Colorado and Denver are an amazing places with tons of things to do. Hey, it's why we live here! For those coming out, and making a vacation around our wedding below are some ideas of some fun and amazing things to do. That being said, there are WAY more, so we definitely suggest check out a travel book or check out VISIT Denver's website. Also, see the bottom of this page for some random ideas that we are great, but didn't have time to go into much detail.
HIKING
If you enjoy hiking then Colorado is the place for you. With the beautiful Rockies as the backdrop, you can enjoy a hike 30 minutes or 2 hours from Denver. There is also a range of difficulty levels, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that suites your wants and needs. Below are just a FEW of our favorite trails (click on each trail's/park's name for more information), but there are so many and it’s hard to go wrong. Click here for a great online hiking resource that can help you decide what kind of hike to do and where to go.
Couple things to note:
Square Top Lakes (Pictured right)– Up 70 West with a beautiful drive. You’ll go through a little mountain town, Georgetown, to get there and wind up Guanella Pass. It’s just pass and to the right of the Mount Bierstadt (14er) trail head. Get there early, especially on the weekends, in order to get good parking. About 4.5 miles long.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park – Various trails with easy to moderate difficulty. This located just outside of Golden, Colorado (home of Coors Beer), so you could easily do a hike in the morning, and then check out Golden in the afternoon and eveing. It’s a cool little mountain town. Check Gold the website to find the best one for you. Be prepare to pay $7 cash or check.
Roxborough State Park - If you're looking for a good, easy hike near the venue/hotel this is for you. Arrowhead Golf Course in actually part of Roxborough State Park. It's a $7 fee to get into the park.
Red Rocks Amphitheater - Yes, THAT Red Rocks. The famed outdoor music venue where most musicians dream of playing. The Beetles played here! What you may not know is you can go to just check it out and do a work out by running the steps.
Green Mountain Trail - Great 7 mile loop with 360 Degree views of Denver and the front range.
If you enjoy hiking then Colorado is the place for you. With the beautiful Rockies as the backdrop, you can enjoy a hike 30 minutes or 2 hours from Denver. There is also a range of difficulty levels, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that suites your wants and needs. Below are just a FEW of our favorite trails (click on each trail's/park's name for more information), but there are so many and it’s hard to go wrong. Click here for a great online hiking resource that can help you decide what kind of hike to do and where to go.
Couple things to note:
- Altitude - Weather changes quickly the higher you go up, so it could be warm and sunny one moment and snowing the next, so dress in layers.
- Water - drink LOTS of it. It helps combats altitude sickness.
- Because of weather and altitude check trail websites before heading up.
Square Top Lakes (Pictured right)– Up 70 West with a beautiful drive. You’ll go through a little mountain town, Georgetown, to get there and wind up Guanella Pass. It’s just pass and to the right of the Mount Bierstadt (14er) trail head. Get there early, especially on the weekends, in order to get good parking. About 4.5 miles long.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park – Various trails with easy to moderate difficulty. This located just outside of Golden, Colorado (home of Coors Beer), so you could easily do a hike in the morning, and then check out Golden in the afternoon and eveing. It’s a cool little mountain town. Check Gold the website to find the best one for you. Be prepare to pay $7 cash or check.
Roxborough State Park - If you're looking for a good, easy hike near the venue/hotel this is for you. Arrowhead Golf Course in actually part of Roxborough State Park. It's a $7 fee to get into the park.
Red Rocks Amphitheater - Yes, THAT Red Rocks. The famed outdoor music venue where most musicians dream of playing. The Beetles played here! What you may not know is you can go to just check it out and do a work out by running the steps.
Green Mountain Trail - Great 7 mile loop with 360 Degree views of Denver and the front range.
Chatfield State Park
If you're looking for something closer to the venue and hotel Chatfield State Park is perfect, and right around the corner! You can horseback ride, swim (it is a little chilly), canoe, SUP (Stand Up Paddle board), hike, or even ride a hot air balloon. Last time Molly was there you could rent the canoe or SUP there. Check the website for latest updates. It's $7 a car to enter.
