Evergreen

Tucked in the mountains west of the state capital, Evergreen provides a warm respite from Denver's big-city bustle. Alpine meadows, cool forests and brilliant wildflowers create a natural backdrop for this thriving community.

This town was formerly a Ute and Arapaho hunting ground until white settlers homesteaded here around 1860. Its ranches and farms fed Denver's burgeoning population and its forests supplied the city with lumber. However, Evergreen's beauty has been its most lasting resource. Celebrities such as Greta Garbo and Teddy Roosevelt escaped to the lush resorts here, leaving behind colorful tales and mementos.

Today, Evergreen boasts an eclectic community and a rich cultural existence — local theater, arts, music and fine dining. For recreation, jog up to Evergreen Lake. This pristine jewel offers boating and picnicking in the summer, ice skating in the winter and fishing year-round. Drive up nearby Mt. Evans (14,624 feet) or watch as the Maxwell Falls cascade 76 feet into a rocky canyon.

Civilization offers its own temptations: a scenic public golf course, attractive galleries, shops, eateries, museums and nightspots. Whether you like to relax in an armchair opposite a roaring fire or prefer a breathless climb through nearby hills, Evergreen has it all.