Arvada

Arvada is a city of about 125,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Colorado. A former farming community in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city is now a residential suburb of Denver. Olde Town Arvada lies 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the Colorado State Capitol and 9 miles (14 km) east of the Front Range foothills. == Understand == === History === The first documented discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountain region occurred on June 22, 1850, when Lewis Ralston, a Georgia prospector headed for the California gold fields, dipped his sluice pan into a small stream near its mouth at Clear Creek. Ralston found about 1/4 ounce (6 g) of gold, then worth about five dollars. Ralston's companions named the stream Ralston's Creek in his honor, but the party left the next morning, drawn by the lure of California gold. In 1859, Ralston returned with another group of prospectors to the site of his first discovery. The placer gold in the area soon played out, but hard rock deposits of gold were found in the mountains to the west. In 1860, Benjamin F. Wadsworth filed a homestead of 160 acres (65 ha) along Clear Creek, and the following year began digging an irrigation ditch to water his crops. Some of the miners abandoned their search for gold and returned to farm the rich bottom land along Ralston Creek and Clear Creek. They found an eager market for their crops among other gold seekers. In the summer of 1870, the Colorado Central Railroad laid tracks through the area, and on December 1, 1870, the town of Ralston Point was platted, soon renamed Arvada. Arvada thrived as a farming community, and in the mid-twentieth century, evolved into a residential suburb of the state capital of Denver. Arvada is a part of the Denver Metropolitan Area (2020 population 3,623,560) and the more extensive Front Range Urban Corridor (2020 population 5,055,344). Residents of Arvada have included Clive Cussler, Roy Halladay, Joe King, Karl Rove, Isaac Slade, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. === Climate === See also Arvada, Colorado Climate Arvada has a humid continental Köppen climate classification, abbreviated as Dfb. The most comfortable months are generally May through October, although outdoor events are held throughout the year.. == Get in == See this Colorado travel map. Colorado is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-07) in the winter and on Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06) in the summer. === By air === 1 Denver International Airport (DEN IATA), 8500 Peña Boulevard, Denver CO (22 miles (35 km) east of Arvada), ☏ +1 720-730-4359. One of the ten busiest airports in the world. The airport connects to Arvada via RTD commuter rail lines A and G. 2 Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC IATA), 11755 Airport Way, Broomfield CO (8 miles (13 km) north of Arvada), ☏ +1 720-730-4359. General aviation. === By highway === Arvada can be reached via two Interstate Highways and four state highways: Arvada is the western terminus of Interstate Highway 76. Rental cars are also available at Denver International Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. === By rail === The Amtrak California Zephyr and Winter Park Express pass through Arvada but only stop at Denver Union Station. You can use the RTD commuter rail G line for the 20-minute ride from Denver Union Station to Arvada. === By bus === Greyhound Lines serve Denver Union Station with RTD commuter rail G line connection to Arvada. == Get around == Addresses in Arvada are numbered on a grid from south to north and from east to west. Numbered avenues in Arvada run east and west and are numbered from West 48th Avenue north to West 96th Avenue. Named streets in Arvada run north and south and are named alphabetically from east to west in five groups from 4100 West to 20000 West. === By rail === Arvada is served by the RTD commuter rail G line which connects to Wheat Ridge and Denver. 3 Arvada Gold Strike Station, 4790 West 60th Avenue. Connects to RTD bus route 51. 4 Olde Town Arvada Station, 7510 Grandview Avenue. Connects to RTD bus routes 28, 32, 52, 72, and 76 5 Arvada Ridge Station, 10155 Ridge Road. Connects to RTD bus route 100. 6 Wheat Ridge Ward Station, 12000 Ridge Road. Connects to RTD bus routes 38 and 44. At Denver Union Station, the RTD G line connects to the RTD A line to Denver International Airport and to the Amtrak California Zephyr and Winter Park Express. === By bus === Arvada is served by RTD bus routes 28, 32, 51, 52, 72, 76, and 100. === By car === 7 Hertz Car Rental, 5595 Sheridan Blvd, ☏ +1 303-432-3186. 