Denver Hotel Magazine - Summer 2015

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Summer 2015

FLAVOR OF THE AMERICAN WEST Range’s Paul Nagan Cooks Authentic

SUMMER DAY TRIPS

Liv Sotheby’s Guide to Colorado Fun

COLORADO COLORFUL

Discovering Colorado’s Hidden Gems

LUXURY ON THE WEST COAST California’s Iconic Resorts


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FEATURES

ISSUE 10: SUMMER 2015

contents 18 SANDS OF TIME

34 EXPLORING COLORADO’S BEST

CIGAR BARS

40 THE CHANGING FACE OF

Sun-kissed beaches, emerald golf courses, timeless resorts, prime wines, migrating monarchs and Route 66: coastal California shimmers with both new and classic experiences. BY GALEN BEALE

Our resident cigar aficionado saves the day with an insider’s wrap-up of the best places to kick back, grab a martini, and savor a top-shelf cigar. By Bill Husted

24 COLORFUL ELEVATED COLORADO SPECIAL SECTION

Once a cowtown with a sleepy image, Downtown Denver has experienced a boom in growth that paved the way for phenomenal restaurants, upscale shopping and entertainment options galore. BY COURTNEY DRAKE-MCDONOUGH

Chef extraordinaire Paul Nagan serves up flavors of the New American West at the fabulous range restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel. And best of all, the ambience is as compelling as the meal itself! BY MONICA PARPAL STOCKBRIDGE

Fabulous summer getaways abound in mountain destinations throughout the gorgeous state. BY BETH BUEHLER

36 HOME ON THE RANGE

DOWNTOWN DENVER

40

On the Cover: Photographer Ryan Dravitz (ryandravitzphotography.com) captures a dramatic shot of a Colorado sunrise over The Highlands, providing the backdrop to Denver’s thriving, expanding downtown.

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72 Luxury Accommodations | Conference Facilities Equestrian Center | Supercar Driving Experiences Customized Excursions | Concert Amphitheater Helicopter Tours | Renowned Auto Museum Curiosity Retreats

855-520-3378

gatewaycanyons.com

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IN EVERY ISSUE

ISSUE 10: SUMMER 2015

contents The staff of Denver Hotel Magazine picks some of our favorite goings on around the state.

46 THE SCENE

34

Denver serves up a diverse array of events that will tempt even the most discriminating traveler. Whether it’s professional sports, first-rate comedy, great music or the best of Broadway, you won’t want to miss the fun taking place in a host of great venues.

24

Nathan Bilow

12 THE RUNDOWN

54 DINING Denver’s noteworthy restaurants and fabulous chefs are creating savory dishes that will entice travelers who appreciate the best. We’ve compiled a guide to some of the city’s top dining establishments, guaranteed to please any palate.

60 SHOPPING From high-end boutiques and malls to trendy vintage shops, Denver Hotel Magazine shows you the city’s best places to find that special something ... or a little something extra.

62 ATTRACTIONS Expect the unexpected when you spend time in Denver. Browse our list of top local attractions that should not be missed when visiting the Mile High City.

72 OUR PARTING SHOT Majestic Wilson Peak, standing at 14,017 feet and awash with wildflowers at the base, serves as the signature symbol of the San Juan Mountains in Telluride, Colorado. Photographer Kerry Koepping captures the drama of the peak in all its colorful splendor.

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design | integrate | capture

Wave Designs is a custom audiovisual consulting firm with over 40 years of combined sales and service experience. Our goal is to introduce and design systems that accurately reproduce live musical or visual performances using equipment that performs well, is affordable, and is simple to use. Many of our technologies can leverage today’s most innovative interfaces such as Apple’s iPhone, iTouch, iPad and Droid devices and our wireless digital streaming music systems are expandable in up to 34 rooms, playing the same or different musical collections at the same time. We provide honest and competent work but most importantly, we are there for our clients seven days a week for service and support. Most of our solutions can be completed in just one day.

• Free Site Survey for New Clients • Competitive Pricing on all Audiovisual Products • Home Audio & Cinema Packages • Unified Home Control Systems • Sonos Wireless Music Systems • Lutron Lighting Control • Security & Surveillance Systems • Solar Shading Solutions • Unmatched Service and Support

