{"id":16844,"date":"2016-05-05T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2016-05-05T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=16844"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:35:50","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:35:50","slug":"celebrating-solstice-denver-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/celebrating-solstice-denver-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic ways to ring in the Denver solstice"},"content":{"rendered":"

On June 12, 1947, just nine days before the first day of summer, snow fell in Denver, Colorado. It went down in history as the city\u2019s latest snowfall on record. Flash forward 60 years to June 8, 2007, and pre-summer snowflakes sprinkled down on the city again. While the weather can be unpredictable in this part of town, that doesn\u2019t keep everyone from willing sunshine and shorts weather on the first day of summer.<\/p>\n

This year, the solstice occurs on Monday, June 20, 2016, and we\u2019ve got the inside scoop on some of the best things to do in Denver<\/a> to celebrate. Whether you\u2019re romping around on vacation or sneaking out for some sunshine on your lunch break, the longest day of the year just got a little bit brighter.<\/p>\n

Sunrise: <\/strong>Wakey wakey! The sun rises at 5:32 a.m. today, so set an alarm\u2014or maybe two\u2014and catch as many solstice rays as you can. If you need caffeine pumping through your veins before you can properly face the day, get your buzz at Rooster & Moon. This trendy coffee pub\u2019s organic, fair-trade coffee and homemade pastries will set your gears in motion.<\/p>\n

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Midday: <\/strong>Kick off your shoes and wiggle your toes in the blades of grass at City Park. It sure feels like summertime now, huh? Toss around some horseshoes and steer a pedal boat around Ferril Lake. You can also find respite from the solstice sun at the park\u2019s Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where the futuristic Robot Revolution exhibit is on display until August.<\/p>\n

Afternoon: <\/strong>When it\u2019s time to nosh, head northwest to The Source, an artisan food market in RiNo. Comida\u2019s fresh and zingy ceviche and Crooked Stave\u2019s sour brews spell out summertime in the finest way. After fueling up, zig zag your way through the stalls and pick up some fresh flowers from the Beet & Yarrow floral shop.<\/p>\n

Viewfinder tip: Book your tickets for the Midsummer Nights Tour today. Discounts are available for students and members.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Evening: <\/strong>If you\u2019ve memorized Shakespearean sonnets by heart, then the Midsummer Nights Tour was made with you in mind. It features a tour through the Denver Botanic Gardens, where you\u2019ll discover special plants, like love-in-idleness, that made appearances in the playwright\u2019s famous works. The tour starts at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

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Sunset: <\/strong>The sun will slip under the horizon at 7:44 p.m. tonight, and you can round out your itinerary at Bear Creek Lake Park\u2019s Summer Solstice event. At 7:30 p.m., the Learning Circle Amphitheater is hosting a birds of prey demonstration, followed by a star gazing session. Telescopes will be available for you to view the strawberry full moon in the Denver sky.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re making a hotel in Denver<\/a> your temporary home base or simply looking for some solar fun, jump-start the sunny season with these Denver summer activities.<\/p>\n

Highlights from Denver summer solstice 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n