Guidebook for Denver
Food Scene
I am personally not a great fan of some Denver attractions such as Casa Bonita with terrible Mexican food but good sopapillas (which you can get at many Mexican restaurants but without the cliff divers).
I am also sacrilegious for suggesting to forego the Coors Brewery in Golden. Usually long lines to get in and sample the beer...go to Pint's Pub a few minutes from here and have great and various craft beers or their huge whiskey selection! Play some darts! Then walk over to the Art Museum or other downtown attractions.
Eggplant Fajitas for Dinner! Hot and Sizzling and enough for two hungry adults! You cannot go wrong with American/Mexican food at Racines. They have a great patio and indoor sports bar in a very sophisticated setting! Reasonably priced, too!
34 locals recommend
Racine's Restaurant
650 Sherman StEggplant Fajitas for Dinner! Hot and Sizzling and enough for two hungry adults! You cannot go wrong with American/Mexican food at Racines. They have a great patio and indoor sports bar in a very sophisticated setting! Reasonably priced, too!
Denver has several lovely tucked away shopping/restaurant areas. Old South Gaylord Street and Old South Pearl Street are very close by and walkable! Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Mall are home to lovely restaurants including Elway's! (yes, John Elway). The Best of Westword annual issue is yours to keep and located in your carriage house. It is a great reference guide for all the popular venues in metro Denver/LODO (lower downtown) or Highlands Area!
24 locals recommend
Old South Gaylord Street Shops
1034 S Gaylord StDenver has several lovely tucked away shopping/restaurant areas. Old South Gaylord Street and Old South Pearl Street are very close by and walkable! Cherry Creek North and the Cherry Creek Mall are home to lovely restaurants including Elway's! (yes, John Elway). The Best of Westword annual issue is yours to keep and located in your carriage house. It is a great reference guide for all the popular venues in metro Denver/LODO (lower downtown) or Highlands Area!
This is an old hippie restaurant and has been around for decades. This venue often has morning yoga classes or dance parties in the evening! Unusual.
72 locals recommend
Mercury Cafe
2199 California StThis is an old hippie restaurant and has been around for decades. This venue often has morning yoga classes or dance parties in the evening! Unusual.
Maria Empanada
1298 S BroadwayBecause her empanadas are delicious and she is located nearby!
Indian food...voted best in Denver by Westword...but I would suggest staying away from the fried food...
10 locals recommend
India's Restaurant
8921 E Hampden AveIndian food...voted best in Denver by Westword...but I would suggest staying away from the fried food...
Middle Eastern Food...reasonable and not too much garlic! Near DU on Evans...again, about 10 minutes by car once parked (small lot). No drinks served here.
75 locals recommend
Jerusalem Restaurant
1890 E Evans AveMiddle Eastern Food...reasonable and not too much garlic! Near DU on Evans...again, about 10 minutes by car once parked (small lot). No drinks served here.
They have very good breakfasts and a bar. If you like creole food and biscuits!
215 locals recommend
Lucile's Creole Cafe
275 S Logan StThey have very good breakfasts and a bar. If you like creole food and biscuits!
City O' City
206 E 13th Avevegetarian/vegan restaurant!
Vegan restaurant gets 4.5 stars! On 17th Avenue North of the carriage house. Worth a try! You will be pleasantly surprised!
225 locals recommend
Watercourse Foods
837 East 17th AvenueVegan restaurant gets 4.5 stars! On 17th Avenue North of the carriage house. Worth a try! You will be pleasantly surprised!
When you drive 1-25 North to Hwy 36 to Boulder (perhaps on your way to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park) I would suggest a stop at Tajikistan's gift to Boulder...their sister city. Boulder is a very beautiful town and is home to a large Buddhist community as well as CSU (Colorado State University). The drive in is very pretty....years ago most of the drive was greenway set aside to keep the metro Denver area from encroaching. However, it is quite developed at this point. You will want to lay eyes on the FlatIrons...there is an artistic depiction of them hanging on the wall of the carriage house.
317 locals recommend
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
1770 13th StWhen you drive 1-25 North to Hwy 36 to Boulder (perhaps on your way to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park) I would suggest a stop at Tajikistan's gift to Boulder...their sister city. Boulder is a very beautiful town and is home to a large Buddhist community as well as CSU (Colorado State University). The drive in is very pretty....years ago most of the drive was greenway set aside to keep the metro Denver area from encroaching. However, it is quite developed at this point. You will want to lay eyes on the FlatIrons...there is an artistic depiction of them hanging on the wall of the carriage house.
