“Must See” Sights in the Mile High City?
Technically, I’m not a “Mile High” mama. I live on the Western Slope. I could be wrong, but I believe that I am the only one of “The Mamas” that was actually born in the Denver area. Can I hear a “Woot!” for Valley View Hospital?
I lived the first four years of my life in Broomfield, back in the day before Flatirons Crossing and the C-470 Tollway.
My next door neighbor on Cottonwood Drive was a cheerleader at Broomfield High School. She recruited me, as a three-year-old, to be the team mascot. I attended the football games and stood out on the sidelines with the cheerleaders. I wore a blue and white uniform and had a mini megaphone. “Go Eagles!”
As much as I love my quiet life in Fruita, it’s a real treat for me to make the four-hour drive to my first stomping ground to enjoy the big city restaurants, shopping, and museums.
As a kid, when we would come back to visit Denver, our favorite places to go were Casa Bonita and Elitches. I guess I’ve grown up because cafeteria-style Mexican food and spinning until I vomit on my jelly shoes are no longer my idea of fun.
A few days ago, my sister and I had a friend fly into DIA from Portland. The focus of “Girl’s Weekend” was shopping, sightseeing, and eating.
Our whirlwind weekend included the following: shopping at Flatirons Crossing, a quick trip over the hill for more shopping at the Silverthorne Outlets, V.I.P. passes for the Luis Miguel concert at the Broomfield Event Center (Te amo, Luis!), an afternoon in Estes Park to see the Stanley Hotel and the elk, a family-style Italian dinner at Buca di Beppo, and Asian Lettuce Wraps at P.F. Chang’s.
Four days was not enough to show our out-of-town guest all that Denver and the surrounding areas have to offer. With so many options and so little time, it was hard to decide what to do to help our friend get the most of her Mile High experience.
Maybe if I was a “Mile High Mama” by property tax and not just by birth, I could have shown my friend a better time.
Where do you take your out-of town guests? What do you think are the “must see” places in the Denver area?
Estes is “just up the hill” from us and brunch at the Stanley is always a stop on the agenda. Although we are closer to the Budweiser brewery, friends and family love to venture down to Coors for the tour and free tasting (I’m told “it’s so Colorado!”). In the summer, we’ll go to a Rockies game in Winter, snowmobling in the high country (Grand Lake or even near Breck rock!).
My SIL took visitors down south to the Royal Gorge recently and did the whole Southern Colorado experience. They had a fantastic time. There is so much to see and do here! My hope is to someday take 2 weeks off, jump in the motorhome and be tourists in our beautiful state.
http://www.coloradodentons.blogspot.com
I think 16th Street Mall and Pearl Street are definite musts. Another one of my favorites is the Chautauqua Dining Hall in the summer. It is consistently rated as the best outdoor dining in Colorado and it has killer views of the Flat Irons.
I think the Mt Evans drive is always a good choice – plus it ‘s not too far away! Oh yeah, and how can you forget the Beau Jo’s pizza experience in Idaho Springs! Come on, PF Changs is a nationwide chain! (but they are yummmy!)
Oh, and btw, I’m pretty close to being a native – I moved to the Denver area when I was merely 1 month old!
http://milehighmommy.blogspot.com
Hallllooooo, Red Rocks!
Thought of something else. Because we’re outdoor lovin’ people, we love to take our outdoorsy friends to the REI Flagship, hang out at Confluence Park watching the kayakers and bikers, and then have lunch at My Brother’s Bar, which is just around the corner. A very cool glimpse into a fun atmosphere!
Our favorites are the following, in no particular order:
1) Estes Park (we always eat at the Brewery and stroll around town)
Wynkoop Brewery (we take everyone there to play pool and have a drink or two)
2) I second 16th Street Mall and Pearl Street.
3) Garden of the Gods
4) Pikes Peak
5) Steamboat Springs
6) Breckenridge
7) Washington Park
9) Cafe Berlin (our favorite German restaurant)
10) Glenwood Springs Pool
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We try to keep it as local as possible when people visit to give them a taste of something they won’t find anywhere else. One of my favorites is a quick trip to Red Rocks and then lunch at the Morrison Inn. They have the greatest Mexican food and I love to sit on their deck in the back.
Others are a day trip to Idaho Springs with lunch at Beau Joe’s for a huge “Colorado Style” Pizza. I love Estes Park but I must say that the shops are a little kitchy. The shops at Idaho Springs top Estes (in my opinion). Recently we took our family to Breckenridge which was fabulous! Breck has the largest Historic District in the U.S. We were there to see peak fall colors and it was certainly spectacular. We’ve also taken a few trips down to Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs for the Cog Rail ride up to Pikes Peak. It’s expensive but worth the money.
We drove down to the Royal Gorge and that was incredible!! Not for anyone who is afraid of heights!! If you’re adventurous, take the sky tram across the gorge. I did it and it was exhilarating!
Boulder is always nice — Pearl Street Mall and a drive (or a hike) up Chataqua Mountain.
Lookout Mountain and a quick tour of Golden. Maybe throw in a brewery tour at Coor’s.
I haven’t taken a tour of the Denver Mint but that is something I’d like to do soon. From what I understand, you can book your tour appointment in advance online.
One other thing I’d love to do is take a trip to the sand dunes.
There’s so much to do and see here in Colorado that entertaining out-of-town visitors is always fun!
Oh, I almost forgot: Virgilio’s Pizzaria in Lakewood. Absolutely, hands down, the BEST pizza.
Oh darlin, since I live downtown I am big fan of Cherry Creek – yummy restaurants galore! And not to push my *other* site, but I write about all the things to do in Denver with your kids on Being Savvy Denver!
I lived in Denver for a short 12 months for a job relocation & am hoping to go back very soon. Since my family & friends knew I was there for a max of 12 months, they all took the opportunity to visit from places like Philly, NYC, DC, BWI, Portland, Seattle, etc.
Here’s my usual places:
2 days (1 local + 1 out of town)
(1) Stroll the 16th Street Mall
(2) Grab drinks or a book for the flight at Tattered Cover
(3) Get in the car and do a whirl wind tour of the city buildings
(4) John Fielder art museum (in case we don’t get to see the same sights)
(5) Coors Brewing factory (even my grandmom enjoyed it)
(6) Drove around Golden
(7) Red Rocks
(8) If it’s not too late, Look Out Mt to get the view of the city & watch the sunset
(8) the historic town near Red Rocks for some delicious mexician
Day 2:
Usually depends on the crowd & what they enjoy. Some sample day trips:
(*) Estes Park + Boulder – usually would take my younger friends as it was more active
(*) Or, just do Boulder – stroll pearl street, take in all of the incredible people watching, or go to the outdoor fancy mall
(*) Colorado Springs – this is good for all family members that might not be to active but my younger brothers loves it too … go to Garden of the Gods, take the train to the top of Pikes Peak & stroll around Manitou Springs .. on the way home, stop at the mall that’s right off of 25 & C-470
(*) Breckenridge – for skiing or a festival .. there’s often something going on
… If there’s time left over,
(*) Go for a dog walk in Wash Park .. there’s also a couple local places to get food near Wash Park
(*) Grab dinner or desert in the Potter Highlands (Z Cuisine or Little Man Ice Cream are my favorite!)
(*) Get the local flavor by doing $5 unlimited mamos at “Breakfest on Broadway” or “Cafe Star” on Colfax”. Neither are in the most prestine neighborhoods but the food is delicious, the drinks are plentiful and they neighborhood has lot of funk and unique characteristics.
I hope that helps!