NBR: denver advice

BSE

i've noticed a lot of people on here seem to be from CO or traveling there. we might be flying to denver next weekend and i've never been. if you have any recommendations on places to eat or things to do or general advice i would really appreciate it!

we'd go friday until monday. i know we want to see a baseball game and we'll rent a car- seems like there are some great places close by to drive to from denver too.

thanks!

 

s-a-r-a-h

If shopping is your thing, I've been to Denver several times and really enjoyed shopping in Cherry Creek. There was also this street downtown that had some really great local shops and a good gelato place. I can't remember the name of the street but I think it was near Cheesecake Factory.

labbielover07

You'll have a blast at Coors Field for a baseball game!  We are die hard Rockies fans!  It is a really nice stadium.  16th Street Mall has a bunch of different places to eat.  The flagship REI store is in Denver and is HUGE!  There is a Starbucks inside and it is right on the Platte River.  Right behind REI is a little restaurant called Mona's and we love going there for breakfast.  There is also a Savory Spice shop right in that area if you are into that.  We always pick up there taco seasoning, it's the best!  We love going to Caribou Coffee since we don't have them here in Austin.  There are a bunch of different breweries you can visit if you are into that... right by the baseball stadium there is Breckenridge Brewery and they have some great food too.  Spaghetti Factory and Yard House and Rockbottom are good places to eat.  There is the zoo and aquarium and children's museum.  Sorry this post is all over the place, just writing as I think of things!  Wear sunscreen! 

labbielover07

labbielover07:

You'll have a blast at Coors Field for a baseball game!  We are die hard Rockies fans!  It is a really nice stadium.  16th Street Mall has a bunch of different places to eat.  The flagship REI store is in Denver and is HUGE!  There is a Starbucks inside and it is right on the Platte River.  Right behind REI is a little restaurant called Mona's and we love going there for breakfast.  There is also a Savory Spice shop right in that area if you are into that.  We always pick up there taco seasoning, it's the best!  We love going to Caribou Coffee since we don't have them here in Austin.  There are a bunch of different breweries you can visit if you are into that... right by the baseball stadium there is Breckenridge Brewery and they have some great food too.  Spaghetti Factory and Yard House and Rockbottom are good places to eat.  There is the zoo and aquarium and children's museum.  Sorry this post is all over the place, just writing as I think of things!  Wear sunscreen! 

Shopping... there is the Cherry Creek area, they have some high end stores.  On the very south side of Denver in the suburbs is a huge shopping area called Park Meadows (Parker, CO) and they have everything.  I LOVE See's Candie's and they give out free samples.  Smashburger is greasy and delicious.  Do you know where you'll be staying in Denver and are you going outside of Denver at all?

BSE

Thanks for the suggestions labbielover07!

i was trying to stay near LoDo (based on trip advisor) without it getting too expensive- maybe the curtis or magnolia hotel, although i'm still looking around. the brewery tours sound great (well for my DH i was thinking we should try and go to garden of the gods or red rocks amphitheater (just to see not see a show) or bolder for the day. figure i should also see some mountains. let me know if you been to these places/recommend them. and suggestions on areas to stay in.

OrangeFelt

labbielover07:

  There is also a Savory Spice shop right in that area if you are into that.  We always pick up there taco seasoning, it's the best! 

Labbie!  You know they opened up a store in Austin, right?  You can now get your taco seasoning local. Does it work well with KA tacos? :P

Hmm.. I've spent a lot more time in Boulder vs. Denver (dh's family is there), and think its a nice side trip if you have some extra time.  There's Pearl Street Mall which is really nice and walkable.

My last trip to Denver, I went to this AWESOME tequila/tapas bar called Lola.. not sure if that's your thing or not, but it was really cool and tasty for more than just tequila.

el_twirpo

the street downtown i believe is 14th (or 16th) and it's completely blocked off for pedestrians. really cute area for shopping and restaurants.

red rock was COOL! and it butts up against a small town with cute little shops too.

if you have the time to drive out to rocky mt. national park, i recommend leaving really early in the morning. most people seem to show up around noon or later, and then it gets harder for parking and riding the shuttle to take you to different trailheads. bring lots of water - it gets dry up there.

i was also advised to put the car in a lower gear when you're coming down a steep slope so you don't burn out the brakes the whole way down. (also heard it's bad on the transmission, but hey, it's a rental. what do you care? haha) 

labbielover07

BSE:

Thanks for the suggestions labbielover07!

i was trying to stay near LoDo (based on trip advisor) without it getting too expensive- maybe the curtis or magnolia hotel, although i'm still looking around. the brewery tours sound great (well for my DH i was thinking we should try and go to garden of the gods or red rocks amphitheater (just to see not see a show) or bolder for the day. figure i should also see some mountains. let me know if you been to these places/recommend them. and suggestions on areas to stay in.

Garden of the Gods is in Colorado Springs and really pretty.  We did our engagement pictures there!  I'm most familiar with the springs.  We got married at The Broadmoor which is BEAUTIFUL to go walk around, take pictures and get brunch or lunch.  The springs zoo is really fun and pretty.  Pike's Peak is there... and taking the cog rail up to the summit is amazing!  They make donuts at the top of the peak and there is a big shop to look around.  Boulder has the famous Pearl Street which has shops and places to eat.  We also love Avery Brewery (just a taste room, no food).  Estes Park isn't that far from Boulder and it is a gorgeous drive. The town has lots of little shops and places to eat.  From Denver, the springs is about an hour south and a straight shot down i-25.  If you go about an hour north of Denver, you can visit Fort Collins which I love.  The CSU campus is really pretty, you can visit the New Belgium Brewery, Coopersmith's is an awesome place to eat, and the old town FOCO area is really cute... lots of shops and stuff.  Any of these areas are nice and I would stay there.  My family is in CO so I haven't really stayed at hotels while visiting!  I LOVE Colorado and can't wait to move up there in a couple years.  You will enjoy yourself! 

labbielover07

OrangeFelt:

labbielover07:

  There is also a Savory Spice shop right in that area if you are into that.  We always pick up there taco seasoning, it's the best! 

Labbie!  You know they opened up a store in Austin, right?  You can now get your taco seasoning local. Does it work well with KA tacos? :P

Hmm.. I've spent a lot more time in Boulder vs. Denver (dh's family is there), and think its a nice side trip if you have some extra time.  There's Pearl Street Mall which is really nice and walkable.

My last trip to Denver, I went to this AWESOME tequila/tapas bar called Lola.. not sure if that's your thing or not, but it was really cool and tasty for more than just tequila.

AHHH no way!  It is AWESOME with the tacos!  That was why I originally bought it so I would have something tasty when I made them!  YAY