Travel Guide: Denver
đź“Ť Union Station, Denver
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Typically during my travels, I gravitate towards topical and sunny destinations on the beach. Denver is kind of the opposite of that, but I still loved every second of my trip here to visit friends. No matter your travel style or preference, there is so much to explore in this laid-back and friendly historic city. Here is my travel guide for when you find yourself a Mile High.
How To Get There
- By Plane: Obviously, the Denver Airport will be your gateway to the Mile High City. Since it’s the main hub for the middle of the country, chances are you’ll find a direct flight from your home airport on one of the major airlines. There’s actually a lot to know about this particular airport. If you’re in the mood for a good conspiracy theory, definitely do some digging. The stories are wild!
- By Train: To get to Downtown Denver, all you have to do is take the extremely convenient A-Line Train. A ticket is $10.50, and you’ll be at Union Station in under 40 minutes. The whole experience is seamless and reminds me of visiting Europe. The train station is centrally located, making it easy to get to other surround neighborhoods.
Where To Stay
- The Oxford Hotel: This historic hotel, it’s actually the oldest in Denver, turned out to be the perfect home during our four-day trip. First off, the central location was perfect! Located across the street from Union Station, it was seamless to get to and from the airport. Some of the most popular neighborhoods around Downtown Denver are just a short walk away, like RiNo and the Highlands. Each night, they host a bourbon tasting, and they offer a gift voucher to their on-site speakeasy and farm-to-table restaurant for guests. The Oxford Hotel will definitely be my top choice on any future trips to the Mile High City.
Where To Eat
- Snooze, An AM Eatery: Snooze is a Denver favorite! There are locations all over the city, but the most popular may be the one located inside Union Station. Even though they solely specialized in breakfast and brunch, they almost always have a wait. Get there early, but trust me, it’s worth it!
- My Brother’s Bar: There is something so rewarding about finding the iconic burger spot. Whether I’m in St. Pete, NYC, or Denver, I always look for the burger stands that have stood the test of time. Typically, the burgers are simply delicious without all of the extra frills. My Brother’s Bar has repeatedly been named the best burger in Denver and is the oldest bar in the city, continuously operating since 1873. You may walk past the restaurant because there’s no sign out front, but trust your gut (literally) and go inside.
- Pig and Sprout: This came highly recommended by one of our friends who calls Denver home. It didn’t disappoint. As the name implies, the menu is half for meat-lovers and half for vegetarians. Everything sounded amazing, but I had to try the Brisket Eggs Benedict. It’s not for the faint of heart or vegan but kept me full for the rest of the day.
- Urban Farmer: We were spoiled at this farm-to-table steakhouse. From the cheeseboard to our main course to dessert, everything was perfectly cooked and paired perfectly with a to-die-for Malbec. I’m not a mushroom eater but was intrigued by their homegrown mushrooms that are then prepared tableside with a healthy helping of butter and garlic. It was probably one of the most popular dishes and was also quite the experience.
- Little Man Ice Cream: You know when an ice cream place is the real deal when there’s a line around the corner in 50-degree temperatures. I was not disappointed in what this little stand had to offer. The Chocolate Pecan Pie ice cream alone is worth the trip to Denver.
- Illegal Pete’s: This burrito bar, turned record label, is an institution, and I can so see why. They use the freshest ingredients for one, but they also have a full-service bar. Feel free to pair that stuffed burrito with a margarita. Winner, winner!
Where to Drink
- The Cruise Room: As soon as you walk into the dark, red-lit cocktail bar, you know you’re in for a treat. The Cruise Room was actively open to prohibition and became the first official legal bar afterward. Music from the 40s and 50s is playing, and you’ll find a small menu of classic cocktails. No surprise here, but I ordered a Hemingway Daiquiri, my absolute favorite!
- Union Lodge No. 1: Denver has no shortage of vintage-inspired cocktail bars. It was hard to decide which ones to visit this trip. The menu at Union Lodge No. 1 is extensive and gives you the history behind each cocktail. They even create hard-to-find drinks like Gin Fizzes and Juleps. I was transported into another era with this bar.
- The Terminal Bar: It’s hard to miss this spot, located right in the middle of Union Station. When you have a drink here, you’re right in the middle of the action. It serves as the perfect spot to people watch and relax before taking the train back to the airport. My favorite drink on the list is hands down, the Wynkoop Sour. For those who are more beer inclined, they have a long list of Colorado brews to have one more taste of the Centennial State before you leave.
- Denver Beer Co: David is a beer enthusiast and is slowly converting me. Denver is a beer lover’s paradise with a brewery or tap house on every corner. We had the chance to visit so many, but Denver Beer Company was one of my favorite breweries. A quick walk from downtown, they had a wide variety of styles to choose from and were set up in a neat industrial space.
- Blue Sparrow Coffee: You know I love a place when I end up visiting twice in one trip. Simply put, they have great coffee, early hours, and space to work remotely. This coffee shop is located in the Platte Street neighborhood, just down the street from My Brother’s Bar. They know their craft, but I loved the Nitro Cold Brew.
- Huckleberry Coffee: Bear with me here. One of my favorite coffee drinks is a Cold Brew Lemonade. Yes, it sounds bizarre, but the combination of coffee and lemonade creates a sweet and refreshing drink. Huckleberry got me in the door with the phrase Limeade Cold Brew, and it may now be the new preference. The next step is to try and recreate this recipe at home.
What To Do
- Get Outside: If you don’t go outside and explore, then you’re missing out on the whole Colorado experience. Trust me when I say there is no shortage of nature here. We headed over to Golden for our hike, but that’s just one of the endless possibilities. Just make sure you’re not overly ambitious here. Altitude sickness often rears its head when you’re out hiking when you least expect it. I’m so fortunate not to have felt that at all.
- See A Game: If there’s one thing Denver loves more than the outdoors, it’s sports. Out in this city, all of the home teams are adored: Avalanche, Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, University of Colorado, and even the University of Denver. It’s so refreshing to see since that never happens in the melting pot that is Tampa Bay. I imagine there is always some sport in season with so many local teams, and everything is either a quick walk or train ride away.
- Brewery Hop: As I said, there are countless breweries here, at least over 150. While it’s impossible to visit them all in one trip, map about a route where you can cover as much ground as possible. We visited Denver Beer Co, Prost, Jagged Mountain, Woods Boss, Great Divide, and 10 Barrel on this particular visit. Beer is a way of life here, and there is a little something for everyone.
What To Know
- Stay Hydrated: I’m a Florida girl who currently lives at 2 feet above sea level. Denver is literally a mile higher. The elevation difference shouldn’t be taken lightly. Especially on the first 24 to 48 hours of your visit, stay hydrated and be mindful of how much alcohol you drink. I always listen to my body and didn’t end up having any problems.
- On Dispensaries: I once read on a Denver Travel Guide that the whole city smells like weed. That is just not true. I only really noticed walking by maybe two or three dispensaries. Any “smell” came from individual people and didn’t reflect the entire city. Even if you live in a small city, you’re probably used to the occasional smell and was no different from my New Orleans or New York experience.
- Staying Healthy: As I write this May 2021, Denver is still taking preventative measures to ensure everyone stays healthy. Masks are required whenever indoors, and contact tracing is still an optional step. If you can visit, be sure to follow the local mandates and be happy to see a fantastic city.
Lots of exercise, lots of great food, and lots of drinking. It’s no wonder Denver is becoming one of the top cities for health nuts and millennials. If you haven’t visited the Mile High City, definitely consider booking a trip for yourself this summer and see Colorado at its finest!
Love from Denver,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.
