Colorado information?

[xzmattzx]

I'll be going to Denver for the Eagles game against the Broncos, and my friends and I are going to spend a long weekend there. I have some questions for now, and no doubt will have more throughout the spring and summer.

~ Right now, we are planning on seeing more than Denver. Two places that have come up that seem to be a consensus are seeing Boulder and Golden. Do you agree or disagree? I am hoping to walk around both cities and take some pictures. We'll be doing the Coors brewery tour, and I'm going to suggest driving the Lariat Loop for the view of Denver. I think we'll just walk around Boulder. Any suggestions for either city that a bunch of guys (not just a geography nerd like me) would enjoy?
~ Are there any places outside of Denver, and so far Boulder and Golden,that we should take an afternoon or day to see? I was thinking Breckenridge for skiing, but the Eagles will play in September, so I think Breckenridge is out. How about Rocky Mountain National Park when we go to Boulder? Any mountain towns that can't be passed up on?
~ We will stay somewhere in Downtown Denver to have close access to LoDo and the football stadium. I've been reading a little on Denver sights and landmarks, but could use some help getting through clutter. What are the places to see in and near Downtown? I want to try and see the Capitol, Mint, Brown Palace, and that clock tower so far.

[Cirrus]

Boulder is worth seeing. Just go downtown and walk Pearl Street. If you have more time, go to CU and University Hill (the student ghetto).

Golden is less worth it, except for the Coors tour. If you're going to go for Coors then you may as well take a quick jaunt through town, but it's small and not that great.

For Denver, LoDo and 16th Street are the basic urbanist must-sees. The rest is interesting but optional.

[The Dirt]

I concur on Boulder and Golden. You could drive up to Lookout Mountain near Golden and Flagstaff near Boulder for some spectacular views of the Front Range. If you're heading up to Rocky Mountain National Park, stop by Estes Park and check out the downtown area, the YMCA area, and the Stanley Hotel.

As for downtown, I'm sure one of us (that's more qualified) might be able to show you around. Check out Lower Highland around the Boulder St. and 16th, then head on down 16th though the Central Platte Valley, the Union Station area, and the 16th Street Mall, with some detours around the Lower Downtown area and the Civic Center Area. Check out the big blue bear by the convention center and go have a drink at the top of the Hyatt.

[RyanD]

If you're a development junkie, we have a whole lot of that going on pretty much everywhere downtown too especially Union Station.

[Scottk]

Boulder is worth the visit. Check out pearl street. Walk around the cu boulder campus. For amazing views, drive on baseline road west until it turns into flagstaff road and prepare for an awesome drive. Lots of fun bars in boulder. The walrus and the downer have a very young crowd

[FunctionForm]

I think you have to squeeze in an hour or so to see Red Rocks.

[seventwenty]

Skip Golden. Skip Coors. You're in Denver, so drink better beer. Drink microbrews at Denver Beer Co, Wynkoop, Renegade or similar. If you go to Red Rocks, eat at Tony Rigatoni's in Morrison and watch people rock climb. Or eat steak at The Fort. Also, eat steak at Buckhorn Exchange. Both steak places are pricey, though.

These electronic guys will be at Red Rocks the day before the game: http://www.redrocksonline.com/Calend...aspx?id=222817

[bunt_q]

I agree with skip Golden and Coors. If you're doing the mountains, your time is better spent from Boulder, up to Estes Park, through Rocky Mtn National Park, and down the other side (back to Denver via Grand Lake) to make it a loop. On mountain stuff, in September, I'd also stop at Brainard Lake outside of Boulder. In terms of scenery, you won't find better for the price of a short hike. Usually you have to really earn that sort of scenery.

You're not going to be able to do everything. But if you're for sure doing Denver and Boulder, I'd focus north. I might get lynched, but unless you're a concert junkie or there's some show you actually want to see, Red Tocks isn't worth it just to see it. Unless you insist on Golden (then it's close), I'd focus your attention elsewhere. If you don't go to RMNP/Estes Park and you need to pick one mountain town, it should probably be Breck.

One thing you absolutely must remember - if we are talking late September, then you are in aspen colors season. The most spectacular 3 weeks of the year in Colorado. And that would change all of our suggestions for mountain stuff.

[Cirrus]

^
Agreed. Skip Red Rocks, unless you're seeing a show there or passing by it anyway, or unless it's the only mountain-ish thing you'll see at all. If you skip the main mountains but insist on Golden, then go ahead and stop at Red Rocks because it'll at least give you a little bit of the mountain thing.

[seventwenty]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

One thing you absolutely must remember - if we are talking late September, then you are in aspen colors season. The most spectacular 3 weeks of the year in Colorado. And that would change all of our suggestions for mountain stuff.

True. Skip Boulder. Go to Breck via 285 and Kenosha Pass. Take 70 and US 6 over the divide on the way. Get drunk downtown.

[TheHeights22]

Probably not.

[Cirrus]

Meh. I wouldn't skip Boulder to see fall colors. Fall colors are pretty, but if I'm coming to see cities I want to see cities.

