Denver, Colorado is a beautiful city perched on the high plains just east of the Rocky Mountains. The city itself has a vibrant downtown with many things to see and do and many unique restaurants. There are also some beautiful natural attractions outside the city – including places like Pikes Peak, which inspired the song “America the Beautiful” and Rocky Mountain National Park.
If you are looking to explore outside the city one of the weekend days, which many locals do, an organized tour is an efficient way to see quite a bit in a day. I’m a really big fan of the small group guided tours when you are trying to see a lot in a little time. You can bookend the tour with some of the amazing food options below, or skip the tour and just eat and drink your way around laid-back Denver and come back another time to see the rest.
Viator has a great tour that offers a small group tour to two of Colorado’s most majestic places. The tour includes Garden of the Gods, a unique geological area with colossal red rock formations, Pikes Peak, and a stop for lunch and shopping in the charming town of Manitou Springs, then it takes a scenic drive through the foothills back to Denver. If these small group tours aren’t your jam then, you can rent a car and do a self-guided tour.
Where to Stay
You can never go wrong with a Ritz or a Four Seasons, and Denver has both. There are also some really fun options, including the pop-culture-themed Curtis Hotel in the hub of the city with a cool modern vibe with spacious rooms and a great gift shop that sells retro treats and games. The Kimpton Hotel Born in Denver’s revitalized LoDo neighborhood is another fun place to consider. It’s a cool urban refuge with trademark Kimpton modern, boutique-style and beautiful artwork It also offers top-notch amenities including complimentary access to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Colorado Athletic Club at Union Station.
Good Eats & Libations
I love to travel, but I love good eats even more! Denver has a really good food scene. Here are my favorites:
If you are into burgers the two best local favorites are Crave Real Burgers and the French owned Twansburger pop-up (check out IG to see where they are parked.) Both offer fresh hot off the grill homemade burgers. Crave also has homemade fries and milkshakes while Twansburger has a properly-spiced burger with a secret sauce that takes it to the next level
Mizuna is consistently rated among the best restaurants in the country. The menu changes monthly to reflect the bounty of each season (on land and by sea) and cooks are given free rein over the menu. It’s a food lovers paradise. If you only have time to eat out one night – make a reservation here!
I am always a fan of family-run businesses and The Donut House in Auruara, is worth the trip. They make fresh handmade donuts and pastries are baked fresh daily from an old family recipe. If your sweet tooth isn’t satisfied head to Enstrom Candies. This family has been making candy in Colorado for almost 100 years.
I’m also a big fan of coal-fired pizza and Marco’s doesn’t disappoint with their pizzas featuring hand-tossed dough topped with the freshest local ingredients and then cooked in a traditional coal-fired pizza oven.
Rioja is considered one of the best restaurants in Denver and was recently included on the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Tour. Thus, reservations are a must on weekends. The menu changes frequently and features locally sourced, imaginative Mediterranean dishes & wines in a high-energy dining room. They also feature a tastings menu on request.
Sassafras American Eatery in Jefferson Park serves breakfast and lunch with a southern Cajun flair using fresh local and organic ingredients. My favorite dishes was the fried green tomato benedict with the Po’ boy coming in a close second. Save room for the fresh beignets.
Osteria Marco is the younger sibling of the famous Luca d’Italia, one of Denver’s most popular restaurants. The menu is filled with classic Italian dishes but on Sundays, they roast a whole roasted suckling pig. Make reservations and come early, because once the pig is gone, the dining is over until next Sunday.
Ghost Donkey, tequila and mezcal bar was voted Imbibe magazine’s Cocktail Bar of the Year. It’s a cool bright space with inventive drinks like the huitlacoche infused margarita and the mole spiced negroni. The truffle Nachos and homemade guacamole also hit the spot.
If you are a cocktail snob, then you must check out The L. It’s a very cool lounge with a really impressive list of craft cocktails! It is all cocktails. An Espresso Martini is the perfect way to end a fabulous weekend in Denver.
What to do in between the Eating & Drinking
The Denver Urban Homestead
Ok, so this is technically more eating but with a twist. If you are a foodie or aspiring Homesteader, check out The Denver Urban Homestead. It is both a local farmer’s market and a venue to learn about organic and natural agricultural methods. Classes are offered on subjects as diverse as beekeeping and beer brewing. If you want to visit the market, Saturday is the day to go.
If you want to spend the day shopping, browsing, and eating in an urban setting, downtown is a good destination, but many people prefer Cherry Creek North, located just a few minutes away. Over 300 businesses make up this thriving city center located on the site of the old town of Harman. If you like the area and want to return, there are also two nice hotels located in the heart of Cherry Creek North.
The Museum of Outdoor Art
This is both a museum of art and site-specific sculpture located in various parks and venues around the city of Denver. Tours of the indoor exhibits are offered year-round, while tours of the outdoor exhibits are only offered from June through August. A self-guided tour can be downloaded from their website and followed any time of year.
Denver Art Museum
The museum also hosts a huge array of permanent collections and temporary exhibits. The permanent collections include displays of African art, American Indian art, as well as architecture, European, Spanish Colonial, and Pre-Columbian art. Recent revolving exhibits have included Georgia O’Keefe, Laura Letinsky, and Charles Partridge Adams.
Denver March Powwow
Finally, if you find yourself planning a trip to Denver in March, the Denver March Powwow is a must. Since 1984, this annual event celebrates the heritage of American Indians and is one of the largest events of its kind in the country, featuring more than 1,500 dancers and nearly 100 tribes from 38 states and three Canadian provinces. Markets are available to purchase Native American crafts, and the site is full of fun activities for all ages.
As with any weekend trip, the more planning you do before you get there, the more time you have to relax and explore. Enjoy your weekend! Safe Travels.
