As a local of Denver, in this article I will share my secrets about the truly best things to do in Highlands Ranch.
Think exciting outdoor activities, museums, craft breweries serving artisanal beers, and more. From historic mansions to the best trails, this planned community truly has options for the whole family. Discover popular attractions and even a few hidden gems in this comprehensive guide!
Notification: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!
14 Fun Things to Do in Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch Mansion
Tour a historic mansion and working ranch that is still operational.
📍 Google Maps | Contact Number: (303) 791-0177 | Website | Schedule: See Calendar | Entrance fee: free | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator
The Highlands Ranch Mansion and Historic Park have served as home to several Colorado businessmen, ranchers, and other well-off Colorado families since 1884. Visitors can take intriguing walking tours of the mansion, wander through the gardens, and view the historic barns, windmills, and other ranch buildings.
Civic Green Park
Take a break at the water play area.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 791-2710 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: free
Providing engaging activities for all family members, Civic Green Park is the perfect locale to burn energy at the playground, prepare a picnic lunch using the barbeque grills, and in summer, allow kids to cool off in the water spouting fountains. This expansive park is a great place to spend a visit and a few hours.
📚 Related Reading: 23 Exciting Things to Do in Denver With Children (By a Local Parent)
Cheese Ranch Historic & Natural Area
Wade in the waters or wandering walking trails.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +13037912710 | Website | Operating hours: 5 am – 11 pm daily | No charge for admittance
Cheese Ranch had walking trails, a fishing pond with a pier, and a community garden. The wildlife viewing area made a nice place to stop for a few minutes on a stroll.
K-1 Speed Go Karting
Satisfy your craving for high-speed action.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 726-1264 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm Mon – Thurs, 12 pm – 12 am Fri, 10 am – 12 am Sat, 10 am – 10 pm Sun | Entrance: from $28.95
Spend an afternoon whirling around the track at the K-1 Speed Go Karting indoor circuit. The building is air-conditioned, so it’s a fun activity to beat the heat in summer or escape the snow in winter. You’ll zoom around a professionally planned course in an electric kart, so you don’t have the gas fumes trailing you around indoors, either.
📚 Pertinent Reading: 21 Best Places to Reside in Colorado in 2022 (By a Local)
Chatfield State Park
Go boating or horseback riding at this widely visited park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 791-7275 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $10 vehicle pass
Highlands Ranch butts up against the eastern edge of Chatfield State Park, where you can have plenty of adventures boating, camping, horseback riding, and more. There are hiking and biking trails and wildlife areas, and plenty of fishing and water activities.
Highlands Ranch Town Center
Check out an excellent farmers market and other shops.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 791-8958 | Social Media
Highlands Ranch Town Center is a mixed-use development with stores like Home Depot and Michaels, restaurants, an ice cream shop, a bakery, and more. In summer, there’s an extensive farmer`s market with produce, flowers, and handmade items for sale.
📚 Comparable Reading: Denver Travel Hints & Useful Details
West Fork Disc Golf Course
Spend an afternoon developing your disc throwing abilities.
📍 Google Maps | Phone number: (303) 791-2710 | Website | Hours of operation: 6 am – 8 pm daily | Entrance: free of charge
West Fork is a disc golf course recently added to the Highlands Ranch park system. Completed in 2020, the fairly extensive course is free to use so you can start a game at any time.
Hike the Trails
Appreciate the Highlands Ranch, CO scenery.
📍 Maps App | Site | Hours: dawn till dusk
Highlands Ranch has hiking trails throughout, many winding through parks, past the Highlands Ranch Mansion, and all through the rear area of Highlands Ranch. Go biking, walk the dog, or simply take a stroll on over 70 miles of trail in the vicinity.
📚 Related Read: 15 Best Hiking Trails in Colorado
University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch
Spend a day in nature.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 471-0000 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
Playing golf on Colorado courses has a fun characteristic where your ball travels farther due to the elevation. Spend a day testing this intriguing trait at the University of Denver Golf Club, which offers tee times for both members and the public.
