A Relocator’s Guide to Arvada

When people move somewhere new, they often find themselves wanting to know more about their new area. For new residents or prospective residents of Arvada, CO real estate, there are many things to keep you occupied, including excellent shopping options, delicious dining, and a wealth of fun things to do in your free time.

When it comes to shopping and dining, Olde Town Arvada and Larimer Square have you covered. Buyers of Arvada homes for sale also have numerous leisure activities available to them, from seeing a local sports event to attending plays or visiting local museums.

If you’re shopping for women’s clothing near Arvada, CO real estate, be sure to visit Apricot Lane Boutique, which has been open for over 25 years. Capable of providing casual ensembles for everyday wear and fancier outfits for special occasions, Apricot Lane prides itself on being able to help you find what you need, even if they don’t yet have it in stock.

For custom and unique art, jewelry, and gifts, make sure to visit Balefire Goods, which shares creations from 50+ artists, both local and international. The jewelry studio within the gallery is known for its custom metalwork jewelry and is proud to offer locals and visitors the chance to learn metalsmithing through workshops and classes.

For the bookworm in your life or the rare book collector interested in Arvada homes for sale, be sure to check out Book Cranny, where visitors can find over 35,000 books in stock ranging from as low as one dollar to tens of thousands for the rare books on offer. Be sure to check out their current inventory via Biblio.com, including their rare book selection.
 

For rock hounds and crystal lovers, Crystal Joys and Lithos offer a wide selection of minerals and jewelry. The store originated in the 1980s via Renaissance and psychic fairs and has been available via brick and mortar locations since 2014. Fans of vintage goods won’t want to miss Electric Cherry Shop + Studios’ collection of clothing, records, and goods from local artists.

Seafood lovers should start their dining journey in Arvada at Smokin Fins, where they can try the popular lobster-stuffed avocado, house-made lobster tater tots, or Key lime calamari as an appetizer. For the main meal, check out the honey-chipotle salmon, famous fish and chips, or baked lobster mac & cheese. If sushi is more your style, be sure to try the Mango Tango or El Diablo options.

 

 

When you’re craving ramen near Arvada, CO real estate, check out 303 Ramen’s selection, including spicy beef ramen, tonkotsu ramen, shoyu ramen, miso ramen, and gluten-free ramen made with brown rice and millet noodles. Be sure to try the 303 Sampler appetizer to enjoy cream cheese wontons, egg rolls, pork dumplings, and golden tofu. If ramen isn’t your favorite, you can also try the miso or coconut soups or the pad thai.

Buyers of Arvada homes for sale who are interested in visiting a piece of Arvada’s history while enjoying a cocktail or shots should be sure to try the Arvada Tavern, a restaurant and cocktail bar that opened in 1933 as the first location to sell alcohol within the town limits. In honor of the tavern’s history, the modern menu focuses on mixology with house-made bitters, syrups, tonics, and pre-Prohibition cocktails.

Baked goods from Rheinlander Bakery have been an Arvada staple since 1963. Residents of Arvada, CO real estate won’t want to miss Arvada’s hometown bakery, which offers traditionally made goods as well as gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and vegan options. Try their fresh German torte cakes, strudels, and kuchen (coffee cake), or take home some of their food items imported from Germany, like marzipan, egg noodles, and hot German mustard.

Vegans may also enjoy So Radish’s entirely plant-based brunch menu, including vegan wine and gluten-free beer. Be sure to try the breakfast sandwich on a pancake bun known as the RAD Griddle or enjoy the snickerdoodle french toast.

Buyers of Arvada homes for sale who have canine companions are sure to enjoy the range of accessories, food, and toys at Dog Savvy. Busy residents also appreciate the boutique’s full-service grooming option.

