Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado is a 917-acre site comprised of the 18,000-seat home stadium of the Colorado Rapids and a surrounding 24-field soccer complex. If your team is travelling the Denver area to play in a tournament here, then you should be on the lookout for fun activities to do and good places to eat when the games are over. Commerce is only 9 miles from downtown Denver, so the choices for both entertainment and dining are quite plentiful. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly suggestions.

Things to Do

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

This 16,000-acre wildlife refuge sits adjacent to Commerce City close near Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Created on the grounds of a United States Army chemical weapons plant; hence the “Arsenal” in its name; –the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge underwent a massive environmental cleanup after it was designated as a wildlife refuge in 1992.

Now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge plays home to more than 330 species of wildlife including bison, coyotes, prairie dogs, ferrets, pelicans, and bald eagles. The transition the land has experienced from farmland to weapons plant to wildlife sanctuary makes this one of the finest conservation success stories in the whole country.

The Refuge has much to offer those who love the outdoors beyond simple wildlife viewing. It’s has ten miles of hiking trails and catch-and-release recreational-fee fishing. Take the self-guided Wildlife Drive automobile tour, or sign up for a guided tour. You may not have time to participate in the extensive environmental education and “interpretive programs” they offer, but see if you can take a peek at some of the related exhibits. 6550 Gateway Rd, Commerce City, CO 80022

88 Drive-In Theatre

88 Drive-In Theatre Commerce City is the last surviving drive-in movie theater in the entire Denver metro area, located just over a 5-minute drive from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. This may be one of the last chances to let your team experience this time-honored American tradition! Serving the community since 1972, and owned by the same family since 1976, the 88 Drive-In Theatre remains passionate about giving movie-loving patrons an exceptional outdoor cinematic experience. Their state-of-the-art digital projectors combined with the giant screen are certainly hard to beat and the friendly staff serves up delicious food at the historic snack bar. 8780 Rosemary St, Commerce City, CO 80022

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science opened its doors in 1868 when Edwin Carter came to town. His passion was to study native birds and mammals of the Rocky Mountain area. Carter has assembled one of the most impressive collections of Colorado plant and wildlife in existence. The museum today has grown into a phenomenal collection of 4 million artifacts and specimens, so many that only 2-percent are on display at any given time.

Current exhibits include Vikings: Beyond the Legend; The Discovery Zone; Gems and Minerals; Space Odyssey; North American Indian Cultures; Prehistoric Journey; and Egyptian Mummies. Also plan to visit the museum’s planetarium and the IMAX theatre. The museum is located in City Park, Denver’s answer to New York’s iconic Central Park. This 314-acre space offers incredible views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains, and is home to the Denver Zoo. City Park also features facilities for tennis, horseshoes, baseball, football, and soccer as well as two lakes, historical monuments, a statuary, picnic sites, and two playgrounds. 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205; 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205

Lakeside Amusement Park

Just 10 miles west of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is a place that’s fun for the whole team. Lakeside Amusement Park the premier theme park of the area. Plummet down through the air at Drop Tower, bash around in the bumper cars, and get your adrenaline pumping on all of the thrill rides Lakeside Amusement Park has to offer. There is also a younger kids section of the park that’s perfect for a younger team. Have a blast at this awesome amusement park as you gaze at the spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. 4601 Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80212

Georgetown Loop Railroad & Mining Park

If you have the time to travel up into the Rocky Mountains then drive 45 miles west to Silver Plume and step back into a byegone era. The Georgetown Loop Railroad & Mining Park offers spectacular views of the mountains year-round, accompanied by the incredible feeling of stepping back into another time when the railroad ruled and mining was a way of life. While there, you can also go on the Lebanon and Everett Mine Tour and pan for gold. 646, Loop Dr, Georgetown, CO 80444

To find hotel rooms closest to where your team is playing in Commerce City or any city, visit hotels4teams.com. Hotels4Teams – The Best Hotels at the Best Prices, Closest to the Action!

Place to Eat

El Jardin

Having passion about cooking shows through the kinds of dishes a restaurant produces. At El Jardin it’s all about passion. They have been mixing these same ingredients together for over 33 years. El Jardin is a festive place to eat Southwestern and Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Specialties include terrific sizzling fajitas, grilled pork chops, and steaks served with the finest green chile. Daily specials include Steak Picado and Sopapilla Rancheras, prepared to perfection. 6460 E 73rd Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022

Golden Town

Chinese food is a safe bet for any team because of the variety available on the menu. Golden Town is no different. Boasting a mix of Chinese and Thai, no one on the team will go hungry here. Enjoy a plethora of chicken, vegetable, beef, pork, and seafood dishes. Fried rice, noodle, and Thai curry dishes can also be made. Golden Town makes very reasonable lunch specials as well and are the perfect meal that will fill you and keep your wallet full at the same time. 5976 E 64th Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022

Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q

Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q is the place to go for slow roasted phenomenal barbeque. Incorporating grilling techniques that have been perfected through the years, this restaurant makes some of the most delectable barbeque you’ll ever have. At Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Que, you’re guaranteed to find all of your favorites, including –beef brisket, Carolina pulled pork, baby back ribs, smoked ham, and smoked chicken served with their Morgan County white sauce. 8264 E 49th Ave, Denver, CO 80266

Sam’s No. 3

If you have time to venture into downtown Denver or Aurora, then give one of the Sam’s No. 3 a try. This circa-1927 diner serves up generous helpings of comfort food from breakfast through dinner. They’re famous for their authentic Mexican, Greek, and all-American signature dishes. Best of all, Sam’s No. 3 is the most kid-friendly restaurant in the area. Their kid’s menu has all the things kids like to eat, like pancakes, corn dogs, and tacos. 1500 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202

Denver and the surrounding area are great places to travel to with your team. There are so many fun places to go, including 16th Street in downtown Denver and the Cherry Creek area just south of downtown. So enjoy your Rocky Mountain time with the whole gang and make the most of your team’s visit to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park!