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50 States Series: Colorado
59
items Colorado is my second home - the first place I moved to outside of Nebraska. Its' always had such a special place in my heart. For this place, we are channeling the mountain western vibesss. Grab your Nalgene, a Patagonia ANYTHING, and either your cl...
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Sections
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Where to Stay 🛌
What to Eat/Drink 🍜
What do Do 🏂
Where to Shop 🛍️
Where to Stay 🛌
What I would recommend to anyone if they were visiting my home.
One thing that I love about Denver - the Victorian homes. I think if you are more open to a historic / unique experience, this bed and breakfast is perfect. Super charming.
Flora House | Denver
Okay so if you are looking for something environmentally friendly with some SICK architecture, stay here. The ambiance is such a vibe.
Populus | Denver
Gravity Haus has a few different locations all over Colorado. They have one in Denver, Breck, Winter Park, and more. I believe they also have a membership with gyms, experiences, and eat/drinks. It can be a little more on the pricier side but they ar...
Gravity Haus | Denver
If you want a cute little place in a prime downtown location - this hotel is great. It's situated right in the Dairy Block which is a cool food hall concept with good coffee and eats. Also walkable area.
The Maven Hotel at Dairy Block | Denver
I realllllly should preface - I stayed here with my bestfriend & his parents. While a lil pricy for solo traveling, if you have a group, or the money to spend - it's worth it. Literally stunning and in Vail Village, so super walkable.
Sonnenalp Spa | Vail
Who would I be if I didn't recommend the most famous (and haunted) hotel in Colorado. I've stayed here a few times on staycations to Estes and it's always an experience of will I or wont I sleep in utter fear for my life. Steven King is one brave dud...
The Stanley Hotel | Estes Park
What to Eat/Drink 🍜
From Coffee Shops, Bars, to Dinner spots.
Cool girl spot. No literally everyone is so cool and their food was so good. I am not a pasta girl… and this is one of those places that MAKES me a pasta girl.
Boombots Pasta Shop | Italian
They have yum tacos, fun drinks, and a cool vibe. Plusss there are a few different locations to choose from around Colorado. For a while they were doing margaritas in little bear cups which was cute??
Mister Oso | Tacos
Two locations - one in Lohi, one in Rino. The pizza is good. They make a mean Campari and Diet Coke. My friends and I will go, order a drank, and get the Seafood Conserva which comes with your choice of Tin Fish. They have loads of options including ...
CART-DRIVER | Pizza
I know, I sound like I'm exaggerating, but this place literally changed me. I was never a pizza girl, but oh my god?? This pizza?? Detroit style?? It is so saucy and SO GOoD??
Blue Pan Pizza | Award Wining Detroit Style Pizza
NO because THIS PLACE had a FIREEEE last year. But T-god they re-opened because this is a frequented favorite. Colorado culture drives deep into the sandwhich scene. This place is greaaat + popular among the CU boulder students. I'd join my friend af...
Half Fast Subs | Sandwhich
I came here the night before running the Colfax Marathon - so I doooo feel like it has good vibes attached to it as it was the last thing I ate before commiting to 4+ hours of running. The burgers are good.
Park Burger | Burgers
Annnnd this is the place I ate AFfffterrr my Marathon. Right down the street from my old apartment, I would walk here on summer nights for either take away or to sit outside and eat some yummy thai.
Ros Siam | Thai
No because I love her so much. Their Cafe de Olla is so good. Plus any of the breakfast burritos are to die for. More of brunch vibe (I believe they close earlier). Smaller inside, but large back patio space.
Hoja | Mexican
Okay so - they have more than one location outside of Denver. BUT it started in Colorado. If there is one near you - runnnnn to it. Literally inspired by stoners… this place's sandwhich's have some random but yummm combos (makes sense). My sister and...
Cheba Hut | Toasted Subs
I am a BAGEL girl. I LOVE bagels so much. Literally it is the one thing I get excited about in terms of food. SO this place is up there.
Call Your Mother | Deli
My favorite, favorite, favorite coffee shop in Denver. They have the best lattes and THE best Matcha I swear.
Blue Sparrow | Coffee
I love a place that has a garage that opens and lets sun in - this has plenty of seating, great patio seating, and yum coffee. One of my newer favs in Cherry Creek.