Fans of vintage goods and thrift stores should make time to visit Garage Sale Vintage for their selection of accessories, clothing, and shoes from local vintage retailers. Locals enjoy the ability to buy, sell or trade vintage items while sampling the options at the store’s bar. Vintage fans may also enjoy Victoriana Antique Jewelry’s selection of antique jewelry and watches from the years 1830-1970.

An Arvada institution, Gusterman Silversmiths has been offering gold, platinum, and silver goodies in Larimer Square since 1964. Aside from their lovely and timeless offerings of new jewelry, locals can also count on the store to assist them with jewelry repair and custom jewelry design.

Given the chilly Colorado winters, Arvada residents will want to visit Pendleton for luxurious wool clothing and blankets, as well as fashion accessories and home decor.

For a unique dining experience near Arvada, CO real estate that caters to two separate themes, check out Băo Brewhouse. The main floor Tap Room offers street food like lettuce wrap veggie rolls, a Philly cheesesteak dumpling, a sweet-soy pork belly bao bun, and a variety of skewers. Pair your street food-inspired selection with one of the Tap Room’s cocktails, wine, or beer options.

Upstairs, the Tea Room offers guests table service and authentic Chinese food, including Yang Kwei Fei smoked duck, whole fried red snapper, and a 30-ounce tomahawk dry-rubbed rib-eye. Among the cocktails, draft beer, and wine, there is also a selection of black, green, herbal, oolong, pu-erh, and white teas. Among the tea selections, any marked with a double-asterisk (**) on the menu include a traditional Gung Fu tea ceremony service.

 

 

As for delicious Italian, try Osteria Marco for hand-tossed pizza and house-made pasta, panini accompanied by salad, and a wide wine selection. The location itself pays homage to the 1880s grocery store that was a former tenant through the awnings outside the restaurant. Visitors are sure to notice the pigs in both metal and canvas as an additional tribute to the grocery’s former butcher and also for their rumored good luck.

Missing Southern flavors? Try Russell’s Smoke-House for meat smoked low and slow. To start your visit, try the cheddar and hatch chile cornbread served in a cast iron pan, the rabbit and rattlesnake sausage in the poutine, or the fried white cheddar cheese curds. For your entree, enjoy one of the sandwiches with shoestring fries and a dill pickle, or choose a larger helping of the brisket, pulled pork, or pulled chicken. The St. Louis ribs are also a delicious option. For dessert, be sure to try the seasonal or the brown butter apple pie.

If you’re looking for things to do in Arvada, you'll find a number of options within city limits.

If you are relocating with children, the Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. They have something for everyone, including 10,000 square feet of art gallery space, two stages for plays, and a variety of classes. The art gallery is showing Art of the State 2022 from the end of January through March 27. Upcoming performances include The Liar (February 4 through May 22), Animal Farm (February 25 through May 21), and Kinky Boots (March 25 through April 24). As for classes, children and adults are welcome to learn ballet, jazz, and tap dancing.

 

 

If you enjoy visiting museums, be sure to check out the Cussler Museum, Forney Transportation Museum, and the Molly Brown House Museum. The Cussler Museum and Forney Transportation Museum are sure to appeal to any transportation lover with their large collections of vintage cars, trains, planes, and buses.

The Cussler Museum is proud to display vehicles from brands no longer in existence, like Auburn and Studebaker, and the majority of the collection on display comes from the early 1900s to the mid-1960s. The Forney Transportation Museum is home to a plane that was flown by Amelia Earhart, and visitors are sure to enjoy the various interactive exhibits available. The Molly Brown House Museum, of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” fame, was built in the 1890s and served as the home of the Titanic survivor.

For the sports fans in your family, be sure to catch a game at Coors Field or Empower Field. Home of the MLB Colorado Rockies, Coors Field is a great place for families to watch America’s Favorite Pastime. Empower Field is probably best known as the home of the NFL Denver Broncos, but it also hosts concerts and other live entertainment in the off-season.

If you are ready to call this area your home, reach out to one of the trusted Arvada, CO real estate agents at The Fox Group for expert guidance.