Lakeside Amusement Park

4601 Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80212, USA

Related:	glen ellen farm
Address:	4601 Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80212, USA
Phone:	+1 303-477-1621
Site:	lakesideamusementpark.com
Rating:	4
Working:	Closed Closed Closed Closed 6–9PM 12–9PM 12–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 3

Ellen Metter

The exterior of Denver’s Lakeside Amusement Park is not impressive in the daytime. It’s a bit dusty, not far from a highway and about ten minutes north of another popular downtown Denver destination, the enormous Six Flags Elitch Gardens amusement park. But I recommend that you chance the $2.50 per person it costs to walk into this magical place that was born at the turn of the century with the name ‘White City.’ I went to Lakeside with my husband, two nieces, and a friend. As we walked down the stairs at the entrance of Lakeside (be sure to enter under the tower - not through the new parking lot entrance), past the deep red pseudo-Greek columns, we felt as though we’d stepped into the past. There are remnants of numerous eras at Lakeside including Art Deco and 50’s kitsch. The park radiates charm. As my friend commented ‘I love the scale of this place. Amusement parks can be overwhelming. This feels good.’ Though it’s obvious that Lakeside’s lavish heyday is behind it, in that the former ‘casino’ looks like it’s a storage area, it’s still home to the Cyclone roller coaster which Lakeside modestly bills as the ‘Greatest Coaster in North America.’ I must say, we all thought it was a blast. Though my sweetheart muttered ‘we’re all going to die’ as we clattered around the tracks of the circa 1940 wooden coaster, the rest of us laughed and screamed our heads off. And rode it again. The carousel, we learned, is one of the oldest in America. It’s been featured in at least one book about historic carousels. The horse on the horse tails looks like real horse hair! The nieces enjoyed that. The prices are amazing. Your $2.50 admission gives you one free coupon towards a ride; coupons are 50 cents and add up to no more than a few dollars per ride. There are quite a few rides, ranging from stomach swirling to gentle. As evening fell, the lights from the multi-colored tower and rides, including clusters of tiny old-fashioned blinking bulbs and many-hued neon, gleamed off the Park’s lake. We enjoyed the view from the mini-train that travels leisurely around the lake’s perimeter. (Lake Rhoda - named after the daughter of the owner - and we learned Rhoda is now the owner.) Another plus about Lakeside are the areas that surround this timeless attraction. Just a few minutes away in Northwest Denver is the Tennyson Street area, featuring art galleries and boutiques tucked among local businesses like hardware stores and a cigar smoke-filled antique shop that is, in itself, an antique. Travel a few more minutes and you’ll find the upscale Highlands area, home to exotic eateries, bookstores, and the like. It’s a really pretty place to just stroll and window shop. If you just want to get your dinner at the Lakeside, I can’t comment since we didn’t have dinner there. But I can comment on the soft serve ice cream: Around 2 bucks! Yes! In summary, Lakeside is fun and easy on the pocketbook. The park grounds are tidy and attractively decorated with flowers. Try to be there when the dark descends to enjoy the lighting. Lakeside is one of those ‘off-the-beaten’ track attractions that you only find recommended by like-minded travelers. Believe me though; if you like delightful, memorable, inexpensive destinations, you’ll like Lakeside. We’ll go back again.

Alec Stolz

Since I was not able to write reviews when I as a young lad, now is my time to shine and express my true disappointment in Lakeside Amusement park. The year was 2008, mid summer; it was the day that my summer camp group was to go to the awesome, old-fashioned amusement park! My excitement was uncontainable the whole car ride to the park; but as I walked underneath the entrance tower of Lakeside with my summer camp, all my excitement vanished at the sight of the musk-looking ticket man that “welcomed” us to the fun park. My excitement had turned to confusion instantaneously. This place didn’t look like fun…it looks like a deathtrap. I thanked my parents subconsciously for making me get my tetanus shot, because I would need it throughout the day. The first ride that I went on was the train, which may I say was one of the worst experiences at lakeside of them all. As the train went around the polluted lake, I couldn’t help but noticed the off-green color of the water and the endless trash floating along the lakeshore. That’s not the worst part, the driver on the miniscule train didn’t even acknowledge us riders, he just grunted and drove the sad little vehicle. Also as the train screeched along the track, the diesel smoke billowed up into my face and made me cough throughout the whole journey. Soon after the depressing train ride, and some other awful rides, I soon became hungry, so I decided to use the money that my parents had given me to buy some “food”. I had asked the concession stand worker for a hamburger, he smugly took my $5.00 and came back with a cold patty on a stale bun. “Here’s your food, kid.” He mumbled as he rolled his eyes. I was severely disappointed in the food and questioned if it was a wise decision to ingest this wrenched meal. I went and sat down at one of the filthy tables next to the concession stand. As I ate I observed my surroundings and couldn’t help but notice two rats scurrying out from underneath the concession stand and what I saw next scared me for the rest of the summer. It appeared as if one rat was groping on top of the other rat (keep in mind that I was only ten years old). I did not know what was happening, I was so scared, I ran straight for one of my camp counselors and asked to go home immediately. Unfortunately, the counselors would not allow it, so I had to spend the rest of the day riding gum-covered rides and wondering who let this place remain open. Such a Hell should be condemned and demolished. My entire day was ruined thanks to the hell-hole that is Lakeside amusement park, and I indeed cried myself to sleep that night and remember that experience to this day. So if you consider taking your children to Lakeside, stop. Make the right choice, say no to Lakeside. SAY NO TO EVILLLLLLLLLL.

Joe Young

Been going to this park since I was little. Loved and still love this park to this day. It makes me so sad to see the park in this shape and its only been getting worse. Reading some of these other reviews I know Im not alone when I say I would absolutely love to see some money put into renovating the park and returning it to its former glory. This place has so much history and seeing this slow, painful death of a once great park is just...disheartening. Looking at some old photos from when the park first opened to the 1980s with the ballroom and the casino theatre and swimming and fireworks and events and the beautiful architecture is just stunning. I wish I couldve seen how beautiful it was back then in person. Now theres trash everywhere, half the rides are closed or removed, food stalls and arcade venues are closed off, empty vending machines and vendor stands are strewn about, and the recent hailstorm has taken out most of the signs, roofing, and what remaining lightbulbs there were. I dont know if management is even reading these but please, please, please try and figure out how to make a renovation happen. Youve got plenty of able volunteers who would love to help (myself included). I know its not going to be easy but if you love the park as much as I and so many others do youd find a way to make it happen. Lakeside had a beautiful heyday once. Lets give it another one. Also to the people giving Lakeside a bad review because you dont understand how the pricing system works, please do some research. Its really not complicated once you get it figured out.