Whether you came in from Trail Ridge Road or from Boulder you might be hungry and would probably enjoy Ed's. It has a variety of very good food and drink and a nice atmosphere. It is not as touristy and often not as busy due to being overlooked some (location). It is very close to the Stanley which is located across the road. There is a very nice walking trail with interactive musical sculptures along the path.
68 locals recommend
Ed's Cantina & Grill
390 E Elkhorn AveWhether you came in from Trail Ridge Road or from Boulder you might be hungry and would probably enjoy Ed's. It has a variety of very good food and drink and a nice atmosphere. It is not as touristy and often not as busy due to being overlooked some (location). It is very close to the Stanley which is located across the road. There is a very nice walking trail with interactive musical sculptures along the path.
Nice place in Breckenridge. Great 2 for 1 drinks and BOGO appetizers for Happy Hour ( you can share with your partner) and it is located on main street but not in the middle where all the tourists are gathered. Live jazz in the front of the restaurant and parking behind!
362 locals recommend
Blue River Bistro
305 N Main StNice place in Breckenridge. Great 2 for 1 drinks and BOGO appetizers for Happy Hour ( you can share with your partner) and it is located on main street but not in the middle where all the tourists are gathered. Live jazz in the front of the restaurant and parking behind!
This place is very new to me. I was driving home from the mountains and took a "wrong" turn near home due to traffic. A few blocks from StoneHaven (walking will be easier than parking). It was on the corner and hopping! All open to the summer night air it looked great! And people were having so much fun! This is a new location for this restaurant featuring Ramen!
319 locals recommend
Uncle
2215 W 32nd AveThis place is very new to me. I was driving home from the mountains and took a "wrong" turn near home due to traffic. A few blocks from StoneHaven (walking will be easier than parking). It was on the corner and hopping! All open to the summer night air it looked great! And people were having so much fun! This is a new location for this restaurant featuring Ramen!
Just around the corner (literally) and the storefront does not look like much...but there is a hidden back patio! Great place for a very good sandwich on Pearl Street...head half a block north on Pearl!
44 locals recommend
Vert Kitchen
704 S Pearl StJust around the corner (literally) and the storefront does not look like much...but there is a hidden back patio! Great place for a very good sandwich on Pearl Street...head half a block north on Pearl!
Drinks & Nightlife
They have a limited but good menu and the most extensive whisky collection in the city! Quaint and feels like Scotland on a rainy day!
19 locals recommend
Pints Pub- British Gastro Brewpub & Restaurant
221 W 13th AveThey have a limited but good menu and the most extensive whisky collection in the city! Quaint and feels like Scotland on a rainy day!
This is the lower downtown night scene! Sports bars and nightclubs! Usually pretty busy and rowdy! Not for the fainthearted.
889 locals recommend
LoDo
This is the lower downtown night scene! Sports bars and nightclubs! Usually pretty busy and rowdy! Not for the fainthearted.
Dazzle
1080 Curtis StreetJazz club!
Dive Bar has been in Denver for decades. Walked in one night and Wynton Marsalis came out front and began to play! You never know...by day it is Mexican food fare and turns into this strange little nightclub by night! Not far from the Rockies' Stadium.
50 locals recommend
El Chapultepec
1962 Market StDive Bar has been in Denver for decades. Walked in one night and Wynton Marsalis came out front and began to play! You never know...by day it is Mexican food fare and turns into this strange little nightclub by night! Not far from the Rockies' Stadium.
Arts & Culture
I read a couple of years ago that the Denver arts/music and culture scene brought in more revenue than all the sports teams based in Denver! Of course all these wonderful activities makes Denver a vibrant city. The SCFD (Science, Cultural, Fine Arts Districts) are additionally funded by metro Denver residents who pay higher taxes and vote for this distinction! So be certain you check out these cultural amenities as StoneHaven is within a 10 to 15 minute drive from all of them! Or perhaps you would like to take the light rail or hail Lyft or Uber or a Taxi?
Denver Center for the Performing Arts is a top notch center with exciting shows, Broadway plays and musicals. Pepsi Center hosts international concert tours of your favorite artists. Smaller venues like SwallowHill Music are nearby and host acoustic musicians from around the globe who sometimes do workshops before or after their concert gig. 303 magazine, Westword magazine or their websites have many up and coming events listed.
The architecture is very unique! Walk around outside even if you do not partake of the actual exhibits (but what a shame!).