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please call

303 522 7383 •

1550 Larimer St reet • Denver, CO 80202 | www.Wave-Designs.com


publisher’s note

ISSUE 10: SUMMER 2015

We love living, working and playing in Colorado. Even when it’s raining, we know the sun is waiting to shine, and a beautiful sunrise will mark the start of another great day. Nothing compares to a Colorado sunrise, when the Rocky Mountains are bathed in a shower of light, runners and cyclists are out enjoying the great trails and we understand why we call Colorado our home. Now that summer is here, it seems everyone wants to be outside, on the courts or on the course – or on a horse! -- on the trails or in the parks, wherever they can bask in the warm, sunny days and cool evenings. Many of us park the car in favor of two-wheeled transport, where the miles and miles of bike paths take us wherever we want to go. The more adventurous opt to go down a mountain at lightning speed; others prefer to scale the mountain on foot. Whether you’re planning to stay in the city where there are multitudes of great things to do, shops to explore and restaurants

to savor, or you’re headed up to one of the state’s fabulous mountain destinations or resorts, Denver Hotel Magazine showcases the best of the best, with information about what’s hot, what’s happening and above all, what not to miss. We want to help you feel like a local, and we have the stories that offer an insider’s look into the pulse of the city, where there’s always something new, fun and memorable taking place. So what’s fun to do on a beautiful Colorado summer day? Golfers will love shooting for par on one of the many public courses that abound in the city or at one of the gorgeous mountain courses found around the state. Spend some time browsing the fabulous boutiques and malls, where fashion-forward is the word of the day, but friendly is the mantra. Dine al fresco in a delicious outdoor café or cool, shaded patio, maybe sipping a locally brewed craft beer or a crisp Chardonnay made right here in Colorado’s burgeoning wine country.

If you are an outdoors enthusiast, summer is a sublime time to ride the rapids, fish the mountain lakes and streams, soar on a zip line or just savor nature in all its finery. We love all things Colorado and once you visit, we know you’ll be hooked. Whether it’s taking in the sights and sounds of our vibrant Downtown Denver (more about that in our cover story!), dancing and enjoying a local festival or hiking a 14er, rest assured you will never be bored – discovery awaits at every turn. So savor the summer during your visit to Colorado – and make memories that last a lifetime.

Ellen Gray, Publisher, Denver Hotel Magazine

If you have an interesting Denver experience or story to share, we would be pleased to read it and consider it for publication. Email your story to us at ellen@denverhotelmagazine.com.

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EDITOR Ellen Gray

ART DIRECTOR Anthony Toddy

CONTRIBUTORS Galen Beale Beth Buehler Natalie Gray Bill Husted Courtney Drake-McDonough Meg McIntyre

Did you know Downtown Denver is the 2nd fastest growing large city in the U.S.?

Jenna Millichap Monica Parpal Stockbridge Angele Youngman

CONTRIBUTING Photographers Ryan Dravitz Kerry Koepping

Over 200,000 people move to Denver each year. Today, Downtown Denver is home to 17,500 residents a 142% increase since 2000.

PUBLISHER Ellen Gray

PRESIDENT OF CORE PUBLISHING Pete Northway

VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Bill Secor

For more information on Metropolitan Denver, mountain communities, or other lifestyle options, please call or email us.

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING Shelly Northway

EDITORIAL INTERN Meg McIntyre

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helping people relocate

DENVER HOTEL MAGAZINE 104 Broadway, Ste. 600 Denver, CO

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Steve 303.520.5558 | Jared 303.521.5025 steve.blank@sothebysrealty.com jared.blank@sothebysrealty.com livsothebysrealty.com

303.941.6011 Fax: 1.303.362.9368

denverhotelmagazine.com Reproduction without permission from publisher is prohibited. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the publication, the publisher cannot accept liability for errors and omissions.


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Jarowan Power

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Step on the Gas! The Lotus test track in England provides an unmatched racing experience to those seeking to fulfill a need for speed. by Angela Youngman

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tep on the gas!” y el l ed a v oice in my ear . It was an order that seemed to go far beyond anything a sane driver would do. Yet, I found myself obeying. After all, this was a racetrack, and I was driving a Lotus Elite racing car. Only a few days earlier, I had been attending a police-sponsored class to mitigate a speeding ticket. Now, speed was all that mattered — and nerves of steel were required. The call came again: “Step on the gas!” The car rocketed around the track as the professional racer in the passenger’s seat encouraged me to drive at progressively higher and higher speeds. It was nerve-wracking. My session, “Scare Yourself Sensible,” was conducted at the headquarters of Lotus Cars at Hethel, near Norwich, UK, on a former military base occupied by the U.S. Air Force 389th Bombardment Group during WWII. Today, the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile-approved racetrack includes runways once used by American bombers. Lotus employs the track both to test sports and racing cars and to teach people to drive its high-powered vehicles. I had discovered the hard way that even getting in a low-slung racing car cannot be achieved gracefully. One must both step in and sit down at the same time, or the head will hit the roof; thank goodness crash helmets are provided.

