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Lakeside Amusement Park
Category: Active Life Amusement Parks Amusement Parks [Edit]
4601 Sheridan BlvdDenver, CO 80212
Neighborhood: Northwest
(303) 477-1621
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
53 reviews for Lakeside Amusement Park
Review Highlights
"Their roller coaster is top notch."
(in 18 reviews)
"Also, do NOT miss the Wild Chipmunk."
(in 8 reviews)
"The rides were always cool and I always had a blast."
(in 44 reviews)
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Melanie S.
Denver, CO
11/15/2011
Lakeside Amusement Park is the sort of place I think everyone will have an immediate reaction to. You are either going to gaze upon it's slightly sketchy rides that have seen better days and say, "Good grief, this is horrifying! Get me outta here!" Or you will say, "Good grief, this is horrifying! And so amazingly awesome!"
I'm in the latter camp. This place has definitely seen better days. It's old. The rides are old. I question the safety of most of them. Many of the people here are a little... umm... well they're colorful. The last time we were here some little kid scratched the crap out of my my 5 year old's arm trying to dash in front of her to get onto a ride. It was a momentary setback but scratches heal.
I've never ridden any of the more serious rides here because we go with my 5 year old. She actually isn't that into the stuff in the kiddie land. We like the ferris wheel which offers a very cool view of the entire park and is a nice opportunity to pick out all the stuff you want to ride next. There are some fairly cool boats and all the rides you find in your average fair. The food is not bad at all and I don't even think it's terribly overpriced. At night the place looks awesome with all the neon.
If you are at all interested in history, look the place up online and do a bit of reading. It was one of the White City Amusement Parks which were all built during the amusement park boom of the early 1900's. Lakeside Amusement is the only one currently still in operation It's a cool park to just walk around and look at. They also have a pretty nifty carousel, if you're into that sort of thing (I love them!) -
Review from Emma W.
Upland, CA
9/27/2011
I have so many amazing memories here! I love this place! A great little amusement park.
I always went here during the summers because the library gave away tickets if you read a lot. So I read, and read, and read, and then at the end of the summer went to Lakeside.
My favorite ride was always the Cyclone, the old white wooden roller coaster. I wish I could ride it again and again. -
Review from Nicole W.
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Brings back the amusement parks of my youth!
Wooden, rickety, on a lake - and days of fun!
Definitely is showing it's age, but it's adorable!
There is a good amount of rides, some good cheap carnie food, and hello - free parking!!!
I hope it stays around for a long time! -
Review from Tiffany N.
Denver, CO
8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Imagine if the fair came to town... and never left.
And instead of scary carnies, the rides were mostly operated by teenagers.
And instead of paying highway robbery costs for tickets to ride the rides and for food you could ride most rides for the equivalent of $1.50 and you could get root beer floats for $3.
Now you know why I heart Lakeside.
Sure, the rides are a *little* worn down, but that just adds to the excitement for me.
When you go here be sure to give yourself enough time here to run around and explore all the nooks and crannies because there are a lot of fun rides hidden in recesses around the park and you definitely don't want to miss the heart shaped ride that spins you around and around until you feel like you just might hurl.
P.S. The Cyclone roller coaster is awesome, but the Wild Chipmunk just hurts you with all the herky-jerky twists and turns. -
Review from Kelly T.
8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
If Lakeside was a man, he would be one of those old guys that hangs out in Winchell's Donut Shop drinking 50 cent coffee and eating a bear claw while reminiscing about better times with his old poker buddies. He still smokes a cigar every day. He still believes that a martini with lunch is perfectly acceptable. And, goddammit, he WILL have butter on his potatoes, not some awful oily margarine.
I went to Lakeside for the first time in the evening for Reel Social Club's Summer Scream party, so I had the benefit of going to an amusement park without the two annoyances that keep me from going most other days: kids and lines.
That's right, no kids and no lines. I got to run around the park and do whatever I wanted and wait 5 minutes max to get it.
That being said, I really like Lakeside. Sure, cosmetically, it doesn't have the fancy bright colors and number of shiny lights that Elitch's has, but I think that's the point. It's old and a lot hasn't changed over the years. Yes, they should probably fix some of those light bulbs in the marquee lights, but they should never worry about adding new rides or trying to compete with Elitch's.
I like Lakeside because they only have two roller coasters and I hate roller coasters. So I could handle almost all of the rides at the park. It makes it so much more fun to play with friends when you aren't waiting on a bench for them to get off yet another ride you hate. Which always happens to me at Elitch's.
Also, I love the train that drives around the lake to give you some of the most beautiful views of the park all lit up at night. I was riding with friends on this particular occasion, but I would imagine that this would be an extremely romantic ride to take with your significant other.
Besides all of this, Lakeside is a great deal with admission on the weekend at $20 for unlimited rides.
Top that Elitch's!Listed in: The Suburb Within The City
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Review from leah o.
8/29/2011
You know what rules? Smoking a cigarette at night in the back of the train and being able to see the park lit up from across the lake.