If you're looking for something closer to the venue and hotel Chatfield State Park is perfect, and right around the corner! You can horseback ride, swim (it is a little chilly), canoe, SUP (Stand Up Paddle board), hike, or even ride a hot air balloon. Last time Molly was there you could rent the canoe or SUP there. Check the website for latest updates. It's $7 a car to enter.
CRAFT BEER
If you didn't know Colorado is known for craft beer. We have more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the WORLD. Needless to say we like beer. Tasting and visiting craft beers and breweries also happens to be one of our favorite things to do (we did go to a brewery on our first date). There are too many favorites to list on this site, so we'll refer you to the Colorado Brewers Guild website to decide where you want to go and what you like. You can also venture outside of Denver and visit Boulder and Ft. Collins. Both gorgeous cities with great hiking as well. Make a day out of your craft brew tasting adventures! Below are few suggestions, but again visit the Colorado Brewers Guild website for a complete list, and to map out your favorites.
If you didn't know Colorado is known for craft beer. We have more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the WORLD. Needless to say we like beer. Tasting and visiting craft beers and breweries also happens to be one of our favorite things to do (we did go to a brewery on our first date). There are too many favorites to list on this site, so we'll refer you to the Colorado Brewers Guild website to decide where you want to go and what you like. You can also venture outside of Denver and visit Boulder and Ft. Collins. Both gorgeous cities with great hiking as well. Make a day out of your craft brew tasting adventures! Below are few suggestions, but again visit the Colorado Brewers Guild website for a complete list, and to map out your favorites.
- New Belgium - You know New Belgium (Fat Tire), and now you can tour it. It's located in Ft. Collins, but by far has the best brew tour we've been on, but be warned you have to sign up well in advance if you want to go on it. It's that good!
- Hogshead Brewery - This is a little brewery located in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver. If you like authentic (or as close as you can get in the States) English Ales this is the place for you. They have regular brews on tap, but they also have cask ales. - 4460 West 29th Ave., Denver, CO 80212
- Joyride Brewing Company - This is one of the newest breweries in town, and has great views of Sloan's Lake. The address says Edgewater, but it's really Denver. - 2501 Sheridan Boulevard, Edgewater, CO 80214
- Dieblot Brewing Company - Diebolt (Pronounced Dee-bolt) has only been around a little over a year, but they have some of the best brews in town. Plus, they're in our neighborhood, and the owners are amazing! - 3855 Mariposa Street, Denver, CO 80211
- Left Hand Brewing - Located in Longmount, Left Hand is another brewery that started Colorado small, but is now seen nation wide. One of our favorites is Left Hand Milk Stout. A little drive, but well worth it. You could start here, and then head into Boulder for more breweries. - 1265 Boston Avenue, Longmont, CO 80501
- Breckenridge Brewery - Avalanche by Breckenridge is a great Amber to be enjoyed on ski lift, but also any time of the year. Breckenridge started in, you guessed it, Breckenridge, Colorado (a cool mountain town an hour and half outside of Denver), but they have a couple locations through the state including Denver. - 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424 & 471 Kalamath Street, Denver, CO 80204
Rocky Mountain National Park
If you're looking for amazing views, great hikes, and a possible moose sighting go to Rocky National Park. Located about an hour and a half from Denver, Rocky will take your breath away. You can get it two ways, through Estes Park or up I-70 West. We like going through Estes Park, because of the AMAZING views and the quaint little mountain town experience, but going I-70 West gives you great views as well and we're told that side of the park is less crowded. If you do go through Estes Park you can stop by the Stanley Hotel that gave Stephen King his inspiration for The Shining. Either way you go, you won't be disappointed.
If you're looking for amazing views, great hikes, and a possible moose sighting go to Rocky National Park. Located about an hour and a half from Denver, Rocky will take your breath away. You can get it two ways, through Estes Park or up I-70 West. We like going through Estes Park, because of the AMAZING views and the quaint little mountain town experience, but going I-70 West gives you great views as well and we're told that side of the park is less crowded. If you do go through Estes Park you can stop by the Stanley Hotel that gave Stephen King his inspiration for The Shining. Either way you go, you won't be disappointed.
