True Traveler: Insider's Guide

True Denver

By Jacob Harkins | September 1, 2011

denver

With 300-plus days of sunshine, the Mile High City enjoys the outdoors year round—as well as its prized cultural institutions. That might be why its citizens are nearly always smiling. Where else can you climb a 14,000–foot peak and see a world–class opera in the same day?

Thread Count

The Brown Palace is both historic and luxurious, making it one of the premier hotel destinations in Denver (and the region for that matter). Sunday brunch at Ellyngtons is worth the stay alone (321 17th St, 303–297–3111).

New to Denver, The Four Seasons brings its signature luxury to the city and its roof-top pool/bar has quickly become the beautiful people’s downtown Denver’s outdoor living room in the summer (1111 14th St, 303-389-3000).

The Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center combines good views from its modern rooms and its sky–high bar, the Peaks Lounge, that overlooks the skyline and mountains (650 15th St, 303–436–1234).

On the boutique side, The Curtis Hotel offers pop–cultured themed floors and rooms (Big Hair floor anyone?). Cartoons play in the lobby and there’s even a 5&Dime (1405 Curtis St, 303–571–0300).

When big acts come to play Denver, they usually stay at Hotel Teatro, a boutique hotel with Denver’s only four–star restaurant, Restaurant Kevin Taylor (1100 14th St, 303–228–1100).

Food Fix

Chef Alex Seidel of Fruition has become a household name in Denver cuisine, taking home Best New Chef from Food & Wine magazine in 2010. The menu at his quaint Cheeseman Park eatery is as local as they come—he operates the restaurant’s farm and makes its goat cheese (1313 E 6th Ave, 303-831-1961).

Placing a high-end restaurant in a former mortuary building seems ghoulish and perfect for a Halloween meal, but Linger‘s prime LoHi space arguably the best view of the skyline in the city, tasty worldy flavors on its menu and an inventive cocktail list that make it a year-round treat (2030 W 30th Ave, 303-993-3120).

A Mediterranean–inspired menu brings Rioja to the top of the tony Larimer Square restaurant scene (1433 Larimer St, 303–820–2282).

Frank Bonnano has built a local food empire and won Food Network challenges. Bones is his playful, affordable and tasty fusion noodle house (701 Grant St, 303–860–2929).

Sushi Den leads the city’s surprising sushi scene. The haute eatery gets its fish daily from one of Japan’s best fish markets (1487 S Pearl St, 303–777–0826).

Eat prime strip steak at Elway’s the former NFL star’s namesake steakhouse in the Ritz-Carlton (1881 Curtis St, 303-312-3107).

Night Out

The Green Russell, a sexy subterranean bar/lounge, hasn’t even been open for a year, but it’s already being hailed as one of the best bars in America (1422 Larimer St, 303-893-6505).

Dazzle, one of the best in jazz clubs in the region, features music nightly (930 Lincoln St, 303–839–5100).

The owners/chefs of Ondo’s Spanish Tapas Bar in the tony Cherry Creek shopping district stuided Spanish cuisine and culture in Barcelona and San Sebastian for five years, which means the Marcona almonds are delicious and the house sangria is addictive (250 Steel St, 303-975-6514).

Lower Downtown is filled with turn–of–the–century brick warehouses converted into lofts and restaurants and bars. The casual vibe is heavy on sports and beer epitomized by Tavern Downtown, home of the largest rooftop party patio in the city (1949 Market St, 303–299–0100).

The Cruise Room is the best spot for a martini, set inside a room fashioned after a 1930s cruise liner (1600 17th St, 303–628–5400).

When a dash of trend is in order, head over to Forest Room 5 for intimate seating, great mojitos and a bar that gives change in dollar coins and $2 bills (2532 15th St, 303–433–7001).

Don’t Miss

Since his death in 1980, the private collection of famed Abstract Expressionist Clyfford Still was locked away. With the opening of his namesake museum, the public will be able to view the entire collection in a building designed to showcase his giant works (Bannock St & 13th Ave, 720-865-4317).

Washington Park (S Downing St & E Virginia Ave) is Denver’s flagship open space. Lakes, gardens, fields and more keep thousands of Denverites active on sunny days.

The Denver Art Museum received international recognition thanks to its Daniel Libskind designed expansion. The striking metallic exterior matches the thrilling spaces inside (100 W 14th Ave, 303–322–2308).

For the premier shopping district in the city, head to Cherry Creek North (University Blvd & E 1st Ave).

Stone’s Throw

Even without a concert, the majestic red rock formations surrounding Red Rocks Amphitheatre are worth a visit. Race up the steps (NFL Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow does), visit its music museum or take a hike and take in the view (18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, 720–865–2494).

North in Fort Collins, the New Belgium Brewery anchors the area’s national reputation for craft breweries (500 Linden St, 970–221–0524).

The Lowdown:

Before NBA star Carmelo Anthony and former Denver Nuggets fan favorite went to New York City to play for the Knicks, he shared his top Denver spots:

Downtown Aquarium enjoy taking my son, Kiyan, there. I love water too—sometimes I enjoy the exhibits more than he does (700 Water St, 303–561–4450).

Denver Zoo I’m big on animals and wildlife. I just love seeing the animals out there. I take the same pictures every time I go (2300 Steel St, 303–376–4800).

Lucky Strike Lanes downtown on the Mall. I just like to bowl and have fun. It’s nice to have a chance to exhale and relax (500 16th St, 300–629–9090).

What $100 Buys You In Denver

Four Rockpile tickets to a Colorado Rockies’ game which leaves $84 for parking, beers, snacks and souvenirs (20th & Blake Sts, 800–388–7625).

Five bottles of wine at Colorado Winery Row in Denver, a collection of tasting rooms and one full–fledged winery featuring four standouts in Colorado’s burgeoning wine industry (4640 Pecos St, 303–477–9463).

A round of golf, bucket of balls and the best golf–course hamburger in the Metro area at Fossil Trace Golf Club, a breathtaking course carved out of ancient rock formations (3050 Illinois St, 303–277–8750).

Two tickets to a marquee weekend act such as Greg Proops from Whose Line is it Anyway at Comedy Works plus drinks and an appetizer (1226 15th St, 303–595–3637).

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Posted In: attractions, Colorado, Denver, dining, hotels, Rocky Mountains, travel

Jacob Harkins: Jacob Harkins, who’s called Denver home for the last six years and Colorado the last 12, is the editor of ColoradoWino.com.