Discover Westminster

Westminster can be explored through three distinct themes: an extensive trail network, historic places, and nature experiences. If you’re looking for a hotel in Westminster, these highlights can help you tailor your destination to your travel interests. The trails connect different destinations and areas; Bowles House and Westminster Castle offer historical points of interest. The Butterfly Pavilion, in turn, features indoor exhibit areas and outdoor spaces.

Trails Through Westminster and Beyond

Westminster has more than 126 miles of multi-use trails. One of them is the Farmers' High Line Canal Trail: it runs 10.3 miles (16.5 kilometers) from near Standley Lake eastward to EB Raines Park in Northglenn and onward to Thornton. The named endpoints and direction give you a clear picture of the route.

The Little Dry Creek Trail provides another connection to the regional trail network. It links Westminster with Denver’s trail network and continues to the Clear Creek Trail and the South Platte River Trail. While the Farmers' High Line Canal Trail is defined by its distance and eastward route, the Little Dry Creek Trail is notable for its connections to other trails. The Big Dry Creek Trail is designated a National Recreation Trail.

The history of the Farmers' High Line Canal is also part of the local landscape: the canal was originally built in the 1860s by the Arapahoe Ditch Company. A look at the named trails can therefore take in both specific routes and the older history of Westminster’s infrastructure.

Historic Sites and Remembrance

Bowles House is a museum and one of the few remaining buildings from Westminster’s original downtown area, which existed before the city was established. Westminster Castle adds another historical connection: the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The two sites represent different aspects of history—the preserved building in the former downtown area and the castle’s listing in a national register of historic places.

The Armed Forces Tribute Garden is a permanent memorial. Its features include a central water feature, seating areas, granite columns, and paths with engraved paving stones. The city also holds a special ceremony there every year on Armed Forces Day. Details may change; if you’re planning to attend the ceremony, check the information for the relevant date.

Nature Experiences and Trip Planning

The Butterfly Pavilion has five exhibit areas, including four indoor exhibit halls, as well as outdoor gardens and nature trails. This means a visit combines different areas within a single attraction. RTD bus route 104 serves the Butterfly Pavilion and connects it with the Westminster Center Park-n-Ride and the Flatiron Flyer (FF1/FF2), which provides connections from Denver and Boulder. Routes and schedules may change, so check the connection for your travel day.

When choosing Westminster as a destination, you can prioritize these themes according to your trip: the trails offer specific routes and connections across the regional trail network; the museum, castle, and memorial offer different points of interest; and the Butterfly Pavilion combines exhibits with gardens and nature trails. You can start your hotel search by considering which of these interests matters most for your stay, rather than choosing your destination based on just one attraction.

Discover more destinations: Commerce City, Denver, Thornton, Watkins, Northglenn, Federal Heights, Brighton.

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