Guidebook for Denver
Food Scene
New American small plates & artisanal cocktails in an industrial-style space with graffitied walls.
102 locals recommend
Acorn
3350 Brighton BlvdNew American small plates & artisanal cocktails in an industrial-style space with graffitied walls.
Laid-back eatery offering hearty Southern breakfast & lunch classics in a historic Victorian. A DEFINITE MUST! Located just a couple of blocks away
178 locals recommend
Sassafras American Eatery, Highlands
3927 W 32nd AveLaid-back eatery offering hearty Southern breakfast & lunch classics in a historic Victorian. A DEFINITE MUST! Located just a couple of blocks away
Very hip and tailor-themed Northern Italian eatery boasts pinstriped banquettes & a wood-stone oven.
65 locals recommend
Sarto's
2900 W 25th AveVery hip and tailor-themed Northern Italian eatery boasts pinstriped banquettes & a wood-stone oven.
A lively restaurant with a rooftop lounge & global small plates. Hip and trendy restaurant, great for getting a couple drinks before and/or after dinner.
743 locals recommend
Linger
2030 W 30th AveA lively restaurant with a rooftop lounge & global small plates. Hip and trendy restaurant, great for getting a couple drinks before and/or after dinner.
A converted filling station is an artful, high-energy venue for creative American small plates. Great food!
515 locals recommend
Root Down
1600 W 33rd AveA converted filling station is an artful, high-energy venue for creative American small plates. Great food!
Craft beer & modern, bistro-style fare offered in an airy, urbane two-story setting with a terrace.
75 locals recommend
Briar Common Brewery + Eatery
2298 Clay StCraft beer & modern, bistro-style fare offered in an airy, urbane two-story setting with a terrace.
Semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space.
17 locals recommend
Maggiano's Little Italy
500 16th St MallSemi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space.
Modern steakhouse serving chops, small plates & fine wines in an airy space with a raw bar & patio.
90 locals recommend
Guard and Grace
1801 California StModern steakhouse serving chops, small plates & fine wines in an airy space with a raw bar & patio.
Garden-to-table American meals & a popular happy hour in an eco-friendly urban space. Trendy spot.
48 locals recommend
The Kitchen
1560 Wazee StGarden-to-table American meals & a popular happy hour in an eco-friendly urban space. Trendy spot.
Bi-level shipping container with a variety of vendors (pizza, sushi & more), plus a lively rooftop bar. Great place for groups wanting to go out and have drinks.
651 locals recommend
Avanti Food and Beverage
3200 North Pecos StreetBi-level shipping container with a variety of vendors (pizza, sushi & more), plus a lively rooftop bar. Great place for groups wanting to go out and have drinks.
All-day cafe with quaint parlor rooms & a garden patio that also hosts art receptions & live music.
37 locals recommend
Highlands Cork & Coffee
3701 W 32nd AveAll-day cafe with quaint parlor rooms & a garden patio that also hosts art receptions & live music.
Highbrow Mexican cuisine & imaginative drinks fuel the bustling scene at this cantina with a patio.
138 locals recommend
Lola Coastal Mexican
1575 Boulder StHighbrow Mexican cuisine & imaginative drinks fuel the bustling scene at this cantina with a patio.
Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites and WiFi availability.
47 locals recommend
Starbucks
2990 W 44th AveSeattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites and WiFi availability.
Vibrant, retro chain serving a seasonal menu of creative breakfast & lunch fare, plus cocktails.
862 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
6315 W 104th AveVibrant, retro chain serving a seasonal menu of creative breakfast & lunch fare, plus cocktails.
Spacious seafood spot with open kitchen turns out everything from crudo & caviar to lobster rolls.
35 locals recommend
Stoic & Genuine
1701 Wynkoop StSpacious seafood spot with open kitchen turns out everything from crudo & caviar to lobster rolls.
Within one year of opening, Sushi Sasa had been given the title of Best Sushi Restaurant by Westword, The Rocky Mountain News, and CitySearch. The décor is modern and is a great place for a date.
106 locals recommend
Sushi Sasa
2401 15th StWithin one year of opening, Sushi Sasa had been given the title of Best Sushi Restaurant by Westword, The Rocky Mountain News, and CitySearch. The décor is modern and is a great place for a date.
This is a great neighborhood bar. The food is excellent and a good value for burgers and American fare. Great beer selection. Non invasive classical music in the background. Perfect spot to get a bite to eat and have a cold beer during the day.
