I understand there are a lot of fine dispensaries.
There's good craft beer and legal weed in Colorado. Something us Michiganders know nothing about! First time buying was in Colorado though. Felt a little weird.
Michigan beer is better.
Smoke weed. Go up to Morrison and have the shrimp tacos at the Morrison Inn.
Flatirons (from Chautaqua Park in Boulder) and Mount Falcon (by Morrison) are the best "local" hikes in the Denver Metro IMO.
Coors Field is a Top 5-7 ballpark in MLB in my opinion - so worth a visit if the Rox are in town.
In Boulder, I actually prefer Mt Sanitas which is nearly walkable from downtown. It's a nice loop hike, strenuous, 1.5 miles up and a little more than 1000 ft climb.
You can also do the Red Rocks trail at the base (mini red rocks...its not the same as the infamous red rocks amphitheatre by Morrison).
Park on Mapleton.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater has to be #1 on the list
My company closes for a week over July 4th (no vacation time needed.....just closes). I'm strongly considering trying to head out to Red Rocks for an Avett Brothers concert that week. I tried to get tickets when they went on sale.....all three shows sold out before I could get through.
Definitely get some rocky mountain oysters. Fresher the better.
I am not falling for that a third time!
I have a dull palate, so it's possible that I missed some subtleties on the couple of occasions when I had those, but I thought they were remarkably bland.
On-topic, I agree with what others have written here about the importance of hydration and the best things in the area being outside the city. I thought Red Rocks was amazing (one of the few things that entirely lived up to its lofty reputation).
But really, check out the Buckhorn Exchange for an old school Colorado steakhouse experience and to get those oysters of course. Be prepared for some serious taxidermy. Liquor license #1 in Denver!
edit: Haha, like they just said below...
It’s a bit cliche but still fun and one of a kind. Try the Buckhorn exchange and eat something different. If you can kill it they grill it
I second the Buckhorn. Great menu options, if you like game. Their steak is also very good
Denver has In-N-Out
Thornton and Aurora have In-n-Out. Which can be a heckuva drive from the Coors area. My office is just a couple of blocks away from Coors at 17th and Arapahoe.
Those are good burgers Walter.
If your reasonably fit and able to make the drive down to the Colorado Springs area, climbing the Manitou Incline is an incredible experience.
Define "reasonably fit" Like I could run a 5K today? Or I could run a 5K in like 3 months?
Middle aged dude that drinks too much beer and works out too little. That qualify?
The Manitou Incline is basically a mile long staircase. I'd say most people can handle it, the bigger concern would be dehydration/altitude sickness if you're coming from low elevation. There's a bailout trail about 2/3 the way up.
Personally, I don't recommend it -- in my opinion, it's just a crowded, outdoor staircase. I'd recommend just hiking in Golden/Conifer. Much prettier and still good exercise. If you're going to drive to Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods is a better use of your time (though that will also be very crowded).
If you do decide to do the incline, I think you need to make a free reservation online.
If you're going to Colorado Springs, MUST see Garden of the Gods. Absolutely spectacular.
I got out there for work at least a couple times/year and here are my favorites, in no particular order:
-Buckhorn Exchange for a dinner in Denver.
-Red Rocks - the area is cool and you can go and explore the ampitheatre any time there isn't a show.
-Golden - cool small-ish town with a mining history. You can do the Coors brewery tour if that sounds interesting to you. I go do D Deli for a sandwich every time I'm there. I really can't recommend a lunch place more highly. From there, it's an easy drive up lookout mountain. There's a Buffalo Bill museum near the top that's interesting if you have any appreciation for the old West, but the trip up Lookout mountain is worth is regardless.
-If you have a day to spend driving, I'd recommend driving West on 70 through Glenwood Canyon. It's one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the country.
There are a number of micro-breweries in downtown; highly recommend a pub crawl.
Yeah dude Glenwood Canyon.
Hanging Lake is 1.5 miles, strenuous, but not long, the most beautiful lake hike in Colorado as rated by Coloradans (or some magazine...we would do this always on the way back from Moab camping to Denver, no matter how hungover).
For breweries hit up RiNo (River north). Our Mutual Friend and Odell are the two best for IPAs. Stop by Finns Manor, while not a brewery, they have a great tap list and good food selection.
For a night out check out LoHi (Lower Highlands). Lots of awesome restaurants. Would recommend checking out Avanti Food Hall. Excellent selection of booze and food with stunning view of the city.
+1 for Avanti Food Hall
Exactly, go to BarTaco and Linger. Both are 5 stars!!!
Scorpion shots at the Retro Room.
Suggestions for food
If you've saved up a bit, and assuming walking distance from Coors, there's lots of eclectic fare (not the couple of chains there) in Larimer Square.
The Dairy Block area has lots of kitchens under the same roof -- too much food and not enough time. If you took the train in from the airport and walked to your hotel, you passed the Dairy Block area.
Taking the train in, but renting a car downtown (not the airport) for 3 days to hit some of the sights. Appreciate the info. Good stuff.
Thanks
Hopefully the wx will get better... snowing at my house north of the metro right now.
Be sure to bring layers; it's been warm during the day recently but sure cools off quickly at night.
Also, 50s is shorts weather in Colorado.
Grab an electric scooter and give yourself a tour of downtown if it's not too cold!
Tavernetta for dinner.
Fantastic Israeli restaurant called SAFTA. You'll love it.
Yes to SAFTA
I've gotta check that one out--must be newish? It's been a few years since I was out there. My go-to Middle Eastern is Jerusalem on E. Evans down near DU: http://www.jerusalemrestaurant.com/
W line to Perry stop walk north to Sloan lake; has breweries and cool neighborhood parks
G line to olde town Arvada; bars restaurants
Boulder (there’s a bus that leaves from union station fyi)
Izakaya Den for sushi (Platt Park neighborhood)
Golden Gate Canyon State Park (close)
Golden Gate Canyon State Park (close)
If OP wants to see some furry cows, a quick drive (car for only 3 days) through Rocky Mountain Arsenal as well.
I'm always happy to just find the door out of the airport, it's an adventure in itself.
Even more so for Denver considering the airport is in Nebraska.
I tell visitors it's in Kansas, but same difference I suppose lol
Probably a decent idea to do this in any big city - take a haunted pub tour. We did one in Denver when we went a few years ago, weather sucked but it was still fun. Would have been way better if it wasn't sleeting on us - so try to pick a nice day. A good mix of pubs, dives, and themed bars - as well as a couple historical sites and fun history lessons mixed into the very slightly spookiness.
Mercantile in union station for dinner.
Little devils at Lechugas.
Coors brewery tour in Golden.
Work & class, super mega Bien are both excellent, same head chef-owner.
Williams and Graham for great cocktails.
Williams and Graham is an excellent call. If the wait is under 45 minutes, it's worth the wait.
Boo, me. Double post.
Lived in Denver for a year for my fellowship (medicine not church), it’s a great place with lots of good food. Definitely check out Denver Biscuit company for brunch
pizzeria locale
Zoe Ma Ma
Bijus Curry Shop
illegal Pete’s
cherry cricket
uncle ramen
And if you want to get fancy
Nobu
Rioja
Fruition
sushi den
go to boulder for the Avery Brewery
Check out coors field, cherry creek, go up to the Stanley hotel (the shining) and Rocky Mountain national park.
hope that helps! Have a good time
Nobu is called Matsuhisa in Denver, Vail & Aspen.
Nobu is awful in any city