Calling All Denver Tbers

blendermassacre · #1 02-28-2010, 07:38 PM

Pondering Denver for our next vacation, when I get out of school for the summer. Probably for a week or so. We'll be driving from KC. What should we do? Where should we eat. Overall we like visiting the "local" places not the "touristy" places. I think we're going to go to Colorado Springs for a day or two, and do the pikes peak thing.

blendermassacre · #2 03-01-2010, 08:30 PM

The chicago guys were overly helpful.... come on denver-ites.

Jay Ralston · #3 03-01-2010, 09:34 PM

I live in Sterling but am originally from San Diego. I am kind of familiar with Denver so I will try and help. Depending on what you like to do, there are tons of places to go hiking or or even go riding the rapids. There is a Eliches 6 flags in Denver as well. There is also a huge aquarium called Ocean Journey that is pretty cool to check out. Red Rocks is a nice place to go and I think on the outskirts of Denver in a town called Blackhawk. I don't gamble but if that is your thing, I have heard there are some fun things at that casino. As far as restaurants go, what kind of food do you like?

**SamanthaCay** · #4 03-02-2010, 01:51 AM

If you like beer this place is top notch and right downtown. http://www.fallingrocktaphouse.com/

MJ5150 · #5 03-02-2010, 02:13 AM

From one big dude to another.....check out Jack 'n Grill. They have a couple locations. The one in Littleton is newish and nicer, but the one on Federal in Denver is the original.

Go all the way up to Nederland and eat some killer BBQ at Wild Mountain Smokehouse. It's a long flippin' drive from downtown Denver to Nederland, but worth every mile because of the views along the way, BBQ, and beer. Plus, you can hang out in Boulder on the way back to Denver.

Drive out to Golden and have a beer and burger at the Buffalo Rose. Awesome joint for live music. It's more along the lines of a biker bar.

-Mike

mikerophone · #6 03-10-2010, 08:39 PM

i agree with the red rocks nod. the mountains in general are really cool. if you're interested in going for a hike, there are plenty of great options in addition to pikes peak. the zoo is fun. get some food at Sputnik (try the sweet potato fries with jabanero jam), if you don't mind hipsters and dim lighting. or a fancy small-plate meal at Beatrice & Woodsley if you have more money to spend. Steve's Snappin' Dogs is a fun and inexpensive hotdog place. The Shoppe has cupcakes and cereal. there are LOTS of places to see live music, check out Rhinoceropolis if you're into weird stuff. our art museum is pretty neat.

it's kinda hard to think of cool things to do here that you won't find in any other city.

Joe Gress · #7 03-10-2010, 09:32 PM

Limited Denver knowledge here: Head downtown and go up and down Colfax a few times. Some interesting stuff to behold there. There's a restaurant the that sells one of the best smothered burgers I have ever had on Colfax. The Cheeky Monk has good food, and a great Belgian Beer selection. If you have the chance, and a show hits your fancy, The Fillmore and the Ogden theater are about two blocks from each other. Both of them killer venues. I'm going to see the Melvins in June when they swing through. Downtown is filled with tons of cool **** though. I happen to like our capital a bunch, and the museums and art gallerys are pretty cool. There's the 16th street mall, but that was a waste to me. Head up to the mountains if you can. Awesome sights to behold there. Estes park is incredibly beautiful, but rocky mountain national park is an absolutely awesome sight.

If your going to head up to Pike's Peak hit up the Wines of Colorado on highway 24 on your way back. Either that or go downtown and get a bite to eat and drink at the Phantom Canyon brewery. The Garden of the Gods are pretty cool, but avoid seven falls and the cave of the winds. Overpriced fantastic tourist traps. If your driving something you dont mind taking on a dirt road, hit up Gold Camp Road and travel up the backside to Cripple Creek. (hell if you really like it there you should head over Hoosier pass to Breckenridge while your at it. Super awesome sights up there)

metron · #8 03-11-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buchananbass

If you like beer this place is top notch and right downtown. http://www.fallingrocktaphouse.com/

Beat me to it!

I highly recommend this place.

Some good places to eat in Denver are fish at Jax or a really expensive but great steak at the Chophouse. I also really like Rootdown for a fancy-ish meal in a modern artsy style place. I've never been to the Wynkoop but I heard it's good.

Pilgrim · #9 03-11-2010, 08:49 AM

I live north of Denver. Benny's Restaurante on 7th is noisy but great for Mexican food.

Wynkoop brewery is fun...and the 16th street pedestrian mall is worth running around on.

Buffalo Bill's grave and museum are near Golden, which has a very cool downtown...30 minutes from Denver: http://www.buffalobill.org/

Do a bit of surfing on Denver's websites and I think you'll get ideas.

North of town is Rocky Mountain National Park (out of Estes Park) and there's a great scenic drive up the canyon to Estes. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park is a historic landmark. http://www.stanleyhotel.com/