help plan a first trip to CO? (Denver, Colorado Springs: rent, condo)

[weballinnow]

So I got a job in Boulder starting later next year. GF from California has never been to CO but thinks she'll like it and wants to see what its like, so I decided we'll take a trip out there so she can get fully on-board with the move. Also combine this with checking out some areas where I may decide to live in Boulder/Denver, and also doing some skiing in CO. Tryna make a fun vacation out of it. We'll be going in the next couple of weeks.

I've only been to CO once myself and really don't know much of anything about it. At this point I'm leaning towards living right around Pearl street, but checking out some other areas may be worthwhile, and definitely wanna check out Denver. Probably gonna rent a place for a year or so and then maybe buy a condo by Pearl if I like it there, or wherever I end up.



Can anyone suggest some places to go and things to do to basically just get a feel for Boulder, Denver, and the region overall? I'm not really sure how long we should even stay. It could be as long as like 10 days and would b nice to use our entire vacation, but I'm really not even sure what we would do for that long.

I'm 24 years old, not into boring adult **** lol (museums, etc). Like to party, get wasted, etc. Gf is outdoorsey though, so a day hike in the area could be cool.

How long would you guys spend? And where would you guys go to check stuff out?

Also, if we do like 3-4 days of skiing, anyone know of a way to save some $, or is my only option to just buy 3-4 day passes? And resort suggestions would be cool. Is like, Aspen or Breckridge fun to party in at night? That would be awesome to ski all day and come back and then party it up, repeat for a few days.


Cliffs:
I have no idea what is CO, and want to figure out what's up with it. Also want to party a bit and have a fun vacation.


Thanks!

[davebarnes]

Oh gods, where do I start.
1. Skiing is very expensive and serious discounts tend to end in early November. All I can say is: dig deep online.
2. After a "day" of skiing, your only goal will be to find a place to collapse. Between exercising previously unused muscles and the altitude, you will be wiped.
3. Devote an entire day to walking (not driving) around Boulder.
4. Drink lots water. If you don't have to pee, then you need more hydration.
5. Aspen is a 5 hour drive from Boulder--on a weekday in the Summer. Your time in the Winter will be more.

[weballinnow]

Good stuff thanks bro

Experienced skiiers so that's the one thing I know how to handle etc. Just wondering about the CO specific stuff.

Probs won't do Aspen then. Is Breckenridge, or anywhere else, a fun time? Thinking like Tahoe is kinda, u can ski in the day and then come back to town and party

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by weballinnow

Good stuff thanks bro

Experienced skiiers so that's the one thing I know how to handle etc. Just wondering about the CO specific stuff.

Probs won't do Aspen then. Is Breckenridge, or anywhere else, a fun time? Thinking like Tahoe is kinda, u can ski in the day and then come back to town and party

If you plan to stay at the resort, Breckenridge is a great town to party it up in after skiing. It's probably the best for what you sound like you are looking for, although Vail also has a good party scene. Aspen is great as well, but as Dave mentioned, it is further, although more like 3.5 hours if you miss traffic and storms. 5 hours is a stretch if you have good conditions. The thing about Aspen though is that it is incredibly expensive.

When you do move to Boulder, I would recommend getting a season pass at Eldora if you are going to be weekend skiing as a local. It is a much better drive than battling the weekend warriors on I-70. It's just a ski mountain though, so no resort. You may want to check it out one day while you're here.

[weballinnow]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

If you plan to stay at the resort, Breckenridge is a great town to party it up in after skiing. It's probably the best for what you sound like you are looking for although Vail also has a good party scene too. Aspen is great as well but as Dave mentioned, it is further, although more like 3.5 hours if you miss traffic and storms. 5 hours is a stretch if you have good conditions. The thing about Aspen though is it is incredibly expensive.

When you do move to Boulder, I would recommend getting a season pass at Eldora if you are going to be weekend skiing as a local. It is a much better drive than battling the weekend warriors on I-70. It's just a ski mountain though, so no resort. You may want to check it out one day while you're here.

This is great, thank you much!

[NW Crow]

If it going to be a Jan. / Feb. visit, a hike might best be around Chautauqua Park / the Flat Irons, CU campus, maybe Eldorado Canyon south of Boulder or just a drive / pop out along Boulder canyon. If you want to trek in the further out mountains, you'll probably have to snowshoe or cross-country ski.

Maybe take a quick peak at Broomfield and see if living between Boulder and Denver interests at all.

Any interest in the casinos in Gilpin County? Spas? A night dining / bar hopping in downtown Denver? Check Denver Post or other publication for club music, concerts, special events. If your girlfriend would enjoy skating, maybe find a place for a little of that.

If several or many of the nights are going to devoted to vigorous drinking, pick out walkable places or line up rides with cabs.

If you want skiing, other vacation and some time scoping the area for future living, I'd make it at least 6 days.

[weballinnow]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

If it going to be a Jan. / Feb. visit, a hike might best be around Chautauqua Park / the Flat Irons, CU campus, maybe Eldorado Canyon south of Boulder or just a drive / pop out along Boulder canyon. If you want to trek in the further out mountains, you'll probably have to snowshoe or cross-country ski.

Maybe take a quick peak at Broomfield and see if living between Boulder and Denver interests at all.

Any interest in the casinos in Gilpin County? Spas? A night dining / bar hopping in downtown Denver? Check Denver Post or other publication for club music, concerts, special events. If your girlfriend would enjoy skating, maybe find a place for a little of that.

If several or many of the nights are going to devoted to vigorous drinking, pick out walkable places or line up rides with cabs.

If you want skiing, other vacation and some time scoping the area for future living, I'd make it at least 6 days.

Excellent stuff here, thanks!!

Is there a bar street or certain area with some walkable bars in denver and/or boulder?

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by weballinnow

Excellent stuff here, thanks!!

Is there a bar street or certain area with some walkable bars in denver and/or boulder?

There are lots of walkable bars areas in Denver. The biggest is Lower Downtown (LoDo). Highland and River North are also great areas. If you are in to craft beer, and you better learn to be if you're going to live here , River North has 8 breweries within a few blocks.

Boulder also has a great brewing scene. Avery Brewery is a must stop.

Since you are 24, I'm sure the college bar scene around CU in Boulder will be to your liking. Boulder is a college town. No shortage of bars.

[weballinnow]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

There are lots of walkable bars areas in Denver. The biggest is Lower Downtown (LoDo). Highland and River North are also great areas. If you are in to craft beer, and you better learn to be if you're going to live here , River North has 8 breweries within a few blocks.

Boulder also has a great brewing scene. Avery Brewery is a must stop.

Since you are 24, I'm sure the college bar scene around CU in Boulder will be to your liking. Boulder is a college town. No shortage of bars.

Awesome, thanks bra

Def gonna check out some of these places

[otowi]

You might enjoy going down to Colorado Springs to try to drive up Pikes Peak (or take the cog rail, considerably more pricey) depending on weather. Lots of people your age love to try the Manitou Incline in Manitou near the entrance for the Pikes Peak highway - you might want to see it, but depending on your fitness and adjustment to altitude you might wait for a return visit to try it.