101 locals recommend
My Brother's Bar
2376 15th StThis is a great neighborhood bar. The food is excellent and a good value for burgers and American fare. Great beer selection. Non invasive classical music in the background. Perfect spot to get a bite to eat and have a cold beer during the day.
Colt and Gray is a locally owned and operated neighborhood restaurant serving the highest quality American style food and drink in an elegant yet comfortable environment. They also have a speakeasy next door that’s really cool. This is a great restaurant for a date night.
35 locals recommend
Colt & Gray
1553 Platte StColt and Gray is a locally owned and operated neighborhood restaurant serving the highest quality American style food and drink in an elegant yet comfortable environment. They also have a speakeasy next door that’s really cool. This is a great restaurant for a date night.
Little Man Ice Cream is an ice cream shop that offers delicious ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. VERY popular, expect long lines!
538 locals recommend
Little Man Ice Cream
2620 16th StLittle Man Ice Cream is an ice cream shop that offers delicious ice cream, gelato, and sorbet. VERY popular, expect long lines!
Great decor, splendid service, scrumptious food - all at higher prices. However, you get what you pay for. It’s well worth it! We normally go here for a nicer lunch after walking around Cherry Creek shopping district and/or going to the Cherry Creek Mall.
40 locals recommend
Cherry Creek Grill
184 Steele StGreat decor, splendid service, scrumptious food - all at higher prices. However, you get what you pay for. It’s well worth it! We normally go here for a nicer lunch after walking around Cherry Creek shopping district and/or going to the Cherry Creek Mall.
True Food Kitchen is a very popular and healthy option in Cherry Creek. The menu is free of most things butter and fat but still full of inventive dining options, with dishes like a hearty spaghetti squash casserole and seasonal autumn salad with roasted cauliflower and brussels sprouts. And the sleek, modern interior is usually packed with sleek, health-conscious Creekers.
90 locals recommend
True Food Kitchen
2800 E 2nd AveTrue Food Kitchen is a very popular and healthy option in Cherry Creek. The menu is free of most things butter and fat but still full of inventive dining options, with dishes like a hearty spaghetti squash casserole and seasonal autumn salad with roasted cauliflower and brussels sprouts. And the sleek, modern interior is usually packed with sleek, health-conscious Creekers.
Don't be led astray by the name - sure, you'll be tempted by the vast array of exotic cheesecakes on display, but the Cheesecake Factory's encyclopedic menu and enormous portions of pre- dessert foods just might have you taking the cheesecake home in a take-out box. You can order just about anything here - from pad Thai to gooey pizza to shrimp tacos to a sophisticated steak. It's a great place for picky eaters (AKA - kids!) and features a nice patio from which to people- watch those 16th street strollers while you indulge.
40 locals recommend
The Cheesecake Factory
1201 16th St MallDon't be led astray by the name - sure, you'll be tempted by the vast array of exotic cheesecakes on display, but the Cheesecake Factory's encyclopedic menu and enormous portions of pre- dessert foods just might have you taking the cheesecake home in a take-out box. You can order just about anything here - from pad Thai to gooey pizza to shrimp tacos to a sophisticated steak. It's a great place for picky eaters (AKA - kids!) and features a nice patio from which to people- watch those 16th street strollers while you indulge.
The Buckhorn, Denver's original steakhouse, is a National Historic Landmark located in the city's oldest neighborhood. The restaurant has been serving Old West fare since 1893! A charming rooftop patio overlooks downtown, and is open year round, thanks to the patio heaters. Downstairs, you'll dine with HUNDREDS of mounted game heads - FYI, this is a spot for meat lovers: vegetarians and animal-loving kids, beware! Prime grade beef steaks, buffalo prime rib, elk, salmon, quail, game hen, and baby-back pork ribs are just some of the offerings on the menu.
103 locals recommend
Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant
1000 Osage StThe Buckhorn, Denver's original steakhouse, is a National Historic Landmark located in the city's oldest neighborhood. The restaurant has been serving Old West fare since 1893! A charming rooftop patio overlooks downtown, and is open year round, thanks to the patio heaters. Downstairs, you'll dine with HUNDREDS of mounted game heads - FYI, this is a spot for meat lovers: vegetarians and animal-loving kids, beware! Prime grade beef steaks, buffalo prime rib, elk, salmon, quail, game hen, and baby-back pork ribs are just some of the offerings on the menu.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cozy local bar located just a few blocks away featuring specialty cocktails & a rotating menu of bites amid a convivial vibe.
