WHEN IN DENVER...
We live in Denver by choice — while there are amazing cities across the world, the Mile High City is (and probably always will be!) home. While you’re visiting, it’s our pleasure to highlight a few of our favorite places across the city. These are organized by neighborhood, but almost everything on the list is within a $10 Uber ride of everything else.
The Golden Triangle
Denver's unofficial "museum district", the Golden Triangle has a lot to see and do, all within a short walk. For lunch, check out Torchy's Tacos, Pint's Pub, or City O' City.
Visit Denver
denver art museum
Right next door to Clyfford Still, the DAM houses one of the largest collections of art between Chicago and the west coast. With permanent collections including everything from pre-Columbian to contemporary pieces, you could easily spend an entire day in the museum.
Allied Works Architecture
clyfford still museum
As notable for its architecture as its collection, this museum showcases the work of an artist "among the first generation of Abstract Expressionist artists who developed a new and powerful approach to painting in the years immediately following World War II."
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
KIRkland museum
Just a little further down the street, the Kirkland Museum features more than 30,000 works by over 1,500 artists and designers showcased in a unique salon setting. The unique mix of fine and decorative art covers art deco, art nouveau, pop, and post-modern periods. It's one of a kind.
RiNo (River North)
RiNo has some of the best food, drink, and street art in town. Just park and start walking – you're bound to find something cool.
Westword
zeppelin station
Part food hall, part bar, part design shop, Zeppelin Station is a cool new one-stop-shop. Grab a drink, grab some food, and poke around the stalls, then check out The Source, another similar collective just a block away.
Ratio Beerworks
The denver beer trail
There are too many great breweries in Denver to count, and a lot in RiNo. The Denver Beer Trail lists them all by neighborhood – some of our favorites in RiNo include Mockery Brewing, Epic Brewing, Great Divide Barrel Bar, Our Mutual Friend, and Ratio Beerworks.
The Denver Flea
the denver flea
July 13-15 only, the summer Flea comes to RiNo. The Flea is a giant makers-fair, featuring hundreds of local artisans and shops. This event is an amazing way to check out a ton of really cool Denver gems in one place, and tickets are just $5 for weekend access.
Cherry Creek(ish)
Cherry Creek has some of the best shopping in Denver, and also gets you close to some of Denver's other treasures.
Denver Botanic Gardens
denver botanic gardens
Explore 24 acres and more than 50 individual gardens ranging from native plants to ornamental international gardens. The Science Pyramid goes into more horticultural science, and the current sculpture exhibit, Pixelated, offers even more to see.
Design Workshop
cherry creek north
Cherry Creek North has hundreds of shops to explore and one of the most luxurious malls in the country. Stop by Blue Island Oyster Bar for one of the city's longest daily happy hours, then check out a few galleries while you're shopping around.
Rule Properties
washington park
One of our favorite places in Denver, Wash Park features a replica of George Washington's garden at Mt. Vernon, open spaces, two lakes, and even a lawn bowling pitch. Rent a paddle boat on Smith Lake, or head to Old South Gaylord Street for lunch and shopping.
Highlands / LoHi / Tennyson / Berkeley
These neighborhoods sit above downtown and combine the eclecticism of old Denver with the vibrancy of recent in-migration.
Westword
highlands square
This stretch of shops and restaurants has tons of character and plenty to see. Check out Caroline's all-time-favorite store, Wordshop., for thoughtfully curated and surprisingly delightful cards and gifts, then grab some of Denver's best tacos at Tacos Tequila Whiskey.
tennyson / berkeley
Another fun shopping area, Tennyson boasts block after block of shops, restaurants, and more. Stop into The Royal, Hops & Pie, or Vital Root for lunch, then check out the shops. Grab a cupcake at Valhalla Cakes and end your trek with a beer at DeSteeg Brewing or Call to Arms Brewing Company for a truly Denver experience.
Westword
lower highlands
LoHi is another shopping/dining area we love. Grab a cocktail at The Family Jones (it's a distillery, too) or a great German beer at Prost Brewing. If you can handle the line, the ice cream at Little Man is a local legend, but if it's too long check out the shops around the corner instead.
Miscellaneous
Additional things to check out.
Gold Calendar
union station
Originally built in 1881, Union Station reopened in 2014 after a meticulous restoration. It's now home to shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as serving as a functioning transportation hub. Grab a drink at the beautiful Cooper Lounge or a snack at Mercantile, or stop by the amazing farmer's market from 9-12 on Saturday.
Shutterstock
Red rocks amphitheater & Park
Famous for being the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world, Red Rocks is definitely a thing to behold. During the day, the amphitheater and park are open for exploration, including extensive hiking and biking trails and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in the Visitor's Center.
Denverite
meow wolf convergence station
The third installation from the Santa Fe-based art collective, Convergence Station is a surreal, interactive multimedia experience that allows visitors to wander through dozens of rooms covered with floor to ceiling art (each by a different artist!), unearth secrets and discover the world’s hidden nonlinear narrative.