Everything you've heard about Denver (really all of Colorado) - is true. It is an awesome place to be.
I decided to go to Denver mainly because I wanted to see a concert at the Red Rocks (skip to the very end to read all about that), but I also truly heard nothing but good things about the city.
I stayed in Cherry Creek for a month, from September to October - taking in all that Denver had to offer. Through my (not so) little itinerary, you'll see that I really took in everything this place had to offer - and boy did I have fun doing it.
I have a feeling that I will be returning very very soon.
(Every location is linked, and my top recommendations are *starred).
Places/Neighborhoods:
Larimer Square - A picturesque and well-known street in Denver. A noteworthy shop we went into was Garage Sale. Super cute vintage store, but it wasn’t particularly very budget friendly.
Denver Botanic Gardens - I was told this is a must when visiting Denver (if you love flowers). A 23-acre public botanical garden with a variety of themed gardens. You need to purchase a $15 ticket online before attending, but there is a free parking garage. Very beautiful and unique, and even has a cute gift shop!
Lower Downtown (LoDo): "Trendy shopping and dining scene."
Lower Highland (LoHi): "Hip neighborhood known for its cocktail lounges, craft beer spots, and stylish restaurants, some with rooftop views over the skyline."
River North Art District (RiNo): "Contemporary art galleries and hip concert venues in revamped industrial buildings." There were many fun bars in this neighborhood as well.
Capital Hill: Filled with old mansions & museums, Capitol Hill is a residential district with a bohemian vibe. A spot full of Denver history.
Five Points: "A vibrant multicultural area with cool dining, nightlife, soul food eateries, relaxed cafes and lively pubs."
Cherry Creek: "Premier outdoor retail & dining destination with an impressive collection of art galleries and independently owned boutiques."
Food:
*Milk Market/Dairy Block - A "16-Concept food hall in a little area in downtown Denver that has all you could ever want regarding food and drinks. Another place thats Instagrammable for sure.
Back of House - Hot Girl Summer
Poka Lola: Summer (gin, strawberry aperol, & basil)
Denver Central Market: A cute market located in RiNo that has various food venders and a bar. Definitely a fun place to start an evening out.
Tammen’s Fish Market: spicy tuna hand roll & salmon, sweet aioli, & cucumber hand roll
Culture Meat & Cheese: red pepper & baked gouda soup
Vero Italian: margherita pizza
Curio: strawberry margarita & jungle bird: Coruba dark rum, campari, pineapple, lime (Drinks were strong with a single, keep in mind if you want a double)
*Denver Biscuit Company - Another place that was on many peoples must-try list. Honestly, this place was a lot better than I expected and I highly recommend. It's only open for breakfast & lunch and it's usually packed, so many sure you join the waitlist on their website the day of. Theres many items on the menu, so I looked at their Instagram and made a choice based on the photos :). Below are the kinds we tried:
The Franklin, with an egg - buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, smothered in gravy (choice of sausage gravy or vegetarian mushroom gravy), and an egg.
The DBC Club - Buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, & chipotle ranch.
Side of house made pickles - AWESOME.
Union Station: A historic landmark in LoDo Denver that has dining, shopping, and travel all in one! This train station has become a popular spot to spend your afternoon. We ended up having two restaurants Snooze AM Eatery & Ultreia.
Snooze AM Eatery: A retro breakfast, lunch & drinks spot that has a few locations sprinkled around Denver. We went to the Union Station location and we really enjoyed it. Overall, we REALLY enjoyed this place and would highly recommend. They also have really cool concepts, such as a pancake flight where you get to try multiple flavors!
Evolution Cold Pressed OJ: OJ, Pineapple Juice, Mango Puree & Acerola Cherry Puree From Evolution Juices.
Sweet Potato Bacon Smash-up: Griddled, smashed sweet potatoes, a cage-free poached egg, avocado, pickled onions, paprika, drizzled with black pepper maple syrup and topped with Tender Belly chopped bacon and Hemp Seeds.