49 locals recommend
Jefferson Park Pub
2445 Eliot StCozy local bar located just a few blocks away featuring specialty cocktails & a rotating menu of bites amid a convivial vibe.
Lively bar & grill serving gourmet burgers & local microbrews in TV-filled digs with a patio.
193 locals recommend
Highland Tap and Burger
2219 W 32nd AveLively bar & grill serving gourmet burgers & local microbrews in TV-filled digs with a patio.
Prohibition-era speakeasy in a corner bookstore with handcrafted cocktails, small plates & desserts.
427 locals recommend
Williams & Graham
3160 Tejon StProhibition-era speakeasy in a corner bookstore with handcrafted cocktails, small plates & desserts.
Spacious, modern pub offering an ample selection of drinks & gourmet comfort food, plus a patio. You can also check out Union Station which is quite impressive.
33 locals recommend
Thirsty Lion Gastropub - Union Station
1605 Wynkoop StSpacious, modern pub offering an ample selection of drinks & gourmet comfort food, plus a patio. You can also check out Union Station which is quite impressive.
These two old gold mining towns (once known as the "Richest Square Mile on Earth") have come alive with casino gambling. Central City and Black Hawk offer two dozen casinos rock 24-7 with 10,000 slot machines, poker, black jack, roulette and craps. The surrounding hills are covered with abandoned gold mines, Victorian buildings and Old West history. Every summer, the Central City Opera Association hosts a season of world-class opera.
Black Hawk Central City Visitors
These two old gold mining towns (once known as the "Richest Square Mile on Earth") have come alive with casino gambling. Central City and Black Hawk offer two dozen casinos rock 24-7 with 10,000 slot machines, poker, black jack, roulette and craps. The surrounding hills are covered with abandoned gold mines, Victorian buildings and Old West history. Every summer, the Central City Opera Association hosts a season of world-class opera.
Trendy champagne bar located on the very popular Larimer street. It’s gets really busy on Friday or Saturday night so get their early if you want pre dinner drinks. The food is descent but more of a cocktail and champagne place in our opinion. It’s a bit pricy because of location but worth it.
24 locals recommend
Corridor 44
1433 Larimer StTrendy champagne bar located on the very popular Larimer street. It’s gets really busy on Friday or Saturday night so get their early if you want pre dinner drinks. The food is descent but more of a cocktail and champagne place in our opinion. It’s a bit pricy because of location but worth it.
Famed DJs spin dubstep, techno & dance music that benefits from a quality sound system.
74 locals recommend
Beta Event Center
1909 Blake StFamed DJs spin dubstep, techno & dance music that benefits from a quality sound system.
Shopping
Historic district at the spot where Denver was founded, with independent shops, bars & restaurants.
287 locals recommend
Larimer Square
1430 Larimer StHistoric district at the spot where Denver was founded, with independent shops, bars & restaurants.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center, also known as Cherry Creek Mall, is a shopping mall about three and half miles southeast of downtown Denver, Colorado in the Cherry Creek Neighborhood. Very nice area.
822 locals recommend
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
3000 E 1st AveCherry Creek Shopping Center, also known as Cherry Creek Mall, is a shopping mall about three and half miles southeast of downtown Denver, Colorado in the Cherry Creek Neighborhood. Very nice area.
Arts & Culture
An old fire truck, bubble-blowing lab & other interactive exhibits help kids learn by participating.
217 locals recommend
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
2121 Children's Museum DrAn old fire truck, bubble-blowing lab & other interactive exhibits help kids learn by participating.
2 buildings (the second designed by architect Daniel Libeskind) highlighting Western & regional art.
1293 locals recommend
Denver Art Museum
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy2 buildings (the second designed by architect Daniel Libeskind) highlighting Western & regional art.
Changing exhibits of modern painting, sculpture & more in an eco-friendly space with a rooftop cafe.
