Alexandra & Noah
Things To Do
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful National Parks in the United States. If you're planning on renting a car and extending your weekend, we highly recommend visiting. Rocky Mountain requires timed reservations to get into the park, you'll need to set a reminder on your phone on Friday, May 1st, 2026 @ 10:00am EST to secure a reservation for the dates around our wedding. You'll secure that timed reservation via recreation.gov (I recommend using the app). We'd also recommend being in Denver at least 24 hours before heading out for a hike, you'll be at around 10,000 ft, and if you don't acclimate you could get altitude sickness. Some of our favorite hikes in the park are: Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Alberta Falls. Once you've wrapped up your hike we highly recommend lunch at Smokin' Daves.
Estes Park
Should you venture up to Rocky Mountain National Park, you'll drive through the adorable town of Estes Park. It's got good coffee shops, restaurants, and shops for a stroll before or after your hike,
Coffee on the Rocks
This is the most ADORABLE coffee shop. It's in Estest Park, right before you enter Rocky Mountain National Park. It's right on the creek and they provide you duck feed in the coffee shop, so you can feed the ducks as you sip your coffee creekside. I can't recommend this place enough, it feels like you're in a small town romcom.
Brainard Lake
This hike is so beautiful. It is a 1 hour and 30 minutes drive north of Denver. Like Rocky Mountain, this recreation area requires timed reservations. Parking reservations go on sale at 8:00 am MT / 10:00 a.m. ET May 31st, 2026 and will be continually released on a 15-day rolling window. Use the link here to make those reservations.
Garden of the Gods
This is a great option for those that don't want an arduous hike, but still want to enjoy the outdoors and see some incredible views. Fun fact: the song "America the Beautiful" by Katharine Lee Bates, was written based off her experience in Garden of the Gods. Located south of Denver in Colorado Springs, you will need a rental car to get here. Once you get there, there will be ample parking spaces in their parking lots and then you can hit they well maintained and easy trails.
Dillon Reservoir
Into water sports and beautiful views? Look no further than Lake Dillon/Dillon Reservoir. If you've rented a car, we can't recommend this enough. You can rent kayaks/canoes at the marina and then head out, looking at snow capped mountain peaks and with wildflowers lining the reservoir. Once you've wrapped up, we recommend getting some beers and really good food at Outer Range Brewing.
Chautauqua Park
This park is situated in Boulder, CO (a 30-40 minute drive north from Denver). It has a ton to offer: From easy walking trails, moderate hiking trails, a sprawling lawn for lounging. Atop the lawn is a historic general store serving ice cream, which is a perfect way to end a hike there. This park is right up against the famous Flatirons, and should you choose to hike you will weave throughout the,. Noah and I love taking Willow here.
Georgetown
Looking to visit a quaint/historic mountain town? Look no further than Georgetown, CO. An hour east of Denver, Georgetown has a ton to offer. Cute coffee shops, antiquing, beautiful views. For the more adventurous, you can drive up the Guanella Pass from Georgetown. It will give you sweeping views of wildflowers and some famous mountain peaks. If you go to Georgetown, we highly recommend you spend some time up on the Guanella Pass (and maybe even find a trail to hike via the All Trails app). We also have some recommendations, so please feel free to text us if you decide to head out here. :)
St. Mary's Glacier
This is the hike where we got engaged! If you have a car, we can't recommend it enough. If you're brave enough, bring a bathing suit and jump into the glacial lake at the end of the hike. This hike is a little past the adorable town of Idaho Spring (where we're getting married).
Idaho Springs
Idaho Springs is 40 minutes west of Denver. It's where we got engaged and where the wedding venue is. If you decide to hike at St. Mary's we'd recommend hitting this town, it has the same charm as Georgetown (on this list).
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
One of the most iconic music venues in the world? It's nestled here in Denver. Red Rocks is a naturally formed amphitheater, carved into rock formations, which gives it perfect acoustics. The odds that there will be a rocking artist playing there in the days leading up to or after our wedding are high. Actual concert aside, it's a really cool place to check out during the day. You can walk around the actual music venue, but also explore some of the trails around it that weave throughout the Red Rocks.
Coors Brewery Tour
A sucker for a brewery tour? You should definitely check out the home of Coors Beer. Coors is located in the ultra cool town of Golden (you can uber there), where we'd recommend exploring afterwards and grabbing a bite.
The Flats Beer Garden
This bar looks out on the iconic Flatirons. They have in-house bar food alongside Food Trucks. Noah and I love grabbing an adirondack chair, drinks & food and looking out at the Flatirons.
Washington Park
One of our favorite parks in Denver! If you're looking to do a scenic walk and see the mountains on the horizon, Wash Park is a great place to do so. There are a ton of great cafes, bakeries, lunch spots near it (see The Cookery above).
