Going to Denver

[Yankee Traveler]

I will be going to Denver this June for a two day business trip.
My wife has a tentative business trip to Denver in July.
I was thinking I may extend one of them a few days for a family vacation.
I am asking for advice/recommendations.

One thing I was thinking was renting a Jeep and doing a little moderate 4 wheeling.
I say moderate in the sense that I know the terrain and conditions is nothing like the class 4 roads and logging trails I grew up on in the north east.

So...any help is appreciated.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Places to go, places to rent besides Hertz, decent trails that will give the kids (13 & 17) a thrill without being real break the truck rock crawling. More like challenging dirt roads and trails through the mountains and ghost towns.
Places to eat?

 

[58crash]

The cliff diving Mexican food place is one place I have to go don't know the name that place is bitchen.

Someone will tell you its name in here I am sure

 

[cdumler7]

The cliff diving Mexican food place is one place I have to go don't know the name that place is bitchen.

Someone will tell you its name in here I am sure

Casa Bonita is what you are thinking of.

 

[SpringStein]

Casa Bonita may be the nastiest, worst Mexican food in the world! Go at your own peril.

some recommendations:
Relatively easy hike, go to St Mary’s Glacier just west of Idaho Springs. (Idaho Springs is just off of I70 as you head into the mountains west of Golden,) Also for a fun Colorado pizza, try Beau Joe’s pizza after the hike in Idaho Springs.

Restaurants are tough - so many, so many price points. Give me a hint what you might be looking for. (@CEH, you would know more on Denver eating spots than me.) but The Viewhouse is a popular sports bar. There are a couple of them depending where you are staying.

the Rockies stink. But not Coors Field, if you want to take in a baseball game.

I’m not a 4 wheeling expert at all, but Summit County is always great for a lot of activities. Depending on the spring snow, river rafting is lots of fun, if a bit dangerous. Some of the best rafting is down the Arkansas River west of Colorado Springs in the Buena Vista area.

of course going to Rocky Mountain National Park is always a great day. That’s north of Boulder. I mean there are so many places to go in CO in the summer, it’s hard to begin. But if once you narrow it down, I’ll see what I can recommend. Over the past 5 years we have tried to go different areas of the state that we haven’t been to for awhile, and I’m always blown away by how beautiful so many parts of the state are. Try to stay for more than a couple days, you won’t regret it.

@Draft Crazy comes to CO almost every year so he might list some places he likes when he is staying in Denver.

@LGM doesn’t know anything about Colorado so if he chimes in, ignore him. @Mingo was raised here and although he refuses to come back now since I live here, in his old age he has a few lucid moments. @MileHigh64 lives here and seems like he might know a few secrets. @nflbronco is a lifer and lives north of Denver, so his perspective may be different than mine. I live south of Denver in Colorado Springs - home of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Air Force Academy the three biggest tourist attractions here.

 

[LGM]

To eat: Pete's on Colfax.

Ignore Springstein, he's old and bitter from living at high altitude too long.

 

[Mingo]

I thought I knew what @SpringStein was talking about and then it slipped away. Lucid can be slippery at times 0r so they say. Go Broncos!

 

[CEH]

Idk most of my friends go to Moab for 4 wheeling. I’m sure there are good trails around Central City/ St Mary’s Hit up Beau Jo pizza if in the area as Springy said.

Casa Bonita may be the nastiest, worst Mexican food in the world! Go at your own peril.

some recommendations:
Relatively easy hike, go to St Mary’s Glacier just west of Idaho Springs. (Idaho Springs is just off of I70 as you head into the mountains west of Golden,) Also for a fun Colorado pizza, try Beau Joe’s pizza after the hike in Idaho Springs.

Restaurants are tough - so many, so many price points. Give me a hint what you might be looking for. (@CEH, you would know more on Denver eating spots than me.) but The Viewhouse is a popular sports bar. There are a couple of them depending where you are staying.

the Rockies stink. But not Coors Field, if you want to take in a baseball game.

I’m not a 4 wheeling expert at all, but Summit County is always great for a lot of activities. Depending on the spring snow, river rafting is lots of fun, if a bit dangerous. Some of the best rafting is down the Arkansas River west of Colorado Springs in the Buena Vista area.

of course going to Rocky Mountain National Park is always a great day. That’s north of Boulder. I mean there are so many places to go in CO in the summer, it’s hard to begin. But if once you narrow it down, I’ll see what I can recommend. Over the past 5 years we have tried to go different areas of the state that we haven’t been to for awhile, and I’m always blown away by how beautiful so many parts of the state are. Try to stay for more than a couple days, you won’t regret it.

@Draft Crazy comes to CO almost every year so he might list some places he likes when he is staying in Denver.

@LGM doesn’t know anything about Colorado so if he chimes in, ignore him. @Mingo was raised here and although he refuses to come back now since I live here, in his old age he has a few lucid moments. @MileHigh64 lives here and seems like he might know a few secrets. @nflbronco is a lifer and lives north of Denver, so his perspective may be different than mine. I live south of Denver in Colorado Springs - home of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Air Force Academy the three biggest tourist attractions here.