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

Once I was seated, Martin, my instructor, gave the signal to move forward. As I’ve driven automatics for years and the car was, of course, a manual, my first challenge was remembering how to use a clutch. Although fighting every instinct to signal when we turned left on the racetrack, I soon began to enjoy the sensation of being at the helm of a high-powered car. Martin maintained a running commentary, telling me when to slow down on curves and — more important — when to speed up. After a few laps, Martin and I changed places, and the difference was dramatic. With a professional racing driver in charge, the car shot forward like a rocket. It almost seemed to teeter on two wheels as it roared around curves. My head jerked backward, forced against the seat back by wind gusting past. The experience of green fields hurtling by and tires screaming on turns is surely one not to be missed. As we thundered down the straight sections, I couldn’t help but think of the pilots of the 389th Bombardment Group and how they must have felt on take-off. Those whose need for speed isn’t fully satisfied in one session may enroll in additional courses. Upon completion of all courses, drivers will have learned professional-level driving skills with which they can compete on racetracks throughout the world.


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Photographs by Alan Hill

C

olorado jewelry designer Lindsay Bloom is literally blooming with creativity. From carefully cultivated beginnings showcasing her stunning creations to friends and acquaintances, her distinctive style has quickly caught the attention of upscale boutiques nationwide. Her jewelry has appeared in fashion magazines such as InStyle and WWD, and garnered the Fashion Group International “Rising Star” award. But to be the best means keeping pace with fashion trends, and Bloom’s focus on wearable pieces that can transition to a workday or a night on the town are the elements that combine to keep customers wanting more. Her passion for designing what women really want to wear is clear in every piece she creates, and is the true reward for many a sleepless night spent developing and readying her newest collection. Business partner Stacy McElhany-Rodgers was among the first to recognize Bloom’s enviable talent and eye for designing pieces that can stand the test of time. McElhanyRodgers owned Violet, a clothing boutique in downtown Larimer Square, and was immediately sold when Bloom stopped in to introduce her unique line of jewelry. Her welldeveloped fashion sense was piqued, and soon she closed her shop to forge a wonderful partnership with the budding designer. Each season’s collection is based on the garment industry’s current color palate, and features unusual stones in shapes or cuts that are as eye-catching for their colorful stones

as for their distinctive settings. “We attend the huge gem shows and are always looking for stones that come in different shapes and cuts. And because we have developed strong relationships with vendors, they are on the lookout for unique stones we can use in our pieces,” Bloom says. Remaining true to her homegrown roots, each piece in a collection is made to order, and is constantly evolving as new ideas are presented. “We love connecting with our customers and designing what works best for them,” Bloom explains. In keeping with the commitment to stay true to the customer, Bloom prefers to handle sales and relationships in the Rocky Mountain region right where she lives, meeting with boutique owners and making sure orders are filled. On the West Coast, Bloom recently opened in a new showroom in Los Angeles, which also works well for the “grow it organically” concept. “While we can meet with our customer here in Denver, in Los Angeles the boutiques will come to the showroom where we can still have the one-on-one relationship,” Bloom says. With the West Coast covered, Bloom now has her sights set on developing a wider presence on the East Coast, where she has a lot of family and friends. And looking toward the future, the designer plans to introduce a small capsule collection that incorporates diamonds, something she has not yet tried. In stores and online, look for her trademark b.line collection, including bracelets, bangles and necklaces that signify “best friends, babies, bridesmaids, birthdays … or just b.cause.”

Blooming Beauties Local Jeweler Leaves No Stone Unturned by Ellen Gray

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the

scene

SPOTLIGHT

July 13-19

Arina P Habich / Shutterstock.com

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Sept. 16

Anthony Correia / Shutterstock.com

Billy Joel

Sept. 5

Kevin Hart


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Baubles Without Borders This Paris jeweler pairs high-tech imaging with customer dreams when designing decadent adornments. by Jenna Millichap

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hoosing jewelry can be tricky. Even fine pieces frequently elicit a lessthan-perfect response, such as “almost right” or “love the design, but hate the color.” Luxury Parisian jeweler Maison Jaubalet, however, has found the ideal solution to this problem: bespoke jewelry designed by the customer using a 3-D image. The concept is proving extremely popular, especially for wedding and engagement rings. “You have free rein to [explore] your imagination and become your own designer, [to decide] what pearls and what precious gems will go best together with the gold of your jewelry,” explains Brice Perron of Maison Jaubalet. “From an original idea to the creation of the finished product, a team of jewelry artisans is there with you at each phase of the design and crafting process,” says Perron. “These experts are attentive to your desires and wishes, provide you with their professional advice and explain the crafting process step by step. Your inspiration and imagination help the designer sketch the silhouette of your ring soon to be born.” At the conclusion of the design process, Maison Jaubalet creates an exact, 3-D wax

