Traveling on vacation this summer? We want to go with you! Or maybe just find us when you get there. Many of our stores are just a hop, skip or a subway/tube/bus stop from many of your favorite summer destinations. Over the summer, we’ll be featuring stores near destinations around the U.S., U.K. opens in a new tab and Canada that are conveniently located near vacation destinations like historical landmarks, beaches, artsy opens in a new tab and adventurous escapades opens in a new tab, festivals and more!“Climb every mountain, search high and lowFollow every byway, every path you know.Climb every mountain, ford every stream,Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream.”
Just thinking about that song makes me want to go outside and run up a mountain! Or a hillside…or at least take a giant breath of fresh air. This summer, many travelers are crossing the country in search of the very best that our parks and wildlife have to offer. Whether you’re out there climbing every mountain yourself or just admiring them from afar, remember that many of our stores are en route opens in a new tab to the great outdoors!Here are a few ways to take advantage of some of the most scenic areas of the U.S. Don’t forget to check our store list opens in a new tab to find out which of our stores are nearest to your destination to pick up snacks for the hiking trail or fill up on camping necessities.
Denver
Denver has a really cool mountain parks system opens in a new tab that’s divided up into The Stars, The Hearts and The Picnic Parks that makes it easy to choose your own adventure! If you love hanging out in the mountains but are seeking a low-key evening of relaxation and entertainment, try checking out the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre opens in a new tab, a legendary outdoor venue for live music, movies and dance performances. To explore the city on foot or by bicycle, Denver has themed walking and biking tour maps opens in a new tab that you can follow to see some of Denver’s best shopping, art and historical sights. Have a budding paleontologist traveling with you? Visit Dinosaur Ridge opens in a new tab and dig up a dino-mite opportunity to explore dinosaur footprints, bones (this was where the world’s first discovery of the Stegosaurus took place!) and fossils.Local Whole Foods Markets: Cherry Creek opens in a new tab, Capitol Hill opens in a new tab, Colorado Blvd opens in a new tab, Washington Park opens in a new tab, Tamarac opens in a new tab
Boulder
Boulder rocks! Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is a city that embraces the outdoors. If you’re visiting, take a day trip to Estes Park opens in a new tab, or Rocky Mountain National Park opens in a new tab for hiking and camping. If rock climbing is more your speed (or if you’d just like to try), sign up for guided climbs opens in a new tab along Boulder’s finest terrain; beginners are welcome! Bicycling Magazine listed Boulder as 3rd out of 50 of the best bike cities opens in a new tab in the U.S., so there are plenty of opportunities to bike around town. If you are vacationing without your bicycle, you can rent a bike opens in a new tab and follow a self-guided bike tour opens in a new tab to check out points of interest.Local Whole Foods Markets: Pearl opens in a new tab, Ideal Market opens in a new tab, Baseline opens in a new tab, Superior opens in a new tab
Charlottesville
At the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville has beautiful recreation and wildlife trails opens in a new tab where you can birdwatch, wade in creeks and take in the scenery. For something a bit more challenging, take hiking and backpacking trips opens in a new tab in the Jefferson and Washington National Forests and Shenandoah National Park. Speaking of Thomas Jefferson, history buffs will appreciate visits to his home (Monticello opens in a new tab), as well as James Monroe’s (Ash Lawn-Highland opens in a new tab) and James Madison’s (Montpelier opens in a new tab).Local Whole Foods Market: Charlottesville opens in a new tab
Salt Lake City
Skiing in the summer?! To some of us experiencing major heat waves it sounds like a dream, but summer skiing opens in a new tab may just be possible in Salt Lake City, due to the amount of snow earlier this year (weather and conditions permitting). If you welcome summer’s warmth, visit the Great Salt Lake opens in a new tab, try river rafting opens in a new tab on the Green, Yampa and Weber Rivers or embark on horseback riding and ATV tours opens in a new tab. For those who prefer their outdoor adventures much farther above ground, hot air balloon tours opens in a new tab provide stunning aerial views of Utah’s desert sandstone.Local Whole Foods Markets: Sugar House opens in a new tab, Trolley Square opens in a new tabLeave a comment to let us know your favorite ways and places to enjoy the great outdoors!
