I was thrilled to get the opportunity to travel out west and Colorado did not disappoint. My husband had a work related trip to the area so I decided to tag along and loved every second of it. We had the opportunity to visit both Denver and Colorado Springs and these are some of the things we enjoyed in each city.
Denver
I wandered around Denver alone for a few days and thought it was very easy to navigate. I could get to most of the attractions by walking from our hotel. One thing I did not anticipate was that the weather in Denver can be a little tricky. During our stay, I went to the zoo wearing a sundress on a beautifully warm day. The next day there was a literal blizzard, so be sure to pack for anything. 16th Street can be a little touristy with chain restaurants and stores in abundance but if you meander around you can easily find the local attractions.
Denver Mint
I toured the Denver Mint, which is a free activity. I had never been to a mint so I found it to be very educational and interesting. You get a behind the scenes look at how something you use every day is made. They also have exhibits that show what other countries, cultures, and historical types of currency look like. The tour was about forty-five minutes and well worth the time. We even received an unstamped penny as a souvenir.
Molly Brown House Museum
Molly Brown is a legendary part of Denver’s history. You may recognize the name from the Titanic movie, but this is the real Molly Brown and her story. Her name was actually Margaret Brown; not Molly, or Maggie, it was Margaret. Margaret Brown is not someone you will hear about in history class but she played a vital role in her community. Coming from immigrant parents that didn’t have much, she didn’t receive a full education, yet she became one of the most respected women in Denver. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who is inspired by women in history. You will look at Denver in a whole new light after this tour and see Margaret Brown’s stamp on this city at every turn.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
If you’re into nature and music then this is the place for you. Red Rocks Amphitheater is host to a number of popular musical groups and is widely recognized for its beauty. Any “seat” in this theater will be amazing. Unfortunately there were no concerts when I visited but I would definitely plan on going to one if it’s available. Just walking around the area was one of the highlights of this trip. The trail around the theater is very moderate. Other than the stairs up and down the theater this was an easy walk with breathtaking views. As I previously mentioned there was a random blizzard I did not expect which was the day before we visited the Red Rocks area. This snow storm messed with our plans a little but didn’t stop us from having fun.
Comedy Works
This basement comedy club is a great way to spend a night full of laughter. Enjoy a few drinks and laugh the night away to some great comedians. You are required to buy at least two drinks and to lock your phone away before entering. This was new to me but I loved that my phone wouldn’t be a distraction to me and that others wouldn’t be interrupting the show with their phones. This cozy little club was a fun night and you never really know who might pop into a comedy club to do a quick set.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has a lot to offer a traveler. We only had one day to get there, do what we wanted to do, and get back to Denver, but if you have more time it is well worth it. When on a tight schedule, it is important to have a plan so you can have the experiences you want. We had two main activities in mind: we bought tickets for a train ride and wore something comfy to hike in.
Royal Gorge Railway
Take a train ride through some beautifully serene countryside and learn about the landscape around you on this unique experience. You glide along a river that is full of history. You might even see some wildlife like the bighorn sheep we saw grazing along the rocky hillside. The train offers dining options, and while this is convenient don’t expect it to be five star quality. I loved going out on the open air car where a crew member gave vivid details about the history of all there was to see. You also get a much better view while standing outside. If you prefer the indoors you will want to ride on the left side of the train in order to see the river or anything other than rock walls. Get a view of the smallest town in the United States, don’t blink or you’ll miss it, literally. This railroad has a rich history of silver mining, war, and travel that should be preserved and remembered. There are other activities in the area such as a hike to a bridge that you will learn about on the train so if you’d like a walk after your ride take comfortable shoes.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is one of the most beautiful places to visit and well worth the time. If you’re just passing through the area I highly recommend making this stop. Even if you just drive through it you won’t be disappointed. We arrived a little later in the day and didn’t have a lot of time but we did walk around on some of the trails to take in the amazing views. All the trails are well marked and maintained so it made for a great evening stroll as the sun set on this magnificent piece of natural artwork. There were very few parking spaces at some of the designated pull offs so be prepared to not be able to park where you want, especially during the busy season. We saw a group of deer very close to the road as we were leaving; it was nice to see them with not a care in the world that we were feet away as they munched on their evening snack.
Eats + Treats
The Jelly Cafe
We had the opportunity to try a variety of delicious meals and snacks while visiting Denver and Colorado Springs. In Denver, The Jelly Café stood out the most mainly because they had a breakfast hot brown called the “Molly” hot “Brown” in honor of Molly Brown. This cute little café is also just a few short minutes walk down the road from the Molly Brown house museum, making it super convenient before or after a tour there. It’s a cozy little cafe with teacups of all sorts hanging from the ceiling. The staff were friendly and provided quick service.
Sam’s Diner #3
The best diner experience we had was at Sam’s Diner #3. They have a vast menu so there’s something for everyone! This old school vibe diner is serving up some of the best food which is why I visited Sam’s Diner #3 twice while visiting the area. They’ve been in business since 1927 and it’s easy to see why; they’re supplying the best diner-style food with equally fantastic service.
Front Range BBQ
In Colorado Springs we had limited time for exploring food options, but after walking around the Garden of the Gods we were famished so we looked for some local joints and found Front Range BBQ. Adorned with nature decor and the heavenly scent of BBQ cooking, we knew we were in the right place. The menu item that caught our eye was called The Sloppy Pig; a monstrous sandwich filled with so much yummy goodness that you have to dislocate your jaw just to get it in your mouth. Naturally this was my husband’s food choice for the evening. I got the pulled pork like a lady as my husband scarfed down his sandwich which lived up to its sloppy name. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs on this one but it was well worth it!
End of the Road
Colorado is a great place to visit and I can’t wait to go back. If you are looking for a similar vacation in another state check out our trip to Arizona or the Grand Canyon. Subscribe to our page and follow us on social media to get the latest on trips like this and so much more.