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

replica that is sent to the customer who tests the fit and decides if any design changes or modifications are desired. Once the customer grants his or her approval, Maison Jaubalet’s master jewelers handcraft the final piece. “I couldn’t possibly make a choice and sign a check simply from looking at a picture on the Internet,” says customer Carine Pichon. “What if I buy something and it is not the size I want? What if it’s too big or too small? So I think that having something that is not the final product, but is close to it when it comes to size and shape, is important, to reassure clients they’re making the right choice.” Shortly after the launch of 3-D styling, Maison Jaubalet began receiving appointment requests from individuals throughout the Middle East. Customers now come from around the world to the company office on the Place Vendome, where they spend time with designers discussing preferred materials and gems and creating simple sketches. “It is about the experience of jewelry as much as the pleasure of owning a bespoke item,” says Patrick Barruel, commercial director of Maison Jaubalet. “It is the ultimate luxury to have jewelry handmade — and even better when it is designed by the wearer.”


the

rundown Traveling Smart A Fun Array of Gadgets Make for Easy Travels By Meg McIntyre

W

hether high-tech or high-style, we have assembled our top picks for accessories and equipment that are sure to add enjoyment to your summer travel adventures! In the city or on the mountain, you won’t want to be without these fun gadgets.

CamelBak All Clear Water Purifier Bottle This water purifier bottle makes sipping clean drinking water easier than ever – even on long camping and hiking trips. In just 60 seconds, the purifier transforms tap water or clear natural water into pure drinking water, using UV light to eliminate viruses and bacteria. It’s also great when visiting cities and countries with unsafe tap water; simply fill the bottle and let the filter do the rest. http://nextadventure.net/camelbak-all-clearuv-water-purifier.html

Picnic Time Picnic Blanket Tote Complete with a convenient carrying strap, this lightweight combination picnic blanket and carrying tote is perfect for eating al fresco or a relaxing break in the sunshine. Now when you stumble upon the perfect picnic spot, you’ll always be ready with picnic blanket in hand. This product also is great for outdoor concerts, sporting events and festivals. http://picnictime.com/blanket-tote.html

Firebox Pebble Smartstick Charger Just can’t stay away from your phone even when you’re away from civilization or far from an outlet? Whether you’re snapping pictures of the wildlife, tweeting about the beautiful mountain air or writing reviews of a great new restaurant you just tried, the Pebble Smartstick Charger provides extra battery life when there are no outlets to be found. This handy gadget is pocket-sized and features four different adapter tips to fit any type of smartphone. http://www.firebox.com/product/4942/PebbleSmartstick-Charger

Bloom Jewelry Travel Jewelry Clutch When you need the perfect jewelry for an evening out, but don’t want to worry about it getting tangled or broken during travel, the Bloom Jewelry Travel Clutch is there to help. This lightweight, stylish clutch conveniently organizes and protects your jewelry, removing the worry of losing or breaking it while you’re on the road. http://jewelrybybloom.com/shop/jewelryclutch/jewelry-clutch/

Roadtrippers App - Maps Built for Travelers If you’re planning to drive to your next Colorado destination, this app can give you information about the hotels, attractions, natural wonders and novelty experiences along the way. You can plan each stop for food, gas and entertainment and share your trip itinerary with other travelers. With this app, you’ll be fully prepared to embark on your road trip. https://roadtrippers.com/about/ap


Sands of Time Sun-kissed beaches, emerald golf courses, timeless resorts, prime wines, migrating monarchs and Route 66: coastal California shimmers with both new and classic experiences. by Galen Beale

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alifornia is far more than just a land of inviting beaches and sunshine. The Golden State also boasts a stunning heritage coast accented with miles of undeveloped coastal bluffs, tiny islands available only at low tide and wildlife in abundance. In addition, our 31st state is a wine connoisseur’s paradise of vineyards and vintners. Whatever your dream holiday, California can make it come true. Bask on the beach and drift in the warmth of the sun while watching dolphins at play or whales breaching the ocean. Enjoy a cool drink as the sun descends over the ocean while the moon rises over the redwoods, or choose more active pursuits such as golf, horseback riding or paddle surfboarding. Watch horse racing at Del Mar or savor the sunrise from a hot-air balloon drifting gently across the sky. Beautiful coastal towns Avalon, Monterey,

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Cannery Row and Carmel await your exploration. With a history of wine production going back 200 years, the Monterey Peninsula is one of the oldest grape-growing areas in America. Wine enthusiasts are drawn here by the presence of 85 vintners, so allow time to tour the wineries and discover new wines to take home. While on the peninsula, visit Steinbeck’s historic Cannery Row and the storybook village of Carmel-by-theSea. Not to be missed is Pacific Grove, better known as Butterfly Town, U.S.A., where each fall and winter, visitors enjoy the spectacular sight of thousands of migrating monarch butterflies. As a holiday destination, our third-largest state offers many spectacular coastal resorts renowned for their beauty, seclusion and service.


