Guidebook for Denver
Parks & Nature
Running paths, lake activities (paddleboarding in the summer, etc).
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Sloans Lake
Running paths, lake activities (paddleboarding in the summer, etc).
This is the one 14er you can drive to the top of. If your car can make it, that is.
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Pikes Peak Summit House
This is the one 14er you can drive to the top of. If your car can make it, that is.
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, just 60 miles west of Denver, is the highest paved road in North America. A day trip to the top is a journey that snakes and climbs through nearly 9,000 feet of elevation gain, from the high plains of Denver through five climate zones to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Evans – one of 54 peaks in Colorado that soar to 14,000 feet and above.
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Mount Evans
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway, just 60 miles west of Denver, is the highest paved road in North America. A day trip to the top is a journey that snakes and climbs through nearly 9,000 feet of elevation gain, from the high plains of Denver through five climate zones to the 14,264-foot summit of Mount Evans – one of 54 peaks in Colorado that soar to 14,000 feet and above.
Hanging Lake Trail is a 2.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Glenwood Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October.
Hanging Lake Trail is one of Colorado's most visited and beautiful short hikes. Perched high in the mountains, the trail takes you along Dead Horse Creek and through the rocky Glenwood Canyon. It is a national natural landmark in the White River National Forest near Glenwood Springs, Colorado that can be reached easily from Denver.
Note: you're not supposed to get IN the lake.
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Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake Trail is a 2.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Glenwood Springs, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October.
Hanging Lake Trail is one of Colorado's most visited and beautiful short hikes. Perched high in the mountains, the trail takes you along Dead Horse Creek and through the rocky Glenwood Canyon. It is a national natural landmark in the White River National Forest near Glenwood Springs, Colorado that can be reached easily from Denver.
Note: you're not supposed to get IN the lake.
The area now known as Garden of the Gods was first called Red Rock Corral by the Europeans. Then, in August 1859, two surveyors who helped to set up Colorado City explored the site. One of the surveyors, M. S. Beach, suggested that it would be a "capital place for a beer garden". His companion, the young Rufus Cable, awestruck by the impressive rock formations, exclaimed, "Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods."
This park is known for its massive red rocks formations. Activities and tours are available.
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Garden of the Gods
1805 N 30th StThe area now known as Garden of the Gods was first called Red Rock Corral by the Europeans. Then, in August 1859, two surveyors who helped to set up Colorado City explored the site. One of the surveyors, M. S. Beach, suggested that it would be a "capital place for a beer garden". His companion, the young Rufus Cable, awestruck by the impressive rock formations, exclaimed, "Beer Garden! Why it is a fit place for the Gods to assemble. We will call it the Garden of the Gods."
This park is known for its massive red rocks formations. Activities and tours are available.
Indian Hot Springs
302 Soda Creek RdThe closest hot springs to Denver!
Another hot springs option: https://www.hotspringspool.com/
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Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
401 N River StAnother hot springs option: https://www.hotspringspool.com/
This is one of the best/most scenic hot springs, especially in winter with snow on the ground.
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Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs
44200 Co Rd 36This is one of the best/most scenic hot springs, especially in winter with snow on the ground.
An awesome hot springs near sand dune national park!
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Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa
28640 County Rd 58EEAn awesome hot springs near sand dune national park!
Ouray Hot Springs
Desert Reef Hot Spring
1194 Co Rd 110Known for being clothing optional!
Essentials
King Soopers
1950 Chestnut PlWalgreens
801 16th St MallDrugstore with pharmacy
Getting Around
Light Rail station for the W line: goes to downtown Union station. Transfer there to the A for the airport or just get off and enjoy downtown!
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Perry Station
Light Rail station for the W line: goes to downtown Union station. Transfer there to the A for the airport or just get off and enjoy downtown!
Food Scene
This is an excellent spot for breakfast or lunch. Everything they do is delicious!