 

[58crash]

Casa Bonita may be the nastiest, worst Mexican food in the world! Go at your own peril.

some recommendations:
Relatively easy hike, go to St Mary’s Glacier just west of Idaho Springs. (Idaho Springs is just off of I70 as you head into the mountains west of Golden,) Also for a fun Colorado pizza, try Beau Joe’s pizza after the hike in Idaho Springs.

Restaurants are tough - so many, so many price points. Give me a hint what you might be looking for. (@CEH, you would know more on Denver eating spots than me.) but The Viewhouse is a popular sports bar. There are a couple of them depending where you are staying.

the Rockies stink. But not Coors Field, if you want to take in a baseball game.

I’m not a 4 wheeling expert at all, but Summit County is always great for a lot of activities. Depending on the spring snow, river rafting is lots of fun, if a bit dangerous. Some of the best rafting is down the Arkansas River west of Colorado Springs in the Buena Vista area.

of course going to Rocky Mountain National Park is always a great day. That’s north of Boulder. I mean there are so many places to go in CO in the summer, it’s hard to begin. But if once you narrow it down, I’ll see what I can recommend. Over the past 5 years we have tried to go different areas of the state that we haven’t been to for awhile, and I’m always blown away by how beautiful so many parts of the state are. Try to stay for more than a couple days, you won’t regret it.

@Draft Crazy comes to CO almost every year so he might list some places he likes when he is staying in Denver.

@LGM doesn’t know anything about Colorado so if he chimes in, ignore him. @Mingo was raised here and although he refuses to come back now since I live here, in his old age he has a few lucid moments. @MileHigh64 lives here and seems like he might know a few secrets. @nflbronco is a lifer and lives north of Denver, so his perspective may be different than mine. I live south of Denver in Colorado Springs - home of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Air Force Academy the three biggest tourist attractions here.

Who cares about the food All Mexican food is pretty much the same. how often do you get to see a cliff diving when eating Mexican food. I am going if I ever going that way and staying for a few days. My guess is the food is decent!

As for 4x4, it is every were all around Denver I noticed this just driving though but I get is he wants destinations to do things.

 

[58crash]

Idk most of my friends go to Moab for 4 wheeling. I’m sure there are good trails around Central City/ St Mary’s Hit up Beau Jo pizza if in the area as Springy said.

Moab is a long drive lol

 

[58crash]

They also have a grand tour and the whole story on utube

 

[Duffman]

No one goes to Casa Bonita for the Mexican food, you go for the Sopaipillas. Hell if you perfer just get the chicken tenders and finish whatever you want and then get the Sopaipillas. Or get a Mexican dish and throw it in the trash and put up your Sopaipilla flag.

 

[Draft Crazy]

@Yankee Traveler A lot of these have probably been mentioned. As I only read SpringStein's message where he tagged me. Places I often go or have gone when visiting Denver.

Places to visit and some of these have trails some are just nice to visit
Red Rock Amphitheatre
Coors Brewery
Estes Park
Seven Falls (climb all the steps it is worth it)
Tour of the Broncos Stadium (Given on Friday, call ahead for reservation)
Pikes Peak
Rocky Mountain National Park
Air Force Museum
Royal Gorge
Boulder is a great drive up in the mountains.
Buffalo Bill's Grave

If you like gambling Cripple Creek is a little bit of a drive but it's basically a town of casinos.


Places to eat? I am the wrong person to ask for this because I am very simple and eat the same 5 foods. SpringStein cooks a mean burger though. A friend of mine has a friend who runs the food placed known as Tender Belly that feeds the Broncos pregame... I hear it is a great place to eat. I've met the owner and he is a great guy but never tried the food.

@CEH is probably your man for eating places. He always gives me recommendations on placed to eat when I am there.

If you're looking for a bar, hit up the Sports Column downtown by Coors Field.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Casa Bonita may be the nastiest, worst Mexican food in the world! Go at your own peril.

some recommendations:
Relatively easy hike, go to St Mary’s Glacier just west of Idaho Springs. (Idaho Springs is just off of I70 as you head into the mountains west of Golden,) Also for a fun Colorado pizza, try Beau Joe’s pizza after the hike in Idaho Springs.

Restaurants are tough - so many, so many price points. Give me a hint what you might be looking for. (@CEH, you would know more on Denver eating spots than me.) but The Viewhouse is a popular sports bar. There are a couple of them depending where you are staying.

the Rockies stink. But not Coors Field, if you want to take in a baseball game.

I’m not a 4 wheeling expert at all, but Summit County is always great for a lot of activities. Depending on the spring snow, river rafting is lots of fun, if a bit dangerous. Some of the best rafting is down the Arkansas River west of Colorado Springs in the Buena Vista area.

of course going to Rocky Mountain National Park is always a great day. That’s north of Boulder. I mean there are so many places to go in CO in the summer, it’s hard to begin. But if once you narrow it down, I’ll see what I can recommend. Over the past 5 years we have tried to go different areas of the state that we haven’t been to for awhile, and I’m always blown away by how beautiful so many parts of the state are. Try to stay for more than a couple days, you won’t regret it.

