March 26th, 2016
Fun and sometimes off the wall things to do in and around Denver, Colorado
Red Rocks, World Class Skiing, and the World Champion Denver Broncos…That is what most people think about when Denver, Colorado comes to mind. There are many other fun and unique things to do and to see around the Mile High City. Some of the best things about Denver seem to be secrets to just about everyone living outside of the great State.
Aside from all the amazing outdoor activities that abound in the Mile High City, there are many unique and some distinctly Colorado attractions. There is an abundance of new, as well as the long-time established, to-die-for restaurants, top-notch social establishments for wetting your whistle with the many local craft beers, wines, and whiskeys, as well as a thriving art scene including wonderful museums and art districts. Besides all of that the city has tons of great buildings with great Architecture to see and enjoy. If Colorado isn't on your travel list for this year, it most definitely should be. I'm going to share some of the most unique things in this great city with you.
Here are a just a few places and things to see and do in the Mile High City.
For a truly offbeat and TRIPPY scene, you have to go visit Tim Burton’s Mario's Double Daughters Salotto. The tables and bar stools look like they've been dipped in candle wax, and there's a gigantic tree branching of the middle of the room. The interior is dark and mysterious and offers quite an interesting sensory treat. They host a constantly changing array of art work on their walls by local artists. The Salotto has a great happy hour filled with its whimsical cocktails. This is the only spots in LoDo where you can walk through the doors and instantly feel transformed as if your in a Tim Burton movie.
The Art's District on Santa Fe is a great place to find a unique blend of art and people. On the first Friday of each month, the local art scene shows off with it’s First Friday events. This is a great evening spent perusing the many gallery exhibits, sampling tasty treats at the on-site food trucks, and enjoying one of the many great drinks available. Many of the Artists hang out and love to engage with those attending the event. One nice thing they have started doing is providing a free shuttle coach that picks up visitors from the light rail station at 10th Avenue and Osage and takes them to all the excitement that’s happening in the Art district.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver is located just one block from the Cherry Creek Bike Trail. It’s a perfect afternoon escape for art lovers downtown. The museum hosts many rotating exhibitions all year long so it’s great place to make go at least once a month. Their rooftop cafe. has great food and great views to add to the ambience. It's a good location to spend an afternoon after a great bike ride or walk along the trail.
Denver is rapidly becoming known for it’s many breweries. One of the most popular and unique breweries is the Infinite Monkey Theorem. The Theorem is an urban (city or "Back Alley") winery and is located in the up and coming River North (RiNo) neighborhood. They are receiving high praise for making some seriously good wine and serving it up in style. Definitely a place you need to tryout.
If whiskey is your go-to drink then you will want to head over to Stranahan's for a tour and a sampling of their hand-crafted, small-batch whiskey. They also periodically host labelling events where you assist them in hand placing their unique labels on the freshly bottled whiskey. Another classic place to visit is Leopold Bros, where visitors can taste everything from well-balanced gins to one of their many decadently flavored liqueurs. Just go easy on their Absinthe. It's quite the exotic and potent drink.
WINERIES, DISTILLERIES & DISPENSARIES
Colorado’s booming Legal Marijuana scene has created a plethora of Dispensaries to visit. Even if your not a partaker of the plant, it’s pretty interesting to visit one of the dispensaries and see all the many ways its being used and promoted and it’s surprisingly not just for the high. There are creams and ointments and patches and oils for pain and medicinal uses.
The art of the pipe has gone mainstream as well. You can find works of blown glass art at Freaky’s Gift Shoppe & Tattoo that wouldn’t look out of place displayed on a shelf in your home. Light Shade Dispensary boasts one of the most unique locations. Once inside you find yourself in a large area with gigantic flat screen TVs, comfortable sitting areas, and a full wall chalkboard that has different chalk drawings on it every month!
There are new tour company’s popping up that offer Party bus style tours to many of the dispensaries around town. As marijuana tourism has become more popular in Colorado, cannabis tours are now a VERY popular way to take a peek into the once taboo industry and get a behind the scenes look. You can go to the online resource Colorado Pot Guide for a comprehensive list of the tour companies. Most tours run Friday – Sunday.
AMAZING ARCHITECTURE & GOOD EATS
What used to be an unkempt train station has now become just about the hottest spot in LoDo (Lower Downtown). Denver’s Union Station has undergone a massive renovation and now houses many spectacular restaurants, a centrally located and well appointed hotel, and is the new hub for the Light Rail that now connects the city to the Denver International Airport.
The old ticket office was renovated into the very popular Terminal Bar. It’s a great place to lounge around in one of the many comfy chairs, play some free shuffleboard, people watch, shop and dine in.
Snooze Eatery is always a favorite dining spot with their delicious breakfast burritos and Sweet Utopia pancakes and my personal favorite the O.M.G. French toast. And yes....that really is the name.
The Kitchen Next Door is an inviting and fun family friendly location. I LOVE their amazing Bacon wrapped dates and the Nextdoor Margarita.
Denver is a such a great city to visit. There is so much it has to offer that everyone in your group is sure to find something to do here that they love. Visit Denver sometime soon, I promise you won't be disappointed.
~Book your next great Denver Adventure with Expedia~
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