Ultimate Guide to Colorado: The Outdoors, Dining & Entertainment
intro.
Last Updated on December 2, 2021
“Suh, dude!
“Here are two of my articles that could help get you started with ideas (and photos that would hopefully intrigue [your son] hehe.)
“Need a Place to Hike? Here are 8 Awesome Treks in Utah
“Need a Place to Hike? Here are 9 Awesome Treks in Colorado
“And here are some more places to look into for Colorado…”
Yes, this was a real email. And yes, I did kick it off with, “Suh, dude!”… But a great friend of mine is planning a trip Out West—my current home base is South Denver—so I thought I’d offer up everything I have.
The list below comprises the majority of recommendations some great friends and I could conjure up. It’s an all-encompassing article meant to help friends, acquaintances, strangers, and all the rest.
So, whether you’re looking for a hike, a camp site, a great restaurant, or a warm cup of coffee, welcome to your Ultimate Guide to Colorado.
That seems like more than enough intro, so let’s get to it. 🏔
ultimate guide to colorado:
the outdoors, dining &
entertainment.
This list is broken up by activity:
(1) Get Outside, (2) Food & Drink, and (3) Entertainment
Some activities / locations overlap categories.
The list features accessibility information at the end of the article.
Have something specific in mind? Utilize control+f (PC) or command+f (Mac)
to more easily find what you’re looking for.
get outside.
🏔 🏕
Aspen
World-Renowned Ski Town
- Aspen Snowmass ⛷
Looking to ski or snowboard? Well, then I’m sure you’ve at least heard of Aspen. Aspen is the epitome of an American ski town and has four mountains you can conquer: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass.
- Maroon Bells 🥾
Though I haven’t made it to the Maroon Bells yet, it’s impossible to escape their fame. “While the Maroon Bells are touted as the most photographed place in Colorado, pictures simply don’t do the peaks justice.” — Colorado.com
- Crater Lake Trail (Moderate)
- Maroon Bells Scenic Loop Trail (Easy)
Boulder
A Small City with Big Personality
Colorado.com describes Boulder perfectly: “Fondly referred to as ‘the city nestled between the mountains and reality,’ Boulder is just 30 minutes from Denver but feels like an escape from the everyday.”
Breckenridge
Famous Mountain Town About Two Hours from Denver
- Blue Lakes Camping & Hiking 🥾🏕
- Quandary Peak (14er) 🥾
Buena Vista
Where the “Real Colorado” Begins
Buena Vista and Chaffee County are undoubtedly located in one of my favorite parts of the state. Quite simply, BV is an outdoor mecca, featuring the raftable Arkansas River, many of the Collegiate Peaks, and revitalizing natural hot springs.
Epic Canyon Rafting for all Skill Levels. (Mention You’ve Been Before or that a Friend Sent You for a 10% Discount. Yes. This is Legit.)
- Lost Lake Trail near Buena Vista 🥾
Features a Beautiful Alpine Lake.
Panoramic View of Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks.
- Mt. Princeton Hot Springs ♨️
Resort, Natural Hot Springs, and Rejuvenating Heated Pools.
- The Trailhead (Outdoor Gear) 🥾
Great Campground; Firepits; Views of the Collegiate Peaks; Unique Rock Formation.
Cave of the Winds, Manitou Springs
Haunted Lantern Tour
- Discovery Tour 🔦
- Haunted Lantern Tour: Journey Into Fear (Director’s Cut) 🏮
Colorado Springs
Colorado’s Second Largest City*
- Pikes Peak 🥾 🚙
This is one of the most well-known peaks in Colorado, mainly because you can drive to the top. Pikes Peak offers panoramic views of the front range and even Denver.
Deer Creek Canyon
Incredible Park & Trail System, Only 25 Mins. Outside of Denver (View of the City)
- Meadowlark Plymouth Creek and Plymouth Mountain Trail Loop 🥾🚵♀️
When you drive toward Deer Creek Canyon, it feels like you’re entering another planet. To the west (where you’re headed,) you’ve got the foothills. To the east, you have massive red rock formations occasionally blocking the view of the city and the plains. (But you don’t mind ‘cause they’re incredible.) You’re not in Denver anymore.
There’s a large parking lot with loads of spaces. Once you’re geared up, head onto this easy-to-spot trail and begin your hike, run, or mountain biking adventure.
(This trail also offers great vantage points of downtown Denver.)
*Recommendation by Cassy Hunter.
Denver
[Obviously] Colorado’s Largest City*
Rather than hiking trails, this ‘outdoors’ section focuses on parks, neighborhoods, art districts, and more.
Neighborhoods, Art Districts & city Hotspots 🌇
Historic Denver Neighborhood.
This is an extremely ritzy shopping center and neighborhood, but it’s a must-see area when in Denver. (Especially because of the standout architecture of the mall’s flagship gallery—Restoration Hardware.)
Larimer Square is fondly referred to as “Denver’s Most Historic Block.” So, if you’re looking for the city-center-vibe, this is it.
