The new best thing to do in Denver? 🏀 #shorts

Denver keeps adding things to do, and most of it is fine. A new patio here, another axe-throwing place there. Every few months something opens that actually makes me stop and think — okay, that's genuinely different. That's what happened when I heard about The Basketball Social House down in Centennial. And it got me thinking about a few other things worth putting on your list right now, whether you're a longtime local or just tired of doing the same rotation.

The Basketball Social House

This one opened recently in Centennial, about 20 minutes south of Denver, and I didn't know what to expect going in. The description — "Topgolf but for basketball" — could go either way. A lot of places lean on that Topgolf comparison and then you show up and it's just a few hoops in a strip mall. This is not that.

The facility is 22,000 square feet, which you feel immediately when you walk in. It's a big, well-built space with a social atmosphere built around basketball in a way that actually works — not just for people who play, but for people who haven't picked up a ball since high school gym class. My wife and I went on a weeknight and there were families, groups of friends, people on what looked like first dates. The format is designed so you don't have to be good at basketball to have a good time, which is the whole point.

There's nothing else like this in the Denver metro area right now. If you're looking for something genuinely new — not just a new restaurant with a familiar concept — this is worth the drive south. Check their website at thebasketballsocialhouse.com for hours and to book your bay before you go, especially on weekends.

Illuminated Swan Boat Rides at Washington Park

This is one of those things I walked past for years without thinking about, and then they added evening illuminated rides and it became a completely different experience. Washington Park is already one of the better parks in Denver — the lakes, the running path, the whole setup — but getting out on the water at night with the lights is a nice change of pace from the usual weekend walk.

It's a low-key activity that's surprisingly good for a date night if you're trying to do something different without a lot of planning. The park itself is easy to get to from most of Denver, and parking near the lake is straightforward on weeknights. Weekends get busy and you'll want to arrive early.

Kangaroos at Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo added kangaroos to their lineup this summer, and if you have kids, this one sells itself. But even without kids, the Denver Zoo is a legitimately good way to spend a morning — they've been adding and updating exhibits at a pace that makes it worth revisiting even if you've been before.

The kangaroo addition is part of a broader push the zoo has made to expand their Australian section. It's the kind of specific, tangible new thing that actually gives you a reason to go back rather than a vague "we've improved the experience" announcement. Go earlier in the day if you can — it gets crowded by midday on weekends and the parking situation near the zoo requires some patience.

Cold Plunge Pool at Glenwood Hot Springs

This one requires more of a commitment — Glenwood Springs is about two and a half hours west of Denver — but if you're already planning a mountain trip or looking for a reason to drive out to the Western Slope, Glenwood Hot Springs added a cold plunge pool this summer and it rounds out the experience in a way that feels overdue.

The hot springs themselves have always been worth the drive. The pools are massive, the setting against the canyon is hard to match, and it's one of those places that non-Colorado people are genuinely shocked exists. The cold plunge addition makes the whole thing feel more like a proper recovery and wellness day rather than just a tourist stop. It's also open year-round, which means fall is a great time to go when the summer crowds thin out.

Ailey Experience — Denver

When the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings programming to Denver, it's worth paying attention to. The Ailey Experience isn't just a performance — it's an interactive component that makes dance accessible in a way that most performing arts events don't bother to do. Denver's arts calendar runs deep, but this stands out because of the combination of performance quality and the experience built around it.

If you're not usually a performing arts person, this is a reasonable entry point. If you are, you already know what Alvin Ailey means and you don't need me to explain it. Check the Denver Center for the Performing Arts for current dates and ticketing.

Irishfest Denver

Denver has a bigger Irish community than most people realize, and Irishfest is one of those events that surprises people who stumble into it expecting something low-key. It's a real festival — music, food, culture, the whole thing — and it draws a crowd that clearly knows what they're doing.

It's a great option if you want a weekend event with some energy that doesn't require a lot of pre-planning. Most of the activity is self-contained, the vibe is friendly, and it's the kind of thing you can spend two hours at or most of the day depending on how you feel. Worth checking the current schedule for dates and location since those details shift year to year.

Free Events Around Denver

One thing Denver does consistently well is free programming. The Westword and local event calendars are worth checking if you're trying to fill a weekend without spending much — there's usually more happening than people realize, from free outdoor concerts to neighborhood festivals to museum free days.

The city has a rhythm to it in summer and fall where almost every weekend has something free and worth doing if you're willing to look past the obvious stuff. The 16th Street Mall area, City Park, RiNo, and Washington Park all tend to have activity without requiring tickets or reservations.

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The Basketball Social House is the one I'd put at the top of this list if you're looking for something genuinely new. It doesn't have a local equivalent, it's well-executed, and it works for a wide range of people — great for a group since the whole setup is designed around playing together. The drive to Centennial is easy, and it's the kind of place that's going to have a waitlist on weekend evenings once more people find out about it. Go sooner rather than later.