Sandwich I am: A soft pretzel roll filled with scrambled cage-free eggs, cheddar cheese and a sausage patty, served with a side of smoked cheddar hollandaise.
Chocolate Chip Pancake: Buttermilk pancakes with chocolate chips inside, topped with whipped butter and powdered sugar, served with Slopeside Pure Vermont Maple Syrup.
Ultreia: Latin for “onward,” this restaurant had both indoor and outdoor dining. We only went just so we could try some of the small plates, because the cool dishes.
Bacon Wrapped Dates: Dates, goat cheese, pimentón drizzle.
Patatas Bravas: Crispy potatoes, spicy tomato sauce, manchego, herbs.
Rosenberg’s Bagels: Known as “The most authentic New York bagels west of the Mississippi.” They have multiple locations and are super popular - like very long line popular.
*Avanti Food & Beverage - Denver: Another Denver food haul (multiple venters selling food) located in LoHi. You can find anything you’re craving. I got Post Malone’s Rosé and some Bao Buns & chicken wontons from Meta Asian Kitchen. This building also has an awesome patio that overlooks downtown.
*Happy Camper - LOVED. The perfect outdoorsy brunch/day drinking place complete with a shaded patio. They play great music, and even as you’re walking by you can just tell its a fun place to be. I had a lot of fun here and it has a great aesthetic. The are known for their pizza but also have great brunch foods & cocktails - including a hangover iced coffee (which i did not get to try). Everything I had was awesome. Definitely book a reservation on Open Table, as it fills up quickly.
Breakfast ‘Za - cracked eggs, bacon, cheddar, & black pepper.
Jalapeno homies - cream cheese, bacon, cheddar, & tomato.
Apple Spiced Mule (Seasonal mule - Fall) - apple absolut, all spice, lime juice, ginger beer, orange bitters
BLT with fries - LOVED the fries
Illegal Petes: Denvers take on chipotle. We got burritos, queso, and taquitos with chipotle ranch. This wasn’t my favorite Mexican food but the chipotle ranch was the best part lol
Desserts:
Voodoo Donut - I had no idea that Voodoo donuts was anywhere but Portland, Oregon. This known donut shop has unique looking donuts but is definitely a tourist trap. I would say it’s something you do once, just because you have to - but don’t expect these to be the best donuts you’ve ever had. Below are the donuts I had:
Memphis mafia
Voodoo doll
Butter fingering
Dirt
Ring of fire
Mango tango
*Dochi Donuts - The BEST donuts I've ever had in my life. They’re made of rice flour instead of wheat flour and they are a fluffier consistency (reminded me of funnel cake). It was also cool because of their unique shape. Each donut consists of 6 balls, and you can easily rip off each piece for a perfectly sized bite. Below are the flavors I had:
Fruity pebbles
Chocolate Hazelnut
Cookies & cream
Ube
Frozen Matter: An ice cream place in Capitol Hill. A cute little area and the shop has many unique flavors including both Dill, & Booze Berry (which contains fruit and alcohol - our favorite flavor). Located behind the freezer door in this ice cream shop is a speakeasy called Retrograde.
Little Man Ice Cream: One of the biggest recommendations when visiting Denver. You can’t miss this cute LoHi ice creamery because of it’s unique “milk jug” shape. I got the popular banana pudding flavor and I was not disappointed. Keep in mind that this place gets super busy, especially on the weekends. It also seemed to only have outdoor seating.
*Crumbl Cookies - A gourmet cookie place that has a bunch of locations sprinkled around the US (no pun intended). With 2 OG staple flavors and 4 new ones that rotate every Monday, you'll always find a flavor you love (probably all of them tbh). I went here once a week because obviously I had to try every flavor they ever offered :)
Below are the kinds I tried:
OG Milk Chocolate Chip: award-winning cookie that’s always made fresh.
