Liz's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Red Rocks is known for world class concerts and festivals. It is also a great place for hiking and site seeing. Located at the base of the mountains, it is about a 35 minute drive. Great place to go for sunrise and then head up to the mountains for more site seeing.
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Red Rocks amfiteatur
18300 West Alameda ParkwayRed Rocks is known for world class concerts and festivals. It is also a great place for hiking and site seeing. Located at the base of the mountains, it is about a 35 minute drive. Great place to go for sunrise and then head up to the mountains for more site seeing.
You can spend a full day walking around this neighborhood and taking in the sites. Highly recommended and free. There are miles of world class street art up and down Larimer St., Walnut St., and the alleyways 🙂
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River North Art District
You can spend a full day walking around this neighborhood and taking in the sites. Highly recommended and free. There are miles of world class street art up and down Larimer St., Walnut St., and the alleyways 🙂
This is less than 1 mile from our house with miles of trails, lakes, playground, skate park, recreation center (check for current COVID notices: https://www.thorntonco.gov/recreation/facilities/Pages/carpenter-recreation-center.aspx)
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Carpenter Park
3498 E 112th AveThis is less than 1 mile from our house with miles of trails, lakes, playground, skate park, recreation center (check for current COVID notices: https://www.thorntonco.gov/recreation/facilities/Pages/carpenter-recreation-center.aspx)
This is a beautiful park and the best place to see the Boulder Flatirons. It is about a 30 minute drive with varying degrees of difficulty on many trails. Open year round but remember to take your gear and wear layers!
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Chautauqua Park
9th StreetThis is a beautiful park and the best place to see the Boulder Flatirons. It is about a 30 minute drive with varying degrees of difficulty on many trails. Open year round but remember to take your gear and wear layers!
Food scene
12 MINUTE DRIVE: The BEST smoked chicken wings I’ve ever had. They have a great outside patio with fireplaces. The staff is really great, the BBQ is all really tasty. Skip the mac & cheese but do NOT skip the wings! Check out Instagram for most recent updates: https://www.instagram.com/theoldmanbar/?hl=en
Old Man Bar
4381 W 120th Ave12 MINUTE DRIVE: The BEST smoked chicken wings I’ve ever had. They have a great outside patio with fireplaces. The staff is really great, the BBQ is all really tasty. Skip the mac & cheese but do NOT skip the wings! Check out Instagram for most recent updates: https://www.instagram.com/theoldmanbar/?hl=en
NEIGHBORHOOD: The Glenn is a great little American Grill. The bartenders are friendly and everything we've had from the menu has been delicious. If you are here on the weekend, they have a brunch menu as well. Great back patio with heaters, a fireplace and allows smoking.
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The Glenn Bar & Grill
11140 Irma DrNEIGHBORHOOD: The Glenn is a great little American Grill. The bartenders are friendly and everything we've had from the menu has been delicious. If you are here on the weekend, they have a brunch menu as well. Great back patio with heaters, a fireplace and allows smoking.
NEIGHBORHOOD: This is really close! Quite inexpensive for a big meal. They can deliver, or pick up is just minutes away. We all love their pho, but their noodle dishes are also tasty!
Pho 7
3917 East 120th AvenueNEIGHBORHOOD: This is really close! Quite inexpensive for a big meal. They can deliver, or pick up is just minutes away. We all love their pho, but their noodle dishes are also tasty!
NEIGHBORHOOD: Recommend ordering for take out, rather than delivery as it is not cheap (per-se). They have some of the best Gyros I have had in Colorado. Surprise, they also have a Vietnamese menu! The Bahn Mi sandwich is stellar. They menu is vast, we highly encourage you check this one out: https://loveplentea.com/
Murray loves Boba/Bubble tea and would also recommend this drink
Plentea
1391 E 120th AveNEIGHBORHOOD: Recommend ordering for take out, rather than delivery as it is not cheap (per-se). They have some of the best Gyros I have had in Colorado. Surprise, they also have a Vietnamese menu! The Bahn Mi sandwich is stellar. They menu is vast, we highly encourage you check this one out: https://loveplentea.com/
Murray loves Boba/Bubble tea and would also recommend this drink
UPTOWN DENVER 15 MILES: If you are looking for some tasty vegan food, great people watching & killer ambiance, then do yourself a favor and check out Watercourse. They have a coffee shop inside, as well as a bar with tasty cocktails and assorted drafts. Our favorite things on the menu are the tomato curry soup and the seitan wings with buffalo and ranch. Their menu is 100% vegan and 100% delish. https://www.watercoursefoods.com/
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Watercourse Foods
837 East 17th AvenueUPTOWN DENVER 15 MILES: If you are looking for some tasty vegan food, great people watching & killer ambiance, then do yourself a favor and check out Watercourse. They have a coffee shop inside, as well as a bar with tasty cocktails and assorted drafts. Our favorite things on the menu are the tomato curry soup and the seitan wings with buffalo and ranch. Their menu is 100% vegan and 100% delish. https://www.watercoursefoods.com/
NEIGHBORHOOD: Dine in or Take Out - this place is so delicious! The margaritas are excellent and my favorite plate is the Sabanitas. The staff is friendly and there are TVs with sports (don't ask which ones, I'm clueless, but it is always sports). They have great enchiladas too. They offer to-go on all of their drinks. https://www.tequilasthornton.com/ourmenu
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Tequila's Family Mexican Restaurant
12020 Pennsylvania StNEIGHBORHOOD: Dine in or Take Out - this place is so delicious! The margaritas are excellent and my favorite plate is the Sabanitas. The staff is friendly and there are TVs with sports (don't ask which ones, I'm clueless, but it is always sports). They have great enchiladas too. They offer to-go on all of their drinks. https://www.tequilasthornton.com/ourmenu
NEIGHBORHOOD: Garlic Knot is a Colorado staple for pizza and, well....garlic knots! Their greek salad isn't bad either. Dine in or take-out, it is just a few minutes from the house.
