A Denver Native's Guide to Denver and the Front Range
Sightseeing
Gorgeous mountain-top views just 30 minutes from Denver. Drive up and park (watch out for bikers year-round!) to see the spectacular views. Between April and September you can usually see paragliders and hang gliders during the afternoon as well if the winds are right!
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Lookout Mountain
Gorgeous mountain-top views just 30 minutes from Denver. Drive up and park (watch out for bikers year-round!) to see the spectacular views. Between April and September you can usually see paragliders and hang gliders during the afternoon as well if the winds are right!
If you've never seen the Flatirons in person, you must! Make a day out of Boulder by going for a hike at Chautauqua Park to see them up close and personal, then head to any of a large number of local breweries for a tipple!
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Boulder
If you've never seen the Flatirons in person, you must! Make a day out of Boulder by going for a hike at Chautauqua Park to see them up close and personal, then head to any of a large number of local breweries for a tipple!
Downtown Littleton is absolutely adorable and a must-visit if you've never been. So many cute boutique and speciality shops and restaurants abound. The tree-lined main street is composed mainly of charming, historic buildings and is great for an afternoon stroll.
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Littleton
Downtown Littleton is absolutely adorable and a must-visit if you've never been. So many cute boutique and speciality shops and restaurants abound. The tree-lined main street is composed mainly of charming, historic buildings and is great for an afternoon stroll.
If you want to go skiing/boarding/snowshoeing/sledding/snowmobiling/etc. etc. etc., Summit County is the place to be! Ski resorts:
-Arapahoe Basin
-Beaver Creek Resort
-Breckenridge Resort
-Copper Mountain Resort
-Echo Mountain
-Keystone Resort
-Loveland Ski Area
-Powderhorn Resort
-Ski Cooper
-Sunlight Mountain
-Vail Resort
-Winter Park
All within 70 miles!
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Summit County
If you want to go skiing/boarding/snowshoeing/sledding/snowmobiling/etc. etc. etc., Summit County is the place to be! Ski resorts:
-Arapahoe Basin
-Beaver Creek Resort
-Breckenridge Resort
-Copper Mountain Resort
-Echo Mountain
-Keystone Resort
-Loveland Ski Area
-Powderhorn Resort
-Ski Cooper
-Sunlight Mountain
-Vail Resort
-Winter Park
All within 70 miles!
Food scene
Food and beer scene galore!
Tour the Coors brewery in this quaint town just 30 minutes from Denver and Englewood. Walk the main street with tons of boutique shopping, restaurants, and micro-breweries! The path along the creek is not to be missed.
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Golden
Tour the Coors brewery in this quaint town just 30 minutes from Denver and Englewood. Walk the main street with tons of boutique shopping, restaurants, and micro-breweries! The path along the creek is not to be missed.
All of the hottest restaurants seem to be popping up in this hip Denver neighborhood (called RiNo, for short) that used to be an industrial area! This is definitely the spot for 20- and 30-somethings looking for nightlife as well.
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River North Art District
All of the hottest restaurants seem to be popping up in this hip Denver neighborhood (called RiNo, for short) that used to be an industrial area! This is definitely the spot for 20- and 30-somethings looking for nightlife as well.
Neighborhoods
A selection of my favorite Denver neighborhoods.
I grew up in this area and the park is so much fun during the warmer months! Walk around the lake and then hit up some of the local bars and restaurants on S. Gaylord St. Definitely don't miss Bonnie Brae Ice Cream as well. This was my local ice cream shop growing up and, in my opinion, is the best ice cream in town! Go for the Cookies & Cream!
This is definitely one of the best areas to 'see and be seen' in Denver.
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Washington Park
I grew up in this area and the park is so much fun during the warmer months! Walk around the lake and then hit up some of the local bars and restaurants on S. Gaylord St. Definitely don't miss Bonnie Brae Ice Cream as well. This was my local ice cream shop growing up and, in my opinion, is the best ice cream in town! Go for the Cookies & Cream!
This is definitely one of the best areas to 'see and be seen' in Denver.
Cherry Creek is the place to be for those who appreciate the finer things in life! Hillstone is wonderful for dinner, as is Quality Italian. The rooftop bar at the Halcyon hotel is a people-watching dream. Interested in a speakeasy? You'll find that with B&GC.
If you're looking for an old-school Italian joint that the locals love (myself included), head to Piatti's.
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Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is the place to be for those who appreciate the finer things in life! Hillstone is wonderful for dinner, as is Quality Italian. The rooftop bar at the Halcyon hotel is a people-watching dream. Interested in a speakeasy? You'll find that with B&GC.
