City Guide: Denver
The City: Denver, Colorado
The Vibe: With 300 days of sunshine the energy of Denver matches perfectly — happy. It’s hard to feel blue when the sun literally never stops shining. But if I had to describe it in another word, I would say active. Denver might be the most physically active city I have ever lived in. Everyone’s up early, everyone’s running to work, biking to work, walking to work. Yeah, people drive, come on. But if you’ve ever driven on the I-25 going either way you will find another reason people choose to hoof it. And young. Everyone’s young. Startups are in the DNA of Denver and everyone’s 21. I swear. Well, not really, BUT the energy is young. Creatives thrive here. It’s like everyone is walking around with an idea they can’t wait to share.
The Necessities: Patience and understanding. When I made that comment earlier about how awful interstate 25 is, I meant it. Like any major city, the highways can get congested with locals and even more with tourists. The good thing about Denver is that they have an decently reliable public transportation system. All you need is a day pass and you can pretty much go anywhere in the city.
Lighters. You know weeds legal there right?
Umbrella. Okay, I know I just said the whole sun thing BUT when is does randomly rain — it doesn’t just rain, it hails. Even in the summer. Hail storms are not an uncommon occurrence. So an umbrella, or a shovel, are a necessity.
Quick Bites: Masterpiece Delicatessen, Denver Beer Company, Little Man Ice Cream, Backcountry, Habit Donut Dispensary.
Masterpiece Deli: Located just over the foot bridge connecting the city to the Lower Highlands, Masterpiece Deli wasone of my favorite lunch spots in the city. There is a good chance could’ve I singled-handedly supported this Deli for the mere 2 years I lived there. Sandwiches are what they’re known for and if you don’t get the Smoked Turkey sammy with brie, pear and cranberry honey sauce, you are doing yourself a disservice. You can order in or take away, but be sure to get there before all the bread runs out.
Little Man Ice Cream: Once you’ve finished the best sammy you’ve ever put in your mouth, take a walk up 16th Street to one of Denver’s local attractions — and best ice cream in the city— Little Man Ice Cream. Named after the founder’s father who was a little man in stature but big in heart, Little Man prides itself on community and bringing people together. And what a better way to do that, than with ice cream? The line on any given afternoon or evening is no less than 30 minutes. With flavors like Buttermilk Cupcake, Espresso Fudge and French Toast, Little Man is always creating something new — even collaborating with local breweries to give you the best of both worlds. Not only are they focused on bringing their own community together, but they also participate in ‘Scoop for Scoop’ which is a program that donates 1 cup of rice, beans, and other essentials to a community in need around the world for every scoop they sell.
Date Night: Linger, Root Down, Postino, Bar Dough, Matador, Concerts at the Pepsi Center or Red Rocks, Williams & Graham.
Postino: When this Bruschetta spot popped up down the street from our apartment in 2015, I didn’t realize just how many nights I would spend secretly unbuttoning the top button on my jeans underneath the table. Guys they have a bruschetta board and a bottle of wine for $20 one Mondays and Tuesdays… uhhh. The open back patio is equip with a view of the city skyline, and a fireplace. Date night is now every night. Er at least Mondays and Tuesdays, but you know what I mean.
Williams & Graham: Just 5 minutes up the block from Postino sits one of Denver’s most iconic bars. Hidden of course. Upon first walking in, you might think you’ve traveled back to the Roaring 20s. You also might think ‘there’s absolutely no way I’ve just walked into the right place’, since its barely the size of a closet. However, once you push through the hidden door in the bookshelf, it’s big. Like huge. Dimly lit, the ambiance is intimate af. The cocktails are some of the best in the city. I mean, they were crowned the Best American Cocktail Bar in 2015. Which makes visiting this bar, a must.
Brunch: Snooze, Root Down, Linger, El Camino.
Snooze: If you ask ANYONE in Denver where the best place to brunch is — I can almost guarantee they will answer with one word: Snooze. Open bright and early at 6:30 am Snooze serves up some of the best Eggs Benedict I’ve ever had. And your girls had her share of bennys. You can even mix and match, which makes trying everything on the menu a much easier feat. Also pancakes. Their Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes are just as delicious as they sound. Only advice: make sure you get there early or pack a snack — you will most likely have to wait 45 minutes or longer, even during the week, for a table to try. This way you can avoid turning into the hangry monster we all know and love.
Rain: (I just want to preface this list with the fact that Denver gets approximately 300 days of sun, so rainy days can be few and far between. But here’s a list of activities, just in case you find yourself experience one of those rare rainy days.) Explore Union Station, Ride the Light Rail to the Airport (just because you can do that now and if you’ve ever spent any time in Denver, you realize how amazing this is), Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Union Station: I know it sounds silly, but you could make an entire afternoon out of walking around Union Station. Some of the best restaurants and bars live in this historic building. There’s shops, like the Tattered Cover Book store where you could get lost for hours, Bloom, full of home décor and flowers, and the best people watching you could ask for just sitting on the benches waiting for the train… or waiting for your table at Snooze.
Shine: Larimer Square, 16th Street Mall, Redrocks, Hike, Denver Botanic Gardens, South Platte River, Wash Park, Commons Park, Capitol Hill — Cheeseman Park.
Redrocks: Redrocks is probably one of the most well-known music venues in the Colorado. Located in the town of Morrison, artists like Jack White, Neil Young, The Beatles and The Grateful Dead, have been among the few greats who have graced the stage. With weekly events, like Yoga and Movies on the Rocks, the Amphitheatre has become a hub for community gatherings. Just bring plenty of water — between the elevation and the sun, it’s a workout just walking from the parking lot.
Hike: If you’re willing or able to take the 20 or 30-minute drive outside of the city to a few of the mountain towns, like Morrison or Evergreen, you are guaranteed to stumble upon a hiking trail. One of my favorite hikes? Panoramic Point in Evergreen. And if you don’t feel like hiking, you can drive to the top and enjoy the most incredible view of the city.
Larimer Square: Larimer Square has to be one of the most picturesque streets in the city. With its draping fairy lights, turning down this street feels like you’ve just entered the scene of a fairytale. Some of the best restaurants and shops take residence here, like Rioja, who’s chef was James Beard Award Winner for Best Chef Southwest in 2013, and Goorin Bros. Hat Shop, which, let’s be honest, is just plain fun. In the summer, the street closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrians only walk, for events such as the Chalk Art festival, where artists take to the street to draw, and ‘Dining Under the Stars’ where you can dine on the street, under the lights with white table cloths. Pretty much, a dream.