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The Garlic Knot
6217 E 14th AveNEIGHBORHOOD: Garlic Knot is a Colorado staple for pizza and, well....garlic knots! Their greek salad isn't bad either. Dine in or take-out, it is just a few minutes from the house.
NEIGHBORHOOD: They have excellent chinese food! We have only ever ordered take-out, but the restaurant has the traditional style I remember from my childhood. They have pictures of famous people everywhere, and you can always trust famous people to find the best food, right? http://heavendragonco.com/menu.asp
I'm basic, so I normally order the sesame chicken, it's great.
Heaven Dragon Restaurant
3730 East 120th AvenueNEIGHBORHOOD: They have excellent chinese food! We have only ever ordered take-out, but the restaurant has the traditional style I remember from my childhood. They have pictures of famous people everywhere, and you can always trust famous people to find the best food, right? http://heavendragonco.com/menu.asp
I'm basic, so I normally order the sesame chicken, it's great.
City/town information
Home of The Stanley Hotel from the movie The Shining, where you can grab a drink at the bar. Estes Park is at the east entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, which is currently closed, but the sites in and around Estes Park are a Colorado essential for first timers. There is a famous taffy pulling shop downtown and a few different places to get a bite or a drink. Estes is pretty quiet in the wintertime, but still beautiful for a day trip. It is just about one hour from our house.
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Estes Park
Home of The Stanley Hotel from the movie The Shining, where you can grab a drink at the bar. Estes Park is at the east entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, which is currently closed, but the sites in and around Estes Park are a Colorado essential for first timers. There is a famous taffy pulling shop downtown and a few different places to get a bite or a drink. Estes is pretty quiet in the wintertime, but still beautiful for a day trip. It is just about one hour from our house.
Known for it's charming mountain village (think victorian meets mountain lodge) and great food, Breckenridge hosts thousands of acres for skiing and snowboarding as well as a battery of hospitality and shopping. Not our favorite place to ski/snowboard, but it is on the list of top resorts. We highly recommend it for the town shopping and food scene.
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Breckenridge
Known for it's charming mountain village (think victorian meets mountain lodge) and great food, Breckenridge hosts thousands of acres for skiing and snowboarding as well as a battery of hospitality and shopping. Not our favorite place to ski/snowboard, but it is on the list of top resorts. We highly recommend it for the town shopping and food scene.
Keystone is one of our favorite mountains for skiing/snowboarding and was my local mountain as a kid. They do a great job maintaining the slopes and it doesn’t get quite as windy or choppy as Breckinridge. Keystone doesn’t have much of a town, but there are a few amenities around the resort. They also boast night skiing, be sure to check the schedule: https://www.keystoneresort.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/night-skiing-and-riding.aspx
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Keystone
Keystone is one of our favorite mountains for skiing/snowboarding and was my local mountain as a kid. They do a great job maintaining the slopes and it doesn’t get quite as windy or choppy as Breckinridge. Keystone doesn’t have much of a town, but there are a few amenities around the resort. They also boast night skiing, be sure to check the schedule: https://www.keystoneresort.com/the-mountain/about-the-mountain/night-skiing-and-riding.aspx
Shopping
It might seem silly, but this place is ACES. They are cash only, but have an ATM in the building. It is the best organized thrift store I have ever seen. Everything is clean and the clothes are organized surprisingly well. If you forgot something, or you don't have a coat because you came from a warmer climate, skip the full price retail and hit this place for your last minute essentials.