Gelato & Co
Cool off with a frozen treat.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 542-3455 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily
Gelato & Co. is the place to visit in Highlands Ranch for a tasty frozen treat. Try authentic Italian flavors like stracciatella or innovative combinations like croc choc. They also offer vegan sorbets and gelato for those with celiac and food sensitivities.
I’ve known people to have this gelato transported across two cities to their front door because they love it so much!
Playstreet Museum
Allow youngsters to work off energy in this indoor recreational area.
📍 Map Site | Contact: (303) 357-3024 | Web Page | Hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm Mon, Tues, & Thurs, 8:30 am – 4 pm Wed, 8:30 am – 8 pm Fri, closed Sat & Sun | Cost: $14 children ages 1-10
Playstreet Museum is an indoor play area specially designed for children aged 8 and under. Educational toys and exhibits are meant to stimulate kids’ imagination and curiosity, and it’s a great option for children on days when the weather is less than ideal.
Dad Clark Park
Bring your furry friend to enjoy time at the park.
Resort site • Check costs for Faros Villa
Dad Clark Park has attractions for both children and canines, so you can get everyone in the household outside to run around a bit. There’s a playground, sand play area, and basketball courts, plus a dog off-leash area for your furry friend.
👉 Read Next: Where to Locate Yourself in Denver, Colorado (Best Areas & Places)
Max Taps
Relax with a beverage and join the action.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 550-8914 | Website | Hours: 2 pm – 10 pm Mon – Thurs, 12 pm – 11 pm Fri & Sat, 12 pm – 9 pm Sun
Max Taps is a taphouse featuring lots of local craft beers, wines, ciders, and other drinks. However, the taphouse also holds events like monthly yoga classes (with a beer reward upon completion), live music, community service projects, and more.
They recently opened a dog area as well, so you can bring your beloved pet along and let him run around. A food truck serves up snacks and a few main dishes to go along with your drinks.
🍻 Love Craft Beer? Browse brewery tours around Denver on Viator!
Monster Mini Golf
Enhance your glow with black light mini golf fun.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 993-6892 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 9 pm Sun – Thurs, 12 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: $13 adults, $11 kids
This indoor mini-golf location has players navigating a course illuminated by black lights for an exciting experience unlike others. Odd monsters mingle with guests and seem to speak and change depending on where you are on the course. There is also an arcade and virtual reality attractions as additional entertainment.
👉 Additional attractions in the Denver area can be discovered by playing this video or reviewing our guide to Denver activities:
FAQ’s About What to Do in Highlands Ranch
Is Highlands Ranch Colorado rich?
With an average household income over $150,000 nearly double national average, Highlands Ranch Colorado residents enjoy financial prosperity. However, wealth is relative – that amount affords more in some areas than others. The median home value stands at $467,500.
Is Highlands Ranch a good place to live?
Highlands Ranch is a good place to live. It’s a planned residential community, with good schools and lots of parks and conserved space for walking. It was listed among the Top Ten Places to Live in America by Money Magazine in 2018.
Is Highlands Ranch its own city?
Highlands Ranch is not an incorporated municipality. It is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado.
Is Highlands Ranch a good place to raise a family?
Highlands Ranch offers an agreeable place to raise a family. Given its planned community design, schools, parks, paths and other spaces make living there pleasant. The community boasts quality schools. Crime against people was below average nationally, though property crime was near average for the nation.
What are the top Highlands Ranch attractions?
The top attractions in Highlands Ranch are focused around the natural areas. There is an abundance of green space containing nature trails, and parks filled with playground equipment and grills so families can spend a day outdoors. Highlands Ranch also features some excellent craft breweries like Grist. Additionally, there are various restaurants, movie theaters, and other venues available for evening activities.
***
Thanks for reading my recommendations for activities in Highlands Ranch! Of course, since there are so many excellent nearby cities, you may want to spend a day exploring the activities available in Boulder or what you can do in Denver as well.
