Hidden Gems in Denver, Colorado

Denver is thought for its craft beer scene, entry to nature, and excessive altitude. It’s considered the “Mile Excessive Metropolis” as a result of it sits over 5,000 toes above sea stage. There isn’t a scarcity of pleasure that locals can discover whereas dwelling in Denver, but when you end up eager to enterprise off the overwhelmed path, we’ve acquired the record for you. We reached out to locals to share their favourite hidden gems in Denver. So whether or not you reside in an condo in Capitol Hill or simply purchased a home in Highland, you gained’t need to miss these native favorites. 

Nature and Science Museum 

“My favourite spot to benefit from the Denver skyline set in opposition to the Rocky Mountains is the Nature and Science Museum,” notes Little Miss Bike Tour, a weblog devoted to solo journey on a motorcycle. “Make your approach as much as the Third-floor rooftop terrace at sundown for a postcard-worthy view of Metropolis Park.” 

However earlier than making your approach as much as the terrace, make sure you try one of many many displays on the Nature and Science Museum together with Egyptian Mummies and House Odyssey. 

Demise and Glory 

Demise and Glory is a skate store that makes a speciality of inline skates, rollerskates, and skateboards since 2018.

Jackie Zoeller of Denver Headshot Co. notes, “One such place we have now realized to like is the skate store on South Broadway, referred to as Demise and Glory. That place is so effectively put collectively and so educated about wholesome methods to spend money and time. Despite the fact that we don’t purchase skates each time we go in, there’s all the time the expertise of seeing what’s new whether or not it’s stickers, merchandise, posters, tattoos, or ground plans.” 

Elitch Gardens

Elitch Backyard is a theme and waterpark which has been open for over 100 years.

“A favourite place of mine can be Elitch Gardens which has a wealthy historical past,” shares native photographer Kelly Hein of Venn Diagram Images. “Elitch Gardens was run by Mary Elitch and her husband. She was a thriving feminine enterprise proprietor of the time as soon as her husband handed shortly after the opening of the, then, Zoological Park. She attracted individuals to the Metropolis of Denver whereas everybody else was getting wealthy with Gold up within the mountains.”

Chatfield Reservoir, Cherry Hills, and Cherry Creek Reservoir

Denver has all the time been an incredible location for cyclists. With sunny climate 300 days a yr, biking is nearly a year-round out of doors exercise. 

Gravel Bike Adventures, a female-led web site that creates gravel bike routes shares, “With the inhabitants progress in Denver during the last ten years, we have now seen an enormous curiosity in gravel biking. Gravel biking is good for maintaining you away from automobile visitors, it doesn’t require quite a lot of technical abilities like mountain biking, and you continue to get to see the gorgeous panorama that Colorado supplies.”

They advocate testing Chatfield Reservoir and Waterton Canyon, Cherry Hills and Highline Canal, and Cherry Creek Reservoir as nice choices for gravel biking.

Beaver Meadows (Path #44)

“Close to Evergreen, CO, Beaver Meadows is a hidden gem that’s near the Denver metro space. This less-traveled path has old-growth pine, wildflower meadows, beaver ponds, stunning views of  Mt. Evans, and historic shelters. The catch is the path is barely open in the summertime, requires driving 5 miles down a washboard tough dust highway, and also you’ll want a fishing license to hike there – even if you happen to’re not fishing.”  reveals Karen Hoglund, a neighborhood photographer.

Mile Excessive Spirits

Mile Excessive Spirits is a distillery and lounge that gives home cocktails, dwell music, and meals vans. Additionally they supply excursions, cocktail lessons, and personal occasions.

“What makes it distinctive right here is that they take you thru the entire course of, raves Denver Native Excursions, a tour firm providing strolling excursions all through Denver’s neighborhoods. “You see all the things from the Rack Home the place over 53,000 gallons of Whiskies are being aged, and also you rise up shut and private with the distilling tools. To complete it off, you really get to style the distillate (Moonshine) proper out of the nonetheless at full proof.” 

Howdy Darling

“Howdy Darling is a model new espresso and cocktail lab in Riverfront Park and the right place to take pleasure in craft espresso and domestically baked pastries by day and cocktails with cheese and charcuterie at evening,” shares Native Desk Excursions, a neighborhood meals tour. 

Some must-tries embody their domestically sourced espresso and basic cocktails comparable to espresso martinis and Manhattans. 

El Noa Noa

El Noa Noa is a family-owned Mexican restaurant that gives all the things from guacamole and chips to steak fajitas. 

“My hidden gem is El Noa Noa restaurant. This unassuming Mexican restaurant has been a staple on Santa Fe Drive for 42 years and has the most effective patio. I all the time order the identical factor: Tacos Mi Tierra and their Coin Margarita,” shares Jeremy Rill, a neighborhood photographer.

The ART Resort – FIRE Terrace

FIRE Terrace is a rooftop bar positioned within the ART Resort. It overlooks Broadway road and supplies an exquisite view of  Denver.

“The 4th-floor terrace on the ART Resort (FIRE Terrace) is a favourite spot to collect with mates within the Golden Triangle for drinks and appetizers. It’s open year-round and is very good on a summer time night. It’s a nice and welcoming house for informal get-togethers with good views of the town,” raves Golden Triangle of Denver, a inventive district of Denver.

Sam’s No. 3

Sam’s No. 3 is a diner staple with areas in Aurora, Glendale, and Downtown. They’ve an in depth menu with meals like poutine, prawn benedict, and pork carnitas road tacos. 

“Denver is full of so many hidden gems, and our household’s favourite is Sam’s No. 3. There may be nothing fancy about Sam’s No. 3, however if you happen to love diners you’ll need to give them a strive, the pancakes and chili cheese fries are must-haves,” says The Denver Housewife, a weblog devoted to life in Denver. 

Bigsby’s Folly Craft Vineyard 

Bigsby’s Folly is a Craft Vineyard that gives home wines and a full-service bar. Additionally they have a menu that features small bites like truffle popcorn and tomato bisque. 

“For a singular spot that’s excellent for catching up, sipping cocktails, and noshing, I undoubtedly advocate Bigsby’s Folly Craft Vineyard and Restaurant,” shares native photographer Erin Winter. “They’ve small plates excellent for sharing, along with numerous wines and full-bar choices. Be certain to take pleasure in some Inexperienced Chili Goat Cheese dip and a Satan’s Margarita whereas kicking again of their art-deco-inspired furnishings.”