Mile High Thrift Store
650 Malley DrIt might seem silly, but this place is ACES. They are cash only, but have an ATM in the building. It is the best organized thrift store I have ever seen. Everything is clean and the clothes are organized surprisingly well. If you forgot something, or you don't have a coat because you came from a warmer climate, skip the full price retail and hit this place for your last minute essentials.
Sprouts is a healthy grocer, and more affordable than Whole Foods. We love their produce and deli and one of your hosts works there! Bonus, it is only a few minutes from the house.
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Sprouts Farmers Market
5150 W 120th AveSprouts is a healthy grocer, and more affordable than Whole Foods. We love their produce and deli and one of your hosts works there! Bonus, it is only a few minutes from the house.
Pearl Street is known for its high end shopping. I am throwing this out there because I am the thrifty type but not everyone is! If you are looking for a ton of boutique style stores, this will be a hit. Plus, Boulder is great to look at :)
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Pearl Street Mall
1303 Pearl StreetPearl Street is known for its high end shopping. I am throwing this out there because I am the thrifty type but not everyone is! If you are looking for a ton of boutique style stores, this will be a hit. Plus, Boulder is great to look at :)
Breweries
Mother Tucker is a brewery and tap room with great beers and a homey, family feel. They have crowlers for your to-go orders. Check out their Instagram for new releases and events: https://www.instagram.com/mothertuckerbrewerythornton/?hl=en
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Mother Tucker Brewery
2360 E 120th AveMother Tucker is a brewery and tap room with great beers and a homey, family feel. They have crowlers for your to-go orders. Check out their Instagram for new releases and events: https://www.instagram.com/mothertuckerbrewerythornton/?hl=en
20 MINUTE DRIVE: Nathan Adler is a brewer, a host and a friend. WM Brew Co. often has food trucks outside, so make sure you check out the schedule on their instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thewestminsterbrewingco/?hl=en
Make sure to tell Nathan that Izzy said "hi"
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Westminster Brewing Co.
7655 W 108th Ave20 MINUTE DRIVE: Nathan Adler is a brewer, a host and a friend. WM Brew Co. often has food trucks outside, so make sure you check out the schedule on their instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thewestminsterbrewingco/?hl=en
Make sure to tell Nathan that Izzy said "hi"
Great little brewery with a snack menu. They keep a lot of interesting beers in rotation, you will not be bored! Also, you'll get a kick out of the names of their beers, at least I did.
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Satire Brewing Company
12136 Grant CirGreat little brewery with a snack menu. They keep a lot of interesting beers in rotation, you will not be bored! Also, you'll get a kick out of the names of their beers, at least I did.
Big brewery with a lot to choose from on their drink and food menu. They have arcade games as well as a huge back yard. Check out their insta for more info: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandbrewingco/?hl=en
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Wonderland Brewing Company
5450 W 120th AveBig brewery with a lot to choose from on their drink and food menu. They have arcade games as well as a huge back yard. Check out their insta for more info: https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandbrewingco/?hl=en
Neighborhoods
Cherry Creek is the posh district just south of Downtown Denver. There is an excellent food and shopping scene here, but you won't find much to keep on the budget side. If you are celebrating a special occasion or just won the lotto, here you can find food and wares aplenty.
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Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is the posh district just south of Downtown Denver. There is an excellent food and shopping scene here, but you won't find much to keep on the budget side. If you are celebrating a special occasion or just won the lotto, here you can find food and wares aplenty.
Borgartillaga
Siðir og menning
Pandemic changes
Many people come to the Denver area for the downtown culture and experience. Sadly, 2020 has taken its toll on many of our urban areas. It is definitely worth a drive through Denver’s RiNo district to check out Crush Walls, a miles long street art collaboration in the former warehouse district.
Samgöngur
Denver is driver friendly! But our public transit is great
Denver drivers aren't very aggressive and there is plenty of parking. The public transportation system works great too, if you want to save some money. Look ahead at the https://www.rtd-denver.com/ website to plan your trip and costs (budget $10.50/day). We live 15 minute (walk) from the 112th station. It is a 3 minute drive.
Hvað á að taka með
Colorado is all about layers!
You might wake up to 0 degrees and be sitting on a patio in the afternoon in a T shirt in 60 degree weather. Bring clothes that you can layer, you'll thank me later! And if you didn't bring the right things, check out the Mile High Thrift recommendation to fill in the gaps.
Gagnlegar setningar
A few "locals only" tips
"Summit" is a county where many ski resorts are located. People will frequently reference going to Summit for skiing, snowboarding, rafting, kayaking, camping, etc. It is about 90 minutes from the house.
"Dude" is what we call a person, a dog, a broken thing, a bad driver, or just about anything under the sun.
"Green Chili" THIS IS A STAPLE of Colorado living. We are known for our pork hatch green chili and most restaurants will have their own version. We put it on everything, or just eat it with a tortilla and cheese. Try as much as you can and make sure to report back to us!