Lakeside - Wheat Ridge, CO

Lakeside became a statutory town in 1907, the by-product of brewer Adolph Zang's desire to build an attractive destination immediately outside of the reach of Denver's liquor laws. Approximately one year following incorporation, Lakeside Amusement Park opened.

Locals still frequently refer to Lakeside by its original name: The White City. This family-owned entertainment center changed hands in the 1930s and began to feature Art Deco style and neon lighting. The Tower of Jewels and the Cyclone coaster represent the two most famous attractions at Lakeside, and those with children under the age of eight will want to stop by adjoining Kiddie Land.

The town played home to Lakeside Mall from 1956 to 2010, just along the southern shore of Rhoda, before officials tore down the shopping center. A Wal-Mart now rests on Lakeside Mall's old grounds.

Lakeside proper spans all of 0.3 square miles, nearly a quarter of which belongs to Lake Rhoda. Not a single restaurant, bar or club rests within the statutory town's limits. Fortunately, nearby Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Denver can accommodate.

From the amusement park itself, take a short bike ride over to Tennyson Street or Lowell Boulevard; both roads line themselves with pubs, bars and eateries. During all hours of the day, young patrons enthusiastically descend to eat some of the finest and most renowned local food in northwest Denver.

Walk inside Parisi, and be handed a broad Italian menu that stays loyal to its Mediterranean roots. You'll enjoy homemade tagliatelle and tagliolini pasta and in-house mozzarella. The atmosphere is cozy, if not a little crowded at times. If you're looking for something a little more American, try out one of more than two dozen kinds of pizza.

A Denver institution, Beau Jo's makes some of the thickest pizzas you'll ever find, so be sure to bring a small group of friends. If you manage to finish the tire-sized core itself, the impossibly large crusts on these pies then become built-in desserts to be enjoyed with the bottles of honey that accompany each table. Beau Jo's also offers children's menus, patio seating, vegetarian options and a full bar.

After working hours, head south along Tennyson, just before 38th, and into Tennyson's Tap. This live music bar combines Colorado whiskey, beer and spirits at an affordable price. Local artists stop by to use the recording studio or display their creations on Tap's gallery.

The area surrounding Lakeside isn't likely to compete with downtown Denver for big-city club and nightlife scenes. If that's your flavor, hail a cab for a 4-mile ride to the city center or use RTD Bus Route 51.

You certainly won't need a car to travel around the town itself. Lakeside's 0.2 square miles of land area can be walked with little problems. If you do have a car, the amusement park itself offers free parking, but you're probably best served with a bicycle here. Most of Lakeside's adjoining areas sit within biking distance, and parking can be challenging in some districts.

Regional Transport District (RTD) Route 51 cuts right through Sheridan Boulevard in Lakeside. The RTD system connects Denver residents to Boulder, Aurora, Littleton, downtown and the Tech Center.

Family-owned Total Transportation serves Denver and its surrounding areas, offering everything from Limo rides to airport shuttles to Denver International Airport.

Being half-amusement park, Lakeside neighborhood always seems more recreational than residential. Gate admission at Lakeside Amusement Park is around $3 per person, and most rides will cost a little extra. For die-hard thrill seekers who are determined to hit the rides hard on a budget, there are unlimited rides and gate admission passes available for purchase too.

Once you're inside, Lakeside sends you back in time. Don't just stop by for the rides — which sometimes feel 100 years old, granting a distinctly different experience than a modern amusement park — but walk around and enjoy the bits of Denver history that have been salvaged and brought to the park over time.

For a less commercial event, travel northwest to Berkeley Park or Highland Park. Each have paths for cyclists, pedestrians and dog walkers. You'll find open fields for picnics and barbecues. Those with younger kids will want to focus on Highland Park, and those with dogs typically gravitate towards Berkeley. In fact, Highland even segregates a "high activity" dog zone from a "calm dog" zone.

Lakeside's available living space consists of nine homes along Sheridan Boulevard, just across the street from Denver County. The areas directly to the north, approaching Regis University, tend to be a little less expensive than those lying west or south. For the most part, you'll experience Colorado-average prices near Lakeside.

A nearby one-bedroom apartment, near Sloan's Lake for instance, will cost roughly $900 in monthly rent. Homes south of 44th Avenue tend to be listed near $250,000 to 350,000, and prices rise a little as you head south and east.

Gasoline hovers around national average prices, maybe 1 to 2 percent less per gallon. Pizza and beer in the area can be found for about $8 per slice/bottle, but you'll end up paying a little more for coffee near Lakeside.

Other than what you can purchase at the amusement park, the Wal-Mart represents the only shopping you'll find in town. Travel north towards Arvada, south towards Wheat Ridge or east towards Denver for both local and conventional wares.

The shopping immediately surrounding Lakeside can be characterized as local, custom and boutique. A prime example, Rustic Thread on 32nd brings fashionable women's clothing and accessories by focusing on each individual's style. The interior's small, fully-loaded and navigable area makes for an extremely efficient, uncluttered shopping experience. The owner limits the purchase per garment, meaning you aren't going to worry about wearing the same outfit as the rest of Denver.

Stay on 32nd for Inspyre Boutique, a men's and women's clothing store with forward-looking designs and an open, low-pressure layout. Inspyre prides itself on affordable prices, bucking the trend of boutique premiums. Just be mindful of the return policy — you'll be awarded a store credit, not cash back.

Grocery shoppers won't have to drive far to find a Wal-Mart, Costco, Target or Safeway. For something a little more local and unusual, try Melita's Greek Cafe & Market. Located southwest of Lakeside on Capitol Hill, Melita's serves and sells authentic hummus, pita bread, gyros and pasticcio.