Aviano Coffee | Coffee
Another one of my favorites. Great coffee and lunch. They specialize in Swedish food which I looove. Right next to Union Station. There is usually plenty of seating and a lot of sunlight. Great WFH spot.
Kaffe Landskap | Coffee
They are right next to my climbing gym so I'll usually come here to work during the weekdays. They have SO much room + a big outdoor space. If you want a WFH spot - this is the one I would recommend. They also hold events + have food trucks
Improper City | Coffee / Bar
Another new found favorite - this coffee shop is in Golden, Co (20 min from Denver). I would stop here on the way to the mountains during snowboarding season. SO good.
SOGO | Specialty Coffee & Skate Culture
This was right next door to my old apartment and I swear I would frequent it for their breakfast sandwhiches. It has been SO long since I've gone and I feel it in my bones.
Wooden Spoon | Bakery
Another place I used to walk to from my apartment. You need to go to the LoHi one - it's in a giant tin milk jug (you just need to see it for full context). The line is always long but it moves fast. GET the Salted anything. My fav is the Salted Oreo...
Little Man | Ice Cream
Two locations - one in Denver (Lohi) and one in Boulder (Pearl St.). If you want a sunny rooftop to chill and have a drink/meal while enjoying the skyline… this place is a go to for my friends and I. They also do outdoor movies during the summer whic...
Avanti F&B | Foodhall
Food Hall with a lot of options + outdoor seating. In RiNo (super walkable neighborhood).
Denver Central Market | Foodhall
There's a few locations - one in Sloans Lake (large and has a rooftop), one in Fort Collins, one in Rino…etc. I am a big fan of Odell's IPA's. They also sell pizza too.
Odell Brewing Co | Brewery / Pizza
Great place with multiple food options inside. Literally, it's in the name: an old school that was converted into a food hall concept with SO much room outside in the school yard for hanging with friends.
Schoolyard | Beer Garden
This brewery is in Golden - majority (if not all of it) is outdoors. But usually, most times of the year in Colorado, people are outside and the weather (because of the sun) is relatively perfect.
Golden City | Brewery
This place has Colorado all over it. Literally, you hike through a “forest” of trees and fire pits to grab a drink. You can sit outside in tents. It's one of my favorite places to take people.
Forest Room 5 | Bar
Another cool hipster type joint that I usually will go to. This place also has an art gallery in the back if you wanna grab a drink and stroll.
Pon Pon | Bar
Lowkey I CANT gatekeep this place cuz I also want people to support. This is one of my favorite bars in Denver. It is sooo unassuming from the outside, but suchhh an experience on the inside. I don't come here enough ahh.
Fort Greene | Bar
Moody, cool bar with good music. Honestly it's a vibe if you wanna listen to some good records + have some good drinks.
ESP Hifi | Listening Bar
If you are looking for high-vibes … rooftop access, cool dj music, good drinks, moody + intimate - this is the place. Depending on when you come, it can be super quiet, or literally a full on club.
Sorry Gorgeous | Rooftop Cocktail Bar
What do Do 🏂
Some of my top fav spots around town!
I am a Copper Mountain Stan. As a seasonal Ikon Pass holder, I usually frequent Copper as my local spot. The reason I'm putting this specific mountain down for things to do - Copper specifically has a lot of cool events going on constantly. A lot of ...
Copper Mountain
About an hourish outside of Denver and like 15 mins outside of CO Springs, this lil town is known for their Mineral Springs. I think they have 7 water fountains you can drink from that pump the spring water out (at your own risk). They also have a vi...
Manitou Springs, Colorado in the Pikes Peak Region
I could make an entire separate thing on my favorite hikes - out of every hike I've ever taken on this planet… this one is up there in the top 5. It is considered difficult as you do have to scramble up a waterfall during part of it. I think out and ...
Sky Pond Rocky Mountain National Park
If you have time to take the drive (abt. 3 hours south of Denver) - the Sand Dunes are such an experience. Like one of the most unassuming things you'll come across while driving - giant piles of sand in the middle of Colorado. You can take a sandboa...
Great Sand Dunes - National Park Service
If you are looking for a 14er to climb and don't want to go far - Mt. Bierdstadt is pretty attainable. Located near Georgetown (abt 1 hour from Denver), this is a class 2 14er so a liiitttlee easier than most. You do have to scramble some closer to t...
