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Best birdwatching -- west

Chatfield State Park

There are plenty of lakes and wetlands around the metro area where you can watch birds, but Chatfield State Park is still the biggest, best place to see the most varied array of feathered friends. Watchers have recorded more than 300 kinds of birds there, from migrating loons, hawks and warblers to rare tanagers and thrashers to the permanent residents like house finches and red-winged blackbirds. "People get real excited about some of these," says Ann Bonnell, a volunteer with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver, adding that Chatfield has "real diversity because it's on a migratory crossroads." And now that the Audubon Society has moved into temporary digs there (before it moves into a more permanent facility later), the baffled birdwatcher can sign up for a walking tour or a class to learn the difference between a sparrow and a swallow.

Best birdwatching -- west

Chatfield State Park

There are plenty of lakes and wetlands around the metro area where you can watch birds, but Chatfield State Park is still the biggest, best place to see the most varied array of feathered friends. Watchers have recorded more than 300 kinds of birds there, from migrating loons, hawks and warblers to rare tanagers and thrashers to the permanent residents like house finches and red-winged blackbirds. "People get real excited about some of these," says Ann Bonnell, a volunteer with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver, adding that Chatfield has "real diversity because it's on a migratory crossroads." And now that the Audubon Society has moved into temporary digs there (before it moves into a more permanent facility later), the baffled birdwatcher can sign up for a walking tour or a class to learn the difference between a sparrow and a swallow.

Best birdwatching -- east

Denver International Airport

All right, maybe Denver International Airport isn't exactly a nature preserve, but try and tell that to the birds (not the giant steely ones). The airport has had to catch and release intrusive sparrows from Concourse C, halt construction for migrating burrowing owls on several occasions and alter flight paths to protect the sensitive ears of bald eagles at several nearby nesting areas such as Barr Lake -- a real birdwatching mecca. Compared to its other problems, though, these glitches aren't that fowl.

Best birdwatching -- east

Denver International Airport

All right, maybe Denver International Airport isn't exactly a nature preserve, but try and tell that to the birds (not the giant steely ones). The airport has had to catch and release intrusive sparrows from Concourse C, halt construction for migrating burrowing owls on several occasions and alter flight paths to protect the sensitive ears of bald eagles at several nearby nesting areas such as Barr Lake -- a real birdwatching mecca. Compared to its other problems, though, these glitches aren't that fowl.

Best place to catch a trout without leaving town

City Park

City Park's two lakes are continuously stocked with fish, generally trout. And the park is nearby, devoid of hazardous mountain roads and the other fishing folk are friendly -- parents teach their kids how to fish, and more skilled anglers try out their new rods and reels before heading to the mountain streams. And if you don't catch anything, there's a King Soopers not too far away.

  • 17th Ave. and Colorado Blvd., Denver, 80206 Map

Best place to catch a trout without leaving town

City Park

City Park's two lakes are continuously stocked with fish, generally trout. And the park is nearby, devoid of hazardous mountain roads and the other fishing folk are friendly -- parents teach their kids how to fish, and more skilled anglers try out their new rods and reels before heading to the mountain streams. And if you don't catch anything, there's a King Soopers not too far away.

Best south suburban alternative to Clement Park

The Ridge at West Meadows Regional Park

Clement Park remains a beautiful facility, but its proximity to Columbine High School means that it evokes some painful memories for some, and it continues to attract a certain percentage of media types and other assorted voyeurs. Fortunately, the Ridge at West Meadows, a 140-acre facility north of Coal Mine near Dakota Ridge High School, offers many of the accoutrements that mark its more famous cousin: lots of soccer fields, a lake, a huge playground, and so on. Add to that a spectacular view of the foothills and a regular breeze perfect for kite flying, and you've got a place that offers recreation sans any unpleasant baggage.

Best south suburban alternative to Clement Park

The Ridge at West Meadows Regional Park

Clement Park remains a beautiful facility, but its proximity to Columbine High School means that it evokes some painful memories for some, and it continues to attract a certain percentage of media types and other assorted voyeurs. Fortunately, the Ridge at West Meadows, a 140-acre facility north of Coal Mine near Dakota Ridge High School, offers many of the accoutrements that mark its more famous cousin: lots of soccer fields, a lake, a huge playground, and so on. Add to that a spectacular view of the foothills and a regular breeze perfect for kite flying, and you've got a place that offers recreation sans any unpleasant baggage.

Best new bowling alley

Fat City

What a difference a few million bucks can make. Formerly known as FunPlex, this facility is in the midst of a major overhaul -- and if the bowling alley is any indication, the completed work will be something to see. The alley's interior has been remade in kitschy retro-'50s fashion, complete with leopard-print stools and a central bar dubbed the Lucky Strike. Yet there are modern touches as well -- namely giant video screens mounted over each lane and a booming sound system, both of which transform the game into a rock-and-roll experience. The price to bowl is a bit steep, particularly on weekends, but people who enjoy a party atmosphere won't complain. This place has style to spare.

Best new bowling alley

Fat City

What a difference a few million bucks can make. Formerly known as FunPlex, this facility is in the midst of a major overhaul -- and if the bowling alley is any indication, the completed work will be something to see. The alley's interior has been remade in kitschy retro-'50s fashion, complete with leopard-print stools and a central bar dubbed the Lucky Strike. Yet there are modern touches as well -- namely giant video screens mounted over each lane and a booming sound system, both of which transform the game into a rock-and-roll experience. The price to bowl is a bit steep, particularly on weekends, but people who enjoy a party atmosphere won't complain. This place has style to spare.

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