OG Classic Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie base topped with a perfect pink swirl of almond-flavored frosting.
🌽 CORNBREAD
A sweet cornbread cookie covered in a warm honey butter glaze and topped off with a dollop of rich honey buttercream frosting.
🥜 ORIGINAL FT. PEANUT BUTTER M&M'S® CANDIES
A warm classic cookie studded with Peanut Butter M&M'S® Candies and stuffed with creamy peanut butter.
🎡 CHURRO
A crisp cookie rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with a swirl of cinnamon buttercream frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
🍫 CHOCOLATE CRUNCH
A chilled crispy no-bake cookie with flavors of caramel and milk chocolate.
🎉 FUNFETTI MILKSHAKE
A chilled funfetti sugar cookie rolled in rainbow sprinkles, topped with a cake flavored buttercream and a dollop of whipped cream.
🍫 BROWNIE BATTER
A warm brownie cookie studded with semi-sweet chips with pockets of real brownie batter baked on top.
🥜 PEANUT BUTTER BRITTLE
Our warm original base cookie with crunchy peanuts, topped with a creamy peanut butter mousse and crisp peanut brittle.
✨ ORIGINAL FT. GOLDEN OREO® COOKIE PIECES
Our original cookie base stuffed with white chocolate chips, pieces of Golden OREO® cookies, and topped with a vanilla cream cheese frosting, a mini Golden OREO®, and Golden OREO® crumbs.
💖 PINK VELVET
A sweetly pink cake batter cookie topped with an elegant layer of cream cheese frosting and dusted with pink velvet cookie crumbs.
🔴 RUBY CHOCOLATE CHIP
Our warm original base with flavors of almond and packed with real Ruby chocolate chips.
🍓 CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE
A chilled chocolate cookie, studded with semi-sweet chocolate and topped with a strawberry cheesecake frosting.
🍩 PINK DOUGHNUT
A warm vanilla cookie that has been given the doughnut treatment, glazed with a pink vanilla glaze and topped with rainbow sprinkles.
🍫 DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIE
A warm brownie cookie topped with real brownie bites and drizzled with a creamy chocolate ganache.
🎉 FUNFETTI
A warm rainbow vanilla sugar cookie filled and topped with rainbow sprinkles
🎃 PUMPKIN CAKE
A soft pumpkin spice cookie layered with rich cream cheese frosting and garnished with mini chocolate chips.
💙 AGGIE BLUE MINT
A chilled buttery cookies & cream cookie topped with a swirl of minty Aggie Blue buttercream.
Cocktail Bars:
*Lady Jane - a beautiful cocktail bar located in LoHi (a fun neighborhood that has cool restaurants and bars). This is definitely an instagram worthy place with really unique cocktails. Below are the drinks we had.
High & Tight: Arette blanco Tequila, palisade peach, habanero, ginger, honey, lemon, & mint
La Carina: La higuera sotol, lime zest, arette tequila, cantaloupe, leopold’s orange, egg white
*Poka Lola: A really cute, upscale/elegant bar located in the Milk Market/Dairy Block.
Summer (gin, strawberry aperol, & basil)
*54thirty Rooftop - The highest rooftop bar in the mile high city (so one of the highest in the country??). This bar is located on top of the — hotel, which is stunning and includes a restaurant on the first floor, along with a champagne vending machine. We drove and got valet service, which was $21 for up to 4 hours. The bar is seat yourself, so you most likely will be standing at the bar ordering drinks until you can snatch a table or couch. Depending on the time of year you visit, part of the bar has heaters and fire pits but part of it does not.
Hibiscus Margarita: tequila, hibiscus, lemon juice, orange bitter
City peaks: gin, honey, lemon, blackberry, bubbles
Old cuban: rum, lime, mint, sparking wine, angostura
Colorado Mule: vodka, ginger beer, apricot liqueur, lime juice
Curio: A little bar located within Denver Central Market. The drinks were strong but it was definitely a place I would recommend to begin your night out in RiNo.
