Recreation

FIFA coins are an important part of the game, and many players use them to buy new player cards or participate in challenges. But you should know that there can be some risks when buying these valuable FIFA Points digitally on consoles like PlayStation 4 (PS4). This article will help explain how law applies online with regards your purchase so don’t miss out! If you’re unsure of how to buy futcoins, there are a number of methods that you can use.

Comfort Buy

Comfort Buy FIFA coins is one of the fastest and most secure ways to buy coins for the game. You simply place your order and the seller will log into your FIFA account to deliver your coins. Buying coins from an unreliable seller will result in losing your money, as well as getting your account banned or hacked. However, this is not a problem if you follow some simple guidelines.

First, you need to log into your Origin account. To do so, go to the Security section and choose “View Backup Codes”. You will need to enter the account information you use to log into your Origin account.

Player Auction

You can buy coins in FIFA through the player auction in two ways. The first way is called Comfort Trade. This method involves buying a player for 30k, which is the maximum amount you can pay. It is not advisable to pay less than this because it will mean getting less coins and more money.

The second way is through the Transfer Market. This is the fastest way to transfer FUT 23 Coins. To sell a player, you must list him or her on the player auction site. This way, you can sell your unwanted player cards for a good price. You must remember to list your player cards on a random basis to avoid bots or cheaters. Once you list your player on the transfer market, the system will search the market for the player you want to sell. Once it finds the player, click on Buy and the coins will be instantly transferred to your account.

Comfort Trade

The comfort trade wind system is a convenient and quick method to buy FIFA coins. It is the method preferred by most users. However, it is important to buy from a trustworthy seller or risk losing your money or getting banned from the game. This article will help you avoid such problems and buy from reputable sellers. This will ensure that the flow of coins will be uninterrupted.

There are two ways to buy FIFA coins: online or through comfort trade. When buying through the comfort trade method, you must first play at least 50 games on your account to be eligible for the transaction. Then, you should make sure that the seller has verified your account. Once you have verified the seller, you can buy FIFA coins. It takes a few minutes to buy coins and transfer them to your account.

Auto coin generator

Using an auto coin generator is an excellent way to get free coins for FIFA Ultimate Team. Coins can vary in price from 300 to one million. However, you can use discounted codes to cut down the price. Before you start purchasing coins, make sure to follow the game’s terms and conditions. Otherwise, you might risk losing your club progress and getting banned from the game.

The most important thing to remember when buying coins in FIFA 18 is to be realistic about your budget. You don’t want to spend too much money on coins that you’ll never use. Also, you don’t want to purchase too few coins. This can cause you to have to buy more coins later. Buying later will also get you better deals.

Avoiding websites that sell FIFA coins

There are many fake websites selling FIFA coins, and it’s crucial to avoid them. The most common way to avoid scams is to check the reputation of a seller. A trusted seller will use advanced security protocols and systems to protect your personal information. Furthermore, it’s important to never pay for coins that you’ve never received.

Coin sellers earn their coins in one of three ways: they can buy coins directly from other players, grind them themselves, or hack into the game’s servers. There is a black market for FIFA coins, and EA doesn’t have much power to control it.

If you own an airsoft pistol, you need a quality holster to hold it. There are several types of holsters, some designed to fit specific brands. Here is an airsoft pistol holster buying guide for when buying a holster for your airsoft gun. Then, you can pick the best one for your needs! After all, the right holster will make your airsoft pistol much safer and more comfortable!

Nylon

Before purchasing a Nylon airsoft pistol holster, it’s important to know a few things about the material. The material’s “Denier” is an important measure of quality. This number is usually followed by a “D.” The higher the Denier, the stronger the material is. The higher the Denier, the heavier and more heat resistant it is, but you can get away with three to four-hundred-D. Generally, three-to-four-hundred-Denier should be fine for most airsoft needs. Look for pictures of the material to help determine its quality.

Another important factor when shopping for a Nylon airsoft pistol holster is the size of the gun. There are many shapes and sizes of airsoft pistols, so it’s important to choose one that’s compatible with your favorite model. Many manufacturers and retailers will identify which firearms fit their holsters, but others won’t. Some are meant for subcompact pistols, compact handguns, larger handguns with full frames, and revolvers in a housing. Powtegic is one of the best holster companies, and their line-up has something for everyone.