Obviously I wasn't here on a regular day- the Reel Social Club (high-five) threw the most ridiculous party of all time at this place last week. All the rides were open, but the park was closed to the public which allowed for some pretty amazing adult party adventures. (See above)
People who described this place as run-down weren't quite right. It's more just worn- like a well-loved blanket that's been dragged from childhood to college. None of the rides felt unsafe- they may have smelled a little antiquey but when you're screaming out of your nose because your mouth can't scream anymore on a rollercoaster in the dark, the smell doesn't really matter.
Did not ride the carousel and regretting it. Had a truly wretched big pretzel. But loved every second of being there. -
Review from Josie K.
8/30/2011
I don't know how you can't fall in love with Lakeside, especially when your inaugural trip is thanks to a tip from Yelp for a private night with no lines and unlimited libations. Even without these perks, however, the nostalgia and simple pleasures of the beautiful, retro rides and warm summer air is a quick sell for me.
Every negative aspect of Lakeside I've been told of was absent that night, including a fear for my life as I took my first high-speed turn on the Wild Chipmunk. Cut off my shirt sleeves and call me The Boss, but I LOVED every second of it. Whether you're on the shore or overlooking I-70, how can you not love thrill of fast-moving old gears and steep drops? I can imagine that ghetto gangs of teenagers there on any regular night would be a pain, but the bright neon lights and smell of funnel cakes and pizza had me at the entrance. I think I would love Lakeside any day of the summer, long lines or no.Listed in: Hours that make me happy
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Review from Andye M.
Arvada, CO
8/21/2011
I felt like I should be holding a parasol and strolling with my paramour as we stepped back in time. The charm of Lakeside is undeniable. From the broken down ferris wheel to the spin-tastic rides that were up and running, I was so pleasantly surprised by my love for this place!
With our 3 year old, we happily skipped the kiddie area and headed right in with the big boys. The rides were lacking in height and variety-- every one looped and tossed you around in some way, If you want big vertical thrills, pay more and head to Elitch's.
My only disappointment was that I didn't bring a camera and capture more of the magic! We'll definitely be back. With a whopping $13 price tag there's no reason to miss Lakeside. -
Review from Nicki A.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sooo, let's say you are roaming around Denver and looking for an entertaining time, Lakeside Amusement Park fits the bill perfectly! I use the word entertaining pretty liberally here. The park is OLD, the rides are OLD and the clientele is a bit on the ghetto side (at least on Sat. nights it is). If this stuff doesn't bother you, then you my friend, will be in heaven!
My girlfriend took me here during a recent trip to Denver on a Saturday night around 10pm. (The neighborhood that this venue is in is a little sketchy, but hey...it's Denver, it's not THAT bad.) We found that there was no charge to get into the park and the tickets were a reasonable 50 cents apiece. Sweet deal!
The wooden roller coaster at night is a MUST, as you take off from the "station" you ascend down a very long tunnel that probably had lights in it at some point, but have since all burned out. It's pretty creepy. If you too are lucky enough to have your "seat belt" fly off in the middle of the first big drop, then you too can experience the pure terror of this wooden beauty.
Old? Yes. Ghetto? Pretty much. Fun? Hell yes!! -
Review from Monica E.
Denver, CO
7/12/2011
I live right around the corner and I love hearing the roller coasters and the people screaming....
This has such a classic, vintage feel. Great place to take engagement pictures ( I wish I did mine here)...
I only wish it was spruced up a little... -
Review from Vicki Q.
Denver, CO
6/27/2011
I took my partner on a surprise date here on a Sunday evening with the following hints:
-it's nostalgic
-it's amusing
-it's socially acceptable to be a little sweaty there
And we had a great time!
Lakeside is a charming, decently-maintained, affordable place for people of all ages to play games, go on rides, and enjoy a picnic in a park. If you're looking for big rides and all day entertainment, Lakeside might not be your place. But if you're looking for some nostalgic charm and a couple of old-school throwback games and rides you're in for some fun. After a walk around the grounds my partner was in amazement, stating, "it feels like we're in another country." The atmosphere reminded me of the movie Adventureland.
The main attraction for me has to be the Cyclone Coaster, but there are also some rides I hadn't seen since childhood like The Scrambler and The Matterhorn. We didn't actually play the games, but there are a wide variety to choose from, including some classics like Skee Ball and The Big One.
I also appreciated the cheap snacks. I got some nachos for $3 that would have cost at least twice that anywhere else.
Check out their website for the details, and put it on your list of summer musts for Denver. -
Review from Julie B.
Denver, CO
9/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is a falling-down mess but we loved it. There were very little lines to wait in. The price was a fraction of Elitch's and we had just as much fun. The food options are pretty lame but they do have cotton candy. Not many places I know where you can ride a 71 year old roller coaster. We will be back.
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Review from Grace B.