1293 locals recommend
Denver Art Museum
100 W 14th Ave PkwyThe architecture is very unique! Walk around outside even if you do not partake of the actual exhibits (but what a shame!).
It is a very interactive museum and has a good overview of Colorado History! Also nearby!
212 locals recommend
History Colorado Center
1200 N BroadwayIt is a very interactive museum and has a good overview of Colorado History! Also nearby!
Fantastic exhibits...upcoming...Dead Sea Scrolls!
1094 locals recommend
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado BlvdFantastic exhibits...upcoming...Dead Sea Scrolls!
Take in the symphony or a play! World Class venue!
181 locals recommend
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1101 13th StTake in the symphony or a play! World Class venue!
This is an acoustic music school and concert venue. If you love world music, folk music, blues, bluegrass...well, there are many concerts throughout the year. www.swallowhillmusic.org
16 locals recommend
Swallow Hill Music
71 E Yale AveThis is an acoustic music school and concert venue. If you love world music, folk music, blues, bluegrass...well, there are many concerts throughout the year. www.swallowhillmusic.org
This is an iconic Denver outdoor ampitheater with world-class musicians. Nearly all musicians who played here express that this was on the top of their bucket list! It is a beautiful view above the city in the foothills with starry nights and gorgeous towering red rocks which form the natural ampitheater. Great visitor center with musical history of the venue. Check their website before coming to town!
1973 locals recommend
Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda ParkwayThis is an iconic Denver outdoor ampitheater with world-class musicians. Nearly all musicians who played here express that this was on the top of their bucket list! It is a beautiful view above the city in the foothills with starry nights and gorgeous towering red rocks which form the natural ampitheater. Great visitor center with musical history of the venue. Check their website before coming to town!
Colorado Symphony
1000 14th StWorld Class!
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
119 Park Ave WWorld class dancers!
Wonderful plays and live music! More of a trek as it is located in Arvada (a suburb North and West of Denver).
48 locals recommend
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
6901 Wadsworth BlvdWonderful plays and live music! More of a trek as it is located in Arvada (a suburb North and West of Denver).
Sightseeing
Denver is the state capitol of Colorado. It is central to metro Denver and the bustling hub of the city.
129 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
Denver is the state capitol of Colorado. It is central to metro Denver and the bustling hub of the city.
Old Victorian mining town up 1-70 with beautiful mountain views and wildlife (mountain goats/sheep). Continue on your way to Silverthorne (some factory outlet stores if you are so inclined) and on to Breckenridge an iconic Victorian ski town! Shopping and beautiful views. Leave by 9am and drive for about 90 minutes...go for a hike up Boreas Pass Road or a bike ride from Dillon to Frisco! Drive home but if it is the weekend it will take longer than your drive up!
76 locals recommend
Georgetown
Old Victorian mining town up 1-70 with beautiful mountain views and wildlife (mountain goats/sheep). Continue on your way to Silverthorne (some factory outlet stores if you are so inclined) and on to Breckenridge an iconic Victorian ski town! Shopping and beautiful views. Leave by 9am and drive for about 90 minutes...go for a hike up Boreas Pass Road or a bike ride from Dillon to Frisco! Drive home but if it is the weekend it will take longer than your drive up!
One of the most beautiful parks in our National Park system. Again...only 90 minutes..drive up 1-25 to HWY 36...watch out for cyclists...and deer....and elk....Incredible views on the way into Estes Park and the beautiful Stanley Hotel (where The Shining was filmed with Jack Nicholson). Take a leisurely drive through the first loop of the park. If you left early then drive over Trail Ridge Road (not for the faint hearted) but this trip can be done in a day! Stop for lunch in Grand Lake or on the creek in Estes!
586 locals recommend
Estes Park
One of the most beautiful parks in our National Park system. Again...only 90 minutes..drive up 1-25 to HWY 36...watch out for cyclists...and deer....and elk....Incredible views on the way into Estes Park and the beautiful Stanley Hotel (where The Shining was filmed with Jack Nicholson). Take a leisurely drive through the first loop of the park. If you left early then drive over Trail Ridge Road (not for the faint hearted) but this trip can be done in a day! Stop for lunch in Grand Lake or on the creek in Estes!
Lovely downtown aquarium if you enjoy seeing both sea life and native water life to Colorado.
