Most beautiful places to visit in Northeast Colorado?
Colorado Springs is not north east Colorado. It is south central a good hour and a half from most of Denver. Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are very nice but very heavily tourist. It can be a bit crowded. If you want to drive up a 14er, Pikes Peak is a long way to drive. I would go to Estes Park, into RMNP and then take Hwy 72 and 119 south through Nederland (which is a very fun little town). It is called the Peak to Peak Highway and is a designated Scenic Byway. When you get to I-70 go west to Idaho Springs and up Mount Evans. You nearly always see Big Horn Sheep and sometimes the Mountain Goat herd. Take a look at pictures of Garden of the Gods. I find it pretty underwhelming and wouldn't drive 1 1/2 hours just to see it but you may feel differently.
Which city is more beautiful or impressive in person - Denver or Minneapolis?
I know this might seem like an odd question, but I was just wondering which of these two is a more beautiful and/or impressive place to visit in terms of their skyline, buildings, architecture, natural scenery, etc.). Also, how would you compare them to other big cities like Chicago or Boston? From what I've read on Wikipedia, both areas are similar in population, world influence, number of skyscrapers, etc. Would like to hear from people who've visited both in person. Thanks!
What are the places to visit in and around Denver, I will be driving from Salt Lake City to Denver for a weekend trip? You can also suggest me places between Salt Lake City to Denver.
Not to disparage the handful of delightful small towns between Salt Lake City and Denver, but there is virtually nothing between Salt Lake City and Denver (assuming you take the I-80). If you go a bit further south and take the I-70, it’s even more abandoned. It’s not completely empty: there are still plenty of places to use the bathroom, purchase gasoline, and buy a decent meal, but the gaps between those places range from 20–80 miles (maybe 30–120 kilometers).Both the I-80 and I-70 are long drives—about eight solid hours each way, going 70–80 miles per hour the whole way. You need to have good driving endurance. I hope you have another driver in the car; if you don’t, plan an extra hour or so, and build a few rest stops into your trip, so that you don’t wear yourself out. Driving while tired can kill you. I’m a little worried that you say you’re doing this for a “weekend trip”—just getting there and back is most of a weekend.Speaking of rest stops, the main freeway is fairly civilized. There’s a reasonable amount of traffic, and the highway patrol passes by on a fairly regular basis. There’s no lighting at all, so make sure your headlights work. However, please don’t count on perfect cell phone service, and don’t go too far off the highways; if you decide to take a break, drive a few miles along some dirt track, then get in trouble, you may not be found for months. Google Maps has an “offline maps” option, and you should definitely download all the maps for the area you’ll be driving before you leave. It will make your life much easier.Denver is a beautiful city, and there are lots of things to do there. I don’t know what you’re interested in, but you might try a site like 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Denver. There are also plenty of good places to eat; try Yelp. Your cell phone, of course, works just fine anywhere in Denver.
What are the must visit places in Denver, Colorado?
Red Rocks AmphitheaterNot technically in Denver, but once you’re there, going up to seeRed Rocks for a concert if you can swing it and/or a hike is a must. Best concert venue in the country, gorgeous scenery and amazing acoustics.16th Street MallThis is Downtown Denver’s main artery. Visit the Millennium Bridge and Union Station at one end (Snooze is great if you’re in the mood for breakfast, Cho-Lon if you’re there for dinner), and then walk up, past Larimer Square, to Civic Center Park, the Capitol Building, and the Art Museum near the other end (or you can do this in reverse, of course!).City Park and the Museum of Nature and ScienceDenver is a city of parks—we have the most green space of any major city—and City Park is the biggest and best. Within its grounds, the Museum of Nature and Science and, if you have kids, the Zoo are worth visiting. I particularly recommend DMNS’s “adult” evenings where they open up an exhibit, serve cocktails and appetizers, and everyone comes in cosplay.Confluence Park/Platte River TrailIf you have the money and the time, I highly recommend renting a bicycle, starting at Confluence Park in Downtown Denver, and biking down to the Platte/Clear Creek confluence. If you have *lots* of time, you can then bike up Clear Creek all the way to Golden. Some of the best inner-city greenbelts out there. Plan to pack a lunch if you do the whole trip, as it’ll take you two-three hours (it’s 25 miles); but there are lots of gorgeous picnic stops on the way.Santa Fe Art DistrictMost of Denver’s best art galleries are clustered together in a strip down Santa Fe Drive from 7th to 13th Avenues. If you go on a First Friday, they’ll have drinks and nosh as well! If not, I highly recommend Interstate Kitchen and Bar.
