Culture / Travel

A Texas Transplant’s Ultimate Denver Travel Guide: Inside Tips on Restaurants, Red Rocks, Hiking and the High Life

BY // 07.27.18

If you’re looking to escape Texas’ brutal summers, flying or driving into Denver is a popular option for that much needed mountain reprieve. Flights out of major airports are relatively cheap, and the drive isn’t too crushingly long, but let’s face it, if you’ve lived in Texas for very long you know that it takes awhile to get anywhere.

Once you do reach the Mile High City, you’ll want to take full advantage of however much time you have. Here is your full guide to what to do, where to eat and how to live mountain high in Denver.

These Denver restaurant, sightseeing and activity tips come from a transplanted Texan who’s been living in the city for a while, so you know you’ll be steered right.

Red Rocks High

No trip to Colorado is complete without a visit to its cute mountain towns, many of which are within an hour drive of Denver. Morrison is a small town, best known for being the place where the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre is located.

Stop by Red Rocks for a show or just for a walk around the beautiful grounds before heading to Cafe Prague for dinner and Morrison Inn for margaritas bigger than your head. Or hit Golden, Where the West Lives!, for shopping around an adorable town square.

Stop in for a sandwich with some wacky options at D’Deli, a breakfast burrito smothered in green chili at The Golden Diner, or a build-your-own burger at Bob’s Atomic Burger.

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On Saturday, walk over to the town’s farmers market for succulent peaches.

Denver Hiking Finds

Colorado’s hiking has something for everyone. There are trails that I’ve seen a five pound chihuahua do, and others that are best reserved for those who have already acquired their mountain lungs.

Try out one of Boulder’s Flatirons trials for awe-inspiring views. Get there early if you don’t want to fight for gulping breaths.

Near Evergreen, head to Staunton State Park, where you can pick and choose your path for a hike up to 10 miles, or as short as a mile. In Evergreen proper, Three Sisters/Alderfer park is a popular hiking spot, with three options for trails that range from easy to intermediate.

Denver’s Best Restaurants

Denver has truly seen a renaissance in its dining scene in the past 10 years, quite the comeback from when Anthony Bourdain infamously stated there was nothing good to eat in Denver. Now, this city is truly proud of its foodie status.

And it’s especially proud of Mercantile, whose owner/chef Alex Seidel won a James Beard Award this year. Head out for brunch or dinner for Mercantile’s housemate pasta, and try its world class banh mi.

For brunch, stop by Rosenberg’s Bagels for the best bagels in town, which is saying something since Denver knows a thing or two about bagels. Get a breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel or go for a simple lox on sesame.

If you’re looking for a killer brunch menu complete with breakfast cocktails, Jelly’s two locations have nearly everything, including  lavender blueberry pancakes, scrambles, Benedicts, and an array of donut holes in mouthwatering flavors. Live up your vacation vibes with Jelly’s Bloody Mary options.

In tune with the current national trends, Denver has become home to very popular food halls, too. My favorites are Zeppelin Station, Avanti F&B and the newly opened Milk Market.

Pick up Korean food and fried chicken at Zeppelin Station before heading to the wine garden next store. Enjoy an arepa at Avanti, and poke and homemade pasta at Milk Market before dining and playing cornhole on the picturesque patio.

For a sweet treat, it’s hard to go wrong with an ice cream flight at one of High Point Creamery’s three locations. Offerings include Earl Grey & Shortbread, Brown Sugar Cinnamon and Coconut Creme Brulee, amongst their many flavors.

Mile High Sightseeing

I’d argue that Denver has just as many Instagram worthy spots as Austin, one of the most popular being Union Station in downtown. Take a picture against Denver’s skyline before walking around Union Station to look at books and trinkets.

Grab a coffee before heading to the RiNo neighborhood to check out any one of the murals that dot the hippest neighborhood in Denver.

Enjoy nature in the city with a walk around Wash Park or Sloan’s Lake where you’ll see approximately a million dogs that’ll melt even a cat-lover’s heart.

You’re in the mountain land. It’s all right to chill.

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