Leather

There are many considerations to make when selecting a holster for your airsoft pistol. Type, materials, price, retention, and sizing are all important factors to consider. The right holster can help you carry your pistol easily and securely while keeping you safe and comfortable.

Different holsters come at different price points. You want to look for affordability without sacrificing quality. Always choose a holster that is affordable and has positive reviews from previous users. You’ll also want to consider your style of pistol. You don’t want a holster that looks good, but is difficult to draw or conceal.

Polymer

There are many benefits of choosing a polymer airsoft pistol holster over other types. These features make these airsoft pistols the perfect choice for many gun enthusiasts. The following tips will help you make the right decision for your specific needs. First and foremost, check the pistol’s internal performance. It needs to shoot accurately and hold enough gas to perform well, otherwise, it will not be effective. Make sure the pistol is reliable and well-constructed before buying it.

Secondly, choose a holster that fits your gun’s model. While many holsters are universal and can fit any pistol, some airsoft guns aren’t universally compatible, so it’s essential to know which model you have before buying. Some holsters come with provisions to secure the pistol when not in use. In addition, consider what type of carry you will be using the holster for.

Nylon with thumb strap

If you are in the market for a Nylon pistol holster with thumb strap, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between these two styles. These holsters are often marketed as IWB holsters, which is a good idea if you’re going to carry your weapon on a regular basis. These holsters are made of both soft nylon and ballistic nylon and have a removable metal clip. The modern series are made from thermoplastic materials, which makes them lighter and strong than the older versions.

The thumb break strap is a useful alternative to a flap and goes across the pistol grip. However, it can be a bit difficult to draw a pistol if it isn’t securely attached. Thumb break straps are useful for keeping the pistol secure and prevent it from falling out. Thumb break straps are more comfortable than flaps, but they won’t offer much protection against grabbing. They are also usually designed to go over the hammer instead of over the gun.

Leather with neoprene strip

When it comes to choosing an airsoft pistol holster, leather with a neoprene strip is an excellent option. These holsters are comfortable, and their extra padding and foam interiors ensure that your gun stays put even when you move or jump. Some models even come with a side pocket for your additional items, like extra magazines or flashlights. These knee holsters are the best option for those who want a premium level of comfort, and the retention strap keeps your gun securely in place.

While leather is a durable material, neoprene holsters are not as durable as Kydex. The outer shell of a nylon holster will likely come unwoven over time, making it a poor choice for long-term use. But, nylon holsters are soft and pleasant to the touch. They also keep your firearm silent.

Conclusion

When choosing an airsoft pistol holster, it is important to consider your needs and preferences. There are many different types of holsters available on the market, so be sure to do your research before making a purchase. Consider the type of pistol you have, the style of holster you need, and your budget. With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect holster for your airsoft gun.

For road warriors and frequent flyers alike, accumulating credit card points and airline miles is part of the fun of travel. But when the pandemic hit, spending your hard-earned points became a bit of a quandary. It left many travelers wondering: “Are my points going to lose value?”, “What will happen to my points that are due to expire?”, and “Should I hang onto my points, or spend them now on things other than travel?”

Now that travel bookings have crept back towards pre-pandemic levels, we had some questions of our own, like: How are people spending their points? Is point expenditure correlated to traveler confidence? Has a surge in COVID-19 cases stymied point spending?

To find the answers to these questions, we analyzed point expenditure data by TripIt users in our Point Tracker feature. We looked across the airline, hotel, rental car, and passenger rail service industries and dug into how travelers have cashed in their points (and miles) since the start of the pandemic.

Point Tracker, a TripIt Pro feature, currently supports more than 150 reward programs, including air, hotel, transportation, parking, dining, and credit card rewards. Find out more about the feature, including how to monitor your reward programs, here.

Here’s what we found.

Masks up, sleeves up, wheels up—in that order

According to our data, we saw a powerful correlation between the timing of vaccine rollouts in the U.S. and point expenditure. (Note: Throughout this post, we call airline miles “points” as we view the terms as synonymous.)

Between March 2021 and June 2021, travelers were especially motivated to spend their airline points. In the U.S., point expenditure rose:

• 387% for American Airlines
• 125% for Delta Air Lines
• 76% for JetBlue Airways

Airline point usage peaked in June 2021 with TripIt users spending a total of 87.4 million points with global airlines. Shortly after that, as COVID-19 cases rose in the U.S., we saw point usage wane. Compared to June, point spending was down 12% in July and 21% in August.

