My friend Natalie snapped this awesome picture of Eldorado Springs Pool.

It’s no secret that reclining at the pool has been a well-established pastime of mine, especially after years of living in Vegas, where that translates to frosty cocktails, perfectly bronzed bodies and an upbeat soundtrack provided by superstar DJs. Well, things are a little different in Colorado, and I have to admit, I actually enjoyed the change.

For the Fourth of July, we decided to escape the heat with a jaunt to nearby Eldorado Springs, about 45 minutes from Denver (without traffic, mind you). After driving along winding roads through rolling foothills and past the jutting Flatirons of Boulder, we came to the Eldorado Springs Resort, a secluded destination with a historic swimming pool built in the early 1900s.

Although I normally have an aversion to children (and family attractions), there was something nostalgic about seeing families unloading picnics, teenagers flirting by the diving board and little kids in their water wings, leaping off the pool ledge with an equal mix of fear and delight. Instead of booming beats by Kaskade or Avicii, the soundtrack was an old-school lineup of Frank Sinatra, The Drifters and Ray Charles. I felt like I was in a scene of The Sandlot.

The scenery itself is beautiful; the pool is tucked into the side of forested mountains, and the cool, refreshing water comes from natural artesian springs. Down a set of stairs, you’ll find a grassy picnic area along a rushing stream, with a canopy of trees shading the row of picnic tables. Truly, it’s the perfect retreat on a hot summer day—and very possibly my new Fourth of July tradition.

Practical information to know before you go: Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $9 for adults, $6 for kids; Pack a picnic, and bring your floaty toys—they’re both welcome.