top of page
Things to Do
Colorado is our home and we would love to share our beautiful state with you. This section will give you some ideas on Things to Do and Places to Eat & Drink around the Denver area as well as ideas for those who plan to venture out and around the Centennial State.
We have tried our best to provide as much detail as possible in the information below but feel free to reach out to us with questions. And let us know your plans - we would love to meet up for a hike or at a brewery before our big day!!
STAYING CLOSE TO DENVER
DOWNTOWN DENVER (Elevation: 5,280'):
-
Relax at Union Station - the 1914 Terminal was recently renovated and has become "the Livingroom of Denver". Enjoy a cup of coffee or scoop of ice cream while you take in the view. If you are using the A-Line Light Rail Train, this is where you will arrive and depart from.
-
Catch a Rockies Game - They might not be the best in the West but it's a guaranteed good time. If you're looking for a deal, look for Rockpile Tickets or Standing Bar.
-
Check out Tattered Covered Book Store - Located just outside Union Station (and a mini store in Union Station), the iconic books store has every book you can imagine.
-
Discover Denver Street Art - Neighborhoods, like RiNo (River North) and SoBo (South Broadway), are filled with hidden gems. Use this Map to find all the amazing photo spots.
-
Rent a Bike or Scooter and explore the whole city. Denver has miles of trails and safe streets for biking. Get out there and explore!
-
Brewery Hop - with so many amazing breweries around Denver, we suggest making a day of it. Go from one to the next but don't forget to hydrate and take breaks at some of our favorite restaurants below.
-
Get tickets for a Red Rocks Concert - It's not technically in Denver but we promise it's worth it! Halsey will be at Red Rocks on July 6th & 7th as well as The Avett Brothers over the weekend from July 8th-10th.
​
​
BREWERIES & BEVERAGES:
Denver is filled with breweries. In fact, there are over 150+ breweries in the Denver metro area. Here are a few of our favorites. Cheers!
Denver Beer Company
10 Barrel
Great Divide Brewing Company
Hogs Head
Wynkoop Brewing Company
Ratio Beerworks
Black Shirt Brewing Company
First Draft (not a brewery but good place to sample lots of beer)
The Woods at the Source Hotel (the view from the rooftop deck is just as good as the beer!)
​
​
Not only do we drink a lot of beer, but we also have so amazing places serving up crafted cocktails, homemade ciders, and delicious kombucha.
Improper City
The Infinite Monkey Theorem
Number Thirty Eight
Death and Co
1Up Arcade
Stem Ciders
Luster Pearl
My Brother's Bar (oldest bar in Denver)
PLACES TO EAT:
Breakfast/Brunch:
The Lobby
Snooze, an AM eatery
Denver Biscuit Company
Steubens Uptown
Voodoo Donuts
Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen
​
Lunch/Dinner/Happy Hour
Avanti
Denver Milk Market
Linger LoHi
Los Chingones Rino (wear your sunscreen and sit on the rooftop deck)
Postino LoHi
El Five
Welton Room
My Neighbor Felix LoHi
Little Man Ice Cream
​
VENTURING OUT OF DENVER:
OTHER CITIES AND MOUNTAIN TOWNS:
If you have the time, we would love for you to come and explore Colorado. There are so many activities and towns close to Denver but far enough to make an extra vacation worth it. Below we have picked a few of our favorite cities and mountain towns. Click on the photo to learn more. If you have questions or just want to chat, give us a call. We'd love to help you plan a fantastic vacation!!
Fort Collins is Colorado's most northern city and home to Daphne's alma mater, THE Colorado State University (Go Rams!). Check out the CSU Campus and the famous Old Town historic district, which features a vintage trolley and specialty shops and restaurants. Horsetooth Reservoir sits on the west side of the city and offers hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing. Fort Collins is home to the original New Belgium Brewing (aka Fat Tire) and has, by far, the best brewery tour available in the state as well as a beautiful facility. Other FoCo favorites include CooperSmith's Pub and Brewing, Horse and Dragon Brewing Co, Odell Brewing Co., Luck Joe's Salon, Mugs Coffee Lounge, Ace Gilets, and Silver Grill Café.
Fort Collins
Elevation: 5,003'
Boulder is located just northwest of Denver and home to the University of Colorado (Boooo GO RAMS!). Boulder is known for its outdoor activates, eccentric people, fresh food, and progressive attitude. If you're heading to Boulder, be sure to check out the Pearl Street Mall filled with small shops, restaurants, and street performers, hiking and biking around the Flatiron rock formations at Chautaugua Park, take a Celestial Seasonings tour, and stop by Avery Brewing for delicious food and drinks.