Global airline point expenditure totals

Between July 2020 and August 2021, TripIt users spent 831 million points with global airlines:

• British Airways saw 20% of all points spent
• JetBlue saw 11% of all points spent
• Lufthansa saw 10% of all points spent

Hotel bookings brought the heat this summer

Similar to our airline data, we saw a distinct connection between vaccine rollouts and hotel bookings. However, with hotels, the bookings happened even sooner, i.e. during the window when news of vaccine approvals and initial rollouts began.

Hotel groups started to see an influx of reservations made with points between January 2021 and March 2021. During that time, point usage increased by:

• 53% for IHG
• 49% for Hilton
• 45% for Marriott

Point usage continued to rise between March 2021 and May 2021 as more people became vaccinated and travel restrictions loosened. During this timeframe, point usage increased by:

• 36% for Hilton
• 13% for IHG
• 3% for Marriott

Hotel stays peaked over the summer

TripIt users spent a total of 321 million points at global hotel groups in May 2021. And in the following months, point usage continued to climb: reservations booked with points increased by 18% in June and 24% in July (compared to May bookings) to nearly 400 million points.

However, between July and August 2021—as COVID-19 cases rose in the U.S.—point expenditure decreased by 23%.

Global hotel point expenditure totals

On a global scale, TripIt users spent a total of 3.6 billion points at global hotel groups between July 2020 and August 2021:

• 58% of points were spent at Marriott properties
• 28% of points were spent at Hilton properties
• 11% of points were spent at IHG properties

Traveling by train (on points) had a moment

Between July 2020 and August 2021, TripIt users spent a total of 1.7 million points with passenger railroad service companies, such as Amtrak, Deutsche Bahn, and Eurostar.

During the height of the pandemic, Amtrak saw some peak point usage:

• In July 2020, TripIt users spent the most Amtrak points (307,563)
• August 2020 came in second, with TripIt users spending 236,391 Amtrak points that month

These peak train travel months correlate with the reopening of major cities located along Amtrak’s busiest route, Northeast Regional. The route provides service between Washington, D.C. and Boston—and covers the train service’s most popular stretch between New York Penn Station and D.C.’s Union Station.

What about the rental car boom we’ve all heard about?

Although TripIt users spent a total of 5.4 million points with rental car companies between July 2020 and August 2021, it seems travelers avoided using their points to pay for their rental cars during the peak summer travel months of the past year.

For example, rental car company Hertz saw the highest number of points spent in April 2021—up 187% from November 2020 (the month with the lowest point usage during the pandemic). However, between April and August 2021, point usage decreased by 50%.

What might have caused this unlikely deviation? Rental cars were extremely hard to come by this summer. At their peak, TripIt data showed that rental car bookings for Fourth of July were at 262% of 2020 levels (and 85% of 2019 levels).

When it came to renting a car this summer, cash may have been king—especially if you didn’t have enough points to cover the spike in rental car prices.

What can we expect from point expenditure in the future?

While the travel boom we saw over the summer is predictably starting to cool off, point usage for hotels and airlines remains up year over year. Compared to last year, point spending in the month of August increased by 40% for hotels and 39% for airlines.

As we head into shoulder season—and the fast-approaching holiday season—we know TripIt users are already planning their late 2021 travels. Per survey data we released in August, we found that of those that plan to travel in the year ahead, 22% plan to travel for Thanksgiving and 31% plan to travel for the winter holidays.

For Thanksgiving, 50% of travelers plan to fly. And while the majority are planning to stay with family or friends (71%), some travelers will stay in a hotel (29%). Looking ahead to winter holidays, travelers are more likely to fly (61%) and stay at hotels (40%) for Christmastime and New Year’s.

However, as the uncertainty around travel due to COVID-19 persists, we expect travelers to continue to book travel plans that offer maximum flexibility—and whether that’s with cash or points will depend on the travel provider.

Methodology: TripIt analyzed point expenditure data by TripIt users in our Point Tracker feature for airline, hotel, rental car, and passenger rail service providers for  reservations made between March 2020 and August 2021.

The post Points and the Pandemic: New Data Shows How Travelers Cashed in Their Stockpiled Points appeared first on TripIt Blog.