492 locals recommend
Downtown Aquarium
700 Water StLovely downtown aquarium if you enjoy seeing both sea life and native water life to Colorado.
Parks & Nature
It is 5 blocks from the carriage house and is extremely walkable. Head East up Ohio Avenue and carefully cross Downing street into the park. Be aware of bicycles and follow the street signs which show where pedestrians should walk to avoid the bicycles which speed through the park! It is a mile long and has two lakes, gardens (which reach their peak in August) and eagles, herons and many other birds. If you are so inclined rent a paddle boat on the north lake or a pedal surrey to move around the park! Look up to catch a glimpse of an eagle! During the summer there are evening concerts at the boat house or in the large common area.
738 locals recommend
Washington Park
It is 5 blocks from the carriage house and is extremely walkable. Head East up Ohio Avenue and carefully cross Downing street into the park. Be aware of bicycles and follow the street signs which show where pedestrians should walk to avoid the bicycles which speed through the park! It is a mile long and has two lakes, gardens (which reach their peak in August) and eagles, herons and many other birds. If you are so inclined rent a paddle boat on the north lake or a pedal surrey to move around the park! Look up to catch a glimpse of an eagle! During the summer there are evening concerts at the boat house or in the large common area.
Pretty views of Denver and the skyline with a park in the foreground. Also home to Denver Zoo and Nature and Science Museum!
13 locals recommend
City Park Esplanade
City Park EsplanadePretty views of Denver and the skyline with a park in the foreground. Also home to Denver Zoo and Nature and Science Museum!
Chatfield Lake, sailing, swimming, 66 acre fenced dog park, etc!
83 locals recommend
Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State ParkChatfield Lake, sailing, swimming, 66 acre fenced dog park, etc!
A wonderful wildlife sanctuary housing lions, tigers, bears, wolves, etc. who have been rescued from zoos, roadside attractions, captivity as people's pets....It is wonderful because you can walk a high-rise walkway and look down at the animals. Great photo opportunities! Great Cause! Set aside 4 hours (an hour to find it, 2 to enjoy it, an hour to come home)....Very worthwhile if you care for nature and animals and photography!
98 locals recommend
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
2999 Co Rd 53A wonderful wildlife sanctuary housing lions, tigers, bears, wolves, etc. who have been rescued from zoos, roadside attractions, captivity as people's pets....It is wonderful because you can walk a high-rise walkway and look down at the animals. Great photo opportunities! Great Cause! Set aside 4 hours (an hour to find it, 2 to enjoy it, an hour to come home)....Very worthwhile if you care for nature and animals and photography!
A ways away but the hot springs scene around Colorado is really nice...if you have more than 24 hours to travel...go to the spas here or Buena Vista (rustic) and stay over night to make it leisurely.
67 locals recommend
Hot Sulphur Springs
A ways away but the hot springs scene around Colorado is really nice...if you have more than 24 hours to travel...go to the spas here or Buena Vista (rustic) and stay over night to make it leisurely.
Other fun Shopping
Farmers' Markets are found around Denver throughout the week and weekends.
A few blocks away on Old South Pearl past several great little restaurants and coffeeshops....this little shop (one side is clothing and the other entrance is filled with little gifts and treasures) will not disappoint!
17 locals recommend
5 Green Boxes
1570 Pearl StA few blocks away on Old South Pearl past several great little restaurants and coffeeshops....this little shop (one side is clothing and the other entrance is filled with little gifts and treasures) will not disappoint!
This is a unique arts cooperative in Cherry Creek North! Jewelry and home decor....
Show Of Hands Gallery
200 Columbine StThis is a unique arts cooperative in Cherry Creek North! Jewelry and home decor....
Artisan Center
2757 E 3rd AveUnique gifts in North Cherry Creek shops! A few minutes away!
Just over the hill east on Alameda (a few blocks north of here) you will find yourself on University Blvd. Just north on University Blvd. and you will find yourself at the Cherry Creek mall and Cherry Creek North shops...but in the parking lot on Wednesdays and Saturdays....Farmer's Market!
8 locals recommend
Colorado Fresh Markets
3000 E 1st AveJust over the hill east on Alameda (a few blocks north of here) you will find yourself on University Blvd. Just north on University Blvd. and you will find yourself at the Cherry Creek mall and Cherry Creek North shops...but in the parking lot on Wednesdays and Saturdays....Farmer's Market!
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
1701 Wewatta StLocated just 3 blocks away on Washington....
Sprouts Farmers Market
3625 E Colfax AveClose by and not as expensive as Whole Foods.