Ah, Denver, you will always be home to me.
Here are some fun things to do in the area:
Golden:
- Coors Brewery Tour (all ages)
- Buffalo Bill's Grave/Museum - top of Lookout Mountain
- Mother Cabrini's Shrine (Patron Saint of Miners)
- Colorado School of Mines' Geology Museum
- Colorado Railroad Museum (MUST SEE if you like trains/have boys
)
further west...
- Idaho Springs for the above pubs, also Mining history (Tour the Argo Gold Mine)
- Georgetown; world famous George Town Loop (narrowguage) Railroad (may not be running this early); charming shops in an historic mountain town
- Leadville: the TWO mile high city, highest incorporated city; Mining museum, Baby Doe's cabin/Matchless Mine (Look up Horace Tabor)
Denver:
- Denver Mint - Great Tour, CALL NOW FOR RESERVATIONS!!! (walk to--v)
- Byers-Evans Mansion/Museum (walk next to --v)
- Denver Art Museum (walk next to --v)
- Colorado State Capitol - another "Don't Miss", especially the climb to the top of the dome (walk to --v)
- Colorado History Museum - great exhibits on Colorado History/People
- Molly Brown House - ("Unsinkable" Molly survived the Titanic!)
- Ocean Journey (aquarium a mile high?? go figure! Next to --v)
- Denver Children's Museum (near --v)
- Six Flag's over Elitches (was better before they moved downtown, still the kids might like)
- Denver Zoo - very good zoo (next to --v)
- Denver Museum of Natural History (+IMAX) - Good minerals display, dinosaurs, etc. + a planetarium
Places to eat unique to Denver (not chains)
- Between Denver and Golden off I70 at Kipling street, Luke's Steak House. I would put Lukes against ANY high price steak house you care to name, PERIOD. Good steak, ~25$
- Common Grounds Coffee House - MY old coffee shop, in the Highlands neighborhood, 32nd & Lowell, also near several VERY good restaurants (Bang, Highlands Garden Cafe)
- Shakespeares - Pool Hall, dinner, hangout (not a dive). 15th street near downtown, across the street from
- My Brother's Bar - little bar, very popular with the locals, try the buffalo burger
- La Loma - The. Best. Fajitas. Ever. North Denver off near Spear Blvd and I70
- Patsy's. You want some of the best North Denver Old Italian food ever? Go to Patsy's. You may just see some of the local big shots chowing down on some home made pasta or pizza.
- Tattered Cover - One of the Best Book stores west of the Miss. includes coffee shop and comfy chairs to veg and read.
- La Central - AFFORDABLE French cuisine in a place that isn't snobby! 8th & Broadway (portions aren't small either!!)
- Old Chicago - any . I know I said no chains, but Old Chicago STARTED in Denver so there! Pick a beer, any beer and you can probably get it there.
- speaking of beer, APPLEJACK liquors (near Golden, I70 and 32nd ave). You want to see one of the best wine/beer/cigar stores around, here it is.
- Sunrise cafe (32nd and Sheridan) two stores, best breakfast hash around town.
- Bonnie Brae inn - fav for Pizza for what, 40 or so years? University and ?
Anyway, I tried to give you what I consider to be the Best of Denver that you can get (mostly) only in Denver.
Feel free to post or PM if I didn't cover something or you want more info.
Oops, I forgot the Butterfly pavilion, up north on Sheridan (92nd?) - Great place for kids who like bugs