Is Denver worth visiting?
December equates to snow (usually) and colder temps so this would be a nice and new change for you. A visit to Denver alone won't be as fulfilling (for a tourist) as the real beauty of Colorado (and Denver) are outside the city. It's also a big plus that though most of the attractions are outside Denver, it's realtively a short and comfortable drive from Denver. We do get snow in December, but, sunny days (with cool/chilly temps) are also common and make it perfect to travel to these must-see spots. * Red Rocks - about 30 - 45 mins from downtown A great day trip would be Colorado Springs (about an hour and a half drive from downtown) where you can visit : * the Garden of the Gods * Seven Falls * Cave of the Winds WITHIN Denver, I would recommend : * Mile-High Marker * Art Musuem * Molly Brown House/Museum * Denver Botanic Garden Unfortunately, the annual "Blossoms of Light" , which transforms the garden into the holiday-feel spirit with lights will not be in this venue (due to renovations) this year but in the Denver Botanic Gardens in Chatfield, which is about 15 minutes from the city. However, I would still recommend that you visit the garden in York St.. * Museum of Nature and Science Hope this helps.
What is the ideal 4-day itinerary for someone visiting Colorado for the first time?
I've lived in Colorado for about ten years now. There are many great places to visit even if you only have four days. One of the things I would recommend is visiting the beautiful city of Denver. I would highly suggest trying to find an event at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Every show I have seen there has been incredible. There are many great restaurants to stop at so choose wisely. It's too hard to name my favorite but it shouldn't be hard to find a good place to eat. Next, I would like to suggest visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater. Even if you can't see a show there, the rock formations are absolutely spectacular and there are many hiking paths to take. This is weather permitting of course. As I am writing this there are about five inches of freshly laid snow outside. If you are able to, go skiing or snowboarding. Personally, my favorites are Vail and Keystone. I would recommend Keystone if you only have a day because they have night skiing which means you could spend more time there or arrive later in the day and still spend a fair amount of time there.If you do head up to the mountains, I would recommend stopping in Idaho Springs. It is a small mountain town that is very cool. There's a restaurant called Tommy Knockers Brewery which has great causal food and have many beers and sodas which are all brewed in house. There are also many interesting and somewhat random shops. Denver is home to many unique stores. If you have the urge to do some shopping, I would stop at The Tattered Cover (book store) Twist & Shout or Wax Trax (music stores) or any of the great shops on the Sixteenth Street Mall. There's free transportation down the street too! Also check out Union Station while you're there. If you ever need a snack definitely make your way to Voodoo Doughnuts on Colfax Avenue and enjoy some of their beautiful, delicous, and quirky desserts. I hope you have a great time in Colorado and that I have maybe given you some places you'd like to stop.
What are the best restaurants to try when visiting Denver, CO? What should you try while you're there?
