Things to Do in Westminster

The consortium of professional instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, which was cofounded by the legendary toe tapper himself, shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the Charleston. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and fox-trot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or cha-cha. For dancers hoping to hoof it up in a social setting, the group practice parties provide a one-night extravaganza of instruction, demonstrations, and amateur fire walking.

Gleeful shouts reverberate across Jumpin' Jordy's indoor playground, drifting from a stock of springy play palaces that safely bounce children up to 9 years old. With each jump, glide, and tumble, colorful slides and bouncy obstacle courses help tykes explore their imaginations and hone their motor skills. A pintsize playground invites children aged 3 and younger to burn off energy, and a snack bar refuels go stores with kid-friendly fare such as healthy snacks and juice. Grown-ups can jump-start their own senses with gourmet coffee, complimentary WiFi, and a high-def TV. On Wednesday nights, the facility morphs into an all-out party with reduced-price admission, $1 pizza slices, and an artist who crafts animals from balloons or spare unicycle tires. Jumpin' Jordy's also hosts birthday parties and other events; visit its FAQ page for details.

Total Chaos Paintball brings video games into vivid reality, hosting colorful, officiated skirmishes on a 12,000-square-foot indoor battleground modeled after the Wasteland map from Call of Duty 2. Under constant pursuit by the opposing team, combatants duck down alleyways, hide behind urban debris, or outwit fast-moving opponents with quick presses of the pause button. The center can also simulate the stress of nighttime operations, killing the lights while a sound system broadcasts high-octane tunes to keep heart rates accelerated.

With its flagship campus in Boulder stationed a short trip from some of the nation's finest alpine slopes, it should come as no surprise that the University of Colorado Buffaloes have dominated the rest of the country in one sport: skiing. With 17 NCAA Skiing titles to their name, the Buffs are among nation's premier programs, and also among the premier candidates to receive a phone call from the Yeti president. The topography and altitude has also proven beneficial to distance runners, as the Buffs have won three men's and two women's cross country titles. Though the rugged outdoors may be the school's forte, its football squad and men's and women's basketball teams compete among the nation's top collegiate programs in the elite Pac-12 conference.

At amphitheaters, parks, and ice rinks throughout the city, Boulder Creek Events organizes get-togethers to inspire and connect community members. Each year, they bring more than 500 food vendors together with musicians and carnival rides for the Boulder Creek Festival. They also coordinate classic car shows and outdoor skating events. During the winter, BCE Productions fuels ice skaters with warm concessions, and during the summer the crew transforms the Twenty Ninth Street Plaza into a rink ideal for roller skates and guests with the latest trend in wheeled pedicures.

At five Chipper's Lanes Bowling Center locations, colorful balls sail down glossy lanes, overseen during weekends and birthday parties by the center's mascot, Chipper the Chipmunk. During special events, guests can go to Chipper for a hug as warm and fuzzy as teddy-bear-skin gloves, and supplement bowling fun with occasional live music performances and cosmic bowling at select locations. Between frames, players restore energy with burgers or pizza at the full-service, onsite restaurant.