to a time when train travel was the norm (but still the most romantic way to travel) cannot miss the newly renovated Union Station. It is Denver’s only train station serving both the light rail system and Amtrak. It may have all the modern conveniences and a fancy vibe, but catching a train from Union Station will put you in a different era. Grab a drink at The Cooper Lounge and listen to the sound of the trains chug along. It’ll be awfully tempting to buy a ticket somewhere far away from Denver’s tracks.Photo. by Addie Levinksy](../../../52409d3a6e96587c75c87cc3c9496c00/tumblr_nn40oh1K8U1tk0d1vo1_1280.jpg)
![Adventure Guide Part I: 5 Unbelievable Places To Take The Light RailPhoto.It still seems so recent that Denver introduced a rail system. The light rail was often viewed as a commuter train for those living/working in downtown Denver and the Denver Tech Center. While it still covered many stops on the I-25 corridor, it left a lot of the Denver Metro Area inaccessible by train.Now, the light rail has expanded to six trains and 46 stops. The expansion will not be put on hold, either. Most recently, outdoor folks can rejoice in the ability to travel to Golden, Colorado. City dwellers can enjoy an urban adventure from one end of downtown to the other experiencing the beautifully renovated Union Station. Then, there is plenty in between appealing to anyone and everyone.If you’re looking for an adventure that requires nothing but your two feet (and maybe a bicycle or you can grab a B-Cycle!) and a light rail ticket (which you won’t pay more than $5 for), look no further. Here are five light rail stops that lead to somewhere filled with fun and unique outings.[[MORE]]Photo.1. Line W: Jefferson County Government Center Station This is the ultimate trip for outdoor enthusiasts. Known as the West Rail Line, the W train will take you from the heart of downtown Denver to the base of the foothills in Golden. From the last stop on Jefferson County Parkway, there is a vast playground begging to be explored. Bring a mountain bike and hit the trails on Green Mountain, Matthews/Winters, or Apex. Each trailhead is no more than three miles from the light rail stop. After shredding the trails, grab a well-deserved beer at Mountain Toad in Golden. You won’t have to worry about driving, as you can hop on the train right back to Denver after pedaling four more miles.2. Line C | D: Mineral Ave. Station Reachable both from downtown Denver on the C line and further north on the D line, the Mineral Ave. station is just a couple miles from Historic Littleton, often overlooked and very underrated with tons of awesome vintage and antique shops, specialty wine bars, boutique shops, and excellent food. If that’s not your idea of an adventure, Chatfield Reservoir is a stone’s throw from the station. From there, you can boat, camp, ride, hike, and more. You’d never know you’re fifteen minutes from the city.Photo.3. Line E | F | H: Louisiana & Pearl St. StationLocated in the heart of Denver’s Washington Park, the Louisiana | Pearl St. station is the perfect stop, especially on a spring or summer Sunday morning. From the station, it’s just a few blocks to the historic Pearl Street District and on Sunday’s they close the streets for an excellent farmers market. You’re sure to feel like you’ve been transported from Denver to Paris. Take a stroll around the park (one of Denver’s largest, covering 165 acres) and enjoy the beautiful, historic neighborhood.4. Line C | D | E | F | H: 1-25 & Broadway St. StationJust about every train hits 1-25 and Broadway. It doesn’t seem like the most glamorous stop, but South Broadway contains some of Denver’s best gems. Upon arrival you can head north to Denver’s Baker district (aka: Hipster Heaven). Eat ice cream at Sweet Action (you’re looking for an adventure, right? Try their Stranahan’s Whiskey brickle among any of their other crazy flavors, like olive oil). Kick it more old school and catch a show at the Hi-Dive. Head South from I-25 and hit one of our new favorite collective breweries, Grandma’s House or one of Denver’s primo dispensaries, Wellspring. There’s something for everyone on Broadway and with all of the options you can string together an awesome urban adventure.5. Line C | E | W: Union StationThis is the stop for the classiest of travelers. Those who wish to be transported to a time when train travel was the norm (but still the most romantic way to travel) cannot miss the newly renovated Union Station. It is Denver’s only train station serving both the light rail system and Amtrak. It may have all the modern conveniences and a fancy vibe, but catching a train from Union Station will put you in a different era. Grab a drink at The Cooper Lounge and listen to the sound of the trains chug along. It’ll be awfully tempting to buy a ticket somewhere far away from Denver’s tracks.Photo. by Addie Levinksy](../../../52409d3a6e96587c75c87cc3c9496c00/tumblr_nn40oh1K8U1tk0d1vo1_500.jpg)
Adventure Guide Part I: 5 Unbelievable Places To Take The Light Rail
It still seems so recent that Denver introduced a rail system. The light rail was often viewed as a commuter train for those living/working in downtown Denver and the Denver Tech Center. While it still covered many stops on the I-25 corridor, it left a lot of the Denver Metro Area inaccessible by train.