The train doors opened up, I stepped off, and suddenly I was transported back in time. I had left the big towering buildings of Denver with crowds of people bustling around and arrived in historic Olde Town Arvada. My time machine only took 20 minutes! The first thing I noticed was the welcoming old-timey water tower standing near the train tracks. You don’t see water towers like that any longer. What was once a supplier of water to this small town is now the landmark of a community.

I walked off the train platform and noticed that no building was over a couple of stories which is why the water tower stood out to me. The streets were filled with people casually walking down the middle of them, and restaurants’ outdoor seating spilled over into the street in a welcoming way. I was greeted by restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, art stores, and bakeries. Suddenly the world felt like it slowed down, and I let out a big sigh of relief.

Surprisingly this was my first trip to Arvada since I have lived in Denver, and now I have no idea why I waited so long to go there.

Olde Town Arvada – A Small Town in the Shadows of a Big City

The small community concept in cities has started to permeate Denver in the last decade. But the one downside to this concept is unless you live in that little neighborhood, it’s often hard to get there if you don’t want to drive there or are a tourist visiting Denver. However, Olde Town Arvada and its small-town Main Street charm is easily accessible on the RTD light rail system in Denver!

Twenty minutes and $6 will get you to and from Olde Town from Denver’s Union Station. It’s only 8 miles from the skyscrapers of downtown Denver, but it feels like a completely different world.

Olde Town Arvada Map

Be sure to check the RTD schedule for times.

Olde Town History

If you are a history nut, Arvada is full of it. When you get off the light rail, you’ll find a bunch of informational signs about how Arvada was the site of the very first gold strike in Colorado. Plus, my favorite piece of history was that this rail commute I just did has been around for more than 100 years! In 1902 the Denver Interurban ran from Arvada to Denver on electric powered trolley cars. I had no idea that the Denver area had a trolley system historically.

Downtown Arvada is also designated on the National Register of Historic Places, which means that many of these buildings on Main Street are original and add to that small town feel.

9 Surprising Finds in Olde Town Arvada

Apple Pie, Baseball, and Main Street USA – that’s the backbone of the July 4th holiday weekend. In an effort to enjoy all of those things this year – I gathered up my visiting parents and headed to Arvada Olde Town! I had to substitute apple streusel from Rheinlander Bakery for the apple pie, but it was worth it…mmmm German streusel! We had Colorado Rockies tickets, and decided to take the light rail to Arvada to experience their Main Street feel for an afternoon and then easily hop on the RTD back to the baseball stadium in time for the night game.

My whole afternoon was full of surprises as we experienced the restaurants and shops of Olde Town. There were a lot of “that’s so cool” moments. So much so that I’m already planning trips back there! Plus I got to meet and talk to a bunch of the shop owners which made it even more fun to dig deeper into their concepts and products.

Here are 9 of my biggest surprises on my first trip to Arvada Olde Town.

1. The Country’s First Craft Seltzery

I didn’t want to like this concept. When you go into a place with that attitude, and you walk out feeling like it’s a totally cool…it’s a success. I didn’t want to like it because the idea of hard seltzer was a bit too main stream for me and my weird tastes. It screams college girls and Zima. How’s that for an 90’s throwback? I thought it was just some fad that sort of replays every 20 years or so. On top of it – this was a craft seltzer bar…which even annoyed me more because of the overuse of the marketing word ‘craft’. But dammit…I walked out of there impressed and wanting more.

Elevated Seltzer in Olde Town made me a believer in the seltzer trend. My dad and I sat at the bar and did two flights of all of their seltzers on tap. My first thought was how weird it was to see this perfectly clear liquid coming out of a tap. It felt all wrong. However, when I tasted their popular Cherry Lime hard seltzer, it was all right!

I talked to the bartender, Danielle, and she told me that Elevated is the nation and the state’s first independent seltzer company. They have 4 flavors that are always on tap (lemon lime cucumber, cherry lime, pina coloda, and acai), and the rest of the taps rotate with seasonal flavors.

All of their products are zero carbs, zero sugar, and gluten free. It’s just yeast, water, and sugar. The sugar is eaten up during the fermentation process. They come in at about 100 calories for 12 oz. But that doesn’t mean they are wimpy. The seltzers range from 5 to 7.5% in alcohol which is similar to beer.

