If traveling between Denver and Estes Park, it’s a great idea to drive down the Peak to Peak National Scenic Byway. This 55-mile route takes a bit longer but is well worth the time.
Before going to Denver, I was told not to leave without eating dinner at the Buckhorn Exchange. This steakhouse has been serving up steaks, Old West classics, and exotic meats since 1893. It’s located in a historic building in Denver’s oldest neighborhood.
Downtown Denver is home to many offices and skyscrapers, but it also has a great cultural, entertainment, and shopping district. 16th Street Mall and LoDo (Lower Downtown) are the hot areas.
Every Labor Day weekend, Denver hosts A Taste of Colorado at Civic Center Park. This food festival also features live music, rides, games, shopping, and more. Admission is free and it’s a fun event to attend as summer comes to a close.
Civic Center Park is at the heart of Denver. It’s a large public park containing 25,000 ft² of flower beds. It also has monuments, a Greek amphitheater, a war memorial, and other statues.
While neighboring Idaho Springs is famous for gold mines, Georgetown, Colorado, sprung up because of its silver mines. Today, this small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains preserves its original Victorian charm and offers plenty of opportunities for shopping, sightseeing, and recreational activities. It makes for a great day trip from the Denver area.
Long gone are the Gold Rush days of Idaho Springs, Colorado, but the small town has struck another form of gold – tourism. Just 30 miles west of Denver, Idaho Springs and neighboring Georgetown make for a nice day tour.
A nice scenic drive begins and ends in the city of Golden, Colorado. The Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway combines history and scenery in the many possible stops along the way. It makes for a nice full day of activities.
If you like to combine beer with your American history, the city of Golden, Colorado, can deliver. It boasts a great brewery and was once the capital of Colorado. This small city not too far from Denver and Boulder makes for a very enjoyable day trip.