Now, the light rail has expanded to six trains and 46 stops. The expansion will not be put on hold, either. Most recently, outdoor folks can rejoice in the ability to travel to Golden, Colorado. City dwellers can enjoy an urban adventure from one end of downtown to the other experiencing the beautifully renovated Union Station. Then, there is plenty in between appealing to anyone and everyone.
If you’re looking for an adventure that requires nothing but your two feet (and maybe a bicycle or you can grab a B-Cycle!) and a light rail ticket (which you won’t pay more than $5 for), look no further. Here are five light rail stops that lead to somewhere filled with fun and unique outings.
1. Line W: Jefferson County Government Center Station
This is the ultimate trip for outdoor enthusiasts. Known as the West Rail Line, the W train will take you from the heart of downtown Denver to the base of the foothills in Golden. From the last stop on Jefferson County Parkway, there is a vast playground begging to be explored. Bring a mountain bike and hit the trails on Green Mountain, Matthews/Winters, or Apex. Each trailhead is no more than three miles from the light rail stop. After shredding the trails, grab a well-deserved beer at Mountain Toad in Golden. You won’t have to worry about driving, as you can hop on the train right back to Denver after pedaling four more miles.
2. Line C | D: Mineral Ave. Station
Reachable both from downtown Denver on the C line and further north on the D line, the Mineral Ave. station is just a couple miles from Historic Littleton, often overlooked and very underrated with tons of awesome vintage and antique shops, specialty wine bars, boutique shops, and excellent food. If that’s not your idea of an adventure, Chatfield Reservoir is a stone’s throw from the station. From there, you can boat, camp, ride, hike, and more. You’d never know you’re fifteen minutes from the city.
3. Line E | F | H: Louisiana & Pearl St. Station
Located in the heart of Denver’s Washington Park, the Louisiana | Pearl St. station is the perfect stop, especially on a spring or summer Sunday morning. From the station, it’s just a few blocks to the historic Pearl Street District and on Sunday’s they close the streets for an excellent farmers market. You’re sure to feel like you’ve been transported from Denver to Paris. Take a stroll around the park (one of Denver’s largest, covering 165 acres) and enjoy the beautiful, historic neighborhood.
4. Line C | D | E | F | H: 1-25 & Broadway St. Station
Just about every train hits 1-25 and Broadway. It doesn’t seem like the most glamorous stop, but South Broadway contains some of Denver’s best gems. Upon arrival you can head north to Denver’s Baker district (aka: Hipster Heaven). Eat ice cream at Sweet Action (you’re looking for an adventure, right? Try their Stranahan’s Whiskey brickle among any of their other crazy flavors, like olive oil). Kick it more old school and catch a show at the Hi-Dive. Head South from I-25 and hit one of our new favorite collective breweries, Grandma’s House or one of Denver’s primo dispensaries, Wellspring. There’s something for everyone on Broadway and with all of the options you can string together an awesome urban adventure.
5. Line C | E | W: Union Station
This is the stop for the classiest of travelers. Those who wish to be transported to a time when train travel was the norm (but still the most romantic way to travel) cannot miss the newly renovated Union Station. It is Denver’s only train station serving both the light rail system and Amtrak. It may have all the modern conveniences and a fancy vibe, but catching a train from Union Station will put you in a different era. Grab a drink at The Cooper Lounge and listen to the sound of the trains chug along. It’ll be awfully tempting to buy a ticket somewhere far away from Denver’s tracks.
by Addie Levinksy