5/13/2011
I went with a friend on a Thursday night and it was only 14 bucks for unlimited rides. The lines were short, but it may get considerably more crowded on the weekend. Yes, this place is a little rundown, but that's the whole point. Give me any place that has slurpees and funnel cakes and I'm a happy camper.
I will be back again for a summer date night with my man. Unlimited weekend tickets are $20. -
Review from Heather L.
Denver, CO
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place for kids. Pretty affordable but have to pay $2.50/person to park....when did that happen? ATMs there but food & stuff is cash only. Staff very friendly & definite old style charm.
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Review from Jeff P.
Denver, CO
5/16/2011 5 photos
I am always irritated at people who give this place a bad rap. I love this park...and thats what it is...a PARK. It is not wall to wall concrete with Disney decorations and licensed cartoon characters and corporate gift shops. It is a real old fashioned amusement PARK with trees and grass and water. Yeah, it has seen better days. But I was actually pleasantly surprised when I started going here again last year. I thought it was pretty clean actually.
You will not find a Subway or Panda Express here...what you will find is actual amusement park style food, most of it pretty good. Prices are decent for the most part (much cheaper than Elitches). And if you think the food is too pricey...you can actually bring in your own food still. Yep, thats right. You can pay 2.50 a person at the gate and just picnic there if you want. No obligation to buy or ride anything. I remember when Elitches used to allow that, but those days are long gone. Lakeside is almost worth it just for this alone.
The rides are not the newest, and to me that is a good thing. You will find lots of old school carnival rides here that you wont find anywhere else in Colorado. Actually the only reason I didnt give this park 5 stars is because several of them are closed (the rides are old, so parts have to be machined by special order...which is expensive). But enough of them are working to make the park enjoyable. The Cyclone is a great traditional wood coaster, and I ride the wild Chipmunk every time I go there. The miniature train is a lot of fun. They also have a Rock-O-Plane (see video below) and a Hurricane and a Satellite, among others.
There is an extensive kiddie land section with lots of cool miniaturized rides separate from the adult rides at the park. Complete with their own Neon.
And of course, what the park is known for is it's neon. You will find lots of it. It feels like a time warp to the 50s and 60s. The Cyclone has some really cool art deco type neon that looks like something out of Xanadu. There are cool 60s-esque accents to the park, like the 50s-modern ticket booths (which are mostly for show, but still look really neat) and the Kiddie land has 50s-esque metal sculptures as well.
The park does not close at the crack of 9pm like Elitches does...so even in mid summer you will get to enjoy the park at night, and see the neon.
Rock-O-Plane in motion - http://www.youtube.com...
UPDATE May 22 - I actually went today (first time this year). The Satellite is not only working but appears to have been re-painted and has new lights? And the Hydraulics have been fixed. I think this is my favorite ride. Hurricane was also running. Flying Dutchman is still dead (3rd year now?) and the Dragon mini-coaster is still down as well, but all the other rides were working when I was there.
Satellite in motion - http://www.youtube.com... - -
Review from Dylan L.
11/29/2010 2 photos
I love this place. I'd always seen it from the highway and thought it looked like a very possibly haunted but classic amusement park. I've seen on here and other places reviews that call this place "decrepit" and "run down" Honestly, I think these people spent way too much time at fun but charmless parks like Elitch Gardens that spend all the flash on rides and don't bother to create an atmosphere.
The entrance is already epic-it's a tall white tower with wrought iron gates. The woman who I bought my ticket from looked about 80 years old...but she was efficient and nice (family of the owners?) You buy your admission (everyone has to pay that, but it's cheap), and then you can either buy individual tickets or an unlimited wristband. The unlimited wristband is absolutely worth it, so go for that, unless maybe you're with kids or people who won't want to ride everything.
I absolutely love the atmosphere of this place-it's got a very old school charm, complete with lots of beautiful art deco styling. It's also got that Scooby Doo feel to it...including a now closed Ferris wheel towards the middle that is blocked off and sits there creepily...ask someone about the legend as to why it was closed...creeeeeepy!
Their roller coaster is top notch. It's actually a historical landmark by this point, as it's been in operation for over 100 years. It's awesomely old school-when the train comes into the station, the attendant pulls a big red handle to raise the brakes and fully stop it. When it starts, they let go of the brake and it coasts down in a dark tunnel to the lift hill...how awesome is that?! It's a little rickety, but I think that's fun...and what wooden coasters should be!
The rest of the rides are classic thrill rides (like the one where you stand against the wall, it spins and tilts up, you get held on by G force) and some scenic stuff that lets you get a great view of the lake...it really is a beautiful setting.
Also, despite being in what looks like a somewhat sketchy part of town, the people who come here are families and people on dates...much better than those incredibly irritating teens at Elitchs.
So...if you love the old school amusement park flair with fun rides and a great atmosphere for cheap...you can't beat this place! -
Review from kym b.
