For those who might think that Denver in Colorado would be a boring city that grew up from the whispers of goldmines, you are completely wrong. And we are about to prove it for you. This city guide will show all the reasons why this amazing city, that survived a civil war, is getting so hip. So lets share with you some of the best and most delicious spots in Denver.
The Brown Palace Hotel has long stood as the pride of luxury hotels in Denver, Colorado – embraced by the city as its own and regarded as a national treasure. For more than a century our hotel has stood as an anchor to the bustling financial and cultural district, playing host to presidents, prime ministers, and celebrities.
Hotel Monaco Denver offers signature Kimpton Hotel hospitality and colorful style in the heart of downtown. Surrounded by the city’s top theaters, restaurants, shops and attractions, our boutique hotel provides luxurious accommodations along with unsurpassed services and amenities.
Located in downtown Denver Colorado, in the heart of Denver’s music and theatre district, Hotel Teatro is surrounded by up-and-coming culinary hotspots, top sports franchises and a breath-taking Rocky Mountain backdrop. Denver’s only luxury boutique hotel offers exquisite accommodations for the business traveler or romantic weekend getaway. For the traveler looking for an authentic local experience, one should look no further in the “Mile High City” than Denver’s Hotel Teatro.
http://www.hotelteatro.com/
After you know where to stay, you need to know all about the most important galleries in this amazing city.
lulu’s furniture & decor
lulu’s furniture & décor is truly family owned and operated with all five members of founder Christy Vranesic Brant’s family on staff. Its fun array of classically hip and funky accessories and furniture can give your home an instant boost of chic. Find local and U.S. made items as well as one-of-a-kind pieces available for purchase off the floor.
Navajo Street Art District
It’s Denver’s first officially designated art district and home to artist co-ops, galleries, performing arts, and one of the oldest Italian restaurants in town — Patsy’s, which opened in 1921.
Plus Gallery
Karen and Ivar Zeile, the husband-and-wife team behind this gallery, provide one of the most reputable platforms for progressive contemporary art in town by supporting local emerging talent combined with nationally renowned exhibitions.
And next the design shops that you should visit.
Knoll Showroom
A favorite for architects and designers, Knoll can help turn your office into a showroom of its own using their iconic modern pieces and organizational solutions.
Meininger’s Art Supply
Everything, anything, and probably more of what you think you might find at an art supply store. Family owned and operated since 1881, fourth generation Henry Meininger runs the show today with two more locations in Boulder and Colorado Springs.
Wazee Union
A think-tank of sorts for local up-and-coming creatives that houses 61 studios. It’s one of the most thriving collective art scenes in the city where tenants can showcase and sell their work during the “Second Saturday” of each month. Don’t miss Left Bank Collection for antique reproduction mirrors and Stereo Abstract’s mixed media paintings.
Its amazing how many design shops you can visit in Denver. Next you have the best one to visit.
Super Ordinary Gallery
A hip hub for DIY workshops, art shows, artist discussions, and fashion shows. Sounds like a typical gallery, right? Wrong. Local design duo Tran and Josh Wills have opened their urban home to cultivate a downtown artist community, which has turned the extra into super ordinary.
The bustling Downtown and Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhoods are where it all began. While most of the city’s center is home to big business, it’s packed with cultural landmarks in the Golden Triangle and cute boutiques and outdoor cafés in Larimer Square. If we’re being honest here, try to avoid the 16th Street Mall above Lawrence Street, which is lined with chain restaurants and retailers (although H&M did open its doors earlier this year).
It’s inevitable that the industrial part of town will eventually turn its vacant warehouses and rail yards into great gallery spaces, hip hangouts, and modern lofts. Jack Kerouac’s old neighborhood has followed suit over the past decade and is now home to a crazy concentration of creative businesses and artists.
The top restaurants in Denver deserve a visit, for the food and for all the cosmopolitan environment.
Trillium
One of Denver’s best new restaurants, this casual urban bistro serves up rustic American cuisines with a Scandinavian influence. Beyond their impressive list of locally produced wines and signature Norwegian nibbles, it’s also one of the only places in town with nightly caviar service on the menu.
Hutch & Spoon
Leave your computer at home before heading to this WiFi-unfriendly breakfast and lunch favorite. The owner’s personal collection of spoons covers the walls, and breakfast is served all day on vintage china. Try the watermelon, feta, and black olive salad with a handmade cucumber soda for a light lunch.
Crema
This hipster hangout is devoted to the art of coffee making and passionately serves up NOVO, Pablo’s, and Herkimer beans via French press. Resident chef Jonathan Power was recently brought on board to create inventive café fare including sweet potato waffles, rose sugar bruleed grapefruit, quinoa salad, and a daily quiche selection.
Mile High Spirits
Three buddies converted a warehouse into a private label distillery earlier this year and decided they needed a tasting room to go with it. The airy space feels like you’re hanging out in your friend’s super cool garage with chic cabin accents — leather couches, cowhide rugs, wood ottomans, and a pool table. It’s my pick for the freshest cocktail with the funkiest vibe.
