NH&FR: Denver Area Ladies

[MrsE]

What are the must do things in Denver?
Any fabulous restaurants?
Any suggestions for a weekend visitor?

I would normally ask about running routes but until I'm cleared to do that, I'll just admire from afar.

[taratru]

Where are you staying? Will you have a car?

[MrsE]

I'm actually staying with friends in Boulder. They have a car we can use.

[taratru]

And you've never been?

Things I'd go see/do: Hike at Red Rocks, catch a Rockies game, drive up to Breckenridge, check out Santa Fe Art district, wander around LoDo for an afternoon, go to a brewery (there are many!), take one of those beer tours maybe

Places I'd eat: it would depend on how much you want to spend. Off hand, Cherry Cricket is amazing for burgers, Elway's for a fancy dinner, Lime is great, D Bar...there are also some really yummy places in Boulder, like The Med. Mmmmm....The Med. OH! And you must visit the Church of Cupcakes on Colfax. My friend owns it and those cupcakes are the BEST I've ever eaten - and I'm not kidding. This isn't one of those jump-on-the-cupcake-trend cupcakes. They're legit.

[kams]

Oh man I'm jealous! Tara has suggested everything I would, except breakfast at Snooze. Mmmmmmm

[MrsE]

Awesome! Thanks ladies!

[reginaphalange72]

Also Backcountry Pizza, and getting breakfast at The Buff!

Boulder H&F meetup?

[reginaphalange72]

Also, taratru, I did not need to know about the cupcake place.

[SallyJ]

My favorite restaurants are Zengo (Asian South American infusion) and Steuben's (home cooked southern inspired). Check out 303Vodka Distillery in Boulder! Go for a hike in Boulder or Golden. Visit micro-breweries.

[taratru]

Aug 30, 2013 14:12:17 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

Also, taratru, I did not need to know about the cupcake place.

Yes, yes you did. 

[reginaphalange72]

Aug 30, 2013 14:58:22 GMT -5 taratru said:

Aug 30, 2013 14:12:17 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

Also, taratru, I did not need to know about the cupcake place.

Yes, yes you did. 

Evil.

[MrsE]

Aug 30, 2013 14:11:25 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

Also Backcountry Pizza, and getting breakfast at The Buff!

Boulder H&F meetup?

DH went to Backcountry pizza last night with his buddies and we almost went to The Buff for breakfast this morning. I think we may try tomorrow or Sunday.

I'm down for a meetup.

[foundmylazybum]

Cuba Cuba is my favorite restaurant in Denver.

I think Snooze is overrated and overcrowded.

In Boulder:
Turleys
The Kitchen
Salt
It's a grocery store but I recommend getting food from the deli at Alfalfas. It's an experience that is authentic to Boulder--grab a deli made sandwich or hot food and then head across the street to enjoy it right by Boulder Creek and the Library.

In Boulder: Hike or run the Mesa Trail starting at Chautauqua Park ending at the South Mesa trail, Hike Betasso loop, Walker Ranch, Go up to Nederland and then go hiking at Brainard lake.

[blndsnbrdr]

I don't know shit about where to eat...but I can give you some hiking suggestions...

Red Rocks/Matthews Winters/Dakota Ridge -- all accessible from the parking lot east of I-70, exit 259 I believe - Dinosaur Lots - Red Rocks has its own parking with the amphitheater which is cool, Mathews Winters gets you access to Red Rocks from the back side and Dakota Ridge is a rockier hike, but still cool.

South Mesa Trail -- off Hwy 93 and Hwy 170 just south of Boulder - a 7 mile RT hike will get your to an overlook of Boulder and Denver, its pretty awesome.

Mt Sanitas -- in Boulder, west of Broadway I believe - 5K RT hike with some decent uphill, but great views of Boulder

Chatauqua -- in Boulder, the hike up to the Royal Arch is a definite climb with lots of stairs but the views are pretty

Rocky Mountain National Park - Wild Basin Entrance - this entrance is probably the closest to Boulder and less popular than the others but the hikes from the furthest trailhead are really cool - lots of water falls.

Others trails that quite south of Boulder -- Green Mountains in Lakewood, Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood, Mt Falcon in Morrison, White Ranch in Golden, Centennial Cone in Golden/Idaho Springs (not sure which, you drive thru Golden to get there) -- Centennial Cone is probably the only one I'd put the time into driving to just for sightseeing. The others are great for running but don't quite get you the "ooh, so pretty" views.

__________

If you can drive up Lookout Mountain thats kind of cool and from Boulder you can make that drive on your way up into the mountains via I-70. If you do go up to Summit County I'd recommend getting off I-70 at the exit for Hwy 6 (near Loveland Ski Area, before the big tunnels) and take the backwards way up over Loveland Pass. You can stop and do a short hike, but you don't really need to - its beautiful.

I'd be down for a meet up too -- I'm not super active on this forum, but I'm always up for meeting like minded people! Does that sound creepy? Ask thom...I swear I'm legit!

[Deleted]

Snooze is totally overrated and not worth the wait. But I agree with Tara on all other accounts, especially Church of Cupcakes. They're closed Sunday & Monday.

[MrsE]

Thank you all *so* much for the recommendations. The weekend flew by so fast I can't believe I'm already back in DC. We made it to The Buff, a few breweries, and to Estes Park and had a fabulous time. I am bookmarking this for our next trip... or for when I can convince DH that we really don't want to live in the DC area anymore and should move. Colorado is beautiful. You ladies are lucky to call it home!