- LoDo
Denver’s bustling Lower Downtown neighborhood.
- LoHi
The lively Lower Highlands area of Denver.
- RiNo
Visit the exciting and creative River North Arts District.
Edgy neighborhood with a main street that stretches for miles, lined with local bars, restaurants, and shops. It won’t be as clean or put together as places like Cherry Creek, but it also feels more real.
This is quite possibly my favorite neighborhood in Denver. It hosts plenty of places to eat, local watering holes, shops to peruse, and even features a Farmers Market.
Parks 🌳
This is a gorgeous downtown park near the Denver Museum of Nature and Science that features a large pond and offers views of the city.
Looking for a place to take a walk? Without a doubt, you should take it in Wash Park. This is a crucial community hub with a well-maintained pedestrian and cycling path. It has tennis courts, basketball courts, large grassy fields filled with volleyball nets as far as the eye can see, and plenty of play structures for the kiddos.
Devil's Head Lookout 🥾
Panoramic Views from the Front Range
Though the trail is currently closed (expected to reopen December 1, 2021,) it provides one of the most impressive panoramic views of Colorado’s Front Range. DayHikesNearDenver.com asserts that you’re not even allowed to call yourself a “native” until you’ve completed the short hike, but I’d argue that you’re not allowed to call yourself a “native” unless you and the three generations prior were all born in the state.
But DHND does illustrate a good point: this hike is a staple and manageable for hikers off all skill levels.
Accessibility Notes: Not accessible; features steep inclines and steps.
Glenwood Canyon Drive on I-70 🚙
An Awe-Inspiring Canyon
Honestly, this is something you literally have to drive through if you take I-70 West toward Utah, but it. is. awesome. Here’s an excerpt from one of my journal entries discussing the drive from Aspen to Glenwood Springs through the Canyon:
The mountains engulfed us, the aspens glowing yellow and red and orange beneath the bright Colorado sun. As is tradition here, there was hardly a cloud in the sky. We funneled through the walls of earth until spit out into a more desert-like terrain. We rolled along amiably until reaching Glenwood Canyon, then we became ecstatic. The 2014 Edge was filled with “Whoa!”s and “Wow!”s as we drove deeper into the belly of the gorge.
If you’re looking for a spectacular drive, one that would inspire just about anyone, I’d seriously recommend Glenwood Canyon. It truly is breathtaking.
Great Sand Dunes National Park 🥾
North America’s Tallest Sand Dunes
The best way to describe Great Sand Dunes National Park is this: imagine an extremely flat valley, surrounded by imposing mountain peaks, then drop a miniature version of the Sahara Desert right in the middle of it. And that’s Great Sand Dunes.
It’s as if someone just plopped North America’s largest sandbox in the middle of nowhere, and it’s incredibly fun. Hike the dunes, board back down them, then camp overnight to witness some of the most incredible stars you’ll ever see.
The Manitou Incline, Manitou Springs 🥾
2,768 steps in under a Mile (Reservation Required)
Though I haven’t yet done it myself, this is supposedly one of the toughest hikes around. If you’re daring enough to take on the challenge of a straight-up hike, featuring 2,768 steps in a row, make sure to book a time—you do have to reserve a day well in advance.
Mohawk Lakes (Hard) 🥾
Alpine Lakes Near Breckenridge
This is no doubt a difficult hike, but it’s a rewarding one. Take it on, and you’ll find yourself on top of a mountain (probably accompanied by some mountain goats) splashing around in one of the two beautiful alpine lakes.
Mount Bierstadt 🥾
Great Beginner 14er Near Denver
Let’s make this very clear, no 14er is easy. Period. That being said, if you’re an experienced hiker but new to fourteen-thousand-foot mountains, this is as close to a ‘beginner’ 14er as you’ll find. This is a difficult trail, mainly due to elevation, though there is a (fairly easy) river crossing early on and some light scrambling near the summit.
Parmalee Trail Loop (EasY) 🥾
View of Denver from the Mountains
This is one of the easier hikes in Colorado. When you make it to the top, there’s a nice viewing tower where you can easily spot Denver on a clear day.
Rocky Mountain NP 🥾 🏕
Welcome to one of America’s Top 5 National Parks
As I haven’t been there yet, I’ll default to the NPS.gov description of RMNP:
Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times.
- AllTrails List of Best Trails in Rocky Mountain 🥾
- Bear Lake to Alberta Falls to Mills Lake 🥾
- Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail 🥾
food & drink.
🍻 🍷 ☕️ 🌮 🍕
Arvada
Olde Town near Denver
Aspen
world-Renowned Ski Town
- Brunelleschi’s Gourmet Pizza, Pasta & Salads 🍕
Breckenridge
Famous Mountain Town About Two Hours from Denver
Beverages & Grub
- Luigi’s Sports Bar & Pizzeria 🍻🍕
Coffee & Treats
- Mimi & Pin Churros and Waffles ☕️🧇
Buena Vista
Where the “Real Colorado” Begins
Buena Vista and Chaffee County are undoubtedly located in one of my favorite parts of the state. Quite simply, BV is an outdoor mecca, featuring the raftable Arkansas River, many of the Collegiate Peaks, and revitalizing natural hot springs.