The Resort at Pelican Hill

The Resort at Pelican Hill is characterized by superb panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean and low-slung, Tuscan-style, soft yellow stone buildings adorned in shades of terracotta and cream. Guests step back to the Italian Renaissance in curving structures that glow in sunlight. This is a home-away-from-home set amid an Italian-inspired landscape perched above picturesque Crystal Cove beach. Private villas and bungalow guest rooms offer marble walkin showers and Italian limestone fireplaces. While adults enjoy their activities — or just the view — Camp Pelican provides a host of activities for children. A fleet of butlers and concierge staff ensures guests experience the perfect holiday. Using fresh, farm-to-table ingredients, the chef at Andrea Ristorante crafts cuisine personalized to guests’ individual wishes and dietary requirements, from vegan specialities to gluten-free birthday cakes and gluten-free pasta made daily by hand. During the Festa dell’Autunno each October, guest chefs travel from Italy to prepare special seasonal cuisine. Guests may enjoy a relaxing swim in the 136-foot circular Coliseum Pool, which is sheltered from ocean breezes and edged with palm trees, and drink a handcrafted cocktail while admiring panoramic ocean views.

With a 5-star Forbes rating for six consecutive years, the Spa at Pelican Hill has developed an enviable reputation. Life’s stresses fall away in the spa’s complimentary herbal steam rooms, saunas and saltwater soaking tubs. Signature massages, pedicures and facials await within beautiful colonnaded treatment areas. For those who love the links, the resort offers three magnificent Tom Fazio-designed golf courses that will put skills to the test. Included are 36 championship holes on Pelican Hill’s two seaview courses, which treat golfers to the beauty of the California coastline, with the sea murmuring below. Alternatively, go kayaking, rent a boat for a few hours or try paddle surfboarding out to Seal Rock or around the local coves. Glass-bottomed boats provide unrivaled views of marine life within the bay. For a more aerial view, take the zip-line on Catalina Island. Thousands of acres of open space surround The Resort at Pelican Hill, making it perfect for hiking amid the verdant hills and fragrant coastal sage.

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La Valencia del Mar Better known as the Pink Lady of La Jolla, the seaside resort of La Valencia del Mar features dramatic vintage style and is a popular destination among Hollywood stars. Movie buffs may well find it familiar, as the venue has provided location shots for countless films. Guests are well-sited to enjoy both top-class horse racing at nearby Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and fantastic shopping in La Jolla. An atmosphere of timeless elegance infuses the resort. The soft pink, Mediterranean-style buildings feature intricate Spanish mosaics and decorative wrought-iron stair railings, hand-painted murals and luxurious rooms. Guests in the spectacular Sky Suite, which offers 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, experience a sensation of sailing on the azure waters below. Lush, terraced gardens of tropical plants and relaxing fountains surround La Valencia. Fresh and sassy cuisine, complemented by vintage and handcrafted cocktails, is one of many specialties at La Valencia restaurants and bistros. Guests can pair people watching with gourmet offerings at CafÊ la Rue, where arched windows open onto Prospect Street, and French art deco paintings dominate interior walls. Dogs are welcome at the resort, and La Valencia’s Privileged Pet Program caters to all their daily needs. Owners can share surf lessons with their pampered pups or book canine massage therapy sessions for their four-legged friends.

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Shutters on the Beach at Los Angeles offers a laid-back beach-house atmosphere combined with all the comforts of a hotel. Furnished in a modern contemporary style, Shutters is casually elegant, yet chic. The flower-coated trellises, cabana-striped awnings and slate-grey shingled siding set the stage for a relaxed, beach atmosphere. A wide selection of novels fills the bookshelves in each room, which feature hardwood floors, whirlpool tubs and marble bathrooms. At close of day, guests can watch spectacular sunsets from private balconies, and at night, the surf gently lulls all to restful sleep. It’s a straight walk from the hotel to the silky, soft sand of the beach, the perfect place to soak up the sun, enjoy a surfing lesson or take a yoga lesson. Beach cruisers are available to guests upon request. Enjoy al fresco dining in the beachfront restaurants, which are perfect for a quick bite or a romantic dinner; cuisine is prepared using only the freshest seasonal ingredients.

at Los Angeles

Shutters on the Beach

Only one block away, at Santa Monica Pier, guests revisit childhood thrills on the iconic Ferris wheel, reminisce on a carousel ride or enjoy a phosphate at the vintage soda fountain. The daring can fly high above the pier after a lesson at Trapeze School. A breathtaking variety of marine life awaits at the Aquarium, and special souvenirs may be found at the Rock Shop. This is where Route 66 ends; an historical walking tour reveals secrets of the past.

