What’s Opening Up This Weekend?
June 4, 2020
No, it won’t be quite the same this summer, with DCPA and many water parks closed, but here’s some good news—many day camps are opening, with lower capacities and some operating online. So this is a great week to see what you can get the kids signed up for! Other places and activities are opening as well—most notably restaurants, some state and national parks, and the Aurora Reservoir. If you aren’t sure how you feel about venturing out, experts rate a list of many summer activities from low to high risk, with suggestions about keeping it safer. You can also check out CPR’s list of what is (and isn’t) open in Aurora and Denver.
TODAY/TONIGHT, June 4
SIGN UP NOW FOR YMCA CAMP!
Southlands YMCA is currently not open, but nearby Wheatlands YMCA is running day camps Monday-Friday, starting as early as June 8! Sign up today! Experienced staff offer children a variety of imaginative activities that nurture their spirits, challenge their minds, and strengthen their bodies.
Children will participate in age-appropriate activities, including enrichment, physical fitness and field trips.
Wheatlands, 6601 Wheatlands Pkwy., Aurora
Weekdays, 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $225-$230 per week
Phone: 720-402-4518
DAY CAMP WITH WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES!
The Air & Space Museum may still be closed (for now), but Day Camp for elementary, middle school, and high school students is running on a weekly basis. Next week’s camp is virtual, but the following week may be in-person at lower capacities. Sign up your kids now for a spot!
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $299/person/week
Phone: 303-360-5360
LIVESTREAM COUNTRY MUSIC EVENT
You loved him on Season 10 of American Idol when he won the contest with his charming country style!
Now Scotty McCreery is performing a livestream concert on Facebook to benefit MusiCares.
Scotty McCreery’s Facebook page
5:00 p.m. Livestream
Watch: FREE
Thursday-Sunday, June 4-7
QUIET TIME AT THE RESERVOIR
Aurora Reservoir is open—to an extent. If you have your own boat, boat ramps are open, but boat rentals are closed. The hand-launch boating ramp (for stand-up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, etc.) is also open, but the swimming beach, playgrounds, and picnic areas are closed. Perimeter trails are open for solitary or family walks (with social distancing in place). The entry gates may be closed at peak times to prevent too many people from coming and congregating.
Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Rd., Aurora
Walk-in only: 5:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Drive-in Gates: 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $10/vehicle
Phone: 303-326-8425
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS RE-OPENING
A limited number of visitors will be admitted in 30-minute blocks to cap the number of visitors at all times, and you must buy a ticket in advance. But how wonderful it will be to relax in the beautiful and generative setting of the Gardens!
Don’t forget to bring your mask—you won’t be allowed to enter without it.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Sat., 3:30-5:30 p.m.; Sun., 12:00-5:30 p.m. *These time slots may sell out*
Cost: $11-$15
Phone: 720-865-3500
CAMPING IN STATE PARKS
Many Colorado State Parks are opened for camping now, with more to open soon. Out There Colorado provides a comprehensive list. Reservations are necessary and a limited number of campsites will be open. Good news! Nearby Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek State Park are both on the “open” list!
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Reservations required: $12-$40
Phone: 303-297-1192
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Now in Phase 2 of the re-opening, you will need to make a reservation for a timed-entry permit in order to enter the park. Once inside, you will be able to drive on any open roads and hike on open trails, with social distancing in place. The park shuttle bus system is operating on the in-park route—Bear Lake and Moraine Park Routes. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, shuttles will be at limited capacity or about 15 riders per shuttle.
There are two open campgrounds, Moraine Park and Glacier Basin, with more planned to open later in the summer. A reservation in addition to the entry permit is necessary. Wilderness camping permits are also being issued.
Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 U.S. Hwy. 36, Estes Park
6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $25/car entry fee; Camping starting at $30 per night
Phone: 970-586-1206
DENVER EVENTS ONLINE
If you’re not quite ready to venture out yet, or you want to take the re-opening at a slower pace, you can still participate in plenty of online events sponsored by local arts and entertainment organizations. You just might find your favorite “real life” activities appearing somewhere in a virtual setting.
Denver.org
Cost: Varies by event; many are FREE
Friday, June 5
DRIVE IN MOVIE VENUE!
Denver’s Urban Outdoor Theater, complete with planes, trains, and automobiles! Conveniently located at I-25 and 58th Avenue, just one exit north of the I-70 / I-25 interchange. The digital projection system throws to the largest outdoor screen in the area 80 feet x 40’ feet, with FM transmission to provide the ultimate viewing experience in the comfort of your own car! This weekend catch a double feature! The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Friday through Sunday at 8:00 p.m. for 140 cars.
Denver Mart Drive-In
8:00 – midnight
Details
Phone: 720-833-5717
Saturday, June 6
DEAR CLASS OF 2020
The event that everyone’s been talking about is finally here—and with a stellar roster of stars and celebrities! Featuring President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, BTS, Doja Cat, Lady Gaga, Maluma, and Megan Thee Stallion, this virtual commencement celebration in the form of a national livestream will bring a little consolation to all those graduates who didn’t get an in-person ceremony. The event will also feature appearances by Lizzo, Alicia Keyes, Taylor Swift, Kelly Rowland, and more!
YouTube Livestream
1:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Watch: FREE
Sunday, June 7
FARMERS’ MARKET AT SOUTHLANDS
You know summer is really here when you can get out and browse a local Farmers’ Market! This weekend, the Southlands Farmers Market is open with local vendors providing the Colorado-grown produce we all love, along with home-baked goodies, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more!
Southlands Farmer’s Market, East State Street
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
LIVESTREAM OF BROADWAY CELEBRATION
Theaters across the country may be dark and this year’s Tony Awards ceremony postponed, but you can still get a dazzling dose of Broadway by tuning in to this
never-before-seen special Tony Awards celebration online. Tony Award nominee Lonny Price hosts the one-hour fundraising event benefitting the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.
TonyAwards.com or BroadwayOnDemand.com
4:00 p.m. Mountain Time
Watch: FREE
Opening Up Near Southshore!
There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Southshore! You get the tranquility of lakeside living with easy access to your favorite urban activities. Stop by and see for yourself how great Life at the Lake can be! With beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.