If you're looking for an old-school Italian joint that the locals love (myself included), head to Piatti's.
Platt Park is a quick five-minute drive from Englewood and has lots of super cute restaurants and bars on South Pearl St. Amazing sushi can be found at Sushi Den, or for a more affordable alternative, head next door to Izakaya Den. The bar under the retractable roof upstairs is a must-see.
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Platt Park
Platt Park is a quick five-minute drive from Englewood and has lots of super cute restaurants and bars on South Pearl St. Amazing sushi can be found at Sushi Den, or for a more affordable alternative, head next door to Izakaya Den. The bar under the retractable roof upstairs is a must-see.
If you're going to head to downtown Denver, definitely head to LoDo (lower downtown) where all of the restaurants, bars, and shops are! Larimer Square is a must-see (get the cameras out!).
Don't believe the hype of 16th Street Mall - it's not worth the trip and frankly, it's not a part of town you'll want to spend a lot of time in. Way more exciting things elsewhere...
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Union Station
If you're going to head to downtown Denver, definitely head to LoDo (lower downtown) where all of the restaurants, bars, and shops are! Larimer Square is a must-see (get the cameras out!).
Don't believe the hype of 16th Street Mall - it's not worth the trip and frankly, it's not a part of town you'll want to spend a lot of time in. Way more exciting things elsewhere...
The Highlands have undergone a complete transformation since I was growing up. It is definitely the place to be for the 20-something set, with a seemingly infinite amount of bars and restaurants, and lots of rooftop patios to enjoy the stunning views of Downtown Denver.
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Highland
The Highlands have undergone a complete transformation since I was growing up. It is definitely the place to be for the 20-something set, with a seemingly infinite amount of bars and restaurants, and lots of rooftop patios to enjoy the stunning views of Downtown Denver.
Englewood
Mostly walkable restaurants and bars nearby!
Delicious Italian food, super popular. The pasta and pizza are wonderful and they deliver!
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Colore Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
2700 S BroadwayDelicious Italian food, super popular. The pasta and pizza are wonderful and they deliver!
Cute, tiny casual sushi place. Everything is served on paper plates and you sit at the wraparound bar. The sushi is AMAZING. You must visit.
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Cherry Hills Sushi Co.
1400 E Hampden AveCute, tiny casual sushi place. Everything is served on paper plates and you sit at the wraparound bar. The sushi is AMAZING. You must visit.
Awesome breakfast and brunch spot that just opened nearby. Walking distance for sure!
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Grow + Gather
900 E Hampden AveAwesome breakfast and brunch spot that just opened nearby. Walking distance for sure!
Great local taco spot with margaritas within walking distance! Awesome patio during warmer weather.
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Cochino Taco
3495 S Downing StGreat local taco spot with margaritas within walking distance! Awesome patio during warmer weather.
Another great Italian spot that is definitely within walking distance. Kitty-corner from Cochino Taco.
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Undici Ristorante
1200 E Hampden AveAnother great Italian spot that is definitely within walking distance. Kitty-corner from Cochino Taco.
Absolutely delicious ramen spot in an unassuming strip mall. Definitely worth the trek on a snowy night for some ramen noodle takeout!
Miyako Ra-men Spot
2950 S BroadwayAbsolutely delicious ramen spot in an unassuming strip mall. Definitely worth the trek on a snowy night for some ramen noodle takeout!
Wine bar within walking distance? Check.
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One Barrel American Bistro & Wine Bar
3401 S BroadwayWine bar within walking distance? Check.
Cana Wine Bar
2554 S BroadwayWine bar in an old house. The hosts are wonderful!
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
You'll definitely want a car in Englewood or the Denver area
You can also rely on Uber/Lyft as well if you don't feel like renting a car, as they are readily available and usually arrive in five minutes or less. The light rail is a good option as well if you're heading into downtown Denver as there is a station right nearby in Englewood.
Izinto omele uzipakishe
Colorado weather is known to be all over the place!
Depending on what season you're here, you'll definitely want to pack for multiple temperatures. Be sure to check the weather before you come, but expect wide temperature fluctuations between daytime and night. You'll want a heavy coat and boots in the winter, a medium jacket for spring and fall, and a light jacket for summer nights or during the typical summertime afternoon thunderstorms.
There is a saying in Denver that if you 'don't like the weather, wait five minutes'! Things can definitely change rapidly, so pack accordingly.