Things to do in Denver when.........

[numtumfutunch]

Hi

Ive flown in/out of Denver a number of times but have always immediately left and never spent time there

We have a trip booked next May and I was thinking of spending 2-3 days in the city before getting a car and going on our road trip

Boulder has always had a hold on me but I think we would prefer to stay downtown

We will obviously be jetlagged and so a big draw would be somewhere to go for a nice run from the door at 4-5AM
The river is an obvious choice however is theres a park/botanical garden etc where we wont get stabbed please tell

Anything else eg museums, galleries, food scene is a bonus

Im favouring Denver over Boulder for the big city vibe, I can get a craft beer and authentic sourdough anywhere

Cheers

[poosemon]

Last couple of years, have been out for work once or twice - one of the times did go for a drive and did a Mini Mini Road Trip where I headed out to Pikes Peak and drive to summit, you can easily tie in Garden of the Gods for a wonder around as an interesting landscape if you've not seen it before.

Sports

You have NFL/NBA/Baseball all available if you can hook up a game when your there. Also - if NFL you can go and watch at McGregor Square which has a large screen and seating area and gets well attended at a ball game so you can soak up some atmosphere.

Other Events

Red Rock Ampitheatre is also within reach if there is a concert - quite an iconic venue

City

Bit hit and miss, but if your ticking off tourist sites - Denver Union Station, Laimer Square, Civic Center Park etc 14th/15th/16th Street were a bit rough in places

Places i've eaten at/drank at and I can recommened

- Stanley Market - A large foodhall, the Stanley Beer Hall within this venue is a massive wall of self pour beer and charges you per Oz poured. Had a few good evenings here and the food is good too
- Denver Beer Co, Platte Street - Great Beer selection
- Hogshead Brewery - Fantastic Beer Selection and atmosphere - has outdoor cookouts too
- NADC Burger - Was alot of Buzz around this - didn't think too much of it but by all means give it a go
- Take your pick of BBQ - there is alot and generally a good standard, google reviews should help a bit depending on what area you are in. Post Oak BBQ in Tennyson was very good.
- Also eaten at Daughter Thai Kitchen & Bar if you like Thai - can recommend, and thats just across the street from Denver Beer Co i mentioned above

I found it a pretty easy to navigate around if your driving yourself, pretty easy going. Uber was plentiful and pretty much always available within a few minutes notice.

Edited by poosemon on Monday 3rd November 22:05

[silentbrown]

I've got some weird ideas in my head.

[mattyn1]

^^^^^^Pikes Peak^^^^^^….. we did that and if it isn’t on any bucket list it bloody needs to be. Incredible!!

Also you could do Skyline Drive in Canon City CO on the way home.

[Alexandra]

I prefer Boulder to Denver, but have you considered Aspen in the Spring? It's only 3 hours away, and has some great trails for hiking, you can do rafting if you like cold water..., and it's usually quiet enough for some really beautiful bike rides. Obviously, you won't get that big city vibe, but you can get that from anywhere just about if you're only around for a couple of days.

[The Redcoat]

I live west of Denver and I'd recommend staying staying in Golden as opposed to downtown Denver. There are several decent hotels and lots of good restaurants in central Golden. If you want to go on an early morning run there are plenty of trails in the area - including through Clear Creek Canyon.

If your road trip takes you west, I would be tempted to run along I70 and then take US40 up over Berthoud Pass, through Winter Park and Granby, before heading down Highway 9 back towards I70. You could also continue on I70 to the Eisenhower Tunnel and take US6 over Loveland Pass if you want some good mountain scenery and twisty roads.

[beermtb]

As above, Golden has some lovely areas for running and mountain biking. Opposite Clear Creek is Mayhelm Gulch/Centennial Cone which is one of my favourite rides/hikes in CO. Also if you want remote, head north of Denver to Soapstone Prairie.