I am going to be in Denver for work, two straight weeks in June. I want to have options for things to do, instead of just going out for dinner, then back to the room to sleep…though I’m sure there will be times I’ll only want to do exactly that.
I already found and signed up for a 5k trail race the Saturday, and I figure I’ll probably take in a Rockies game…I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I enjoy seeing a game live. Probably find a couple sites for awesome sunsets and hikes. Not sure what my mileage limit on the car is yet, but I have all day Sunday.
Could get on the travel sites and find lists of things to do, but I figure Dopers can supply secret or more obscure cool stuff. Readygo!
The zoo made me unhappy. Way too small. The elephants and the polar bears just had this look of despair to them that I had to walk away from.
The Museum of Nature and Science right next door was cool.
Haven’t been to Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (or the Beer Garden next door), but have that on my agenda for next time.
http://www.copperkettledenver.com/index.html
I haven’t been there, but Google says “Loftlike gathering spot for house beers, cards & other games with food from area eateries & trucks.” So I may check it out on my next trip.
If you are at all doing Dispensaries, PM me and I’ll recommend a few where you aren’t paying over $100 for a quarter ounce. The ones downtown are obscene.
June is one of the best times, weatherwise, to be in Denver. If you have a day to daytrip, Estes Park/Rocky Mtn. National Park is a cool experience (take a jacket if you want to get out of the car, in fact, take a jacket anyway). There are usually some street fairs in June that are kind of fun (all I can think of at the moment is a Greek festival and Pride, not sure when either of those happen). When you get here check out Westword, which is a free weekly that lists happenings, and you can get it all over the place.
You can’t actually SEE a whole lot, but it’s my opinion that the US Mint is worth a visit.
The Colorado Capitol building is worth a trip–you will see a type of rock that you cannot see anywhere else. Almost the entire world’s supply (literally!) was used in the construction of the building.
That WOULD be awesome…didn’t even cross my mind. Couple shows I’d be interested in…one is sold out, the other is more than I’m willing to pay for a ticket. But another is on the radar…
No dispensaries for me, subject to testing. Museums look cool, though.
Aw man, I would love too see the Capitol. Looks like it’s only open during the day, though. I’m staying WSW (Lakewood? Lakeview? Can’t remember at the moment) and will be in Golden during the day, so unfortunately can’t make it there or the Mint while they’re open.
How far is Estes Park? I feel like if it’s that close, it’d be a shame not to go. Guessing I can get a Westword at the airport or hotel…I will hunt one down and check it out as soon as I hit town!
Any local brews I should try while I’m there? I’ll surely pick up a 6-pack or two for the hotel fridge.
What about great lunch in Golden?
Best 3-4 mile hike?
How is parking going to be downtown for a baseball game?
Good area of downtown to just stroll around in the evening?
Google Maps says it’s 1 to 1 1/2 hours, but it feels like more than that to me in my limited experience, probably because of the traffic until you get into the mountains. But you would be passing through Lyons which has Lyons Classic Pinball, which has weird opening hours but a great variety of pinball machines to play. (I prefer it to the only other “classic pinball” place I’ve been to, the Las Vegas Pinball Hall of Fame, because Lyons Classic has a lot of stuff from the 60s and 70s, while the place in Las Vegas has a weird game there, concentrating on 50s and previous and 80s through the present. 60s and 70s machines, even ones I’ve never played on, have that classic feel to me that the others don’t.
The 16th Street Mall. Free bus up and down it, about every 2-6 minutes depending on the time of day.
Warning: Denver has a bit of a homeless problem in downtown Denver. I’m a man and it didn’t bother me all that much, but my sister, who is a professional traveler, hated it. She didn’t feel very safe downtown.
I’ve only been there once, and didn’t take full advantage, but there is a whole lot more than just shows going on there. Museum, trails, hiking… all kind of stuff.
I’ll tell ya what, though. You better be in good shape! Lots of stairs.
EDIT: Reconsider that ticket price. Seeing a show there is simply something you should really do if have the chance.
Take Hwy 93 north to Boulder. It’s way more fun than Denver and close to Golden.
Coors Brewery tour. It’s right in the middle of Golden. The whole city smells like beer, which is a good thing. Actually, the whole state of Colorado smells like beer.
3rd Red Rocks. You don’t have to go to a show, the view is great during the day and it’s a park, so it’s open.
I like to drive and see the scenery when I’m there. If you have a day, I suggest a drive to Pike’s Peak via the back roads or a trip to the Collegiate range of mountains but any drive should be beautiful this time of year.
It used to smell like beer. In the last couple of years, there’s been a bit of a shift.
Estes Park is a great place to visit, but keep in mind that it is at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. If you can make the drive, it is an awe-inspiring park. Be sure to take Trail Ridge Road up to the Alpine Lodge.
And as you drive through Lyons, I’ll try to remember to wave as you go by.
If you just want a nice light hike in Golden, the Triceratops Trail is great. There are lots of fossils, tracks, and plant impressions exposed in the sandstone there.
I’ve lived in Boulder for the last couple of decades. It is a nice place to spend a weekend day walking around Pearl St, the Boulder Creek Path, or any of a number of hiking trails. There are also many craft breweries and distilleries-within a 45 minute walk of my house there are at least 4 breweries and 3 distilleries I can think of. Pearl St has several more, plus one of the best chocolate shops I know (Piece, Love and Chocolate).
I agree about Red Rocks, the Museum of Nature & Science, Lyons Classic Pinball, and RMNP. The Denver Art Museum is excellent. The Botanical Gardens are lovely, and are currently featuring a unique exhibition of Alexander Calder sculptures.
There is a doughnut shop near downtown Denver (Habit Doughnut Dispensary) where you can get your treat injected with a shot of whiskey or other adult beverage (I had an orange-rosemary doughnut injected with Jameson). Very delicious.
I like food, as you can maybe tell. Let me know if you want restaurant recommendations.
Looks good with that cast.