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San Ysidro Ranch at Santa Barbara

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your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

Follow in the footsteps of John and Jackie Kennedy at their honeymoon destination, San Ysidro Ranch at Santa Barbara. Described as California’s most-historic secret hideaway, San Ysidro occupies a tranquil wooded location of more than 500 acres set in the Montecito foothills of Southern California. This resort of stars has been a desired destination for more than a century, and it’s easy to see why guests return again and again. Old-world charm permeates tree-lined paths and private cottages and suites hidden along the creek. Even individual residences sport delightfully evocative vintage names: French Lavender Cottage, Daisy Cottage and Hummingbird Cottage. Persian rugs on the floors complement antique furnishings, and art works decorate the walls. Hot tubs, complete with outdoor rain showers on private patios, overlook the lush landscape. The elegant setting is complemented by attentive employees who serve guests in a royal manner. Spa treatments are provided in the privacy of guest rooms. Guests may relax in seclusion or venture out and about, exploring the area as they choose. Guests may dine in the privacy of their rooms or visit one of the onsite restaurants. The resort’s superb cuisine features a variety of carefully prepared fresh offerings, from house-made Herb Gnocchi to Yellow Fin Tuna Carpaccio. After lunch, relax with a yoga class, try out the fitness center, or play a round of golf. Not just dogs, but pets large and small are welcome to join their owners on holiday at San Ysidro Ranch. A wide variety of non-human guests have been in residence, including cats, a fish ­— and a teacup pig! While staying at San Ysidro, explore the historic Santa Barbara Mission founded by Spanish Franciscans in 1786 or absorb a variety of exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Art. A dizzying array of fantastic flora is found in the spectacular Botanical Gardens. Covering 65 acres with five miles of paths, the Gardens contain plants from all regions of California, including its wonderful redwood forests. Hiking trails into the Montecito foothills close to the Santa Ynez mountain range and at the Refugio State Beach offer stunning views, enjoyable walks and plenty of exercise.


Photograph by Scott Campbell

To the north, Pebble Beach Resorts have played host to countless celebrities, including Teddy Roosevelt, Sir Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby, Bill Murray and Justin Timberlake. The dramatic coastline with its shady forests is ideal for both family getaways and couples seeking private space and time together. Regardless of your choice of accommodation at Pebble Beach, the ocean views are magical. Stately architecture dating back to 1919 offers relaxed elegance in The Lodge, while Casa Palmero features a more Mediterranean style. Take a trip into the Del Monte Forest beside Casa Palmero and discover the delights of The Spa at Pebble Beach. Here, visitors enjoy signature treatments incorporating healing properties of plants, herbs and minerals native to the Monterey Peninsula. Those who prefer a more contemporary style will be at home at The Inn at Spanish Bay. Stroll around Spyglass Hill and take in the views before enjoying a meal in one of the many fine-dining restaurants in which chefs bestow special touches to fresh-from-theocean seafood paired perfectly with locally grown produce and meats. The 17-mile drive around the Monterey Peninsula is regarded as one of the most scenic in the world. Hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and cycling are just a few of the many activities that can be enjoyed within the Monterey Peninsula. Then, of course, there is golf. The iconic 18th green on the Pacific at Pebble Beach is legendary among golfing enthusiasts, including Tiger Woods. Jack Nicklaus is purported to have said, “If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach.” This truly is a golfer’s paradise. After the game, therapy at the Spa will rejuvenate tired forearms, necks and lower backs, ensuring visitors can continue to play in comfort throughout their stay. Devotees of custom cars are drawn inexorably to the Pebble Beach Resort each August for Concours d’Elegance. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the event, which is one of the world’s premier automotive gatherings.

Photograph by Joann Dost

Pebble Beach Resorts

Photograph by Scott Campbell

California is a place to revisit time and time again. In this golden state, the sun always shines, and dreams become reality. Whether you choose to relax by the beach or explore its many delights, California is a traveler’s paradise.

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Colorful Elevated Local insights shared for summer and fall from a wide spectrum of mountain destinations.

By Beth Buehler

he classic brown and white signs that greet people as they cross the border are more than a marketing claim.

Colorful Colorado is a statement that describes the diversity of the 38th state in the union and the mountain towns that pepper the north, west and south. Here’s a look at resorts and lake towns that are off-thebeaten path, destinations that are both athletic and cultured, and communities with springs as part of their names and geologic makeup. In the case of DeBeque and Gateway, it’s not about the towns but more about the three amazing, secluded properties located there, less than an hour’s drive from the Grand Junction airport.

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Colorful Elevated Colorado Hidden Gems

Two of Colorado’s lake towns may be separated by several mountain ranges and miles, but stunning scenery and memorable lodging, culinary options and attractions make them worthy of the journeys. Located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado about 55 miles south of Gunnison, Lake City is on two of the state’s scenic byways. North of Winter Park, Grand Lake is best known as the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, but offers much more than access to one of the country’s most popular outdoor destinations. In the case of DeBeque and Gateway, it’s not about the towns but more about the three amazing, secluded properties located there, less than an hour’s drive from the Grand Junction airport.