8 Enterprise Car Rental, 4298 Kipling Street, ☏ +1 303-421-8401. Rental cars are also available at Denver International Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. == See == Visit Arvada 1 Big Ten Curve, Mouth of Coal Creek Canyon (View from State Highway 72 or ride the Amtrak California Zephyr.). Enormous double 10° "S" curve on the Union Pacific Railroad Moffat Tunnel Route. 2 Cold War Horse, 15650 West Coal Creek Canyon Road (South side of State Highway 72, 0.6 miles (1.0 km) west of Indiana Street]].). Equine statue by Jeff Gipe expresses the dangers of the former Rocky Flats plutonium plant. 3 Cussler Museum, 14959 West 69th Avenue (Two blocks west of C-72 on West 69th Avenue). 10:00-4:30. A rotating display of rare and historically significant automobiles from the extensive collection of the late author Clive Cussler, an Arvada resident. Open on Thursday and Friday, May through September. Admission $15, seniors $12, children $8. 4 Gold Strike Park, 5500 W 56th Ave (Two blocks northwest of the junction of C-95 and I-76). Location of the first recorded discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountain region in 1850. free. 5 Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison Street (Take West 68th Avenue 1.0 mile (1.6 km) west from C-121 to Garrison Street, then right 0.3 miles (0.5 km) to nature center). 10AM-3PM. Exhibits and trails explore this home to Bat, Black Bear (rare), Black bullhead catfish, Bluegill fish, Bobcat, Bullfrog, Bullsnake, Carp fish, Cottontail Rabbit, Coyote, Dagger moth caterpillar, Fox Squirrel, Ground squirrel, Mink, Monarch butterfly, Moose (rare), Mountain Lion (rare), Mule Deer, Muskrat, Ornate Box Turtle (rare), Porcupine (rare), Raccoon, Red fox, Red-Eared Slider turtle, Skunk, Snapping Turtle (rare), Vole, Wapiti (rare), Western & Plains Garter snake, Western Painted Turtle, Woodhouse toad, and over 130 bird species. free. 6 Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, West 95th Lane (Take West Candelas Parkway 1.6 miles (2.6 km) west from Indiana Street to Salvia Street, then right 0.4 miles (0.6 km) to the south entrance). Open sunrise to sunset. Site of a decommissioned nuclear weapons facility, this high prairie refuge is home to elk, deer, raptors, songbirds, waterfowl, prairie dogs, coyotes, and more. free. 7 Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge, 9210 West 80th Avenue (Take West 80th Avenue 1.0 mile (1.6 km) west from C-121 to east entrance). Open sunrise to sunset. Created through the efforts of Arvada students and citizens, this suburban refuge is home to more than 120 species of birds, coyotes, red fox, beaver, turtles, deer, and more. free. == Do == === Arts === 1 Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd, ☏ +1 720-898-7200. A celebrated regional arts venue, this performance compound hosts many different plays, musicals, and orchestral and choral recitations. It comprises two indoor theaters, an outdoor amphitheater, a convention complex, art galleries, dance studios, and the Arvada Historical Museum. === Recreation === 2 Apex Center, 13150 West 72nd Avenue, ☏ +1 303-424-2739. Daily 5:30AM-9PM. Regional recreation center with two regulation ice rinks, a 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m2) water park, a natural rock climbing wall, three full-sized gymnasiums, a skateboard park, and a free indoor playground for young children. $4-12. 3 Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Boulevard, ☏ +1 303-403-2542. Daily 8AM-7PM. Par-70 public golf course with a course rating from the black tees of 72.2 with a slope rating of 129. It is 7,000 yards (6,400 m) in length with seven sets of tees. It also includes a 9-hole par-3, putting and chipping greens, a driving range, and a restaurant. 4 Westwoods Golf Club, 6655 Quaker Street, ☏ +1 720-898-7370. 27-hole public golf course, ranging from 7,035 yards (6,433 m) (72.9/136) to 6,761 yards (6,182 m) (71.8/135) depending on which pair of nines you play. === Events === Winterfest - February Mardi Gras - February-March St. Patrick's Day - March 17 Kite Festival - April Arvada Powwow - June Summerfest - June Independence Day - July 4 Arvada Days - August Harvest Festival - September == Buy == Arvada Chamber of Commerce 1 Olde Town Arvada, Olde Wadsworth Blvd from Grandview Avenue to Ralston Road. The historic heart of Arvada encompasses a diverse array of shops, boutiques, galleries, events, restaurants, brewpubs, and a winery. == Eat == 1 Freedom Street Social, 15177 Candelas Parkway. Food hall with nine bars and eateries featuring nightly entertainment. 2 Heaven Dragon, 16255 West 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 720-898-9909. Elegant but inexpensive Chinese cuisine. 