496 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
1485 Delgany StChanging exhibits of modern painting, sculpture & more in an eco-friendly space with a rooftop cafe.
A 15- minute drive from downtown Denver, the Butterfly Pavilion is the perfect indoor refuge in which to interact with live invertebrates fluttering around a lush rainforest, or to hold Rosie, a Chilean Rose Hair tarantula, in the palm of your hand-if you dare. The Wings Over the Tropics conservatory, home to more than 1,200 flitting butterflies, moths and skippers, shipped from farms as far away as Kenya and Ecuador, makes for an exhilarating wander through the toasty conservatory, awash with lush green plants. Stop by the Shrunk! exhibit, an interactive play area buzzing with insects and giant robotic scorpions and carpenter ants that move. Inspect the information charts, and you'll learn
187 locals recommend
Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W 104th AveA 15- minute drive from downtown Denver, the Butterfly Pavilion is the perfect indoor refuge in which to interact with live invertebrates fluttering around a lush rainforest, or to hold Rosie, a Chilean Rose Hair tarantula, in the palm of your hand-if you dare. The Wings Over the Tropics conservatory, home to more than 1,200 flitting butterflies, moths and skippers, shipped from farms as far away as Kenya and Ecuador, makes for an exhilarating wander through the toasty conservatory, awash with lush green plants. Stop by the Shrunk! exhibit, an interactive play area buzzing with insects and giant robotic scorpions and carpenter ants that move. Inspect the information charts, and you'll learn
While you're not going to come across any living, breathing dinosaurs while you're here in Denver - they're still extinct, the last we checked - you will have ample opportunity to learn about these long-gone Colorado residents. At Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison (near Red Rocks Amphitheatre) you can touch the bones of Allosaurus and Stegosaurus at the site where important dinosaur discoveries were made in the late 1800s. See how Iguanadons walked by viewing real dinosaur footprints forever preserved in the sandstone. Distance: 20 minute taxi.
112 locals recommend
Dinosaur Ridge
While you're not going to come across any living, breathing dinosaurs while you're here in Denver - they're still extinct, the last we checked - you will have ample opportunity to learn about these long-gone Colorado residents. At Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison (near Red Rocks Amphitheatre) you can touch the bones of Allosaurus and Stegosaurus at the site where important dinosaur discoveries were made in the late 1800s. See how Iguanadons walked by viewing real dinosaur footprints forever preserved in the sandstone. Distance: 20 minute taxi.
Entertainment & Activities
Amusement park with roller coasters among other thrill rides plus arcade & shows.
535 locals recommend
Elitch Gardens
2000 Elitch CirAmusement park with roller coasters among other thrill rides plus arcade & shows.
Sprawling complex with a state-of-the-art aquarium housing 500+ species, plus a restaurant & lounge.
492 locals recommend
Downtown Aquarium
700 Water St
Sprawling complex with a state-of-the-art aquarium housing 500+ species, plus a restaurant & lounge.
Sprawling facility with animal exhibits, shows & demonstrations, plus venues for eating & shopping.
884 locals recommend
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele StSprawling facility with animal exhibits, shows & demonstrations, plus venues for eating & shopping.
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is an Abt rack system cog railway with 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in standard gauge track in Colorado, USA, climbing the well-known mountain Pikes Peak. The base station is in Manitou Springs, Colorado near Colorado Springs.
40 locals recommend
Pikes Peak Cog Railway Station
Ruxton AvenueThe Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is an Abt rack system cog railway with 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in standard gauge track in Colorado, USA, climbing the well-known mountain Pikes Peak. The base station is in Manitou Springs, Colorado near Colorado Springs.
The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States.
Colorado Trail
Colorado Trail
The Colorado Trail is a long-distance trail running for 486 miles from the mouth of Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver to Durango in Colorado, United States.
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High or Mile High Stadium, is an American football stadium in Denver, Colorado
56 locals recommend
Sports Authority Field at Mile High
1701 Bryant StSports Authority Field at Mile High, previously known as Invesco Field at Mile High, and commonly known as Mile High or Mile High Stadium, is an American football stadium in Denver, Colorado
Confluence Park is an urban park encompassing the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River in Denver's Lower Downtown, a bustling district of 19th-century brick warehouses and storefronts that has been redeveloped since the late 1980s.
210 locals recommend
Confluence Park
2250 15th StConfluence Park is an urban park encompassing the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River in Denver's Lower Downtown, a bustling district of 19th-century brick warehouses and storefronts that has been redeveloped since the late 1980s.
Pepsi Center is an American multi-purpose arena located in Denver, Colorado. The arena is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). When not in use by one of Denver's sports teams, the building frequently serves as a concert venue
500 locals recommend
Ball Arena
1000 Chopper CirPepsi Center is an American multi-purpose arena located in Denver, Colorado. The arena is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). When not in use by one of Denver's sports teams, the building frequently serves as a concert venue
Coors Field is a baseball venue located in Denver, Colorado. It is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995. The Rockies played their first two seasons, 1993 and 1994, in Mile High Stadium before moving to Coors Field, two blocks from Union Station in Denver's Lower Downtown (or LoDo) neighborhood. The park includes 63 luxury suites and 4,526 club seats.