7/28/2010 ROTD 10/6/2010
From Sheridan Blvd, Lakeside looks like the setting for a low-budget horror flick. Rickety-ass roller coaster notwithstanding, the place looks like, at worst, Ground Zero for the coming Zombie Apocalypse. At best, it appears to be the sort of place where you'd be able to score at least six different varieties of crystal meth (does it come in strawberry-banana flavor?) before even making it to the Tilt-a-Whirl. Then again, this is just how it looks from Sheridan. Once inside, it's a whole different experience.
Not gonna lie, I had pretty much zero desire to visit this place. I've never even been to Elitch's, and even well-maintained roller coasters really aren't my thing. I'm kind of a wuss, preferring that all my body parts stay attached to their respective other parts (call me crazy). But I'll be the first to admit that Lakeside kind of blew my mind.
What lies beyond those broken-down gates is like a diamond in the rough. All the rides are original, mid-century modern design... my favorite! The signage is amazingly gorgeous and the buildings are beyond fantastic. If you're into this era, you owe it to yourself to plunk down the $2.50 gate fee. You don't have to risk life and limb on any of the rides, just go inside and walk around. Marvel. Enjoy.
I mentioned my wussiness earlier, so it shouldn't surprise you that I didn't go on many rides. The Satellite was definitely my favorite, but the sheer "WTF" factor on the carousel is worth mentioning. Sit on an inner horse and check out the paintings on the center hub. Holy. Effin. Weirdness. It's like Mother Goose meets Mistress Leather's Dungeon of Spank. It didn't help that one of my 3-year-old son's favorite words is "nipple."
Skip the train ride around the lake (unless you're looking for a quiet moment in which to take a sneaky-toke). It rolls through some shady-ass territory and you're about as likely to catch a glimpse of some random creeper doing randomly creepy things in the bushes as you are a pretty view of the lake.
Though more of the rides were shut down than open (we went on a Tuesday night), the lines were ridiculously short and we pretty much got all the necessary bangs for our bucks. If you've never been, it's totally worth it... if only to check out the S&M/beastiality murals on the kiddie rides.Listed in: ...-ass.
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Review from Kat A.
Arvada, CO
8/9/2010
Please note: I'm only writing about the kiddieland portion of Lakeside, with the exception of one very brief foray into the land of rides for folks over 48".
Let me lead with this: My 3-year old daughter did have fun - she especially loved the frog hopper ride. And the adults in attendance with me loved the look of the place; the lights are really pretty at night.
And now, the rest...
With one exception, all of the ride operators looked bored and/or annoyed. One of them actually told me that because he was late to work, he was being "punished" by having to work on the kid side.
OK, I get that if you're a teenager and you're stuck helping out kids 3-8 get in and out of rides, it's not so much fun. You don't bump into many of your friends, and some kids are a little pushy. But c'mon, dude. I'd say at least half of the kiddie rides were lit up but not moving because there were no ride operators to run them; it's not that they weren't around, they just didn't want to work. They were either scampering around in packs, or texting madly on their cell phones.
Again, one notable exception. There's a kid named Jeremiah who went out of his way to fire up the kiddie ferris wheel. Hats off to you, Jeremiah. We'd attempted to go to the big ferris wheel so we could take our daughter on that ride, but it was broken, so back to kiddieland we went. He jumped in place and got the little one moving, which pleased not only us, but the stampede of other kids that sprinted over to the ride as soon as they noticed there was a guy operating it.
We were going to get funnel cakes, too, but the line was insane and there was one woman working in the food space, frying up one funnel cake at a time. So yeah, that didn't happen.
It's nice that it's affordable, and who knows, maybe if we showed up before the adult rides were in operation, the ride operators would be a bit more involved in stuff, as their social lives wouldn't be directly impacted by the park attendees.
"Meh" pretty much sums it up.Listed in: Entertaining the kidlet.
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Review from Ian M.
Davis, CA
9/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Don't get me wrong, vintage amusement parks have their charm, but there's a difference between vintage and decrepit.
When we arrived in the park, I could tell that something was up. The lady in the ticket booth seemed particularly unresponsive. I forgot how much we ended up paying for an unlimited ride pass, but it was probably worth it as we ended up going on the old wooden coaster the most.
The wooden coaster, I should add, is the highlight of the park. It's a lot of fun and has a ton of history, so coaster fans will be happy. The wild mouse coaster was also a lot of fun, as was the train around the lake.
The rest, sadly, didn't really hold up. A lot of the park was sorely in need of refurbishment. Some of the rides were very unprofessionally removed from their original locations, leaving bare spots with ride "debris" scattered about. Ride operators, while friendly, seemed to be very distracted (the notable exception to this being the wooden coaster). Of particular note was the boat ride; it had to have the worst throughput of any amusement park ride I've encountered so far.
The facilities were also badly in need of an update. I wouldn't trust anything fried in the fryers. The hamburger I had was diminutive and unimaginative, leaving much to be desired. The bathrooms, while passable, were barely usable. The paint on everything was thick due to improperly stripped former paint jobs.