Strawberry margarita (YUM) & jungle bird: Coruba dark rum, campari, pineapple, lime
Death & Co: Located in the fun nightlife neighborhood of RiNo (right off of L street), Death & Co is an elegant cocktail bar with a really nice ambiance. The menu is really cool as well - begins with the lightest drinks and gets stronger as you flip each page. Has a couple other locations in LA & NY.
Fantastic Planet - blanco tequila, overproof rum, falernum, green chartreuse, kiwi, vanilla, pineapple, lime
Youngblood - Navy strength gin, mango brandy, lemon, cinnamon, pineapple, seltzer
Retrograde: One of Denvers speakeasies located behind the freezer door of Frozen Matter. You flip the light switch and wait for the bouncer to let you in - which can take 20+ minutes depending on the night. It’s pretty small inside but has a cool vibe. Overall it was a very cool experience but I will say that the drinks are definitely unique. The two drinks we had included:
Hollywood Chainsaw Hooker: “Ripe, fruity, comfy spices & whiff o whimsy” - Strawberry Manzanilla, overproof rum, avua amburana cachaca, cherry bark bitters, honey, lemon.
Eraserhead: “Tart, earthy, and herbal” - Real Mccoy Rum, linie aquavit, green chartreuse, honey, lime, angostura, charred rosemary smoke.
**Welton Room: A super cool cocktail bar (reservation needed) located in Five Points. Had a very elegant, upscale vibe with drinks that create an experience. I highly recommend looking at tagged photos on their Instagram before you go - as each drink is prepared differently. Below are the drinks we ended up getting - although the creation of these drinks was “boring” compared to the others, this was the best cocktails we had in Denver.
Autumn G&T: gin, Fall spices, apple, spiced pear, spiced orange ginger ale, & fever tree tonic water.
Winter Gold Rush: bourbon, spiced pear, house made winter honey syrup, & lemon.
Coffee:
Dutch Bros - A West coast coffee chain that has the coolest flavors. If you love dessert-inspired iced coffee, this is the place for you.
Golden Eagle - vanilla & caramel chai with caramel drizzle.
Coconut Mocha - coconut flavored mocha.
Black Rock Coffee - Another coffee chain located in a few western states. I would choose Dutch Bros over BlackRock, but still nice to try considering they have unique flavors.
Mexican Mocha - mocha with hints of vanilla, almond, and cinnamon.
Farmers Markets:
*Highland Farmers Market - a farmers market in the Highland neighborhood that is open Sunday mornings/early afternoon. I bought quite a few things from small businesses including gifts for family & friends and food. Highly recommend if you visit during the warmer months.
Colorado Fresh Market - Markets with multiple locations around the city. Had some overlapping venders from the Highland Farmers Market but it was still so cute. Seemed to have a bit more fresh produce available.
Nightlife:
Forest Room 5: A popular Highland bar that took TikTok by storm. I had a iced watermelon margarita and I enjoyed everything about the night! Described a “Hip night spot with an artsy, rustic interior & an outdoor area with fire pits & a flowing creek.”
*Federales: A hotspot located in RiNo - famous for its “ring the bell” where you order a tequila shot that comes in a shot glass made of ice. After you take the shot, you throw the ice at a bell - don’t miss. I had a few cool cocktails and complimentary chips and salsa x3 (which were so good). They also sold Mexican food. We got there at 6 pm on a Friday and still had to wait about 15 minutes. If you plan on going there at prime going-out hours, don’t. The line is insane.
Meadowlark: Another awesome RiNo bar where the upstairs is jungle themed with a semi-open roof. A really cool feel and usually packed. Theres a Mexican food truck right outside that gets super busy. I didn’t get anything, but heard it’s delicious and very popular. Described as “both a cozy, art-lined basement bar & sunny patio host indie bands & DJ’s.”