Cheesman Park
We walk to this park almost every day with Willow. Another great place for a walk, and it has a historic building converted into a cafe attached to it. Stop by there for a coffee, pastry, cocktail, etc. We highly recommend going to the Denver Botanic Gardens afterwards (as it's attached to Cheesman Park)
Denver Botanic Gardens
Near and dear to my heart. I'm an ongoing volunteer at the Gardens and love everything about it. If you're into plants this is a can't miss.
Pete's Kitchen
Looking for a good breakfast spot? Love a diner? Look no further than Pete's Kitchen. Opened by Pete in 1962, it's become a Denver staple. From their famous cinnamon roll (best I've ever had), milkshakes, omelets, breakfast platters, and more - it's one of me and Noah's favorite spots when we want to grub.
The Cookery at Myrtle Hill
This place ROCKS. Come here for a delicious brunch (I recommend the breakfast hash) and then head over to Wash Park after for a beautiful walk.
Voodoo Doughnut
We love to grab these doughnuts before a day of skiing, but they are good anytime. If you stop by the S Broadway location, walk up and down the street for some great thrifting!
Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen
We can't emphasize enough how good the biscuits are here. Get a breakfast sandwich on their biscuits, their dang good hashbrown, and maybe a cinnamon roll biscuit as well.
Our Mutual Friend Brewing
One of our favorite breweries. It's got a great location in RiNo so you can go explore other places/shops before or after. It's also located next to some top tier barbecue. Our recommendation? Grab the barbecue, bring it over to Our Mutual Friend (they all this), grab a beer and have a 10/10 time. Learn more about the bbq place below:
Pit Fiend Barbecue
Order everything. That's all we have to say.
Ratio Beerworks
Another one of our favorite breweries (also located in RiNo). Has a great outdoor patio to enjoy the sun and some beers.
Odell Brewing Sloan's Lake Brewhouse & Pizzeria
Yes, another brewery recommendation. Not only is the beer great, they have a rocking rooftop w/ incredible views. It's also next to another incredible park in Denver, Sloan's Lake. Maybe grab a beer and then go on a stroll.
Stellar Jay
This is the rooftop of The Populus. It boasts incredible views of Denver and the mountains on the horizon, and serves up some greats bites and drinks.
esp
This is a listening bar, think vinyl records & craft cocktails. If you're looking for a vibe, this is the spot.
Urban Cowboy Denver
The bar & restaurant at this hotel is called Public House. For all our NYC people, they serve Roberta's Pizza. They also put out really good cocktails. For those looking for a western/saloon style bar with good food/drinks, this is that spot.
Yacht Club
Named one of the 50 best bars in North America, you don't want to miss out on this spot. Not only are their cocktails creative and delicious, but their HOT DOGS are to die for. Yes, there's one with Caviar on top and it's worth every $
Run For The Roses
This speakeasy is 10/10. Cocktails, service, food - they crush it on all fronts. It's part of Denver Milk Market which we recommend exploring beforehand.
NADC Burger
This is the best smash burger we've ever had. We dream about this burger. Professional skateboarder Neen Williams & Michelin starred chef Phillip Frankland opened this burger shop - it was the byproduct of a shared bond over skateboarding & food, specifically craving a rocking burger after a skate sesh. This is a casual spot - come for the burger, fries and a beer.
In-N-Out Burger
Yes east coasters, you heard that right: Colorado has In-N-Outs. Go get yourself some Animal Style Fries.
Brasserie Brixton
A really great spot for brunch or dinner. It's actually next door to Yacht Club, should you want to do a dinner + post-dinner cocktail combo.
Temaki Den
Obsessed doesn't begin to encapsulate me and Noah's feelings towards this restaurant. It's ... the best sushi we've ever had. It can get pricey, but has an unbelievable Happy Hour which we highly recommend.
Alma Fonda Fina
Boasting a Michelin star, this place is a can't miss. Serving contemporary Mexican food, you'll leave happy.
Mezcaleria Alma
A new restaurant opened by the Alma Fond Fina team. The food and drinks are an ode to Mexico City.
Hop Alley
This spot has a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and for good reason. It's a contemporary Chinese restaurant serving out really good food.
MAKfam
Another spot with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. They serve drool-worthy Cantonese-style cuisine.
Mister Oso RiNo
And ANOTHER Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. Really good tacos and drinks, always a good time.
Safta
The first restaurant we ate at in Denver. Really good Israeli food.
Milk Market
A fun food hall located in downtown Denver. It also has some great shops.
The Denver Central Market
Speaking of food halls, this is another great one. Located in RiNo it's a perfect pit stop while meandering through that area.