In Denver for a 7 days (Golden, Evergreen: to rent, how much, neighborhoods)

[89david98]

Hey, so I'm going to be in town for a week or so from Dec. 3rd to the 10th. What are somethings to do in Denver. I've been there once with my mother and loved it but we were only there for 2 days in March.
This time I'm coming alone. See here's the deal, I'm taking a leave of absence from work (or quitting) which ever it turns out to be. I'm traveling from Odessa, TX to Denver. Then from Denver to Chicago, then from Chicago to Philadelphia, Pa. Spending around a week or so in each place. I have been planning to move for a very long time and I'm going to check out these places as possible candidates. Maybe fall in love with one of the places and just stay put.
So if anyone wants to chime in with some activities, let me know. Also I am going to do some research for jobs in the areas, so if you have any advice in that area.. Maybe I could set up some interviews for that week. I'm a welder currently, not certified nor do I have a college degree. Just kind of starting over. I'll be posting this same thread on the other city's forums named above as well, so if you tend to visit those forums frequently you may see this there to, asking about their city. Thanks.
Also, look. I know that this may seem as a leap of faith and probably in reality it may be. However, I tend to think of myself as a very smart guy. I always, always do great amounts of research before making a decision. Especially one this large in scale.
With that said I will consider any advice handed to me, but please do not insult me or mock me. I'm young and tend to "think out loud" quite often. So just please keep your opinions to yourself. I welcome thought out advice of the topic, not " This guys an idiot for wanting to quit a job in this market and move across country..." type of remarks. Anyways thank you. Oh and if your one to be willing to hangout and show me the city. I'm up for it. I'll probably meet people while I'm there anyways so why not. 1

Haha asking people to meet up on the internet is pretty odd. I don't ever at all do that but what the H*LL right?!

[davidv]

Stay downtown. Early December will mean that the whole place will be lit for Christmas, the parade of Lights is on the 2nd (8 pm) and 3rd (6 pm), after that walk around and see the City and County building (http://www.flickr.com/photos/devnulled/sets/72157622997109674/detail/ - broken link), the Capitol, and the 16th Street Mall lit up with Christmas lights.

Hang out at some of the bars in lower downtown. You could try to get tix to the Avalanche/Red Wings game on the 4th, but that one sells out. Watch it at a sports bar.

Go ice skating at downtown's outdoor ice rink. It's only $2 to rent skates and there is no admission fee.

Check out the Colorado Christmas Concert Dec. 9 -11 at Boettcher Hall, it's the symphony, the symphony chorus, and the Colorado Children's Chorale doing a bunch of Christmas music.

Drive around. Head to Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison. Go to Georgetown (40 miles into the mtns) for their Christmas mart. There is tons to do, it just depends on what you like and how much you are willing to spend.

[89david98]

Thank you sir. The symphony sounds absolutely amazing. I've always waned to see one. And wow I didn't really think about it being lit up for Christmas. That will be an amazing site. i would love to go snowboarding as well. I've never done that either. Anyways thanks again man. Great Ideas!!

[lalahartma]

Davidv, great reply. I tried to give you some rep points, but I must spread them around.

[strawberrykiki]

Definitely go downtown. There are lots of great bars and restaurants. Make sure you check out Larimer Square and the 16th Street mall. There are always shows playing, sporting events, etc. plus we have the zoo and quite a few museums depending on what you're interested in.

[reatlor21]

There are alot of great places in and around Denver and the mountains. Check out Red Rocks Ampitheatre which is a cool natural ampitheatre up in the foothills. Old town Evergreen is a cool "mountain town" that isn't too far. In terms of skiing everyone has their own personal preference. I like Copper Mountain, Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail for a wide variety of skill levels and Arapahoe Basin and Beaver Creek for more advanced. There is no wrong, just different options. Denver has a great zoo and museum. Check out downtown Denver (specifically LODO or lower downtown) for a fair amount of bars, restaurants, etc and the 16th st mall. I believe the Lion King is at the Buell Theatre starting Dec. 4 and would be a cool thing to check out! The Avs Redwings game as previously mentioned would also be a fun game! Rivalry between the two teams. Take a tour of Coors Field (Rockies baseball) as it is a beautiful ballpark and you can take a tour of Coors Brewery in Golden which is only about 20 minutes up the road from Denver.
Hopefully this gives you a start!

[Timmyy]

You all forgot the most important place to visit, Casa Bonita! It is required.

[89david98]

Thanks guys. I'm making a list as we speak. All this sounds awesome to me.

[LisaBoulder]

The previous posters have given great suggestions so I won't repeat them. You might also like the Denver Botanic Gardens' Blossoms of lights exhibit which is really beautiful. Denver Botanic Gardens | blossoms of light. The Denver Zoo also does a zoo lights exhibit which is also great, but I don't think it starts until the 10th.

For museums, the Denver Art Museum and soon to open Clyfford Still Museum are just south of Civic Center park in the Golden Triangle neighborhood. The Denver Museum of Contemporary Art is in Lodo on 15th st. The Museum of Nature and Science is near the zoo on Colorado ave.

If you want to explore Denver neighborhoods while you're here, Capital Hill, Highland and Baker are all close in, easily accessed via RTD and walkable.

[reatlor21]

how did I forget Casa Bonita? Be prepared to stop at Taco Bell after you leave. You will know why after you go