THINGS TO DO

Sip Cocktails and Shop for Plants

One of the latest trends taking root: Bars that double as plant shops. At The Broken Cage in Denver, you can enjoy summer cocktails like a watermelon basil margarita while shopping for monsteras and pothos plants to take home. The Marigold, located in the heart of Five Points, is Denver’s newest plant-shop-and-bar combo with gin flights and cocktails with clever names, like the bubbly and citrus-forward “Mind Your Elderflowers” drink. thebrokencage.com and marigolddenver.com

See the Crimson Arches in Rattlesnake Canyon

Avoid the crowds at Arches National Park in neighboring Utah and, instead, discover a collection of nearly three dozen natural arches in Rattlesnake Canyon near Grand Junction. The scenic area within Colorado’s Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness has the second-highest concentration of arches in the world. Adrenaline Driven Adventures offers Jeep and RZR tours to the arches, and Grand Junction Adventures has guided day trips that include a 13-mile off-road drive and guided hike. The New York Times put Grand Junction on its list of “52 places to go in 2023,” so we’re not sure how much longer the Grand Valley will fly under the radar. blm.gov/visit/rattlesnakemee-canyons

Visit a Donkey Shelter

Longhopes is a donkey rescue in Bennett that’s been “saving burro buddies” for more than 20 years. In addition to having adoptable donkeys, the shelter offers hour-long tours a few times a week. The tours take guests through the barns and paddocks, and offers a glimpse of the training obstacle course. You’ll also get a chance to meet, pet and hug the friendly animals, as well as learn their stories. Make sure to book your tour in advance. longhopes.org

Hike to a Ghost Town

Twin Lakes is a small mountain community about 15 minutes outside of Leadville. As the name suggests, the main attractions here are the two glacial lakes, which are the largest in Colorado. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard from a local outfitter (or bring your own) and paddle about on the sparkling waters. But this area is also worth exploring on foot: A 4.6-mile out-and-back trail that traces the lake leads to the abandoned Interlaken Historic Resort, a hotel complex that’s frozen in time. Hikers can even wander about in Dexter Cabin, which was once a miner’s vacation home. One of the best views of the lake is from the cabin’s cupola. visittwinlakes.com

Read More Online: travelboulder.com/plan-a-luxurious-historic-escape-at-the-brown-palace/