Two brothers, Hunter and Warren, started this business in 2019 when they ditched brewing beer and started making seltzer. They also have plans to expand into the world of cocktails while making each one enjoyable on its own. I can’t wait for that!

“In a market dominated by corporate giants, we wanted to take things into our hands and do things our way.”

I liked people who take on the big guys, and I’m rooting for Elevated Seltzer to succeed. I absolutely loved the Elderberry, Grapefruit, and Pina Colada flavors during our tasting. In fact, I might have even walked away with a few cans! I’m a seltzer believer now.

Visit Olde Town Arvada Colorado. If you’re in Denver you need to check out Olde Town Arvada Colorado. Nine nostalgic and delicious surprises that’ll make you plan a return trip.” data-medium-file=”https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado-200×300.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado-800×1200.jpg” data-pin-description=”Visit Olde Town Arvada Colorado. If you’re in Denver you need to check out Olde Town Arvada Colorado. Nine nostalgic and delicious surprises that’ll make you plan a return trip.” data-pin-title=”Visit Olde Town Arvada Colorado” src=”https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado-800×1200.jpg” alt=”Visit Olde Town Arvada Colorado” class=”wp-image-43566″ width=”400″ height=”600″ srcset=”https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado-800×1200.jpg 800w, https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado-200×300.jpg 200w, https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado-768×1152.jpg 768w, https://www.ottsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/visit-olde-town-arvada-colorado.jpg 1000w” sizes=”(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px”>

2. It’s a town for Whiskey Lovers

I’m used to thinking of Kentucky when I think of whiskey and bourbon. Arvada certainly didn’t come to mind when I thought of great whiskey destinations…until now. Just walk into Schoolhouse Libations and you’ll be stopped in your tracks at the sight of their legendary whiskey wall. Just look up at the score board above the bar which has the number of bottles of whiskeys on their library shelves. It read 1,882 which put them at one of the largest whiskey lists in the country. That number also represents the year that the Arvada one room public schoolhouse was established (1882); it’s now the home of Schoolhouse libations.

I stared at that wall of whiskey and wondered how in the world they were able to locate the right bottle when there are 1,882? The bartender explained their inventory system and how he finds them. “It’s pretty easy to find what I’m looking for, unless someone puts a bottle back in the wrong place,“ he said with a laugh.

I learned that the most expensive 1 oz pour they had was $320 of Eagle Double Rare (only 299 bottles made in the world), and the least expensive pour is their well whiskey coming in at $3. I guess you can say they have something for everyone! I enjoyed my glass of Talisker Storm from Scotland, it had a peaty, smooth flavor and it was only about $13.

As you take your time and sip your whiskey, you can’t help but be enthralled with the schoolhouse décor in the bar. It’s beyond clever, starting with the bar made of #2 pencils. The walls have old chalk boards on them, the ‘chandeliers’ are made of old school desks welded together, and the high-top bar tables have periodic table elements on them…but the secret is that when they are all pushed together into one large table they make up the entire periodic chart!

I could’ve stayed at Schoolhouse Libations all afternoon, but we had a lot left to cover. Plus, I likely would’ve been drunk on whiskey and never made it back to the baseball game!

3. It’s full of Nostalgia

Scott Spears is a bit of a legend in Olde Town and for good reason. Scott owns multiple businesses, including Schoolhouse Kitchen and Libations. His businesses are all incredibly diverse; restaurants, bars, ice cream, candy, toys, and socks – but they all have one thing in common. They are full of nostalgia and fun.

Scott is a man who loves a good theme…a man after my own heart (ahem…I LOVE theme parties). He has taken some of these themes to levels I couldn’t have even imagined. He has an eye for details. Those details are what attract people and keep people talking about his businesses; that’s just good marketing. He creates an atmosphere that pulls you in and overwhelms your senses.

Many of his creations really do lean heavily on nostalgia.

Schoolhouse Kitchen and Libations

I told you about the whiskey bar, but surprise, there’s also a restaurant! When we were seated for lunch, it felt like a normal dining room and restaurant. However, as I looked around, I realized it was a work of ‘theme’ art. The chairs were old school chairs, the lamps were made out of world globes, the tables were made of old gym floors cut up, the booths were made out of school bus seats, and the walls made of bleachers! As I waited for my food, I walked around the entire restaurant looking at all of the details, it felt sort of like a scavenger hunt.