I didn't get to stay for the lights at night, but I've heard that they're pretty. I'll probably just look from afar and buy myself just enough tickets to ride the wooden coaster again. I'm not hopping back into the park, though. -
Review from Vanya L.
Denver, CO
6/28/2010 2 photos
Lakeside is a little run down and dated but I think it is pure awesome. It's cheap to get in, you can bring your own food and eat in the many pavilions for the purpose while you watch the rides. The rides are all cheap and campy and awesome. They could probably replace about 2,000 light bulbs and neon lights. A few of the rides are dead and lie there rotting. On the train ride you go through what I can best describe as Lakeside's personal junk yard (hilarious). However, it is rich in history (built in 1908), bright colors, and fun. I completely recommend it for anyone looking for a fun filled, low brow, cost efficient evening.
I advise looking up the history first as it is very fascinating.
Also, do NOT miss the Wild Chipmunk! (Built in 1955). -
Review from Mike H.
Denver, CO
9/14/2010
I do not know where to start... I'm really upset that I didn't go here every weekend that I've lived in CO. This is the most underrated amusement park in the world. I mean it, I grew up going to Cedar Point, Kings Island and Disney World. Now I can add this to my list of all time favorite amusement parks. I know, what some of you may think, yes it is not a thrill ride mecca or a roller coaster haven, yet it is one of the most classic, nostalgic, great American awesome time. I truly feel that this is one of the best family experiences in Denver. Maybe it has something to do with driving there in a '67 VW beetle, I really felt like I was in a different era in "Great America". The staff were fun and they really carried out the "Family Owned" business feel very well.
I really hope they grow and succeed for many years to come.
Mike -
Review from kendall c.
Los Angeles, CA
6/12/2011
Coney Island meets the Grapes of Wrath.
Caveat: we drove over from Capitol Hill, on a hot Saturday in June, at its zenith of capacity.
First impression: Are we in Tijuana? A tattoo convention? A dust bowl in Oklahoma?
You park in a dusty lot. Half the rides are in dirt lots.
Faded glory is evident with many of the buildings. You can imagine it during its 1906 hayday, being quite a beauty.
We remarked that the most modern thing was the fun-house mirrors, circa 1977. Time has been frozen since then.
A wedding was actually taking place at the center fountain. Appropriately the couple were covered in tattoos.
Frustrations: Every expense was spared re. staffing. One single cashier to process payments/distribute tickets, at a molasses pace.
The ride operators/parolees(?) load/unload rides at a snails pace.
Due to highish prices for entry & tickets (we paid $55 for parking & 4 kids), and seemingly not a penny going into renovations, we're convinced this place is run by the Mafia. -
Review from Steve G.
Davidson, NC
7/21/2011
As dusk came to this retro amusement park, the neon and color fluorescent lights came on -- making us feel like we were on the set of a Hollywood movie. pure magic. if I lived nearby,I'd want to stroll through every night at 9 in the summer and capture a snapshot of a time gone by. Lots of fresh paint and flowers. check out Wikipedia for the history o the place before going...train ride around the lake is a great deal,as is the carrousel
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Review from Patrick D.
Denver, CO
6/3/2011
AWESOME I consider this one of Denver's gems. Cheap, Dirty, Easy ....my kinda place. If you are looking for cutting edge rides go to Elitch's, if you are actually looking to spend your time on rides and not in line, go here. I think the Lemonade was delicious also.
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Review from Jamie L.
1/2/2010
You're joking, right?
The rides are *LITERALLY* falling apart. As in pieces of wood and/or metal DANGLING from them. The whole place looks like something out of Scooby Doo's "Case of the Old, Decrepit, Abandoned Amusement Park."
I was afraid to walk NEAR some of these rickety rides, let alone RIDE them. We didn't venture on to one single thing. And I am someone who LOVES rides.
Then there's the "Food." I use the term loosely. We didn't partake, but we saw plates of soggy fries which they'll cheerfully charge you $5 for.
Lastly, the whole reason we were there is the "Retro", falling-down, olde-tyme style photogenic tendencies of this place. We brought our cameras and gear, and anticipated an evening of cool signs, long exposures of neon lights zooming by us, and nifty architecture. So what's the problem?
WE WERE STOPPED BY SECURITY AND DETAINED FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS.
Seriously. We were escorted to "The Office" where we had to plead our case. PLEAD OUR CASE. Now, there are no "NO PHOTOGRAPHS" signs, no "small print" on the tickets, NADA. So ummm... our case? ***We're taking photos*** Duh, lady.
She asked us to write down our personal information and sign a statement. (I did not sign my name. Dumb B*Word didn't check our IDs. I signed "Madonna Ciccone" She didn't seem to notice. I also gave her my bank's phone number. Revenge, I guess, for their awful hold music.) She also forced us to write the statement that we were not from the press and would not reprint, post online, sell or share the photographs.
PARANOID MUCH?
