Hanging Lake is one of those tourist destinations that absolutely lives up to the hype.  The roundtrip hike is only 2.5 miles but the climb is about 1,000 vertical feet.  Nearly the entire hike is alongside a stream, and the lake is absolutely breathtaking.  Make sure to take the path up to Spouting Rock Falls, where you can walk underneath a waterfall.

The one negative is that Hanging Lake gets so many visitors that it can get crowded.  The parking lots regularly fill up and they turn cars away.  For those especially adventurous couples, consider biking from Glenwood Springs to Hanging Lake.  This is a beautiful bike ride alongside the Colorado River (15 miles roundtrip).  If you don’t bring your bikes, you can rent them from Blue Sky Adventures.

After your hike, relax and rejuvenate and the newly opened (July 2015) Iron Mountain Hot Springs.  Iron Mountain is set on the banks of the Colorado River.  The resort features 16 mineral hot springs, ranging in temperature from 99 to 108 degrees.  Iron Mountain has spa-quality dressing rooms.  The resort has a restaurant and bar on-site.

The perfect date for winding down a summer weekend.  The concert is free to attend.  Bring a bottle of wine* and a picnic blanket.  However, we recommend that you skip the picnic basket and instead opt for the selection of food trucks.  Each week, there are at least a half dozen food trucks to choose from, and this helps keep this evening from venturing into the overly romantic (cheesy) category of date.

Sunday Jazz in the Park is a tradition that goes back to the 1800s.  For ten special Sunday nights each summer, the park fills up with thousands of Coloradoans who are doing everything they can to fight off the approach ofMonday and extend the weekend as long as possible.  The last two concerts for the 2015 season are August 2^ndand August 9^th, so check it out soon.

*Technically, glass is not permitted, so maybe bring a box of wine.  Also, technically, alcohol over 3.2% is not permitted so keep that bottle or box of wine in the cooler.

Awe-Struck Outdoors offers a unique experience to ride beautiful country roads, visit several sustainable farms, and then finish with a 4-course organic dinner at a local farm.  Surrounding Boulder are dozens of family-owned farms, and Awe-Struck Outdoors schedules a series of events throughout the summer to explore some of these great farms.

Idaho Springs is only 45 minutes west of Denver, but it feels like a world apart.  Start the day with an outdoor activity.  Consider a half-day rafting trip down Clear Creek with Mile Hi Rafting.  Clear Creek is one of the most technical rivers to raft in the world.  This trip is packed with rapids, and you will not be bored.  If the rafting doesn’t quench your thirst for adventure, you can follow it up by zip-lining or an ATV tour.

Make sure to bring a change of clothes so you can stroll over to the shopping district for Idaho Springs.  Most people are aware of Beau Jo’s Pizza, a Colorado classic.  However, consider checking out one of the great BBQ restaurants: Smokin Yards or the lesser known Vintage Moose, right on the river.

Going to a movie for a date can be a little “blah”, but not in Colorado, where we watch classic movies under the stars.

Film on the Rocks – Red Rocks has always been known as the #1 place in the world for concerts, but it is quickly becoming the #1 spot for watching a movie.  Red Rocks is hosting 10 movie nights this summer.  Show up early for some live music.  Also, consider hopping on the party bus which picks up downtown, provides beer on the bus and then gives VIP seating at the event.

Another option is Civic Center “Bike-In Movies”.  This is a free event.  Civic Center partners with the Denver professional sports teams to host three sports-themed movie nights.  August 2^nd will be a viewing of “Miracle”, hosted with the Avs.  August 14^th will be featuring “Hoosiers” and hosted with the Nuggets.  Bike on over and watch a movie under the stars.