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Stowaway Kitchen
2528 Walnut StThis is an excellent spot for breakfast or lunch. Everything they do is delicious!
Another awesome choice for breakfast or lunch. The tacos are a favorite!
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Onefold
1420 E 18th AveAnother awesome choice for breakfast or lunch. The tacos are a favorite!
This is a tiny place with a good patio. Very scandinavian in feel, their bread is house-baked and exceptional. Also their chocolate chip cookies are amazing. And everyone who works there is super nice.
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Call
2845 Larimer StThis is a tiny place with a good patio. Very scandinavian in feel, their bread is house-baked and exceptional. Also their chocolate chip cookies are amazing. And everyone who works there is super nice.
This is a Japanese/ramen spot. Happy hour after 10pm, with $5 sushi and izakaya items. The food is really good. They have a 5.5lb ramen eating challenge as well, if you're insane. A local secret: they'll do half-portions of the ramen if you ask, but it's not advertised.
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TOKIO
2907 Huron StThis is a Japanese/ramen spot. Happy hour after 10pm, with $5 sushi and izakaya items. The food is really good. They have a 5.5lb ramen eating challenge as well, if you're insane. A local secret: they'll do half-portions of the ramen if you ask, but it's not advertised.
It's good for everything. I've only been for breakfast or lunch, but people rave about the dinner too.
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Beast + Bottle
719 E 17th AveIt's good for everything. I've only been for breakfast or lunch, but people rave about the dinner too.
Best Italian food in the city, run by two of the nicest people I know.
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Spuntino
2639 W 32nd AveBest Italian food in the city, run by two of the nicest people I know.
This food hall features a bar, a coffee shop, a juice and salad vendor, an ice cream spot, and several more options for food. A good place to take a group when you can't all decide on the same thing. I particularly like the little cafe spot in the back right corner.
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The Denver Central Market
2669 Larimer StThis food hall features a bar, a coffee shop, a juice and salad vendor, an ice cream spot, and several more options for food. A good place to take a group when you can't all decide on the same thing. I particularly like the little cafe spot in the back right corner.
This food hall (Denver loves food halls) features two separate bar concepts and six international food vendors, plus a coffee shop and a gelato shop, and a few retail stores. It's one stop away from Union Station on the A line, making it a good stop on the way to or from the airport. (The stop is 38th and Blake). The vietnamese coffee is incredible, as is all the gelato (flavors change frequently). The fried chicken at Injoi is not to be missed, nor is the chicken 65 at Namkeen (they'll put it in a roti if you ask). The upstairs bar is dark and moody and more of a craft cocktail scene, but the downstairs bar is bright and airy and a good place to grab a quick beer or wine.
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Zeppelin Station
3501 Wazee StThis food hall (Denver loves food halls) features two separate bar concepts and six international food vendors, plus a coffee shop and a gelato shop, and a few retail stores. It's one stop away from Union Station on the A line, making it a good stop on the way to or from the airport. (The stop is 38th and Blake). The vietnamese coffee is incredible, as is all the gelato (flavors change frequently). The fried chicken at Injoi is not to be missed, nor is the chicken 65 at Namkeen (they'll put it in a roti if you ask). The upstairs bar is dark and moody and more of a craft cocktail scene, but the downstairs bar is bright and airy and a good place to grab a quick beer or wine.
This small neighborhood spot feels like it's in the middle of nowhere, but the food is really, really good and the wine list is interesting and eclectic. This is a local's gem for sure.
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The Plimoth
2335 E 28th AveThis small neighborhood spot feels like it's in the middle of nowhere, but the food is really, really good and the wine list is interesting and eclectic. This is a local's gem for sure.
Run by the same people that do El Five and Linger, this is a downtown spot with delicious food and a particular focus on what farms their products come from.
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Urban Farmer Denver
1659 Wazee StRun by the same people that do El Five and Linger, this is a downtown spot with delicious food and a particular focus on what farms their products come from.
Family-owned, with beans from Sweet Bloom (one of the best roasters in the city). Also a kombucha maker.