955 locals recommend
Coors Field
2001 Blake StCoors Field is a baseball venue located in Denver, Colorado. It is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995. The Rockies played their first two seasons, 1993 and 1994, in Mile High Stadium before moving to Coors Field, two blocks from Union Station in Denver's Lower Downtown (or LoDo) neighborhood. The park includes 63 luxury suites and 4,526 club seats.
Learn how to make money! The U.S. Mint produces 50 million coins a day, each one stamped with a little "D" for Denver. Free tours show every step in the process of turning a dull, blank, metal slug into shiny pocket change. Reservations required.
82 locals recommend
United States Mint Gift shop
320 W Colfax AveLearn how to make money! The U.S. Mint produces 50 million coins a day, each one stamped with a little "D" for Denver. Free tours show every step in the process of turning a dull, blank, metal slug into shiny pocket change. Reservations required.
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden located in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. The 23-acre (93,000 m2) park contains a conservatory, a variety of theme gardens and a sunken amphitheater, which hosts various concerts in the summer.
1100 locals recommend
Denver Botanic Gardens
1007 York StThe Denver Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden located in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. The 23-acre (93,000 m2) park contains a conservatory, a variety of theme gardens and a sunken amphitheater, which hosts various concerts in the summer.
Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park is one of the world's most renowned concert venues and has hosted everyone from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen. Listening to a concert here is on the "bucket list" of every true music fan. When there's no concert, the Visitor Center has a free museum and Performers' Hall of Fame, while the surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.
1973 locals recommend
Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda ParkwayCarved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park is one of the world's most renowned concert venues and has hosted everyone from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen. Listening to a concert here is on the "bucket list" of every true music fan. When there's no concert, the Visitor Center has a free museum and Performers' Hall of Fame, while the surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.
Wow - 48,000 square feet of action-packed fun for the whole family. Dave & Buster's features pocket billiard tables, shuffleboard, golf simulator, a "million-dollar midway" full of arcade games, virtual world digital theme environment, skeeball, a huge menu and a winner's circle room to redeem prize coupons. Head over here when the natives are restless and you're craving some loud music, lots of lights and people-watching galore - Dave & Buster's is not for the timid!
88 locals recommend
Dave & Buster's
10667 Westminster BlvdWow - 48,000 square feet of action-packed fun for the whole family. Dave & Buster's features pocket billiard tables, shuffleboard, golf simulator, a "million-dollar midway" full of arcade games, virtual world digital theme environment, skeeball, a huge menu and a winner's circle room to redeem prize coupons. Head over here when the natives are restless and you're craving some loud music, lots of lights and people-watching galore - Dave & Buster's is not for the timid!
Already successful in Miami and L.A., Lucky Strike has entered the Denver market. This not-your- father's bowling alley sports 16 lanes, with a 100-foot by 10-foot video wall that stretches over the pins and shows music videos and fine art. You can bowl, chill on the comfy lounge furniture, enjoy burgers and beers or something more upscale. Lucky Strike aims to please the whole family
27 locals recommend
Lucky Strike Denver
500 16th St MallAlready successful in Miami and L.A., Lucky Strike has entered the Denver market. This not-your- father's bowling alley sports 16 lanes, with a 100-foot by 10-foot video wall that stretches over the pins and shows music videos and fine art. You can bowl, chill on the comfy lounge furniture, enjoy burgers and beers or something more upscale. Lucky Strike aims to please the whole family
Getting Around
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver, Colorado
889 locals recommend
LoDo
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver, Colorado
Free Mall Ride
1601 Chestnut PlFree bus ride along 16 street mall. Stops every block.
Essentials
Whether your idea of fun is gaming at the casinos all night, getting pampered at a hotel, dining at an elegant restaurant or enjoying world-class outdoor activities, you’ll find it all in Central City. Play outside on your bike, with your fishing pole or simply hiking the historic trails. Indoors, the craps tables, slot machines and poker rooms might be more your style of play. But it’s all here. Come join the FUN!
77 locals recommend
Central City
Whether your idea of fun is gaming at the casinos all night, getting pampered at a hotel, dining at an elegant restaurant or enjoying world-class outdoor activities, you’ll find it all in Central City. Play outside on your bike, with your fishing pole or simply hiking the historic trails. Indoors, the craps tables, slot machines and poker rooms might be more your style of play. But it’s all here. Come join the FUN!