With summer vacation fast approaching, many of us are in serious need of some last-minute fun this quarter. And taking advantage of the sunny days is key to having a great end of the year. Here are eight places and events, in no particular order, that are a must for anyone’s pre-summer bucket list.
DUPB Movie Nights
Everyone loves a good movie, and the DU Programming Board shows quite a few of them. Many Thursday nights at 8 p.m. you can see a free movie in Sturm, complete with prizes and popcorn. Movies showing in the next two weeks include “Big Hero 6” and “Ocean’s Twelve.”
Rockies Games
The Rockpile at Coors Field is a cheap way for any student tohave fun in Denver. The Rockies are currently on an eight game homestand playing the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. Home games run through May 24. You can check out the Rockies schedule at their website.
Climb a 14er
Sports and movies might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, and sometimes all you need is to just spend a day in the sun. What better way than to climb one of Colorado’s many 14ers? Some of the most popular climbs include Mt. Elbert (14,333 feet), Mt. Lincoln (14,286 feet) and Grays Peak (14,270 feet) all located just a few hours to the southwest of Denver. You can find more information including hiking guides and suggested routes at 14ers.com.
Drink on the Pio’s deck
Want to spend a day in the sun without leaving the DU area? If you are 21 or older, spend an afternoon on the upper deck of the Pioneer. Hang out with friends, enjoy the food and bask in the warm glow of the Colorado sun.
Go Downtown
For those who enjoy a more urban lifestyle, take a quick, easy and free light rail trip downtown and explore some of the things Denver has to offer. Whether it is the 16th Street Mall, Union Station or the Denver Art Museum, this city provides a multitude of places to see and things to do, no matter what you enjoy. Current exhibitions at the art museum include carved bamboo from around East Asia, American Indian Art and an exhibit on Cubism.
Go to a Brewery
One thing that Denver is particularly known for is its beer. Drinking some from Denver is one thing, but doing it at the brewery itself is a particular treat you must take advantage of before leaving for summer if you are of age. From the Renegade Brewing Company in the Arts District to the Great Divide Brewing Company downtown, Denver hosts some of the best microbreweries in the country. More information on local breweries can be found at denverbreweryguide.com.
Botanic Gardens
Our many days of sun allow Denver to host some of the most beautiful gardens in the Rocky Mountain region. Of particular note are the Denver Botanic Gardens, which cover 23 acres in the Cheesman Park neighborhood. Containing a large variety of plants from the Rocky Mountains and beyond, the Botanic Gardens are a beautiful trip to take before summer begins. Tickets cost $9 for students with your DU ID.
The First Chipotle
Everyone loves Chipotle, right? Some of you may know that Chipotle was founded by a CU student, who opened up his first shop on Evans, just blocks from DU. Make sure to grab a burrito at the first-ever Chipotle, and brag about it to your friends across the country.