Larimer Lounge: A RiNo bar that has both an inside and outside, complete with picnic tables. During the night I was there, they had a small edm performer which we all really enjoyed. Felt just like a concert. This bar is described as “old time bar east of downtown pouring drinks & showcasing punk rock and alternative bands.”
The Matchbox: A RiNo bar that I enjoyed. Honestly not much to say, I think the other bars were more noteworthy. Described as “industrial-chic bar on the food-truck circuit that lures hipsters with a bocce court & happy hour.
BOULDER - about 30 minutes outside of Denver
Avanti Food & Beverage - Boulder: A fun place to grab food and drinks. We got grabbed food & drinks from the places below and took them to the rooftop to enjoy to view of Boulder and the mountains. It’s first come first serve, so if you don’t get a spot outside you can definitely grab one inside on the first or second floor. They also have this restaurant in Denver.
Rooted Craft Kitchen: Coastline Fish & Chips - California Halibut, Tempura, Salt and Vinegar Fries, Preserved Lemon and Caper Aioli
Pig & Tiger: Mapo Tofu - White rice, tofu, mushroom, seasonal veggie, & scallions.
*Pearl Street - What seemed to be a very popular street in the heart of Boulder. Lots to do whether you’re hungry for a good meal, want a sweet treat, or just wanna shop local.
National Parks/Hiking:
*Garden of the Gods - One of the most visited national parks in the country and it honestly didn't disappoint. Absolutely stunning. I recommend going to the National Park Visitors Center and booking a tour - or you can drive through on your own, but you don’t get the full experience. Below are the two tours:
Trolly tour: The one I did. $17 for 45 minutes. A fun informational tour that drives through the entire park. Was about an hour and we had a great guide, Santa Fe. You cannot book in advance, and the last ride leaves around 4:00pm but may be sold out before then.
Jeep tour: $40 for 90 minutes or $75 for 120 minutes. More adventurous and goes off road. You cannot book in advance and it was sold out for the day by the time we got there at 3:00pm.
Garden of the Gods Trading Post: The gift shop at the National Park Visitors Center wasn’t very great so we decided to drive 10 minutes to the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. I loved this gift shop and found many little things that I loved - had some really cool Colorado souvenirs (shirts, stickers, etc).
Mesa Overlook: We drove to this lookout spot within Garden of the Gods and it was absolutely stunning for sunset. If you're lucky enough to get a spot, you can watch from your car that overlooks the 3 main rocks or even enjoy on a bench.
Flat Irons: A beautiful national park in Boulder. We didn’t end up hiking due to time constraints but we parked and enjoyed the views from below. I read that depending on the route you take, you can decide how difficult you want the hike to be.
Flagstaff Road: A road infamous for its views. The road takes you from the bottom of the Flat Irons, to the top of Green mountain. Its absolutely stunning and there are different points in the drive where you can pull over to get out and enjoy the views.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre: A true staple in Colorado - concert venue, park, & amphitheatre. Not only is this one of the most recognizable, gorgeous, and BEST concert venues in America but people often use this venue to workout. I 100% recommend attending a concert, no matter how expensive. It was one of the best concerts of my life, and the venue had a lot to do with it. Most artists also create “Red Rocks” specific merch that is only sold during that set. How cool.
P.S. we saw Illenium. Magical. Unreal.
Rocky Mountain National Park: You've most definitely heard of the Rocky Mountains - & nows your chance to see them! Absolutely stunning, especially during sunrise/sunset. It's a huge park so you will definitely be driving to whichever area you want to explore. We parked our car for free at the "Park & Ride." From there, we took the free shuttle that runs ~10 minutes. Below are the lakes we hiked - but overall, everything is stunning and extremely picturesque. We went too close to sunset to see everything we wanted, but I recommend doing more than just this list:
On one last note - one of my favorite things about Denver was the street art. Cool colors and abstract designs like this were hidden all over the city, like a scavenger hunt that never ends.
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