Speaking of the food, I was equally impressed with the theme that continued on the Schoolhouse menu. Not only did we get chicken and waffles on a stick (a chicken-tender coated in waffle batter and fried), but we got the sloppy joe with sweet potato tots, and the peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the crust cut off. It was all delicious and fun…especially the PB&J.

Make sure you make a trip to the restrooms; the theme continues there. Plus – the hallway leading to the restrooms have presidential portraits lining the walls. However, upon closer look, it lists the president and describes their drinking habits. Did you know that Harry Truman was a bourbon fan and often started his morning with a shot?!

Super Zoom Bang Bang Toy Store

One of the things I liked most about Scott’s business strategy to create a strong community in Olde Town was his desire to determine what was missing (in terms of main street businesses) in Olde Town, and what could bring more people that could help the entire community. He determined that every cool, hip town had a toy store. That’s how Super Zoom Bang Bang was born.

However it’s not your average toy store – it’s full of nostalgia and unique toys.

“We try to bring in things that you can’t find easily on Amazon or you can’t find at big box stores. The harder to find, cool stuff is always what sells the best.”

Scott Spears

I walked around and picked up a little red egg of Silly Putty and thought, I haven’t seen silly putty for years. There were so many throw backs from my youth, it was a walk-through toy time. They even had a whole corner of kites! The best part is that you could touch and feel the toys for a more fun experience.

So Radish

The first thing I noticed when I walked into So Radish restaurant was a mural of Michael J. Fox on the wall. Now that’s not something you see every day. But it fit right in at the 80’s themed So Radish restaurant. Another one of Scott’s creations, So Radish features a 100% plant-based menu with gluten free options. I’m pretty sure that back in the 80’s I didn’t even know what gluten was!

Not only will you be struck by the site of a Michael J Fox mural, but you’ll be surprised by all of the incredible color and neon in the restaurant. Similar to Schoolhouse, it deserves a good, slow walkthrough to catch all of the 80’s nostalgia. And you absolutely must check out the bathroom…you might want to bring sunglasses.

We tried the fried brussels sprouts and the kaleidoscope salad and ate it up just like Ms. Pacman eating ghosts! If you like street art, the 80s, or vegetarian food – then stop here!

Scrumptious

Don’t forget the ice cream. Scrumptious was Scott’s first store in Arvada Olde Town. It’s one of the first stores you see when you get off the RTD light rail. However, we saved it till the end and then sat and enjoyed our ice cream while we waited for the train back to the Coors Field.

All of the ice cream is made on sight with as many all-natural ingredients as possible. I had the Scotcheroo ice cream – peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and chocolate– delish! The portion sizes are huge…I had the kids cup and that was the size of most people’s mediums.

And if ice cream isn’t your thing (what?), maybe you are more of a candy person. You are in luck because Scrumptious in Arvada is also a candy shop. Once again, here you will find nostalgic candies that will bring memories flooding back to you. I saw candies there that I hadn’t seen since my childhood – hello Fun Dip and Slo Pokes. Plus, they also had unique items like key lime KitKats!

You’ll definitely leave Scrumptious on a sugar high.

4. Got Spices?

During the pandemic, I started ordering spices from Penzy’s Spices when a friend turned me on to them. They have a really super culture about them and I loved their marketing. I know what you are thinking – spice shops have a culture? Yes – strangely a spice shop can have a culture. You just have to sign up for their emails to really understand what I’m saying. I didn’t honestly know where the spices were shipped from, and then I got off the RTD and saw a Penzy’s Spice Shop right there in Olde Town Arvada! I had absolutely no idea that they had a store in Colorado!

If you love to cook, this is a must stop for you in Arvada. You will find spice combinations you hadn’t even considered before!

5. Real German Streusel and Stollen

Es ist gut! Walk into Rheinlander Bakery, take a big whiff, and prepare to smell Europe. Oh…how I miss Europe. If you need to get your German streusel fix, or you just have an immense sweet tooth to satisfy, stop at Rheinlander. Rheinlander Bakery, has been a community fixture in Olde Town Arvada since 1963.

They have cases filled with cookies, cakes, bars, and streusel. And the back is filled with tons of bakers busily frosting and kneading, and cutting. It’s a busy place, but totally worth a stop.