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Brew Culture Coffee
3620 W Colfax AveFamily-owned, with beans from Sweet Bloom (one of the best roasters in the city). Also a kombucha maker.
Opens at 6am, usually closes at 4, closed Tuesdays. Solid diner!, full of locals and old-timers! The food is really good.
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Hits The Spot Diner
5637 W Colfax AveOpens at 6am, usually closes at 4, closed Tuesdays. Solid diner!, full of locals and old-timers! The food is really good.
Drinks & Nightlife
Though they have food too, this place is about the cocktails, and THE VIEW. The design and decor is also awesome, if you're looking for a place to take photos for your Instagram. It's dim, though, and has a sexy vibe--a much better place to pay attention to your date rather than your phone.
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El Five
2930 15th StThough they have food too, this place is about the cocktails, and THE VIEW. The design and decor is also awesome, if you're looking for a place to take photos for your Instagram. It's dim, though, and has a sexy vibe--a much better place to pay attention to your date rather than your phone.
This bar is very casual and comfortable, with skee ball and a patio out back, and a great craft beer selection. They are open until 1:30am every day, and though they don't serve food, you can bring your own in. Karaoke twice a week, including Saturday.
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Star Bar
2137 Larimer StThis bar is very casual and comfortable, with skee ball and a patio out back, and a great craft beer selection. They are open until 1:30am every day, and though they don't serve food, you can bring your own in. Karaoke twice a week, including Saturday.
In the basement of the Halcyon Hotel is a bar called Boys & Girls Club. A true speakeasy, it is only accessible via the alleyway out back, and they have no social media presence. Reservations are a good idea on the weekends and can be made via text: 720.925.8598. The bar is dark, the bathrooms are sexy, and they serve some of the best cocktails in the city.
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HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek
245 Columbine StIn the basement of the Halcyon Hotel is a bar called Boys & Girls Club. A true speakeasy, it is only accessible via the alleyway out back, and they have no social media presence. Reservations are a good idea on the weekends and can be made via text: 720.925.8598. The bar is dark, the bathrooms are sexy, and they serve some of the best cocktails in the city.
This is an adult food court with two levels of bars; the upstairs bar features a large patio with stadium seating overlooking downtown. The view is the draw. On the weekends, this becomes a place to be seen, with groups on their way to and from clubs or events. The food is good, with seven different vendors. I recommend the pizza.
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Avanti Food and Beverage
3200 North Pecos StreetThis is an adult food court with two levels of bars; the upstairs bar features a large patio with stadium seating overlooking downtown. The view is the draw. On the weekends, this becomes a place to be seen, with groups on their way to and from clubs or events. The food is good, with seven different vendors. I recommend the pizza.
One of the oldest bars in the city, this is an old man's bar with a great spirit selection (order something neat, or a beer, don't bother with fancy cocktails-- an old fashioned or a manhattan is fine) and a really good burger (again, get the basic one, not anything newfangled). They do food until 1am, which can be *extremely* hard to find in this city. This place has stories to tell, and some of them are on the walls.
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My Brother's Bar
2376 15th StOne of the oldest bars in the city, this is an old man's bar with a great spirit selection (order something neat, or a beer, don't bother with fancy cocktails-- an old fashioned or a manhattan is fine) and a really good burger (again, get the basic one, not anything newfangled). They do food until 1am, which can be *extremely* hard to find in this city. This place has stories to tell, and some of them are on the walls.
So this is the oldest restaurant license in Denver. It's a steakhouse, but you're not here for dinner. You're here for the most insanely well-priced whiskey happy hour I've ever seen. I think they set their prices in 1950 and never updated them. They also serve alligator tail and rocky mountain oysters (both deep-fried) and the place is absolutely covered in taxidermy. If you want a real piece of Denver culture, start your evening with a happy-hour whisky here.