3 Las Potrancas Mexican Restaurant, 11651 West 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-431-9000. Inexpensive local hangout serving hearty Mexican cuisine. 4 Mi Tierra Caliente, 5350 West 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 720-968-4634. Authentic cuisine from the Mexican state of Michoacán. 5 Mika Sushi, 12650 West 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-432-1938. Sushi and Japanese and other Asian cuisine. 6 Spice Room, 7355 Ralston Road at SH-121, ☏ +1 303-558-0992. Indian restaurant. 7 Stone Cellar Bistro, 7605 Grandview Avenue, ☏ +1 720-630-7908. Chef Brandon Kerr prepares elegant farm-to-table cuisine. 8 Tea Garden Chinese Restaurant, 10290 Ralston Road, ☏ +1 303-421-3388. Local favorite serving Chinese cuisine. 9 Teocalli Cocina, 5770 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, ☏ +1 303-923-3170. Traditional cuisine of southern México. 10 Umai-Ya, 7450 W 52nd Ave Ste 100, ☏ +1 720-328-9942. Sushi and Japanese cuisine. 11 Yak & Yeti, 7803 Ralston Road, ☏ +1 303-431-9000. Brewpub serving Nepali, Tibetan, and Indian cuisine. == Drink == 1 Arvada Beer Garden, 9258 W 58th Pl, ☏ +1 720-677-6797. 11 am to 10 pm. 2 Denver Beer Company Arvada, 5768 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, ☏ +1 720-892-5367. 3 LUKI Brewery, 14725 West 64th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-421-2603. 4 Method and Muse Spirits, 7513 Grandview Ave, ☏ +1 720-282-5133. 5 New Image Brewing, 5622 Yukon Street, ☏ +1 720-900-5620. 6 Odyssey Beerwerks, 5535 West 56th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-421-0772. 7 Sēkwl Beverage House, 5545 West 56th Avenue. mushroom-infused sparkling waters 8 Silver Vines Winery, 7509 Grandview Avenue, ☏ +1 303-456-5212. 9 Spice Trade Brewing at Yak & Yeti, 7803 Ralston Road, ☏ +1 303-431-9000. 10 Talnua Distillery, 5405 West 56th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-431-4949. == Sleep == 1 Hilton Garden Inn Arvada, 5455 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard (a 7-minute walk from Olde Town Arvada Station; 2 blocks west of C-121 on Olde Wadsworth Boulevard), ☏ +1 303-420-9799. 2 Residence Inn by Marriott Arvada, 5565 Wadsworth Bypass (a 5-minute walk from Olde Town Arvada Station; one half block west of C-121 on West 56th Avenue), ☏ +1 303-432-7072. 3 RUCK HAÜS, 7114 Eldridge Ct, ☏ +1 303-834-5604. Five-bedroom short-term rental that sleeps up to 10 guests, and includes a sport court (pickleball, basketball, volleyball, badminton), hot tub, patios, and fire pit. (updated Nov 2025) == Connect == 1 City of Arvada Municipal Center, 8101 Ralston Road, ☏ +1 303-424-2739. 2 Apex Center, 13150 West 72nd Avenue, ☏ +1 720-898-7000. Public recreation center with indoor water park, two ice arenas, three gymnasiums, climbing wall, indoor playground, skateboard park, etc. 3 Arvada Library, 7525 West 57th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-235-5275. 4 Red Rocks Community College, 10280 West 55th Avenue, ☏ +1 303-914-6011. 5 Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling Street, ☏ +1 303-235-5275. == Go next == The National Laboratory of the Rockies lies 9 miles (14 km) and 14 minutes southwest of Arvada. The Coors Brewery in Golden lies 10 miles (16 km) and 16 minutes by car southwest of Arvada. The Colorado State Capitol in Denver lies 10 miles (16 km) and 20 minutes by car southeast of Arvada. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre lies 13 miles (21 km) and 20 minutes by car southwest of Arvada. The Pearl Street Mall in Boulder lies 22 miles (35 km) and 35 minutes by car northwest of Arvada. The National Center for Atmospheric Research lies 23 miles (37 km) and 36 minutes by car northwest of Arvada. The historic mining towns and casinos of Blackhawk and Central City lie 30 miles (48 km) and 45 minutes by car west of Arvada. The Continental Divide of the Americas at 11,992-foot (3,655 m) Loveland Pass lies 58 miles (93 km) and 65 minutes by car west of Arvada. The United States Air Force Academy lies 68 miles (109 km) and 70 minutes by car south of Arvada. Estes Park lies 58 miles (93 km) and 80 minutes by car north of Arvada. Winter Park lies 64 miles (103 km) and 80 minutes by car west of Arvada. Colorado Springs lies 80 miles (130 km) and 80 minutes by car south of Arvada. Breckenridge lies 79 miles (127 km) and 90 minutes by car west of Arvada. The 14,271-foot (4,350 m) summit of Mount Blue Sky lies 58 miles (93 km) and 1:40 by car southwest of Arvada. (Summit open about June 15-October 1.) The Alpine Visitor Center at 11,796-foot (3,595 m) in Rocky Mountain National Park lies 80 miles (130 km) and 1:58 by car northwest of Arvada. (Trail Ridge Road open about May 20-October 15.) The 14,115-foot (4,302.31 m) summit of Pikes Peak lies 108 miles (174 km) and 2:15 by car south of Arvada.