Well, I guess I would be too, what with the filthy food preparations, sketchy "employees", not-up-to-code DeathTraps-I-Mean-"Rides", and obvious dangerous practices.
Stay Away. -
Review from Gitana G.
Arvada, CO
1/14/2008 21 photos
Yes, the guilded lady has seen better days. If you ever get the chance, check out the main office. They still have one of those old switchboards (working) that you have to pull a plug out and then put a plug back in - No sh%t!
Yes! - If you have toddlers and are on a budget. They have crazy discounts (Admission and unlimited rides: $8.95). I love the coal burnin' train (watch for cinders!). You can hear that 'toot 'toot miles away too.
On the downside, the owner imports workers from poor Euro countries (remember all those broke down trailers on the corner of 44th & Sheridan) and pays them pennies on the dollar.
The owner is richer than sin (she owns the mall too). I wish she would get off the crapper and sell or invest some serious money because Lakeside used to be gorgeous back in the day. -
Review from Kent T.
Littleton, CO
9/6/2008 ROTD 11/15/2008
Lakeside is sort of like the "ghetto Elitches"...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
It's a little run down, it's a little old and it's a little sketchy at times, but Lakeside is not without its appeal. It's rarely crowded and you can typically ride all the major attractions, play some skeeball (yes!), buy some 1 dollar popcorn, stroll around the park and have a pleasant evening.
The best rides are probably the Cyclone Roller Coaster, the Wild Chipmunk, and the new "tower drop". You should also take some time to ride the train, a Lakeside tradition. Of course, you can't go wrong with the Carousel, Bumper Cars and Ferris Wheel. The Crystal Palace house of mirrors is one of the park's smaller attractions, but it's always a hit (I remember ditching annoying friends in there, as a kid). The Kiddie Land typically opens a few hours before the rest of the park. The rides there aren't too creative (they all go around in circles, it seems), but there's a pretty good assortment for the rugrats. Overall, I would say that the rides at Lakeside are better and more accessible than Elitches.
A fun part of Lakeside is the decor of the place. Straight out of the 1930's, it lights up well at night. No shame in taking a picture of the iconic tower, or even the Cyclone's facade at night.
A curious aspect of Lakeside is all the old relics still sitting around. Two massive tower rides have probably been closed down since the 1950's, but their skeletons still remain promiment features of Lakeside (makes me wonder if one of those rides' cars went flying off in the lake and they were forced to close 'em down!). If you look closely, you can even see the old putt-putt golf course beneath the Cyclone and the boat dock where they used to give Speedboat Rides. There's even an old "PIZZA" sign in the middle of the park...but good luck finding any pizza vendors near it.
I wouldn't take your out-of-town friends or relatives, but if you're a local and can stand some cheesiness, then have a cheap, fun night out at Lakeside!
---As an aside, do any other longtime Denverites remember the old Fun House at Lakeside? With multiple levels, shaking floors, wooden slides, neon rooms and other wacky crap. I got more than a few charley horses and brusies in that joint. Pretty sure it was demolished due to insurance concerns! -
Review from Monica T.
Denver, CO
3/10/2009
Is that duct tape on the roller coaster? Sweet. Oh, wait it's wads of gum, congealed, holding it together? Um, ok.
It HAS gone down hill, but the owner is like, 150 years old and holding onto it for sentimental reasons. The Good: It's a staple! Everyone that has grown up in Denver, has gone to Lakeside on MANY occasions and it was the coolest flippin' thing ever! Birthdays, visiting relatives, company BBQ's. How about those of us that did "Book It" during the Summer?! Remember? You'd go to the Book Mobile, read as many books as you can, log them, turn it in to the librarian and get free passes! SWEET!
Oooh, thats another nostalgiac moment, for the Denver Nostalgia thread! -
Review from Jelena W.
Lakewood, CO
8/19/2007
I can't wait until the 100th Anniversary of Lakeside. I bet they have one heck of a party! I love Lakeside for the free and cheap nights it hosts for elementary students- my first time at an amusement park was at one of these- and for its character. There is some personality to a rickety, older roller coaster that the sleek, twisted steel creations downtown just don't have.
That said, I stay off those roller coasters. While I'm sure that an army of lawyers waiting for the chance to sue is plenty of motivation to maintain them well, they just plain look scary! Of course, I don't like roller coasters much in the first place. My occasional visits to Lakeside are more for the atmosphere and the cotton candy than the rides. Great place to take kiddos or out of town friends who can appreciate the character of an older park, but it's not the spot for thrill hunters who will think the rides are out of date- and they are, but what do I care?Listed in: Entertaining the Ankle-Biters
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Review from Dave M.
Portland, OR
6/1/2010
We took our nine-year old for some family fun on a Sunday. We had a fantastic time. This isn't a huge corporate amusement park. Many of the rides are smaller. Some you might have ridden before in other small-town parks or traveling fairs.
What sets Lakeside apart is their old signage and decor. It's simply great. Many of the rides have their own specially made neon art deco or mid century signs probably designed in house back in the day.
