Visiting Denver and Boulder 4/13 - 4/20 (Saturday - Saturday)

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by htnguyen504

Wow thank you so much for ALL the recs! I am going to make a trip out to Garden of the Gods now since it’s a must do. Is Pike’s Peak worth going to as well? I am also planning to check out Estes Park and see the Stanley Hotel and drive into RMNP to check it out.

Pikes Peak normally is a must-do, but the Cog Railway is closed for a couple years, and they're building a new summit house and have restricted access to the summit. You may or may not be able to drive up there.

[Mike from back east]

The elevation and dry air often wreaks havoc on low-landers when they arrive. We always tell people to drink a lot of water upon arrival and go easy on consuming alcohol -- else there is risk of altitude sickness.

Thinner air means stronger sun so we advise people to have a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.

Dry air often causes nasal dryness and minor nosebleeds, so a saline spray may be appropriate.

These are cheap solutions that you can pack and bring with you.

April is too soon for some mountain roads which may not open until late May or early June depending on the snowpack, i.e., Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park, but visiting Estes Park will be a nice day trip with a stop at the Stanley Hotel.

Others will be along soon with many ideas for you.

[Katarina Witt]

First of all, OP, the weather at that time of year can be anything from cold and snowy to rainy to pleasant to early summer-ish.

Originally Posted by Count David

Bummer, because that is way too big a thing here.



We do trips like this to different cities all the time, and while we don't do them like most people, I highly recommend visiting normal/boring neighborhoods (including a few "bad" ones), grocery stores, chain stores and restaurants you don't have back home, in addition to touristy type stuff.

For Mexican kitsch, go to Los Arcos in Westminster, preferably on a Friday or Saturday night.

Go to Chautauqua in Boulder. Find any spot you can with a view of the Flatirons (there's even a cool little spot along US-36 right before you descend into Boulder), as you will NOT be able to take your eyes off of them. Go to Red Rocks. Drive up Lookout Mountain. Go to Black Hawk if gambling is your thing at all.

Go to Colorado Springs, and go to Garden of the Gods (a MUST imo) and Manitou Springs.

Go to the Denver Mint (but reserve your date/time in advance). Go to the Denver Art Museum. Go to the Denver Public Library and weave your way around the homeless. Do 16th St Mall just because you have to do it at least once. Go to Union Station and sit around and drink hot chocolate, and get on a train if you decide you feel like it. Go to a Rockies game (they are here Apr 18, 19, 20). Go see the Nuggets if they're home and in the playoffs. Avs too I suppose. Eat at Pete's Kitchen or Denver Diner (or both), and make sure you include a trip to Illegal Pete's at some point (not the same as Pete's Kitchen).

If you have to go to one mall, make it Park Meadows. Cherry Creek would be alright too I guess.

If you find yourself with spare time after doing all that, go up to Estes Park/RMNP.

Have fun, and report back please!

Yes, Los Arcos has way better food that Casa Bonita!

Originally Posted by davebarnes

Kirkland Museum.
Unique in the world.

I agee. Very cool place.

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

To add to what others have suggested, if you don't want to venture all the way to Colorado Springs, you can go to Roxborough State Park on the southwest side of the Denver Metro Area. The geology is identical to Garden of the Gods, albeit on a much smaller scale. It gets pretty crowded on weekends, but even then it's a much more intimate experience than GoG. The South Rim Trail gives you views of the lower portions of the park. If you're looking for more of a challenge, the Carpenter Peak Trail is 6.2 miles roundtrip and leads to the summit of Carpenter Peak (elev. 7,166'), the highest point in the park. Traction devices may still be necessary in April.

Mount Galbraith near Golden is a short, moderately strenuous foothills hike with views of Golden and Downtown Denver

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a little further up into the foothills, but it has great views of the Continental Divide. If the mountain access road is open and the trail is clear of snow/ice (or you have proper traction), you can park at Panorama Point and do the short Raccoon Trail Loop.

If you're fans of South Park, and love kitsch (and dreadfully bad Mexican food), Casa Bonita is in Lakewood.

I agree that Roxborough is cool, but COS isn't that far and they'll be on vacation.

[htnguyen504]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

The elevation and dry air often wreaks havoc on low-landers when they arrive. We always tell people to drink a lot of water upon arrival and go easy on consuming alcohol -- else there is risk of altitude sickness.

Thinner air means stronger sun so we advise people to have a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.

Dry air often causes nasal dryness and minor nosebleeds, so a saline spray may be appropriate.

These are cheap solutions that you can pack and bring with you.

April is too soon for some mountain roads which may not open until late May or early June depending on the snowpack, i.e., Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park, but visiting Estes Park will be a nice day trip with a stop at the Stanley Hotel.

Others will be along soon with many ideas for you.

Oh no I am a flat lander/low lander from New Orleans like Peyton Manning! I really appreciate the tips on the altitude in Colorado! I will make sure to pack the necessities and looking forward to the trip out west!

[htnguyen504]

Are there any places that you all would recommend for going snow-tubing?

[Count David]

Originally Posted by htnguyen504

Are there any places that you all would recommend for going snow-tubing?

I haven't been, but Frisco looks like it has a fun place (but you have to make an appointment). Last day is 4/14.

https://www.townoffrisco.com/play/wi...skiing/tubing/

[daprara]

Tony Pho on Federal may work for you

[alloo66]

https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/a...visitor-guide/

[Moonwalkr]

Originally Posted by htnguyen504

Are there any places that you all would recommend for going snow-tubing?

I recommend Copper, they have tubing and an alpine coaster.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by RotseCherut

If you like burgers Bad Daddy's Burgers in Cherry Creek is the best I have found in Denver. It is a North Carolina burger chain that just recently got bought out by Colorado Good Times chain and as a result they opened up some of these burger joints here. I was so happy when I found out that Colorado had one of the places I liked in North Carolina and was shocked to see the place. I am sure it may go downhill being owned by Good Times, but for now the recipes, food and BBQ sauce recipes are identical to the original chain in North Carolina. So, if you want an awesome burger that is where I would go. They have good prices and a happy hour too. As well, they have bison burgers and I believe the bison meat comes from Colorado.


The Asian food here simply just cannot compare with Seattle or Portland where I am from.. But, YMMV there.


I am not a fan of Illegal Pete's and just cannot stomach their food.. However, I found the Yard House, which has really good food, even though it is a corporate establishment. They have like three locations in Denver area and are open quite late by Denver standards, like until 12AM on weekdays. They have a great happy hour, like the hugest happy hour in Denver and the largest selection of taps (over 100+) in Denver as well. The Yard House in the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Denver is actually quite a nice atmosphere. Don't be fooled by the location, the food there is still very affordable, but the atmosphere is top notch.

Bad Daddy’s is fine, but if I’m visiting, the last thing I want to do is go to national chains. Yard House? You can go to those anywhere.

Cherry Cricket, Park Burger, Highland Tap and Burger.

For ramen, Uncle is world class and I travel A LOT. No reservations so get there early or be ready to wait.

Pho 79 on Federal for Vietnamese.

Enjoy!