Mile High City Sights

Spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains, unique live music venues like the famous Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, the giant blue bear public art sculpture—there’s all of that and more awaiting you on your next visit to Denver.

Get situated first at The Ramble Hotel in the RiNo district (River North Art District). The boutique hotel is the first in the area and offers 50 delightfully decorated rooms so ensure you reserve ahead if this is where you’d like to stay. Included in each room is a well-furnished mini bar with recipes to prepare your own cocktails if you’d like. Or you could head to the lobby bar where Death & Co has some creative libations on the menu. The outdoor space off the lobby is equally entertaining, with its neon lighting and casual cool vibes.

Among some of the local attractions to visit if this is your first time to the city 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square in Downtown Denver, Colorado Railroad Museum and Denver Art Museum,

Confluence

Park and Washington Park, Denver Zoo, and Denver Botanic Gardens.

For an interesting day tour, one of the best experiences in Denver is a graffiti tour. A walking tour of the neighborhood guided by a local who can show you all the larger murals and the details behind them as well as some of the lesserknown works of art and their creators. Denver Graffiti Tour can give you a quick and easy or detailed and in-depth version, just check in on their site and let them know. Various public arts initiatives have resulted in a beautiful network of murals and graffiti walls that each tell their own unique story. You can enjoy the weather and the walk as you take in all the art.

Another cool experience?

Meow Wolf. There is no way to describe this unique experience other than to say it is multisensory and can be enjoyed by all ages. Innovative and interactive, this venue boasts work by multiple artists and creators, taking you through imaginary worlds and mediascapes that wow. There are only a few places in the world that have a Meow Wolf location and Denver is one of them so definitely opt for this experience if you have the time. Give yourself the better part of a day to access all areas and interact with the different exhibits.

All that sightseeing is bound to make you hungry and there’s a list of places you can try. Start the day strong with breakfast at Snooze, a local crowd favorite for brunch. Their seasonal menu features items made from scratch and with a creative twist. Or for the views, head to The Woods, inside The Source Hotel, and delight in both brekkie and beautiful sights. Or go all relaxed and casual at Mimosas in the Five Points neighborhood and remember to get the specialty beignets in this retro-style urban eatery.

Another spot within walking distance from The Ramble is The Denver Central Market. Think of it as a gourmet marketplace and food hall featuring many vendors. You will find a bakery, coffee shop, fish market, butcher, rotisserie, chocolate shop, ice cream, wood-fired pizza, salad and sandwiches, lunch bowls, and more. Stay indoors for a taste of the buzz once the crowds start arriving or grab a quick bite to go as you explore the city.

Dinner spots are many but here are the top three we recommend. For the view, head to the lovely El Five. Located in LoHi (Lower Highland), the restaurant gives you unobstructed views of the city skyline. Enjoy Spanish and Eastern Mediterranean small plates and drinks served in a funky topfloor penthouse. The drink menu is creative and the food menu delightful. Do not miss out on the paella which is a signature dish. Other suggestions are the lamb sausage, and then the malabi to end on a sweet note.

For more of the city sights and sounds, consider Urban Farmer, which is close to the historic Oxford Hotel and Union Station, offering a chef-driven, seasonal steakhouse committed to locally sourced ingredients, sustainable practices and ethically raised meats. The cheeseboards are an absolute beauty and pretty much anything on the menu is guaranteed to be a win.

For a truly unique dinner experience though, head to Nocturne for a performance accompanying your meal. Your prix fixe menu does offer a few options for choice, or you can go with the a la carte menu as well, but the jazz performance is the highlight here. This is a short walk from The Ramble and a great idea for your first meal when you visit or your last meal to end on a memorable note. Watch out for the large murals inside and out and enjoy the music, the food, the ambience, and your time overall in this gorgeous city. m