There are two museums that you should visit in Denver.
The Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Multidisciplinary center offers a varied, year-round program of theater, dance & concerts, art & historical exhibitions & hands on art & humanities education for all. 500-seat indoor theater, 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheater, museum, gallery, classrooms, studios &
The Museum of Contemporary Art
The David Adjaye-designed building is an incubator for contemporary artists, featuring an eclectic and rotating collection of photography, new media, and modern works. After strolling through the stark space, sip a glass of wine at the MCA Café on the rooftop with beautiful views of downtown. The gift shop is also a must.
We selected the most desirable SPAs. You can just relax from the vibrant city and appreciate a day of treatments for your health.
The Spa at the Brown Palace
www.brownpalacespa.com
Downtown Denver’s crown jewel, the historic Brown Palace Hotel, recently opened one of the city’s most luxurious spas, the Spa at the Brown Palace.
The Oxford Club at the Oxford Hotel
www.oxfordclubspa.com
The Oxford Hotel, located in the heart of Lower Downtown (LoDo), houses a sophisticated spa that pampers visitors with skin and body care tailored to Colorado’s elements.
Spa Universaire at the Belvedere
www.spauniversaire.com/spa.htm
Even if your downtown hotel doesn’t offer a spa, there are several neighborhood sanctuaries worth seeking out. For a first-rate massage—often earning the top nod from local media—visit Spa Universaire located in an upscale apartment building, the Belvedere.
Next a selection of the best wineries in Denver.
Augustina’s Winery
Hidden away in an industrial park on the edge of Boulder, Augustina’s produces the most whimsical of Colorado wines. There’s a WineChick Red (Shiraz blend), a WineChick White (a blend of Riesling and Gewurztraminer), and others as the spirit moves the winemaker. Augustina’s wines are intended to be paired with activities more than food – thus, Backpacker red or a Front Porch white. Nothing pretentious, but very drinkable. Labels, set on the bottles in a diamond-shape, feature original art.
Avanti Winery
The big sign says “Cigars” but take our word for it – this is a winery. Besides selling wines from more than 30 Colorado wineries (the largest collection of Colorado wines in Denver) Avanti Winery makes a few of its own. We’re talking Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, port and a red table wine – a blend that changes.
If it’s available, try the Mystique wine – a wine that began as a happy mistake and ended up being a best-seller. The pleasant atmosphere, with a gift shop and wine bar, invites guests to linger to taste the wares. And though they also do sell fine cigars, there’s no smoking in the winery.
Balistreri Vineyards
A vineyard in the middle of Denver? Yes. It started as a flower farm in 1969, but in 1998, the Balistreri family decided to plant some grapes. Since then, the Balistreris have been making wines in the Italian tradition. The site includes a tasting room and gift shop and a number of events are hosted on the property.
The award-winning wines at Balistreri include Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Zinfandel, Port and Colorado cherry wines. Whites include Chardonnay, Viognier and Muscat. Their wines are made from 98 percent Colorado grapes, including some grown on site.
The country clube living life style is very present in the Denver society, so if you would like to play some golf just check our suggestions next.
The oldest country club west of the Mississippi, the Denver Country Club is steeped in history and tradition. It was formed in 1887 and moved to its present location along Cherry Creek in 1905. The Denver Country Club has been a leader in a number of diverse sports – lawn bowling and croquet, figure skating, hockey, golf, tennis, and swim. http://www.denvercc.net
Life Begins… at Cherry Creek Country Club, Colorado’s only Life, Liberties, Luxury community dedicated solely to the preservation of a pure luxury lifestyle. It begins the moment you step foot inside our walls, into a living experience that from sunup to sundown, is one non-stop leisurely excursion in the good life. From the award-winning Nicklaus-designed golf course to the Clubhouse, Spa and European-inspired grounds, you’ll discover a world of privilege that most people… only get to imagine. http://www.cherrycreekcountryclub.com/
For luxury houses, there is an amazing web site (http://www.uniquehomes.com/luxury-homes/USA/CO/Denver) where you can find all kind of houses in Denver, but what is definitely worth it is to take a look at the luxury houses with prices of more than 3 millions dollars.
We are almost ending this city guide, in order to finish we want to invite you to visit the Art District on Santa Fe, an unique, nationally known art and cultural district with over 60 galleries, restaurants, theatre and shops. The Art District is open every day of the week and opens its doors freely to lively crowds for popular events such as the First Friday Art Walk, held every first Friday of the month, and Preview Night, a more intimate gathering held every third Friday.
One point of interest is also:
Capitol Hill, Uptown, E. Colfax
Once dubbed “the longest, wickedest street in America” by Playboy, Colfax Avenue runs right through these three neighborhoods. Still slightly gritty, it’s home to a wild nightlife scene, bizarre boutiques, concert venues, and buzzing eateries.
Ângelo Gomes