I was completely floored by the old marble soda fountain/bar that's in one of the food concession areas. It didn't fit with the later 40's art deco design (also cool). You have to accept the mismatched design elements as part of the experience.
Disappointments are seeing some of the rides in disrepair. One of the Ferris wheels is completely shut down and slowly falling apart. The giant entry building appears to be underutilized. Was this an old ball room or roller rink? I think the park has potential to be restored and cleaned up further. -
Review from Vince D.
Boulder, CO
5/5/2007
I've got to admit, I like the idea of Lakeside Amusement Park more than the actual park itself. This is not a slag on Lakeside. In fact, considering the lameness of Elitch Garden's (2 of the 4 rides I went on broke down and had to be fixed while I was waiting in line) it may be the best amusement park in Denver. But, well, it's kind of old and dirty.
That said, what it lacks in fancy rides it makes up for with character, affordable prices and shorter lines. You don't even need to go inside. Just drive past the old, old, old-school facade and feel the chill of nostalgia. It's like something out of a Ray Bradbury book--an old-time carnival out of place in the environment. It's also got one of the oldest operating roller coasters in the world, the Cyclone.
Bottom line, this 99-year-old park has got a character that Elitch's will never have. -
Review from Leah C.
Denver, CO
8/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
Ahh Lakeside. Oh the memories we've had. One of the oldest amusement parks in America (at a sprightly 102 years old), Lakeside has been running rides since 1908.
It might seem a little small or rundown compared to the mega theme-parks of today, but think of its size and demeanor as part of its charm. You'll find lots of art deco architecture and decorative elements like neon signs and detailing on the classic rides. The park has easy highway access, courtesy of a location just North of the "it" Highlands/Berkeley neighborhoods.
In the years when the surrounding area was run-down, Lakeside lost a bit if its luster. On this last visit, remnants of now non-existent rides were coupled with those "undergoing repair." But the rides that are in working order are working like a charm, and the park was clean and free of trash. Light posts and garbage cans bore fresh coats of paint. Is the park in the midst of revitalizing? Perhaps.
It might not be the best place to get lost for a few days but if you're looking for a few hours of cheap thrills Lakeside can deliver. $2.50 gets you in the door and ride tickets can be purchased for $0.50 cents a piece. With ride rates from one to four tickets, $20 goes a lot farther at Lakeside than it would at other entertainment ventures--like the movie theater for instance. -
Review from Patrick J.
Denver, CO
12/23/2008
To preface this review. I will let you know I am a huge fan of vintage amusement parks. This is one of the last and best remaining vintage amusement parks. Many of the rides and buildings date back to the teens, twenties, thirties and forties. I will admit that the park is a little run down. But the chance to ride a classic wooden roller coaster supersedes the run down feeling. I recommend a visit at night to see all the lights lit in their glory and the coaster is just a little bit more interesting at night. This is one place I take all my summertime visitors to and without fail they have enjoyed the trip. When I showed my pictures of Lakeside to my friends in Los Angeles, they all have wanted to come visit.
I highly recommend Lakeside as a nice summer evening event. To get in the mood, listen to some jazz from the Firehouse Five plus 2 or Louis Armstrong and imagine yourself at the park in the 1930s! -
Review from Tracy T.
Denver, CO
2/3/2009
We were driving on I70 coming back from the airport one time and noticed a roller coaster to our left! The only place that I knew of around Denver was Elitches and this was not it. So, us being the adventurers got off the high way and looked for that roller coaster!! What we found was our new best source of entertainment!!
My daughter and I moved out here from Florida a few years ago. We had year passes to Busch Gardens and probably only went 2 or 3 times a year. It was about a 45 minute drive from where we lived and parking was like $8.
Yes, Lakeside is old and run down. Yes, some of the rides don't always work. YES, its cheap and FUN AND its never busy!! You can ride the roller coaster over and over and over again within an hour vs riding one roller coaster in an hour at Elitches!
Its very cheap to get in, less than $13 for unlimited rides. While I'm not too crazy about the food they offer, it is an amusement park. The bathrooms are pretty disgusting, but overall its a great way to spend a Saturday with your kid(s) and my daughter and I go several times in the summer time! -
Review from David S.
Updated - 8/15/2009
Lakeside just plain old rocks. How many great American recreational opportunities are we going to let disappear to corporate chain-ism. For $11.75 during the week and $17.75 on weekends, adults can ride all of the rides as much as they would like. Are these the fastest, highest, scariest rides in America? No way. But are these the kind of rides that make you remembers how much fun you have when twirling around and listening to others scream? Oh yeah. The only problem is the lines. THERE ARE NONE! Many times, you can just stay on the ride as long as you want. For your money, your all-you-can-ride really is all-you-care-to-ride. Go crazy. Make sure that you are there at night to enjoy the lights.
