REI
1416 Platte St., LoHi
Located in a massive, lofty old warehouse building, REI's flagship store is nestled up against the Platte River, and it's not uncommon to see people swimming and kayaking, or dogs fetching sticks right outside the store in the summer months (since it's also next to the Cherry Creek bike path, the built-in Starbucks is also a common pit stop for cyclists). There's a great little kid-friendly bike park out front, and the interior famously houses a multi-story rock wall that kids go crazy for. As for the merchandise, you'll find two full floors of the finest outdoor gear the industry has to offer, from tents and kayaks to fly-fishing equipment and skis.