Ikon or Epic?
As a modern Denver local (someone who has lived here 3 years), the growing city is embracing it's population boom through a vibrant melting pot culture. It’s an incredible launching pad to the Rocky Mountains and has a food scene that is growing up quickly.
Denver offers world class music, summer mountaineering, and enough micro breweries to rival the most overlooked flyover states. It has not-shockingly becoming a place many nomadic people love to call home. While it’s difficult to avoid the stereotypical Colorado newbie activities, there’s beautiful nuances to the cities offerings.
Activities:
Enjoy a hike and grab a brew. Enjoy Colorado’s bread and butter. A beautiful sunset hike followed by a visit to a microbrewery. Head to New Terrain Brewing Company and park your Subaru. Download Alltrails and begin your North Table Loop Hike. You’ll enjoy a climb up followed by an epic view of the prairie and distant rocky peaks on top of the mountain. Wander back down and enjoy a beverage at New Terrain.
Walk the city. Start off in lower highlands (Lohi) and grab a coffee and a pastry at a former firehouse turned coffee shop, Steam. Avoid a glucose crash and walk off the caffeine heading from Lohi to Commons Park in lower downtown (Lodo). Catch a view of the Platte river and head to river north (Rino) for your next snack at Denver Central Market.
Go see a concert, aye. Visit one of Denver's many musics venues. Locations include Mission Ballroom (Best acoustics), Fiddler's Green Amphitheater (Best value - avoid GA), Dillon Amphitheater (Best views - ft. mountain backdrop), and of course Red Rocks (Best bucket list check). World class artists visit year round. Pick your favorite artist and go see em live!
Hike in the mountains. Visit Boulder and Nederland on your way to hike Lost Lake. This trail provides rocky mountain views, rivers, small waterfalls, and a beautiful lake. Enjoy the pine smell and crisp mountain water. If you’re feeling like Andrew Huberman, take a cold plunge in the lake and dry off on your hike down.
Compete in mini golf. Head to Puttshack located in river north (Rino) with some friends for an invigorating competitive experience. I’m not keen to try mini golf in every city I visit, however, Puttshack’s self tracking golf balls and automatic leaderboards create a competitive environment enhanced with their food & drink offerings. What do people (cough cough me) miss? Competition.
Park day. Visit Wash Park located south of the city with your mates. Bring spikeball, frisbee, football, or name an activity you like. This massive green space is buzzing in the spring and summer with the active Denver population. You’re guaranteed to break a sweat, meet some potential new friends, and wish you brought a non-toxic sunblock.
Food:
Petunia Bakeshop - Local bakery and coffee shop. Enjoy a breakfast sandwich, pastry, and cup of joe. Usually a social crowd - if you’re looking to strike a conversation. ($)
Highland Tap & Burger - Get the burger. Make it a double. Make some noises. Take a walk. ($)
Leever’s Locavore - Grab a $10 turkey sandwich at a local grocer. A great reason to visit this gem. ($)
Tacos Selene - Family run taqueria beginning with a food truck in 2002 and has grown into multiple delicious locations. ($)
Carmine Lonardo’s - Family run Italian deli that feels like New York. Try Domonic's old school combo and a pastry. ($$)
Cart Driver - Gourmet pizza joint. My favorite pizza in the city. Get the Cart Driver, Peppers, and seasonal pizza. ($$)
Dio Mio - Italian kitchen w/ no reservations. Show up early or late in the evening or be prepared to wait. The entire menu is a delight. ($$)
Guard & Grace - Traditional steakhouse that will meet your price point expectations. Be prepared to ball out or go with your company. ($$$)
Uchi- Best sushi in the city. Don’t ask me, ask Jamal Murray. ($$$)
Estimated cost key
- $ ($0-20 pp)
- $$ ($20-40 pp)
- $$$ ($40+ pp)
Quote to consider:
“If you're not failing, you're not learning. If you're not learning, you're not growing. If you're not growing, you're not living.
Living without failing is failing to live.” -Mark Manson