Denver & Minturn
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Logistics
Getting There
Denver: As the largest city in Colorado, Denver is the entry point to this wonderful state. The international airport is sizable, serving many domestic but also international flights. For those traveling from outside Colorado, you’ll fly into Denver airport. In order to travel from the airport into the city, you can use the easy airport train which takes you from the airport to Denver Union Station in about 45 minutes. Alternatively, there’s uber / ride sharing apps available or you can rent your own car if considering leaving the city of Denver in your visit.
Minturn: Found about 2 hours outside Denver, this is a small town at the base of the Rocky Mountains and about 10 minutes from the well known Vail ski resort. It’s a great base for hiking and skiing, and not overrun with tourism yet.
Getting Around
The city of Denver is a decent size, meaning there are areas of it that are walkable, but its doubtful you’ll walk as your only form of transit. Taxis and ride sharing services are easy to grab for short rides. There is also a metro in the city which can help travel between certain parts of the city.
If traveling outside the city, it’s especially helpful to have a car. This allows you flexibility to visit different areas and towns.
Accommodations
Denver: The Maven Hotel – Nice hotel located in downtown Denver acting as a good home base location when visiting the city.
Minturn: Minturn Rentals – great place to stay with a family to explore the surrounding area
Things to do and see
Breweries
Denver has tons of breweries spread throughout the city. Stop in to try local beverages and enjoy an afternoon exploring!
Rockies
Catch a Colorado Rockies game at Coors field
Day trip to Golden
Head to the nearby town of Golden for a day trip. Consider stopping at Bonfire Burritos for a morning breakfast burrito and continue onward to the city center. If you are lucky enough to visit on a nice weather day, rent inner tubes and take them out on the river making a real life lazy river. Then pop into one of the local breweries for a drink.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Plan a trip to a concert at this incredible outdoor venue
Hiking
Head outside the city to enjoy some of the many hiking paths in the area
Hanging Lakes
Found about 2.5 hours from Denver in Glenwood Canyon, Hanging Lakes is a nice hiking spot to visit. It requires pre-booking as there is controlled entry to the lakes. Be sure to book spots in advance on the day you’d like to do the trail. It’s a short out and back hike with a total distance around approx. 6km
Skiing
Check out one of Colorado’s many ski resorts to get out on the mountain in the winter time
Food and Drinks
Little Man Ice Cream
Dessert
Denver
Delicious creamery with ice cream you cannot miss!
Littleton Brewing Co.
Drinks
Littleton
Brewery in Littleton (next to Denver) with a rooftop bar providing gorgeous views. Perfect for an afternoon drink on a nice day.
Vail Brewing Co.
Drinks
Minturn
Vail brewery well worth a visit on a nice afternoon or post hike. There’s two locations, one in Vail Village, and one outside the main town in Eagle.
Rocky Mountain Taco
Lunch
Minturn
Excellent tacos, perfect for lunch
Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar
Dinner
Minturn
Casual barbecue restaurant
Sundae
Ice Cream
Vail or Edwards
Creamery with classic and fun flavors. Ice cream is delicious and well worth a splurge!
Sunrise Minturn | Cafe + Cocktails
Brunch
Minturn
From coffee and breakfast to boozy brunch with cocktails or simple sandwiches, Sunrise is a nice neighborhood cafe to stop into
Other Notes
Duration
A weekend is the perfect amount of time for a first visit to Denver, but if interested in doing more outdoorsy activities, plan for more time. It’s nice to stop through Denver for a few days and then head outside the city to the mountains to hike, cycle, ski or just enjoy the outdoors.
Weather
Denver is known for being very sunny, making it a very appealing destination to visit. With an abundance of outdoor activities accessible from Colorado with a car, there’s something to do every season.