Michaela & Ryan
Things To Do
Little Man Ice Cream
We would always come for the Salted Oreo Ice Cream, Snow or Shine! Inspired by vintage Coney Island hot dog-shaped stands, business is conducted within a twenty-eight foot tall, 14,000 lb. cream can. Little Man Ice Cream is all about the EXPERIENCE! The customer’s experience is one of pure nostalgia nestled in the 21st Century. In the golden era of the great American road trip during the 1920s-1950s, unique American food items like donuts, hot dogs, or ice cream were celebrated and memorialized by roadside monuments built to expand on the food experience itself. How better to enjoy a scoop of ice cream than one out of a 28ft tall cream can!? The Little Man experience is a loving tribute to the creativity, wonderment, and whimsy of that era.
Snooze an A.M. Eatery
We love Snooze! We would get up at 5 am on a school day to grab some super yummy pineapple upside down pancakes! This hip breakfast restaurant does get busy but is so worth it. All pancakes are amazing and so is everything else. Go check it out!
Denver Zoo Lights
Perfect for everyone! There’s a bit of magic in the air every night of Zoo Lights! Beautiful light displays all over the zoo. This can be a treat for the kiddos or a romantic evening with that special someone! Snowy nights may be cold, but the Zoo has plenty of indoor buildings to warm up in and they make for great photos! *** You should probably buy tickets in advance it is very popular!
Winter Park Ski Resort
Winter Park is one of the cheaper, closer places for some good skiing. It also has ice skating and sledding. They offer rentals, but we recommend using Christy Sports ahead of time for quicker and cheaper rentals. There is a ski train that can take you to Winter Park from downtown Denver.
Copper Mountain Ski Resort
Alternative to Winter Park. There is an amazing Mac and Cheese place at the base of the resort.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
A more expensive option that is slightly further away, but has arguably some of the best skiing.
Park Meadows Mall
Huge mall with great shopping.
ICE SKATING AT DOWNTOWN DENVER RINK AT SKYLINE PARK
Take a spin on the ice — for free! Grab your family and friends and head to 16th and Arapahoe in downtown Denver to the Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park in Downtown Denver! Skate rentals are $6-$8, or bring your own pair and skate for free. Free days for kids will take place throughout the season. Look for regularly scheduled entertainment and activities each week, including Friday night DJs; Saturday morning skating lessons; Saturday night concerts; and Sunday afternoon family entertainment.
Fraser Tubing Hill
Best tubing out there (in the mountains)!
Georgetown Loop Railroad
Awesome scenic railroad ride in the mountains.
Take a Tour at Coors Brewery and then Head to the Clear Creek River Walk, 13th & Ford in Golden
We did countless of these while in college. Cheap, fresh beer straight from the tap! Despite the invasion of craft brewers into the state, the Coors Brewery is still the granddaddy of them all and visiting this monolith in Golden is still a staple for any tourist or resident. This remains the world’s largest single site brewery and the tour (used to be) free! Since 1873, Coors has been brewing up beer along the banks of Clear Creek. The tour last 30 minutes and is a self-paced tour where you’ll see the malting, brewing and packaging process. Enjoy beer samples at the end and view the photo gallery documenting the growth of this legendary brewing facility and the Coors family who started it all. The brewery does tours weeklong. Cheers! While you’re in Golden, check out one of the best urban trail systems. The City of Golden has done a magnificent job with the Clear Creek River Walk Trail that parallels Clear Creek and allows you to enjoy a refreshing stroll through the city.
bd's Mongolian Grill
We love this place! It is super fun to put everything into a bowl and watch the chef cook it up right in front of you. Plus the deep fried Oreos are thebomb.com!
Avanti Food and Beverage
This is a trendy new generation food joint that has several different kitchens and bars (Asian, Greek, Italian, American and more). Good for couples or families that all want different types of foods.
Shop at 16th Street Mall
More shopping downtown!
Beau Jo's Arvada
Look up Beaujos in google for many locations. Mountain pies / pizzas. Home to the Mountain crust ...would recommend lots of honey!
Grab a Drink at Union Station, 17th & Wynkoop in Downtown Denver
Completely renovated in 2014, Union Station Denver is the crown jewel of the revamped Lower Downtown neighborhood in Denver. The $54 million facelift of Union Station created retail, restaurant and bar space as well as the stylish and luxurious Crawford Hotel. Just behind Union Station are the original Denver Pacific Railway train tracks that now serve the RTD’s ‘train to the plain’ service to Denver International Airport as well as Amtrak. Additionally, the site includes the underground station for RTD bus service from Denver to and from various points in the metro area. Originally built in 1868 to serve freight and passenger trains, Union Station was a hub of activity until the latter part of the 20th century when rail travel began to decline. The structure suffered as well until RTD purchased the land in 2001 and turned the site into a multi-use transportation center. In and around Union Station, you’ll find the vibrant tang of LoDo.
Snowshoe at Rocky Mountain National Park
When you have the Rocky Mountains running north-south through the entire state of Colorado, what’s the big deal with going to a park to see them? Try sheer enormity! Home to 14,000 foot Longs Peak and the Mummy Range, which features many 13ers, the size of Rocky Mountain National Park is breathtaking in itself. RMNP is the fourth most visited national park in the United States so winter is a perfect time to escape the crowds. Featuring miles of trails, perfect for a snowshoeing adventure, you'll bask in the winter glory of snow-capped peaks and frozen lakes. There is also sledding and tubing at Hidden Valley, winter hiking, snowcat tours, snowmobiling and ice skating, RMNP is the perfect escape from the city and is only 76 miles from Denver. Best of all, the park’s “entrance” is Estes Park, a city filled with wonderful restaurants, shops, galleries and many outdoor activities. Check out the Estes Park Mountain Shop for the very best in outdoor gear and apparel.
Garden of the Gods
This free, public park located in Colorado Springs is another example of statuesque sandstone formations and spires that have left an indelible mark on its visitors since the early 1900s. Now part of the city of Colorado Springs park system, outdoor enthusiasts revel in the beauty of the Garden of the Gods and enjoy guided nature walks, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails, road biking and technical rock climbing. This is a National Natural Landmark for good reason. The spectacular rock formations against the backdrop of West Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak provides a vista you’ll not forget for years to come. There are miles and miles of hiking and running trails, and make sure you visit the Visitor and Nature Center during your stay.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Best venue for concerts. May be chilly in the winter, but its worth a shot!