- The Blend ☕️
- The Trailhead / Simple Eatery 🥗
Colorado Springs
Colorado’s Second Largest City*
- Ivywild School 🌯 🍻
Food and drink hall.
Denver
[Obviously] Colorado’s Largest City*
- Avanti 🌯 🍻
Avanti is a multi-level food and drink ‘hall.’ Comprised of multiple bars and ‘food trucks’ in shipping containers, this place is great night-out spot.
*Recommendation by Tay MacFarlane.
Great Local Sports Atmosphere.
- Denver Beer Co. on Downing 🍻
“Denver’s [Self-Proclaimed] Best Dive Bar.” Though townies and college kids unite to make it divey, it does feel somewhat simulated.
- Ian's Pizza 🍕
Downtown Denver near Coors Field.
- Keith’s Coffee Bar ☕️
- The Molecule Effect ☕️ 🍸
A wonderful coffee and cocktail joint in the Sante Fe Art District.
An excellent neighborhood brewery that sources its fairly delicious food from a deli nextdoor.
- Players Pub 🍻 🕹
- SoDo Village Market and Bistro 🍷
- Stanley Marketplace 🌯 🍻
The second food and drink hall on the list lives in Aurora. It’s massive and has loads of options from family friendly to date-night to night-out.
- Stella's Coffee Haus ☕️
Fantastic downtown sports bar, which is huge and features more than enough screens, with some of the best nachos and wings around.
- Uno Mas Taqueria 🌮🍹
- 1UP Arcade Bar 🍻🕹
River North Arts District, Denver (RiNo)
- Death & Co. 🥃🍸
Ritzy mid-century modern bar and restaurant that’s perfect for a date night or showing a group of friends to a finer night out.
- First Draft 🍻
Get a tap card, and pour your own beer — pay by the ounce at one of the numerous taps. (This is the opposite of cheap beer, but it’s a fun concept.)
- Gerard’s Pool Hall 🍻🎱
- Los Chingones 🌮🍹
Phenomenal tacos right in the heart of the RiNo district.
- Lustre Pearl 🍻
- Matchbox 🍻
When it comes to RiNo, this is more of a dive bar. Grab your cheap beer, head to the expansive back patio, and get to it.
Very solid brewery in RiNo, next to OwlBear BBQ (which is also very solid.)
entertainment.
💃 🕺 🦍 🦈
Denver
[Obviously] Colorado’s Largest City*
- Cherry Creek 🌇
This is an extremely ritzy shopping center and neighborhood, but it’s a must-see area when in Denver. (Especially because of the standout architecture of the mall’s flagship gallery—Restoration Hardware.)
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science 🦖
- Denver Skatepark 🛹
- Denver Zoo 🦍
- Larimer Square 🌇
Larimer Square is fondly referred to as “Denver’s Most Historic Block.” So, if you’re looking for the city-center-vibe, this is it.
- LoDo 🌇
Denver’s Lower Downtown area.
- LoHi 🌇
The lively Lower Highlands area of Denver.
- Players Pub 🍻 🕹
- RiNo 🌇
Visit the exciting and creative River North Arts District.
- South Broadway 🌇
Lively neighborhood with a main street that stretches for miles, lined with local bars, restaurants, and shops. It won’t be as clean or put together as places like Cherry Creek, but it also feels more real.
- South Pearl 🌇
This is quite possibly my favorite neighborhood in Denver. It hosts plenty of places to eat, local watering holes, shops to peruse, and even features a Farmers Market.
- Stanley Marketplace 🌯 🍻
The second food and drink hall on the list lives in Aurora. It’s massive and has loads of options from family friendly to date-night to night-out.
- 1UP Arcade Bar 🍻 🕹
Estes Park
The Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park
One of America’s most famous, historic, and haunted hotels—also known as the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining.
notes & accessibility info.
✍🏼👩🦽
*Largest cities are denominated by population size.
Accessibility Info for Aravada
Accessibility Info for Boulder—Resource 1
Accessibility Info for Boulder—Resource 2
Accessibility Info for Boulder—Resource 3
Accessibility Info for Boulder—Resource 4
Accessibility Info for Breckenridge—Resource 1
Accessibility Info for Breckenridge—Resource 2
Accessibility Info for Buena Vista
Accessibility Info for Cave of the Winds
Accessibility Info for Colorado Springs
Accessibility Info for Denver
Accessibility Info for Estes Park
Accessibility Info for Glenwood Springs
Accessibility Info for Great Sand Dunes National Park
Accessibility Info for Rocky Mountain National Park
outro.
👋🏼
Yup. That's a lot, but these represent the majority of places I'd recommend in Colorado. Enjoy :)