HOT SPRINGS
Do we need to say more? Hot springs are great any time of year. Great for your joints, bones, and just to relax. Below are two of our favorites. They're all about two and half hours from Denver, so they may be better for an over night trip or you could make a day trip out of them if you don't mind the driving. In addition to these two, REI has a great list of hot springs in Colorado, and you can also check out this article. There are plenty to chose, and we won't take it personally if you don't pick one of ours. There are so many hot springs with different experiences, so take a minutes and figure out what will best fit what you're looking for.
Cottonwood Hot Springs (pictured to the right)- This is a personal significant to us, and most recently we spent Molly's birthday there. Cottonwood is great, because while it is developed you still get a tucked-away feel and not over crowded. It's located in the mountain town of Buena Vista. If you go at night time you'll get amazing views of the sky. There is a hotel there, and included in your stay are the hot springs. If you decide you just want to visit the springs it ranges from $15 - $20 for adults, depending on during the week or weekend visit. The hotel is a nice getaway as there are no TVs, internet, and cell service was pretty scarce.
Glenwood Hot Springs - Glenwood Springs is about two and half hours outside of Denver. Great place for an over night stay or all day excursion. Doc Holliday came to Glenwood Springs to sooth his Tuberculosis, and it is said he died in the city. The hot springs in particular are developed and family friendly with two different pools for swimming, kiddy pool, water slide, and cabana rentals. Be sure to check prices as you pay one price if you stay all day or two hours. If you go late in the evening you can get a discounted price.
Do we need to say more? Hot springs are great any time of year. Great for your joints, bones, and just to relax. Below are two of our favorites. They're all about two and half hours from Denver, so they may be better for an over night trip or you could make a day trip out of them if you don't mind the driving. In addition to these two, REI has a great list of hot springs in Colorado, and you can also check out this article. There are plenty to chose, and we won't take it personally if you don't pick one of ours. There are so many hot springs with different experiences, so take a minutes and figure out what will best fit what you're looking for.
Cottonwood Hot Springs (pictured to the right)- This is a personal significant to us, and most recently we spent Molly's birthday there. Cottonwood is great, because while it is developed you still get a tucked-away feel and not over crowded. It's located in the mountain town of Buena Vista. If you go at night time you'll get amazing views of the sky. There is a hotel there, and included in your stay are the hot springs. If you decide you just want to visit the springs it ranges from $15 - $20 for adults, depending on during the week or weekend visit. The hotel is a nice getaway as there are no TVs, internet, and cell service was pretty scarce.
Glenwood Hot Springs - Glenwood Springs is about two and half hours outside of Denver. Great place for an over night stay or all day excursion. Doc Holliday came to Glenwood Springs to sooth his Tuberculosis, and it is said he died in the city. The hot springs in particular are developed and family friendly with two different pools for swimming, kiddy pool, water slide, and cabana rentals. Be sure to check prices as you pay one price if you stay all day or two hours. If you go late in the evening you can get a discounted price.
GARDEN OF THE GODS
Garden of the Gods is a sight to behold, and registered National Natural Landmark. It's located in Colorado Springs, just over an hour outside of Denver. Imagine dramatic view, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. Great idea if you're looking for some majestic views, need some time to kill, but not necessarily looking to hike or exercise.
Garden of the Gods is a sight to behold, and registered National Natural Landmark. It's located in Colorado Springs, just over an hour outside of Denver. Imagine dramatic view, 300' towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and brilliant blue skies. Great idea if you're looking for some majestic views, need some time to kill, but not necessarily looking to hike or exercise.
There is no shortage of things to do in Colorado. These are just some ideas, but we go on and on. Here are some other random things to do:
Denver Botanic Gardens
Golden, Colorado - home of Coors brewery and great little mountain town
Mount Evans Road - longest paved road in North America
Denver Botanic Gardens
Golden, Colorado - home of Coors brewery and great little mountain town
Mount Evans Road - longest paved road in North America