SwampDog visits Denver - Need Help

So, my wife and I will be moving out west from Charlotte around September of this year. We have narrowed the destinations to to Denver, Portland, and Seattle. Right now, Denver is the leading candidate and we will be visiting February 9-12 to scope the city and are looking for some recommendations.

We will be staying in Lower Highlands and I really need to show her a great time out there to sell her on the town. Denver is my preference so I need a couple of cool activities / spots to visit to ensure a great weekend. I would like to do a fairly easy hike that's near the city that will give some nice views one of the days.

Also thinking about visiting the Denver Art Museum (never been to one with her but she loves that type of thing and I know this will help her have a memorable experience). Yelp can pretty much take care of restaurants / breweries / bars, but anything there that is a stand out is welcome. We will be trying to avoid renting a car and ubering everywhere.

Anyways, thanks in advance for the help dudes!

Would love to have you out here! Hope it works out. If you are able to do a drive, Coal Creek Canyon has some pretty views from the road. It's about 40 minutes to the top, 30 minutes down. The Coors Brewery is a cool tour to do as well. Also, here's a thread that Pete started when he was in your same situation: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?28055-All-things-Colorado

Red Rocks is a world class amphitheater but also a great place for an easy hike not far from town. You could go hike Red Rocks then walk around Golden, pretty much a perfect lil town where Coors is. Morrison is also a good lunch spot just south of Red Rocks.

If she likes sushi, Hapa Sushi will be perfect. Get the Multiple Orgasm role. Actual name. Actually might give you one.

We have one of two REI Flagship stores and its in a sweet building in the city. I'd hit that up for sure. It's near the aquarium if you want to do that too.

I have yet to go, but I've heard good things about the Breckinridge brewery, a short walk from the nearest light rail station. What kind of food do you guys like?


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Roxburough park has lots of easy (i.e. "civilized") hiking and good views. It's southwest of the Denver metro area.


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Lots of good places to eat in Lo-Hi, Pinche Tacos is one of my favorite down there. Some of the better breweries are in that area and the River North area, on the other side of Coors Field from Lo-Hi.

+1 on Red Rocks and Coal Creek Canyon. I helped open the REI flagship years ago and it is a really cool building. If you have never been to a big brewery the Coors tour is interesting, otherwise a bunch of the smaller breweries will give tours if you ask. There is usually a something interesting at the Museum of Nature and Science as well.

And, well wheeling, but February is not always the best for that.

First and foremost, Red Rocks is a must. Then head over to Golden and take a walk. Really cool little downtown area. From Golden, head up Lookout Mountain. About 3/4 of the way up is a nice hiking trail that heads directly west. Trial is mostly flat so the altitude wont kill you too badly. It's an out-and-back trail so you only need to go as far as you feel like. Great views and good opportunity to get out in nature a bit without having to trek up into the mountains very far. After the trail, head the rest of the way up and take in the view of the city from Buffalo Bills grave. While you're in Golden, swing by TrailJeeps and say hi to Wes and Tim. Check out the shop, drool on Tims Jeep, you know, the usual.

From Lower Highlands, you could likely walk to Breckenridge Brewery - Get the Vanilla Porter. There are tons of brew-pubs downtown - Wynkoop being my personal fav. Heck, Pepsi Center is practically walking distance. Check out an Avs game or watch our lousy excuse for a basketball team get clobbered by a local high school varsity team.

Art Museum is a great choice too. I havent been in a few years so I'm sure it has changed but it was quality stuff and I really enjoyed it. The building architecture alone is worth checking out.

You could catch a shuttle bus to Blackhawk if you're interested in casinos and Prime Rib at all. And I'll second Hapa Sushi. Really good stuff.

Welcome back Dawg! I wish I had more info, but that thread Doug pointed out might help a tad.

Thanks for the recommendations so far. She has visited once before (her bachelorette party) and did red rocks and loved it. Hapa sushi has been added to the list. Honestly though, Sushi in the middle of the country should raise a red flag, but, I trust y'all...Lake/River Sushi it is!

swampdog said:

Thanks for the recommendations so far. She has visited once before (her bachelorette party) and did red rocks and loved it. Hapa sushi has been added to the list. Honestly though, Sushi in the middle of the country should raise a red flag, but, I trust y'all...Lake/River Sushi it is!

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Ha, no man, it's quality stuff. You'll like it. In a very nice part of town too.

swampdog said:

Thanks for the recommendations so far. She has visited once before (her bachelorette party) and did red rocks and loved it. Hapa sushi has been added to the list. Honestly though, Sushi in the middle of the country should raise a red flag, but, I trust y'all...Lake/River Sushi it is!

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GraniteCrystal said:

Ha, no man, it's quality stuff. You'll like it. In a very nice part of town too.

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Lol. I've eaten at Hapa's Boulder location many times. Good stuff. If for some reason it's far away from you in Denver, there's also Sushi Train right off Hampden and I25 as well and IWAYAMA on the west side of town off of Bowles and Simms. But Hapa is good.

swampdog said:

Thanks for the recommendations so far. She has visited once before (her bachelorette party) and did red rocks and loved it. Hapa sushi has been added to the list. Honestly though, Sushi in the middle of the country should raise a red flag, but, I trust y'all...Lake/River Sushi it is!

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There is a difference from fresh off the boat, but unless you are a true connoisseur you won't notice. The high end Sushi places around here get it flown in fresh. Keep in mind some of the stuff that is top grade has to come from out of the country anyway.

We tend to have better meat out here though. If you want some dining experiences I would add the Buckhorn Exchange or The Fort, both have some exotic meats available.

Hide your women


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