Stop Requested - Olde Town Arvada Station
Picture this: it is a beautiful Saturday. Temperatures will be in the 80s with a slight breeze coming from the Rockies. It was a stressful week and a much-needed low-key day of good food, drinks, shopping and relaxation with friends is in order. Oh, where to go? Simple – downtown Arvada.
Just a short 20-minute ride on the G Line from Union Station, downtown Arvada is the perfect spot for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city without leaving the city entirely. Downtown Arvada, also known as Olde Town Arvada, boasts an impressive selection of unique eateries, craft breweries, great shopping and much more spread across the nine blocks it encompasses. Olde Town Arvada’s unique charm, rich history and small-town feel make it the perfect place to spend a day relaxing with friends and family.
Like Golden, Arvada (formally known as Ralston Point) was born out of the Gold Rush in 1859. Lewis Ralston and his group of gold-seekers found gold near the fork of Clear and Ralston creeks. His team started digging canals hoping to find more gold around the area, which would unknowingly benefit the farmers that would settle in the area years later. Eleven years later, the Colorado Central Railroad would be built through Ralston Point, which led to a boom of residents moving to the area. The area, with a population of 100, was renamed to Arvada and plotted in 1870 by Benjamin F. Wadsworth. In 1904, Arvada was officially incorporated. Today, Arvada is home to over 120,000 residents, making it Colorado’s eighth-largest city. Despite its population, Arvada manages to retain its welcoming small-town charm.
Olde Town Arvada Station is located right at the base of the downtown area, where G Line customers alight just steps away from the coffee shops, bars, restaurants and shops that line Grandview Avenue. Kick off the day right by swinging by Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters at the corner of Grandview Avenue and Olde Wadsworth Boulevard and snagging an iced coffee. Once energized and ready to go, head next door to one of the most unique and iconic places in all Olde Town Arvada – School House.
School House is not your typical bar and grill. What was once an actual schoolhouse in the early 20th century is now a thriving bar and restaurant that specializes in whiskeys, cocktails, amazing brunch and small plates. The former floor-to-ceiling wall of library books now features hundreds of different whiskeys and spirits from all over the world. It even comes complete with a sliding ladder for bartenders to access spirits on the top shelves, just as librarians would climb to get books off the top shelves. Cocktails are brought out in beakers and customers can even write report cards for their servers. Hungry? School House has a full menu of delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts. The chicken and waffle skewers are a must-have appetizer. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays with a menu of unique and delicious items, including the Master Whiskey Class Burger, flatbread breakfast pizzas and the Eggs Toasty. Don’t miss out on the brunch cocktails either!
After enjoying lunch and cocktails at School House, enjoy a nice stroll around the city blocks and swing by the many locally owned shops, tattoo parlors, art galleries and salons around downtown. Want to try something new? Create your own pottery at Into the Fire Pottery Studio. Bring—your own beverage and visit Ethan’s Art Gallery and Studio for an afternoon of painting and sipping. In the mood for craft beers or seltzers? Swing by Denver Beer Company, New Image Restaurant and Brewery or Elevated Seltzers and try some fantastic craft beers and seltzers. As the sun starts setting, head over to Homegrown Tap & Dough and enjoy incredible artisanal wood-fired pizzas, craft beer and wine. Be sure to try the pepperoni rolls! Other great places to grab dinner include Smokin’ Fins, Stone Cellar Bistro and The Arvada Tavern.
From the cozy small town feel to the plethora of shops, breweries, restaurants and things to do, downtown Arvada is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a sunny summer afternoon, all just steps away from Olde Town Arvada Station. Check out downtown Arvada via the G Line at no cost through Aug. 31 during Zero Fare for Better Air!