Centennial, CO, is located 15 miles south of Denver and is one of the state’s hip, new cities. Having just been incorporated in 2001, it is currently ranked as Colorado’s 12th largest city. Full of outdoor attractions, good public school districts, shopping, and eateries, Centennial offers great appeal to families and young professionals alike.
If you’re considering visiting or moving to Centennial, CO, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of top things to do in the area, so you can start planning your itinerary.
1. Get Some Fresh Air at the Park
We have to start with the main attraction. Centennial Center Park, the area’s first city-owned park, is a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s one of 14 parks in the area and offers 11 acres of fun. Centennial residents and parkgoers can catch a show at the amphitheater, entertain kids at the different play areas, or challenge themselves to trivia on the Viewfinder Walk.
There are also tons of trails throughout the city, spanning about 100 miles. So, you have your pick of options if hiking is your thing—to the point that you could probably make a game of it. (Spin the wheel and see where your weekend takes you.) And if you want to enjoy the sunny weather doing something different, there’s no shortage of activities in Arapahoe County. Check out one of the many golf courses, batting cages, tennis courts, and so much more.
2. Shop the Day Away at Streets of SouthGlenn
If you want to get in some retail therapy, the Streets at SouthGlenn is the place to go. This swanky shopping center features a movie theater with a full-service restaurant and bar, dining for all palates, and enough stores to shop ‘til you drop. A mix of department stores, designer boutiques, specialty shops, cafes, bistros, and more spans several blocks. Plus, there’s a host of outdoor events during the summer and holidays, including lawn concerts and tree lighting.
And if you haven’t had your fill, shoppers can also check out the Centennial Promenade, another outdoor shopping complex. Here you’ll find another 50+ retailers and family-friendly entertainment, like glow-in-the-dark Monster Mini Golf.
3. Grab A Bite at A Top-Rated Restaurant
One of the greatest things about visiting somewhere new is learning about all the good grub. And living in Centennial, Colorado, offers a lot of great dining options. Some local favorites are Los Dos Potrillos, Farro Italian Restaurant, and (ironically) Big Bill’s New York Pizza.
But that’s not all the city has to offer. There’s a wide range of restaurants, from Asian cuisine to seafood, breakfast spots, and more. So, you can satisfy just about any craving. Plus, you can’t forget about the local breweries, like Resolute Brewing Company and Halfpenny Brewing Company. Colorado produces more beer than any other state, with over 300 breweries. The Denver metro area is home to 140 of the 300+ craft breweries in the Centennial State.
4. Learn to Snowboard at Snöbahn
Though Centennial isn’t connected to the mountains, you can still hit the slopes via this unique indoor ski and snowboard center. Snöbahn is the first company of its kind in the US, and it welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels. You can work with a trained instructor or jump right into a session in a climate-controlled environment. There might not be any snow, but you get to skip the usual chairlift wait times, meaning you can fit in about a full day of standard skiing in the span of one hour.
Snöbahn is perfect for a ski day in town, but if you miss the windburn and snow spray, the closest resort is Echo Mountain. While you can definitely make the trip in a day, it is about an hour’s drive from Centennial. There’s also Loveland Ski Area at about the same distance, as well as Arapahoe Basin Ski Area and Eldora Mountain, which are about an hour and a half away. So, you have options if you don’t mind a bit of traveling.
5. Golf Year-Round at Topgolf
A similar concept to Snöbahn, Topgolf Centennialis an indoor golf entertainment venue for all ages. Topgolf offers three stories with over 100 climate-controlled golfing bays, so you can get your game on all year. According to their website, each bay features HDTVs, and visitors are welcome to rent complimentary clubs or bring their own. In addition, over a dozen different game selections, each with its own difficulty level, use micro-chipped golf balls to help monitor your score.
And don’t forget to check out the arcade, which hosts both new and retro games, while you’re there. A full-service restaurant and bar and a rooftop terrace with fire pits are also available, making the space perfect for parties and get-togethers.
6. Immerse In History at 17 Mile House Farm Park
A historic location, 17 Mile House is one of two remaining trail houses along the Smoky Hill Trail. The 32-acre farm served as a rest stop for stagecoaches when pioneers traveled the Cherokee and Smoky Hill wagon trails during the 1860 gold rush. “Mile houses” were once located every few miles along the trails and named by their distance as you traveled east. Today, only 17 Mile House and 4 Mile House still stand.
Visitors can tour the restored home, barn, silo, and milk house by appointment. The rest of the property is open, though, so you can admire the two windmills and walk around anytime from dusk to dawn. There is also a trailhead that connects to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail and a picnic area. So, you can easily spend a relaxing day on the farm.
Whether you are moving to or visiting Centennial, CO, there are plenty of things to do in and outside the city, with places like Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood being so close. And if you ever need somewhere to store your skis and other outdoor gear, or if you need to store your household belongings before the big move to Colorado, Prime Storage has the space for you. So, call or visit our Centennial facility whenever the need for self storage in Colorado comes your way!
