Discover Westminster: Trails, Nature, and History

Westminster combines extensive trails, nature experiences, and remarkable evidence of the city’s history. Those who do not want to plan a trip around just one attraction will find a variety of options here for active days, peaceful discoveries, and shared family experiences. When choosing your vacation rental, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus primarily on walking and cycling routes, culture, or nature experiences.

Trails for Active Days

A defining example of the landscape’s history and present-day use is the Farmers' High Line Canal. It was originally built in the 1860s by the Arapahoe Ditch Company. Today, the Farmers' High Line Canal Trail runs for 10.3 miles, or 16.5 kilometers, from near Standley Lake eastward to EB Raines Park in Northglenn and beyond to Thornton. Its length makes the trail an appealing option for anyone who wants to include a longer route in their day’s plans. You can decide for yourself whether to explore one section or view the route as a larger excursion.

The trail network also offers various options for planning your trip. Westminster has more than 126 miles of multi-use trails. The Little Dry Creek Trail connects Westminster with Denver’s regional trail network and continues to the Clear Creek Trail and the South Platte River Trail. This connection is particularly interesting for cyclists and walkers when a trip beyond Westminster is planned. The Big Dry Creek Trail is also Westminster’s National Recreation Trail, adding another clearly designated highlight to the selection.

History and Places of Remembrance

Westminster can also be discovered through its historic and cultural sites. The Bowles House is a museum and is one of the few remaining buildings from the original downtown area dating from before Westminster. Westminster Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Both sites appeal to travelers who want to discover the character of the city not only through its landscapes and trails but also through its past.

Another form of remembrance is represented by the Armed Forces Tribute Garden. The permanent memorial includes a central water feature, seating areas, granite columns, and paths with engraved paving stones. In addition, the City of Westminster holds a special ceremony in the garden every year on Armed Forces Day. Those who want to include cultural impressions and more contemplative moments in their trip can consider this site when putting together their daily itinerary.

A Nature Experience from Different Perspectives

The Butterfly Pavilion offers a distinct focus. It includes five exhibition areas, including four indoor exhibition halls as well as outdoor gardens and nature trails. Depending on their interests, visitors can therefore focus more on the indoor areas, the gardens, or the nature trails. For families, this can be a varied addition to longer trails without making the trip revolve exclusively around a single activity.

RTD bus route 104 serves the Butterfly Pavilion. It connects the Pavilion with the Westminster Center Park-n-Ride and the Flatiron Flyer FF1/FF2, which offers connections from Denver and Boulder. This information may play a role when choosing your accommodation and planning individual outings if you want to weigh different transportation options.

Westminster as the Starting Point for Your Trip

The right focus therefore depends greatly on your preferred pace of travel: The long, interconnected trails lend themselves to active day planning, while the museum, historic sites, memorial, and Butterfly Pavilion offer other ways to explore. A vacation rental in Westminster can serve as a base from which you can organize your days according to your interests and switch between activity, nature, and culture. For further orientation, the neighboring destinations Northglenn, Commerce City, Brighton, Thornton, Denver, Watkins, and Federal Heights are also included.

For the overarching trip overview: Adams.