Boulder
Elevation: 5,328'
Littleton is located south of Denver and the closest "city" to our house. Downtown Littleton is filled with boutique shops and independent restaurants. Breckenridge Brewery is located just outside of the city and provides amazing food, drinks, and outdoor space. Our favorite restaurants are Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria, Jakes Brew Bar, McKinners Pizza Bar, and Inside Scoop Creamery. If you are looking for a little activity around Littleton, the Platt River Trail is great for biking or walking and Raccoon Creek Golf Course is one of our favorites!
Littleton
Elevation: 5,351'
Golden, located just 20 minutes west of Denver, is a former gold rush town and sleepy little city at the foothills to the mountains. Check out the Coors Brewery Tour, take a hike (see Hiking Section), tube down the Clear Creek River, or tee up at Fossil Trace Golf Course. To clench your thirst and refuel, check out Barrels & Bottle Brewery, New Terrain Brewing, D'deli, or The Tributary.
Golden
Elevation: 5,675'
Rocky Mountain National Park is surrounded by two gateway towns: Estes Park (east side) and Grand Lake (west side). Two years ago RMNP made national news when a wildfire ripped through the area devastating parts of Grand Lake, closing a huge section of the National Park, and came desperately close to Estes Park. While these areas are bouncing back from the fire, they still have SO much to offer.
RMNP holds a very special place in our hearts - Bob proposed in the middle of frozen Dream Lake!!! We love exploring the park on foot (see Hiking Section), driving Trail Ridge Road (a MUST for first timers), eating ice cream and homemade taffy in downtown Estes Park, and renting a boat and floating around Lake Granby. Any of these options are amazing ways to spend a summer day. Reach out if you are planning to spend some extra time in RMNP!!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Elevation: 7,522'
Nestled in the mountains and just 40 minutes from Denver is Idaho Springs/Georgetown. If you are looking for a day trip to the mountains but are short on time, Idaho Springs and Georgetown are great options. Want some adventure? Schedule a whitewater rafting trip down Clear Creek or drive up Mount Evans. Both are sure to get your heart pumping! For hiking around Idaho Springs and Georgetown, check out our suggestions in the Hiking Section. Another option is to climb aboard one of Colorado's famous historic narrow gauge railroads - The Georgetown Railroad Loop Train. Silver mine tours are also available in conjunction with train ride. Both towns offer great food and beverages!! Our favorites include Westbound & Down Brewing Company, Beau Jo's Pizza, Tommyknocker Brewery and Pub, Smoking Yards BBQ (it's amazing, highly recommend), Guanellna Pass Brewing Company, and Cabin Creek Brewing.
Idaho Springs/Georgetown
Elevation: 7,526'
Aspen is about 4 hours from Denver and Daphne's favorite mountain town. This valley city, elevation of 8,000 feet, is known as a winter ski destination but the city has so much to offer year-round with outdoor activities, high end shopping, and world-class restaurants. Just outside of Aspen are the world famous Maroon Bells (pictured here with Bob enjoying his Coors Light). This area can get crowed during the weekend and requires a reservation, but it is a must see! Other things to do in Aspen: Walk the streets and purchase (or maybe just dream of purchasing) some expensive goodies, have a picnic in Wagner Park, paddle board the Roaring Fork River at the North Star Nature Preserve, watch the sun set from Mollie Gibson Park, and ride the gondola to the Sundeck for a local beverage. Check out the Hiking Section for some beautiful trails. For food and drink we highly recommend Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop, White House Tavern, Aspen Brewing, Paradise Bakery & Café, and Aspen Pie Shop.
Aspen
Elevation: 8,000'
Breckenridge/Frisco/Silverthorne sit right along I-70 and are about 2 hours from Denver. These three areas are some of our favorite mountain towns that we frequent. With an elevation over 9,600 feet, these towns take your breath away just walking up and down the quaint streets. We would recommend spending time walking down the main street of Breckenridge to check out all the small shops and amazing restaurants as well as planning a hike. If you are up for it, rent a bike in Breckenridge and take the Summit County Bike Trail to Frisco. The bus system in Summit County is fantastic so pick up your bike and take the easy way home - via bus. Whitewater rafting from Buena Vista, golfing at the Jack Nicolaus designed course, watching a play at the Breckenridge Backstage Theater, zooming down the Alpine Slide at the Epic Discovery Park, and fly fishing are also highly recommended. Don't forget to stop at Breckenridge Distillery to drink fantastic spirits at the world's highest distillery! And one last note - always wear sunscreen; you're nearly 2 miles closer to the sun!!
Breckenridge/Frisco/Silverthorne
Elevation: 9,600'
db
7.8.2022
bottom of page