Lake City Where to Stay North Face Lodge – Overlooks downtown Lake City, has big log beds and is the town’s newest motel. Matterhorn Mountain Motel & Cabins - A restored 1950’s motel only a half block from downtown. Don’t Miss – Hinsdale County Museum and the historic district; ghost and cemetery tours are offered for a minimal cost. Culinary Hotspots Bruno’s Restaurant & Bruno’s Grill – Located at Alpine Moose Lodge, the restaurant is fine dining, serving up gourmet dishes such as bison, lamb, duck, quail and fresh fish, while the grill is more casual with everyday fare such as pizza. San Juan Delights – This new lunch-only eatery changes its menu daily, uses locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, and is known for homemade pies. Lake City Bakery – The place for fresh-baked pastries, pizza, quiche, bread and more. Things to Do/See Lake San Cristobal – More than 340 acres in size and only three miles from town, it’s the second largest natural lake in Colorado. Alpine Loop Scenic Byway – Showcases five 14,000-foot peaks and connects Lake City to Silverton and Ouray. Multiple ghost towns, including five main ones on the Alpine Loop. Key Festivals Fourth of July OHV Rally & Festival (off-highway vehicles), August Uncorked Wine & Music Festival, September Unique Fact – Hinsdale County is surrounded by 96 percent public lands. Website: www.lakecity.com

Grand Lake Where to Stay Gateway Inn – Each room is different with handmade log furniture, plus the inn has a large back porch with great views. Grand Lake Lodge – Established in 1920, the lodge is on the National Register of Historic Places and has several cabin options. Don’t Miss – Rocky Mountain National Park (celebrating its 100th anniversary), historic boat tours around Grand Lake, and selfguided history walk. Culinary Hotspots O a bistro – Located in town, the bistro offers casual fine dining and also is a wine bar and creperie. Sagebrush BBQ & Grill – It’s definitely more than just barbeque at this breakfast, lunch and dinner spot with a menu that has something for everyone, including steak and wild game. Fat Cat Café is all about breakfast and lunch as well as a tasty brunch on weekends. The owner is from England, so don’t miss the homemade scones.

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Things to Do/See Elk rut in the fall. Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater productions. Hikes on trails that start right in town. Key Festivals Buffalo Barbecue, July Grand Lake Regatta Week, August U.S. Constitution Week, September Unique Fact – The Colorado River flows through Grand Lake and used to be called the Grand. Websites: grandlakechamber.com, visitgrandcounty.com

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado


DeBeque & Gateway Where to Stay Kessler Canyon – DeBeque (guest rooms, suites & cabins) The High Lonesome Ranch – DeBeque (guest rooms, homes, cabin, cowboy camp) Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa – Gateway (guest rooms, suites & casitas) Don’t Miss Kessler Canyon – The artwork, including the amazing horse sculptures on the drive into the property. Owner Richard Kessler has an eye and passion for art. The High Lonesome Ranch – The 30-minute drive to Picture Rock, where you can stand on the edge of a mountain and take in the beautiful view of the Grand Valley. Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa - Auto museum featuring the collection of John Hendricks, founder and former chairman of the Discovery Channel and Discovery Communications and creator of Gateway Canyons. Culinary Hotspots Kessler Canyon – Everyone eats together in the dining room after an evening cocktail hour on the patio; on fair-weather days, lunch is served outside under the pavilion overlooking the lake. The High Lonesome Ranch – Executive Chef Matthew Chasseur serves farm-to-table meals, utilizing the ranch’s own beef, greenhouses, orchards and gardens. Aunt Linda Doden’s homemade breakfasts also have earned a loyal following. Gateway Canyons – A Colorado craft beer tasting is held on Fridays and a build-your-own bloody mary with Colorado vodkas is offered on weekends at Paradox Grille. Entrada Restaurant is higher end and has a beautiful patio. Things to Do/See Kessler Canyon – Kessler Canyon is known for shooting sports and big game and upland hunting. Don’t miss lounging on the patio, going on an ATV tour, canoeing on the lake and taking the bikes out for a spin. The High Lonesome Ranch – Operating as a guest ranch and dude ranch, activities involving horses are highlights (including the unique equestrian geocaching) and the ranch is double endorsed by Orvis for fly-fishing and wing shooting. Gateway Canyons – The resort was established to offer learning programs and adventures, such as helicopter tours and the Driven Experience with a fleet of luxury automobiles and Pro-Baja Trucks available. Key Events Kessler Canyon and The High Lonesome Ranch offer occasional special events, and Gateway Canyons is known for Curiosity Retreats. Unique Fact – The wealth of exceptional activities keep guests busy at these three properties or just relax and enjoy the beautiful settings. Safari tents, backcountry cabins and casitas provide beyond-the-norm places to sleep. Websites: kesslercanyon.com, thehighlonesomeranch.com, gatewaycanyons.com