They even have one of my favorite German deserts for the holiday season – Stollen. You don’t find many places in the US that make Stollen, and when you do – you remember it and make sure you go back in December when they are baking it!

6. So Many Socks

The theme continues at Scott Spears’ retail store Sock. As you might guess, it sells socks…just socks…thousands of socks. The little yellow historic home with a white picket tube sock fence is a fun stop. Even if you aren’t into socks, you can’t help but marvel at just how many different designs there are in this little house!

You want llamas – they have it. You want gnomes – they have it. You want unicorns – they have it. You want puffins – they even have puffins.

Just walk in and try to think of the strangest thing you can and ask the clerk standing behind the register ‘table’ made of a washer and dryer what their strangest socks are. Don’t be surprised when she shows you right to the Bob Ross socks.

7. Jewelry Making and a Puppy

The door read, “Open slowly, shop puppy in training” – ummm yes…I will absolutely go inside and meet a shop puppy! Sure enough Balefire Goods has a shop puppy named Bishop. He’s a lovely dog that loves a good scratch behind the ears. Bishop will follow you around as you browse around this beautiful jewelry and art store featuring one of a kind handmade jewelry from small makers in Colorado and beyond.

Actually – it’s not really a shop – it’s a gallery. If you love shiny things like me, then you’ll love looking around Balefire Goods. Not only do they have really unique jewelry offerings, they also have glassware, prints, and they teach metalsmithing. When I was there, they were making a beautiful men’s wedding ring of gold. This isn’t your average jewelry store!

8. A Dark Secret Speakeasy

Spirt Wine Provisions is a liquor store specializing in whiskey, natural wine, and mixology…and it has a dark secret. There may just be a speakeasy in back.

The Stockroom is just that – an old, dark stockroom. However, when you are let through the plain white door that says “Employees Only”, you will not only find a dark stockroom, you’ll also find tables, a smooth bartender, and a simple looking bar stocked with the largest variety of bitters I’ve seen – 160 to be exact. My advice…try a drink with the umami bitters.

Take a moment to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. In true speakeasy form, the Stockroom keeps a low profile. It’s a place where you should plan to disconnect from your digital life, you won’t get any cell phone reception here. But a speakeasy is about socializing in a forbidden way, so put down that phone and pick up a cocktail.

You can order off the menu, but they best way to approach this speakeasy is to talk to the bartender and let them know the type of drinks you like. You like it sour? Boozy? Sweet? Complicated? Neat? And the bartender will create a drink for you on the fly. You might even get some flames in your glass! But whatever you will get in your glass, it’ll be good.

In lieu of a password, all you have to do is stop at the cash register of Spirit Wine Provisions and ask if you can “help stock boxes” and you will be led past through that unassuming Employees Only door into boozy cocktail world.

This place is so new that it’s hard to find info on it…after all…it IS a speakeasy – so it should be hard to find information on it! At the time of this writing, it’s open Wednesday to Saturday 4PM to close. They also do custom mixology classes for groups.

9. How Perfect it is for Getting to a Rockies Game

My final Olde Town Arvada surprise is just how easy and cheap it is to get back and forth to downtown Denver for a ball game. We were heading to a Rockies game, and the train ran like clockwork and drops you off 3 blocks from the stadium. You avoid all of the parking mess and it’s only $6 round trip per person.

Plus – if you park at the park and ride in Arvada, you can hop on the train, go to a game, and then come back to Olde Town for a night cap or late-night ice cream!

Turn Your Olde Town Arvada Visit into a Progressive Dinner

I know what you are thinking – how can I go to all of these places in an afternoon or evening?! I get it, there are so many good restaurants and bars here that it’s hard to decide which place to go. I have a solution…turn your visit into a progressive dinner and try them all!

My parents and I did just that and ate and drank our way through the Olde Town restaurants. Here was our route:

• Appetizers – So Radish
• First Drinks – Elevated Seltzer
• Main – Schoolhouse kitchen
• 2nd Drinks – Schoolhouse Libations
• Dessert – Scrumptious
• Nightcap – Stockroom
• Tomorrow’s Breakfast – Rheinlander Bakery – take home some streusel!

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I found 9 surprises in my short afternoon in Olde Town, and I can’t wait to go back for more. Next time I’m not waiting for a baseball game, I’m just hopping on the light rail and heading there – it’s so easy!

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