@Draft Crazy comes to CO almost every year so he might list some places he likes when he is staying in Denver.

@LGM doesn’t know anything about Colorado so if he chimes in, ignore him. @Mingo was raised here and although he refuses to come back now since I live here, in his old age he has a few lucid moments. @MileHigh64 lives here and seems like he might know a few secrets. @nflbronco is a lifer and lives north of Denver, so his perspective may be different than mine. I live south of Denver in Colorado Springs - home of Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Air Force Academy the three biggest tourist attractions here.

Thanks.
I have been to Denver a couple of times...Airport - shuttle to hotel - conference - watch coworkers from around the country drink - conference again - shuttle -Airport.
I will fly the fam out on my last day there then spend d 4 or 5 days exploring the great state.
I had not thought of rafting. I will look into that.
I don't mind dropping $200 (for 4) or so on a memorable meal once if there is something that is a must try.
Local specialties I always try. Lobster rolls and whoopie pies in Maine, more lobster or clams in Mass, Crab cakes anywhere on the Chesapeake Bay, key lime pie in the Florida Keys, BBQ or Ribs in Texas KC or Memphis, Italian food if in Boston or NYC. Not sure what Colorado is known for...Elk?

Baseball....meh..

HAVE to drive Pikes Peak. WILL NOT LEAVE until I have done that.
My PM graduated from CSI many years ago and he recommended Woodland Park as a place to at least view wildlife. Still good?

Again, thank you.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

To eat: Pete's on Colfax.

Ignore Springstein, he's old and bitter from living at high altitude too long.

Food Type?

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Moab is a long drive lol

Yeah, this.

 

[wingsauce7]

Thanks.
I have been to Denver a couple of times...Airport - shuttle to hotel - conference - watch coworkers from around the country drink - conference again - shuttle -Airport.
I will fly the fam out on my last day there then spend d 4 or 5 days exploring the great state.
I had not thought of rafting. I will look into that.
I don't mind dropping $200 (for 4) or so on a memorable meal once if there is something that is a must try.
Local specialties I always try. Lobster rolls and whoopie pies in Maine, more lobster or clams in Mass, Crab cakes anywhere on the Chesapeake Bay, key lime pie in the Florida Keys, BBQ or Ribs in Texas KC or Memphis, Italian food if in Boston or NYC. Not sure what Colorado is known for...Elk?

Baseball....meh..

HAVE to drive Pikes Peak. WILL NOT LEAVE until I have done that.
My PM graduated from CSI many years ago and he recommended Woodland Park as a place to at least view wildlife. Still good?

Again, thank you.

Rocky Mountain Oysters maybe? I don't eat fried balls myself, but Bruce's bar in Severence (hour north of Denver) is supposed to be the place to go.

You can also go rafting that time of year near ft collins on the Poudre River. It's not as dangerous as the trips down on the Arky River, but still fun (and you can take younger kids).

Estes Park/RMNP is still a good place to view wildlife.

 

[fightinredantz]

Mount Evens is a nice view too too. You can basically drive to the top.

In Rocky Mountain National park the following places are pretty cool:
Alluvial Fan
Bear Lake (Parking lot gets full by about 7 AM in the summertime, but shuttles from lower parking lots.

 

[wingsauce7]

Not sure how old your kids are, but the National Park Service offers free annual passes to 4th graders that can be used by their entire family.

It's really cool and easy to get and not many people know about it. The kid just needs to have just completed 4th grade or just getting ready to enter 4th.

Link:

Every Kid in a Park

 

[CEH]

Thanks.
I have been to Denver a couple of times...Airport - shuttle to hotel - conference - watch coworkers from around the country drink - conference again - shuttle -Airport.
I will fly the fam out on my last day there then spend d 4 or 5 days exploring the great state.
I had not thought of rafting. I will look into that.
I don't mind dropping $200 (for 4) or so on a memorable meal once if there is something that is a must try.
Local specialties I always try. Lobster rolls and whoopie pies in Maine, more lobster or clams in Mass, Crab cakes anywhere on the Chesapeake Bay, key lime pie in the Florida Keys, BBQ or Ribs in Texas KC or Memphis, Italian food if in Boston or NYC. Not sure what Colorado is known for...Elk?

Baseball....meh..

HAVE to drive Pikes Peak. WILL NOT LEAVE until I have done that.
My PM graduated from CSI many years ago and he recommended Woodland Park as a place to at least view wildlife. Still good?

Again, thank you.

In Co Springs, hit Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. The Olympic training facility is also a good tour . The Flying W Ranch may be back in business by then. Go for their Chuckwagon dinner and western show. It burned down couple years ago.

Check out The Fort while around Red Rocks

Dinner Entrees – The Fort Restaurant