[Scottk]

yes i agree DO NOT SKIP BOULDER

skip golden

[Scottk]

also fall colors in colorado are pretty hard to hit at the right time...

the aspen trees are only "in" for about a week, and after that they aren't worth seeing... especially compared to the fall colors anywhere on the east coast.

also aspen trees make up less than 10 percent of the total forest coverage in colorado so there are a lot less fall colors than you might expect!

[bunt_q]

Don't listen to that guy, he's from Boulder.

First off, this photo is a solid three weeks after the aspens were "in" - in October already - and they were still very much worth seeing. And second, you just need to talk to somebody who knows where to go. Maybe only 10% of Colorado is aspens...so go to that 10%. 70% of the planet is ocean, but I promise, you won't run into one here. I wouldn't send you to the eastern plains of Colorado or a predominantly pine forest to see fall colors, and I wouldn't send you to the middle of the north atlantic for a coral reef. All I'm saying is, if it's fall color season, I'd go with a different route. If it's not, then stick with what we already gave you.

[seventwenty]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

Don't listen to that guy, he's from Boulder.

First off, this photo is a solid three weeks after the aspens were "in" - in October already - and they were still very much worth seeing. And second, you just need to talk to somebody who knows where to go. Maybe only 10% of Colorado is aspens...so go to that 10%. 70% of the planet is ocean, but I promise, you won't run into one here. I wouldn't send you to the eastern plains of Colorado or a predominantly pine forest to see fall colors, and I wouldn't send you to the middle of the north atlantic for a coral reef. All I'm saying is, if it's fall color season, I'd go with a different route. If it's not, then stick with what we already gave you.

Agreed. This was a week after peak back in 2008:

[xzmattzx]

Thanks for the help so far, everyone. Boulder is on our itinerary; I'd like to see it, and a couple other friends would like to see it as well. We might as well walk around (and I can get a phototour in), since we will probably go out drinking for a while. I had thought about a trip to Rocky Mountain NP, and based on advice about fall colors, I'll look into that more. We also have thrown around the idea of going to Breckenridge, but we were more interested in skiing there if possible. How is Breckenridge in September? Or, are there any other mountain towns a little closer that a bunch of regular guys would like? How about those mountain towns with casinos?

How about stuff in Denver? I want to see the Brown Palace and the atrium, but that might be just me. We will probably walk around a little bit to see the area, but will mainly be walking to and from the bars. Any must-see places or things to do? Any cool bars, historic saloons, or places like that that we should get a beer at?

Thanks again so far, and keep the advice going!

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

Thanks for the help so far, everyone. Boulder is on our itinerary; I'd like to see it, and a couple other friends would like to see it as well. We might as well walk around (and I can get a phototour in), since we will probably go out drinking for a while. I had thought about a trip to Rocky Mountain NP, and based on advice about fall colors, I'll look into that more. We also have thrown around the idea of going to Breckenridge, but we were more interested in skiing there if possible. How is Breckenridge in September? Or, are there any other mountain towns a little closer that a bunch of regular guys would like? How about those mountain towns with casinos?

How about stuff in Denver? I want to see the Brown Palace and the atrium, but that might be just me. We will probably walk around a little bit to see the area, but will mainly be walking to and from the bars. Any must-see places or things to do? Any cool bars, historic saloons, or places like that that we should get a beer at?

Thanks again so far, and keep the advice going!

The casino towns are stupid.

Everywhere in the mountains is gorgeous (and warm) in September. Doesn't matter where you go weather-wise (you won't be skiing).

As for Denver... that's a WHOLE different discussion. Your best bet for hitting the right bars would be to scoop up one of us Denver forumers or two as a tour guide. You'll never get consensus on here about which bars to hit. The best you might get is a consensus on a walking tour (which is basically going to take you from the Civic Center area, all the way up 16th Street, around Union Station, across the river to Lower Highland... and then a u-turn back, jump over to 15th, to Larimer Square, to 14th... probably walk up toward Coors Field... the standard tour. But bars/breweries, there are simply too many.

Personally, since you're out of town... I wouldn't necessarily go to any specific brewery (somebody will suggest Denver Beer Co for sure). I would go to a place like Amatos Ale House (just one example) where you can sample a wide variety of local brews. If you must pick one to go to, where you can also eat, I'd send you to Wynkoop. One of the oldest, and where the governor (former-Mayor) got his start.

[seventwenty]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

I wouldn't necessarily go to any specific brewery (somebody will suggest Denver Beer Co for sure).

Already did :-D


I agree that he'll never get a consensus of which brews to try in Denver. The good news is, he really can't go too wrong.

XZMatt:

Here's a Google map of various beer places in Denver. Make sure you only click the Brewpub, Beer Bar and Brewery labels. Even then, I'd really only recommend you visit the Brewpubs and breweries.

http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps...0498046875&z=3

Annoyingly, the does not have a ton of reviews for any given place. However, the map gives you an idea of where things are in relation to one another. Ask us about any specific spots you come across.

[PLANSIT]

Here, I made a map of breweries in Denver proper (save Bull & Bush). Not specific, but gives you an idea of relative location. Google for more info.