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Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant
1000 Osage StSo this is the oldest restaurant license in Denver. It's a steakhouse, but you're not here for dinner. You're here for the most insanely well-priced whiskey happy hour I've ever seen. I think they set their prices in 1950 and never updated them. They also serve alligator tail and rocky mountain oysters (both deep-fried) and the place is absolutely covered in taxidermy. If you want a real piece of Denver culture, start your evening with a happy-hour whisky here.
Ophelia's does a lot of shows (bands, djs, etc) and also a cool burlesque brunch. The bar downstairs is made of empty jagermeister bottles. It's a scene.
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Ophelia's Electric Soapbox
1215 20th StOphelia's does a lot of shows (bands, djs, etc) and also a cool burlesque brunch. The bar downstairs is made of empty jagermeister bottles. It's a scene.
Stem makes great cider-- try the cucumber one if they've got it!
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Stem Ciders
3040 Walnut StStem makes great cider-- try the cucumber one if they've got it!
Great brewery and super chill vibe, large outdoor patio, great people. Love this place. Try the Dear You saison!
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Ratio Beerworks
2920 Larimer StGreat brewery and super chill vibe, large outdoor patio, great people. Love this place. Try the Dear You saison!
If you're into sour beers, this is a great place to check out. Lots of sour and barrel-aged options, and they do flights.
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Crooked Stave RiNo Taproom
3350 Brighton BlvdIf you're into sour beers, this is a great place to check out. Lots of sour and barrel-aged options, and they do flights.
They've got their standards, as well as some taproom-only options. They've also got to-go packaging as well (growlers, cans, etc). Sometimes a really good taco truck parks outside.
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Great Divide Brewery
2201 Arapahoe StThey've got their standards, as well as some taproom-only options. They've also got to-go packaging as well (growlers, cans, etc). Sometimes a really good taco truck parks outside.
Black Shirt Brewing
3719 Walnut StOur Mutual Friend Malt & Brew
2810 Larimer StEpic Brewing Company
3001 Walnut StAn urban winery with an unusual way of doing things. One of the earliest proponents of wine in a can!
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The Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery
3200 Larimer StAn urban winery with an unusual way of doing things. One of the earliest proponents of wine in a can!
It's a heavy metal brewery, and they don't follow a lot of rules. They have something of a cult following.
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TRVE Brewing Co.
227 BroadwayIt's a heavy metal brewery, and they don't follow a lot of rules. They have something of a cult following.
More cider! Gluten free but don't like wine? Denver's got you!
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C Squared Ciders
910 L StreetMore cider! Gluten free but don't like wine? Denver's got you!
This is the craft cocktail bar that more or less started the scene in Denver. It is a speakeasy, hidden behind library shelves, and the bartenders can make you whatever you'd like if you tell them what flavors and spirits you're into. Or choose something off the well-designed menu.
Pro tip: If you're there after 11pm, they do an industry special where you can get the best $4 burger you've ever had in your life. And really good fries.
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Williams & Graham
3160 Tejon StThis is the craft cocktail bar that more or less started the scene in Denver. It is a speakeasy, hidden behind library shelves, and the bartenders can make you whatever you'd like if you tell them what flavors and spirits you're into. Or choose something off the well-designed menu.
Pro tip: If you're there after 11pm, they do an industry special where you can get the best $4 burger you've ever had in your life. And really good fries.
Everything Else
If you haven't seen the South Park episode about this place, you might want to. It's real. This is ostensibly a kid's dinner-games-and-a-show spot, but truly it's much more than that. You must order a meal to get in, but don't feel obligated to eat it. Watch the divers do their show, wander around the vast, vast space, play a bunch of games for tickets and prizes, and leave wondering where the last several hours have gone.
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Casa Bonita
6715 W Colfax AveIf you haven't seen the South Park episode about this place, you might want to. It's real. This is ostensibly a kid's dinner-games-and-a-show spot, but truly it's much more than that. You must order a meal to get in, but don't feel obligated to eat it. Watch the divers do their show, wander around the vast, vast space, play a bunch of games for tickets and prizes, and leave wondering where the last several hours have gone.