Fourth of July just passed but I’ve been on a little extended vacation myself. I’ve been struggling lately with the motivation to do anything, really so I took a little bit of a hiatus from social media and blogging. The good news is, I think I’m about out of it (about damn time) and I want to finally talk about Denver!
A couple of weeks ago, Adam and I decided to turn his show in Colorado into a little vacation to Denver. Now, I had been to Colorado multiple times but never Denver so I was extremely excited. And I have to say, it didn’t disappoint. Now I will forewarn you, although this is mainly about Denver, I found that some of the best things to do are in surrounding areas so be ready to drive some if you’re interested.
What to do:
Now, let’s be honest, most of us have probably only heard of Boulder because of the Chainsmokers. But when we decided that we wanted to hike and saw that many of the recommended hikes were up north, we decided to stop in Boulder for lunch and I ended up quickly falling in love. We visited on a Saturday so we stopped by the farmer’s market that included stands on stands on stands of food, plants, and more. When we were done strolling around the market, we decided to explore downtown a bit. There’s a strip known as Pearl Street Market that consists of four blocks just for pedestrians that include stores and restaurants galore. If you’re tired of shopping, right up the road is Boulder Creek Path where you can tube, fish, swim, or simply take a walk.
I think St. Mary’s was the highlight of our trip for many reasons. Although there are endless mountains here to hike, it’s always nice to get a change of scenery. St. Mary’s is about an hour outside of Denver and definitely off the beaten path. You’ll drive about 5 miles on a dirt road until you hit a big parking lot full of cars. From what I’ve heard, no matter what time of year, St. Mary’s is always a busy spot. But don’t let that deter you. Once you’re parked (it will cost you 5 dollars so be sure to bring some cash), you will walk up a rocky and somewhat steep path for about 10 minutes before you come across one of the most breathtaking views out there. I think one of the coolest parts for us was the fact that we got to have a snowball fight in the middle of June, something you definitely will not find in Phoenix..
When doing my research, I came across Larimer Square on almost every list and with good reason. Although we only walked around for a short period of time before dinner, it was certainly charming. It’s the Mile High city’s oldest and most historic block in town and it consists of restaurants, shops, and bars/clubs. We didn’t get the chance to try any of the restaurants on the block, but we did walk around during sunset which gave us a great look of the square. Be sure to check out the website (linked above) and check out the events they’re offering. There always seems to be something going on.
Bonus if you’re driving from Arizona: Wolf Creek Pass
Although this is technically not Denver, if you’re driving from Arizona or New Mexico, be sure to pull off the side of the road at Wolf Creek Pass. This picture pretty much just sums it up. I don’t need to explain that it’s the perfect place to stop and stretch your leg on that long drive.
Where to eat:
This modern eatery has quite the tale behind it that may freak you out at first but it’s delicious. Once a mortuary, this rooftop lounge and restaurant is known for it’s global menu and downtown views. We stopped by on our last night and decided to sit up on the roof (I mean why wouldn’t you, right?). It was about a 15 minute wait which isn’t too bad but be prepared for longer depending on the time of week. This place is quite popular. Their menu on the roof is a bit more limited but you still have a good selection of food. The family style menu features foods from around the world and they recommend that each party orders about 3-5 things. We settled on the New Saigon to drink (a gin cocktail was quite yummy) and the BBQ duck bun, dragon bun, cheese and shishito poppers, and lemongrass pot stickers. It was very tasty and the view made it that much better.
This string of breweries is located all around the country and Denver is their most recent addition. They feature 22 beers on tap, a wide variety of bar food, and much like Linger, a rooftop patio that gives you the views of downtown. I’m in the process of trying to dislike beer a little less so we decided on a beer sampler where we got to choose 5 beers that we wanted to taste. This was the perfect chance to see everything that they had to offer. When it came to the food, I decided on the fried chicken, a staple in my diet. I left very full and very happy.
If I haven’t made it clear yet, my sweet tooth basically runs my entire life. Every vacation I’m on, I always try to find the best dessert in town. Denver was no exception. I came across Little Man Ice Cream multiple times so I knew it had to be included in our itinerary. It’s open every day from 10 AM – 1 AM (which means you know it’s good) and it is located right next to Linger. Dinner and dessert anyone? Their flavors tend to be switched out and they recommend calling to find out exactly what they’re serving, however, I don’t think this is necessary. No matter what, you will find a flavor you’ll love. I picked the cheesecake brownie and Adam chose whopper and banana pudding. We did have to wait in quite a long line but it was oh so worth it.
Our trip ended oh so quickly but I definitely will be back sometime soon. Denver has so much to offer both in the city and in surrounding areas. Have you been to Denver? What were some of your highlights? I’d love to hear! Also, if you love what you read, I’d love it if you shared on pinterest. XO