Favorite sit-down restaurant: I love City O’ City on 13th, just south of the state capital, because it’s a perfect example that vegetarian food doesn’t have to be pretentious or make you feel like you’re making-do by eating sticks and leaves – I can also bring my non-vegetarian friends without any fear of judgement because the food speaks for itself, no matter your eating proclivities. The menu is mostly hearty staples like their “pastrami” sandwich, seitan sausage and pepper pizza, mac & cheese BBQ bowl, etc. their kitchen stays open until 1 AM on the weekends and they have an excellent beer, wine and cocktail list making this a great place to start or end a fun evening.Favorite food truck or fast-casual restaurant: Biju’s Little Curry Shop (Tennyson St – There’s also a location in RiNo) makes intensely flavorful curry bowls, served up assembly-line style like you’d expect at any other fast casual restaurant but the flavors go toe-to-toe with any fancy Indian dining experience I have ever had. The basic bowl options are deceptively simple with only three “bowls” on their menu, but you are able to customize it with your choice of veggies, protein, curry and additional spices and toppings. As far as spicy heat goes, this is one of the few restaurants in Denver that can really do spice levels right – their hot vindaloo curry spiced up with the birdseye chili add-on will drench even the staunchest spice hunter.Favorite pizza spot: Pietra’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant on 44th Ave. in Wheat Ridge is one of the last vestiges of ‘old Italian’ North Denver. It’s an unassuming spot located in a strip mall in the far west of the city, but everything about the joint screams authentic as soon as you make the choice to stop by, from the dark wood paneled entry corridor to the well worn red vinyl booths to the bottles of Birra Moretti chilling in the Coca-Cola cooler behind the counter.Favorite dessert spot: Rheinländer Bakery in Olde Town Arvada is a German / European-style bakery that makes some of the most delicious baked goods in the city including tons of gluten-free, sugar-free and vegan desserts. They feature a coffee bar on-site for morning strudel consumption purposes and their Mardis Gras King Cake has been hailed as Top 10 in the United States by USA Today.More recommendations here:420 Friendly Restaurant Recommendations for Denver, CO
What are some lesser-known sights to see when visiting Denver, CO?
I have lived in Denver close to 15 years. I’ve also lived in the east and west coast so you can get some perspective on my views. Apart from the usual 16th street mall, Union Station sights that most people who visit Denver hit. Here are my top lesser known sights that most tourists who visit Denver may miss. They are listed in no particular order and obviously subjective. I am trying to give a more diverse list so you can choose.Casa Bonita - The food is not the greatest however it is one of the largest restaurant in the nation. It has cliff divers, a very fun atmosphere, Bart’s cave…there was even an episode on it on South park.Lakeside Amusement park - This is a charming amusement park with plenty of fun for Kiddos, young adults and the whole familyConfluence Park - Trails for walking, running and biking. You can even rent Kayaks. There’s also a very cool REI which is in a 90,000 SQFT building that used to house boilers and engines for the Denver Tramway in 1900s.The Source building in RiNo - Acorn has one of the best cocktails that I’ve had in Denver. They have a Light and a Heavy version on their menu. Handcrafted, Contemporary and in a very very suave setting.The Ethiopian on Colfax - There’s a good number of Ethiopian communities around Denver and if you’re into flavorful food The Ethiopian is the place. Be prepared to take it slow there. If you’re a group of 4, be sure to get the plate for 4. There’s also a large Vietnamese settlement on south Federal, south of 38th. If PHO is your thing, there’s probably one in each strip plaza. You cannot go wrong with any one of em.Mataam Fez - If a 3 hour, 5 course meal/dinner with some belly dancing entertainment is your thing. This is it. Amazing food.Walk around Cheeseman park in fall is one of the prettiest sights you can see, in terms of old Denver neighborhoods, colorful trees.Corn Maze - Around Denver, This is the thing to do if you’re a family with kiddos, later fall and around Halloween.Botanic garden - A very nice cafe and a green house are the highlights of this place. Apart from the sweet smelling Iris, Peonies and a beautiful Japanese garden.Mexican food trucks on Federal Blvd, south of 92nd - Yes, we are west of the Mississippi ;) These are typically open late night. After a round of beers with friends Stop by to either pick up or eat right from your car.Enjoy.