Mount Bierstadt Colorado 14ers
If you can go to a Redrocks show - go … they run shows from March to like November. Next to the Gorge in Washington, this is one of the prettiest venues in the U.S. … they also do yoga events as well !
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
If you are wanting an option for an easier hike + more of a choose your adventure, this park right next to the Flat Irons in Boulder is great. Abt. 45 mins outside of Denver, you find yourself right at the front range w/ some of the coolest rock form...
Chautauqua Park | Boulder
Everyone should experience a Meow Wolf once - and the one in Denver is huge. You could spend hours walking around. Meow Wolf does immersive art SO well … at no point did it feel like I was on this planet.
Meow Wolf Denver | Immersive Art Museum
If you are on the western half of Colorado, Mesa Verde is a cool experience. Really cool, historical cave dwellings from the Pueblo Tribes. Also is a International Dark Sky Park so great for stargazing at night. One thing to note - it does take a hot...
Mesa Verde - National Park
One thing that I love about Denver - the park culture … no matter if it is winter or summer, everyone is out in the parks setting up volleyball nets, hammocks, slack lines, frisby, you name it. This one specifically is one of my favs, situated near C...
Cheesman Park - Denver, CO
If you are into rock climbing, or have never done it and want to try it in a low stress environment, Movement is great. I used to have a membership here and loved that it was connected to one of my favorite coffee shops. The RiNo location is boulderi...
Movement RiNo | Movement Climbing, Yoga & Fitness
If you are in an artistic mood and are in Denver on the first Friday of the month - every month Santa Fe Art's District does an Art Walk featuring a bunch of artists. I went once, loved it, and have been wanting to go back since !
First Friday Art Walks - Denver's Art District on Santa Fe
Where to Shop 🛍️
A girls gotta shop. And this is where she's gotta go.
Support your local bookstores!! There are still a few locations - but I think some of them may have closed? Either way, this place is great. I bought my first Harry Potter book here at the ripe age of 26
Tattered Cover | Bookstore
I love this store - super cureated. They have sunglasses, perfume, jewlery, clothing. All aesthetic as heck !
FM | Clothing
If you want some cool outdoor gear / clothes, this place is a niceeee place to shop. They sell both new and used stuff in great condition!
Feral | Outdoor Store
Fun fact, Topo started in Colorado - one of their flagship stores is in RiNo… which is also just a cool area to shop around in. Great backpacks !
Topo Designs Denver Flagship Store
If you want a cool girly pop store with sick vintage and a bar inside + Dj and cool events - this is the place. There are two locations I believe. One in Larimer Square (shopping street in Denver) and one on Pearl in Boulder (another great area for s...
Garage Sale Vintage
Kinda in the name. I literally struggle finding cool vintage. Some how some way, this place never fails to amaze.
Goldmine Vintage
This place is sooo cool. One of my favorite metaphysical stores to have ever existed. They have so many cool stones. Really cool aesthetic. Cool books. Cool candles. Cool incense. Love love love.
Home - RitualCravt | Metaphysical & Witchy Wares | Denver, CO
Cute metaphysical store near RiNo. I come here whenevahhh I need some more stones.
Alchemy Ritual Goods
If you like market spots - this is your place ! They have a bunch of small little shops and a food hall. Great if you don't know where to go and want the universe to kinda decide for you. It is a little further out of Denver but worth the drive.
Stanley Marketplace
If you want something a little closer in Denver than Stanley, Edgewater is great and also close to Sloan's Lake (two birds, one stone). They have food options + tons of little shopping.
Edgewater Public Market
Slightly a food hall, but there are other lil spots inside as well. Kinda tucked away in an alley - you can grab food and sit outside + chill with friends / shop around
Dairy Block
If you want a lot of options and a view - Boulder's infamous Pearl Street is a great option. They have local stores, restaurants, as well as the more popular stores like Free People, Cotopaxi, etc.
Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado
Big fan of this place. Every time I come in, the workers are always so kind. During Farmer's Market szn on South Pearl I would come in and grab fresh baked bread. They support local and international entrepreneurs. They do a lot of community service ...
Ruby's Market
Love cool art stores - this is the place where I get a majority of my supplies. + It's a pretty good size with most things you'd need for ideally any creative project
HR Meininger Company | Art Store