Our beloved go-to. We recommend: the spicy chicken ramen, veggie ramen with a spice bomb, chilled tofu, and hanger steak. They don't take reservations, but put your name in and grab a drink at Highland Tap and Burger next door while you wait (it’s worth it).
Seafood in a landlocked state? Flown in fresh daily, we promise you can’t go wrong with their oysters, crab legs, or mussels. And if you stay in town, Monday has all day happy hour.
The bruschetta boards are delicious and bountiful, perfect for a group. Plus, $5 glasses of wine or pitchers of beer from noon-5PM daily makes it the prime spot for a midday break on their patio.
Great for brunch or dinner, you’ll find an old kung fu movie playing or live music being performed while you dine. And a fun fact: the building was a brothel in 1889.
An open courtyard concept, it's great for a group, and has a wide array of craft beer and cocktails, with rotating food trucks parked on the patio.
A prohibition-era speakeasy with handcrafted cocktails and interesting small plates (we love the bone marrow). The perfect spot for a night cap, but if you want a few more, try their punk-themed sister bar Occidental next door.
Our favorite chill Friday night spot to sit at the bar, watch a game, and grab some beer and deliciously unique pizza.
The first brewery in Colorado, you’ll find plenty of beers, Rocky Mountain oysters (if you dare), and endless activities: shuffleboard, pool tables, darts, and more.
We spent many a Saturday watching college football here! Enjoy local Colorado craft beers, catch some sun, and play some cornhole (or bags).
Though a traditional German beer hall (in decor and menu items), the main attraction is the four indoor bocce ball courts. Bonus perk: they’re connected to a Packers bar, Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern.
A 16-concept indoor food hall on Denver’s Dairy Block; we love their fresh pasta and aperol spritzes. Hop on over to Polka Lola Social Club while you’re there for tasty drinks in an Art Deco themed lounge.
A multi floor food hall with great views of the city. Highly recommend watching the sunset from their rooftop patio during happy hour!
In the heart of downtown, it’s a 100-year-old historic landmark, the main transportation hub, and also a great eat/drink/shop destination. We love Kitchen Next Door for happy hour snacks, Mercantile for a nice dinner, and Terminal Bar for drinks. Also: if you’re not renting a car, we’d suggest taking the train from DIA and ubering or walking from here.
The Denver Botanic Gardens is located close to downtown and next door to Cheeseman Park, with beautiful plants and flowers year round. They rotate in different featured exhibits (Chihuly has been included in the past) and is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Truly the greatest music venue on earth. If there’s a show wedding weekend, we suggest attending — it’s a bucket list item you won’t regret. It’s open to the public during the day pre shows, so at least take a walk through to catch the views and hike through the nearby trails.
One of Denver's biggest parks, and located ~15 minutes from downtown, it's a beautiful place for a walk, run, or bike ride. You can also rent bikes, surreys, pedal boats, or kayaks from Wheel Fun Rentals, next to Wash Park’s boathouse. Old South Gaylord Street is nearby for a post-park hang, with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.
A quick 1.5 hour drive from the city, RMNP in Estes Park is worth the trip. Whether you just drive on through or head up for a hike (try Dream Lake, from the Bear Lake Trailhead), it’s Colorado beauty at it’s finest. It should also be prime time to catch the aspens changing colors!
Our favorite hike for first time Colorado visitors, it’s about 1.5 hours outside downtown Denver and a fairly easy route with stunning views at the top. Stop in Idaho Springs for your post-hike rewards: beer at Tommy Knocker’s and pizza at Beau Jo’s.