For kids, the kiddyland for $8 all-you-can-ride is also a steal. We had my son's 5th birthday party there a few weeks ago, and I went in early to get the tickets to distribute to the other parents. They also gave me free passes for the adults to get in. For the money, this may very well have been my son's most fun birthday party to date. Beats the price of a bounce house place and the party lasted into the wee hours of the night (9:30 p.m. is late for the kiddies).
Make sure that you have cash on you when you go. It costs $2.50 per person to go in and you pay that as you enter the parking lot. You then get back $0.50 per person in ride coupons that you can also apply to the cost of the all-you-can-ride bracelet.
Don't let this great gem go the way of the Cinderella City Drive-In. Get out there, bring some friends, and ride the night away in grand style.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/7/2009
Unlimited kids rides for $7? Hell yeah. As the father of a fun four year old, I love to watch him… Read more »
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Review from Enid R.
Denver, CO
1/12/2010
If you don't get Lakeside, you don't get me.
I went there one summer evening last season with a group of friends (all in our mid/late twenties). It was my idea. I kind of thought it would be a joke: We'd walk around, marvel at the sketchiness of it all, ride some rides, and have a little more street cred for having survived.
What I found was something different. The park was spotless. The employees were professional and helpful (considering they are all presumably getting paid minimum wage). The children there with their families were well behaved and all seemed to be having a great (affordable) time.
What makes this place so magical is that most everything (buildings, signs... and, yes, rides) is original. It's like a living museum. We took tons of pictures of the mid-century signage all lit up. The Tower of Lights is beautiful (and fun to see lit up from nearby all season). The rides were fun and scary (and yes, more like carnival rides than amusement park rides). The lines were short. I didn't eat anything, so I can't comment on that. Evidently, this place isn't for everyone... but, it is for me.
I can't wait to go back next summer. Looks like they'll open weekends starting in May. Yee-haw! -
Review from christopher c.
Manhattan, NY
10/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
i love this place, went there for the first time this year with georgina k. we had a blast.
the rides are cheap and fun. the wild chipmunk is the sickest ride ever. -
Review from Penelope W.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2007 1 photo
Lakeside Amusement is a ghetto-ed out version of Elitches to be blunt. But that that is not to say it is not ghetto fabulous [because it is!].
Featuring all the same attractions you would expect to find at an amusement park, though they may be more traveling carnival style than big budget amusement. Let's just say, there is no lack of amusement here. The last time I was here it was raining--puddles everywhere. I was with about 20 friends and I think we owned the place. I remember rain puddles, cotton candy, more rain, an empty carousal or two. Ooh, and some romance. So, clearly Lakeside is what you make of it. To be honest a shabby amusement park has more character than any "Six Flags,"--the same appeal as a traveling circus. -
Review from rebecca b.
Denver, CO
Updated - 7/24/2009
I had an annual tradition of going to Lakeside with my niece for one night of nostalgia and people watching. It was disappointing, at best. Of course, the large roller coaster is down for the season (the Cyclone). But in addition, three other large rides were closed (without signs, just giant garbage cans in the way).
While the big rides are supposed to open at 6p, many were not open until 7:30, making a very boring early evening.
The lack of care in this place is disappointing - while Old Skool is cool, burned out light bulbs and stale frying oil is not. I think there are officially more burned out bulbs than lit ones on the tower this year, and some of the neon on the signage within the park is burned out as well - making it look really sad instead of nostalgic.
I think this was my last hurrah at Lakeside, unless I hear that there have been some improvements.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/5/2009
Old Skool.
I've lived on this side of town for 5 years and for the first 3 years, I lived in fear… Read more »
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Review from Tiffany W.
Denver, CO
2/7/2009
Oh god this place is awesome. I have only been once so far, towards the end of last season (the last week they were open, I believe), but I cannot wait to go back once springtime hits.
Forget the ticket-per-ride bidness and spring for the unlimited band. $14 for adults (plus $2 for "park entrance" or some kind of crap), Monday through Friday night; goes up to $20 for the band Saturday and Sunday (but you can stay all day!).
The rides are old and pretty terrifying because of that fact, but if you're feeling gutsy I highly recommend the Chipmunk ride on the north side of the park. Feels like you're going to fly right off the tracks (into the lake oh sweet jesus!!!) but alas you get a nice dose of whiplash and then it's off to the roller coaster that runs a close second in fear-for-your-life-fun!
This place is totally kitschy--same lighting scheme since probably the 1950's but in my opinion it adds to the experience. The concessions stands appeared to be pretty reasonably priced as well (cheaper than a movie theatre), but alas myself and my date only took part in the football-sized funnel cake. That we ate less than half of. And still felt sick from grease (but it was still good, just A LOT).
Of course, feed-your-face-with-funnel-cake-time took part after the rides (as that could have gotten ugly), but we didn't need dinner after that. I suggest avoiding the train that goes all around the lake, at least after dark (when we rode it), as the most exciting thing I saw was a racoon, and overall was pretty lame and took away from the "cooler" rides... like the bumper boats--they're super fun and less threatening than the roller coaster ;)
