Night out ideas (NOT in Denver)? (Highlands Ranch, Littleton: theater, live in, gardens)

[Vansan]

My husband and I are still fairly new to Colorado (moved in April '12) and it seems that thus far, our work has overtaken fun activities. Our favorite thing to do is outdoor activities, however, the husband's job has shifted to days, leaving us with nights to do things together.

We currently live in Highlands Ranch and I'm looking for night out ideas aside from dinner and the movies.

Some things to know:

1. We both hate the city, and if we had it our way, we wouldn't even live in the Denver Metro area. So going into Denver is usually not an option (unless you have a real creative idea). Anywhere in Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Littleton, Golden, or Castle Rock is preferable.

2. We don't enjoy drinking alcohol. The bar scene is out.

Those two things probably limit the opportunities quite a bit, but otherwise, anything's up for game.

Thanks!

[Idunn]

Come summer, catching a favorite musical act at Red Rocks Amphitheater could be fun. It is a lovely venue, one that seems to always inspire both audience and musicians.

If a bit of a drive from Highlands Ranch, visiting Rocky Mountain National Park is great any time of year. Trail Ridge Road, across the park to Grand Lake, is closed in winter, but other areas are open and accessible year-round. One might make a day of it, perhaps first with some hiking and/or cross country skiing on one of the many beautiful trails. Followed by a fine meal in nearby Estes Park. Then back to the park for a walk or merely stopped to look at the stars ever so much brighter in this land removed from all the many lights visible to the east. That might be done most anywhere, if a good vantage at the popular venue of Many Parks Curve on US 34, on the lower approach over Trail Ridge Road. The road is closed for the winter just beyond there, but open all year as far. Thus one might gaze to the east with a panoramic view over the park, Estes Park just beyond, and then the Front Range in the distance. Or turn to look straight up or to the west, and then all the darker as nature intended.

Similar excursions can surely be had closer to Denver. But in the time taken one will surely never forget a visit to RMNP, and all the more so if seemingly (and nearly so) alone there on a lovely starlit evening.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Another summertime activity would be a concert at Hudson Gardens in Littleton.

I know it is in Denver, but going to dinner at the Aquarium near downtown is a unique experience.

The various museums around town have special events. The Wildlife Experience in Parker, for example, has an Art and Ale Brew Festival.

Another fun event in Denver is the First Friday Art Walk in the Santa Fe Art District.