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Colorful Elevated Colorado Sporty & Artsy

Colorado is blessed with great recreation and arts scenes. When towns successfully combine the two, it’s a hard combination to beat. Gunnison and Salida are 65 miles apart, separated by Monarch and a ski area, but the towns are more alike than different with prominent rivers, distinct festivals and attractions, and cultures that are easy to embrace. Both are county seats with populations in the 5,000’s. Durango fits right into the mix for the same reasons but is larger and located in the southwest corner. Gunnison and Durango are home to Western State Colorado University and Fort Lewis College, adding a collegiate flair to the towns.

Gunnison Where to Stay Inn at Tomichi Village – Recently underwent a total remodel and is the only full-service hotel in Gunnison with a restaurant, Blue Mesa Grill. Movie nights are held outdoors on summer weekends. Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Located adjacent to Western State Colorado University, this property is well appointed and provides easy access to the downtown district with locally owned shops and restaurants. Don’t Miss Hartman Rocks Recreation Area for some of the area’s premiere mountain biking followed by a tune-up and espresso at Double Shot Cyclery. Hartman Rocks also is available for hiking, dirt biking and horseback riding. Blue Mesa Reservoir – Colorado’s largest body of water is suitable for all sorts of water recreation and camping. Pioneer Museum & Gunnison Arts Center (GAC) – The museum has a not-to-be-missed collection of cars and a large wall of local rancher’s hats. There is no cost to see the exhibitions at GAC, and make sure to check the class calendar and browse the gift shop. Culinary Hotspots Blackstock Bistro – Tasty dinners and a good cocktail menu. The Bean Coffeehouse & Eatery – Delicious crepes as well as bagels, burritos, smoothies, fresh juices and more. Mario’s Pizza & Pasta – This longtime local and college student favorite located downtown also specializes in Colorado craft brews. Things to Do/See Float down the Gunnison River with Three Rivers Resort & Outfitting and pull up for dinner at Garlic Mike’s. Browse art galleries downtown and enjoy live music in Gunnison Arts Center’s courtyard during First Friday Art Walk & Music. Check out the lineup of bluegrass and country concerts at I-Bar Ranch or the free Sundays@6 concerts at Jorgensen Park. Key Festivals Gunnison River Festival, June Cattlemen’s Days, July Gunnison Car Show Weekend, August Unique Fact – Gunnison Valley Observatory is home to one of the best research quality telescopes available to the public in the state. Public viewings happen on Friday and Saturday evenings in summer. Website: www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com

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Salida Where to Stay Palace Hotel – Recently renovated and with 15 suites, this is an ideal place to spend a night and have immediate access to downtown. Mountain Goat Lodge – With six guest rooms and new retro campers, this bed and breakfast is situated on 20 acres with resident goats roaming the meadows. The goats provide the milk, cheese and yogurt for breakfasts and cheese-making classes. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort – Situated between Salida and Buena Vista, enjoy great views, hot springs only steps away and the chance to stay in guest rooms or cabins. Don’t Miss Three public hot springs in the area – Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Cottonwood Hot Springs Rafting the Arkansas River – Running through downtown Salida, this is the most floated river in North America. The most popular section is Browns Canyon National Monument. Explore the nearby ghost town of St. Elmo Culinary Hotspots Laughing Ladies – Local and sustainable foods are the focus of brunch, lunch and dinner fare at this longtime local eatery. Amicas Pizza & Microbrewery – Beer, wood-fired pizza, calzones, Panini, pasta and desserts provide a winning combination. Dwenhurst Tea Room – It’s all about tea and the opportunity to enjoy it with scones, tea sandwiches and dessert. Things to Do/See Visit the many art galleries downtown. Watch kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders in Salida’s whitewater park or try these Colorado favorites out for yourself. Indulge in a massage and soak in the hot springs all day for the ultimate vacation relaxation. Key Festivals Salida Art Walk and FIBArk (America’s oldest whitewater festival), June Colorado Brewers Rendezvous, July Gentlemen of the Road Stopover Festival, August Unique Fact – Chaffee County has twelve 14,000-foot peaks, which is the highest concentration in Colorado.

Durango Where to Stay The Leland House & Rochester Hotel – Small family-owned historic hotels renovated by a mother-and-son team. All the rooms in the Rochester have Western movie themes based on those filmed in the Durango area. Strater Hotel – Built in 1887, the hotel has the world’s largest collection of American Victorian antiques that decorate many of the 93 guestrooms. No getting bored here with the onsite Durango Melodrama & Vaudeville, Henry Strater Theatre, The Office Spiritorium, Diamond Belle Saloon and Mahogany Grille. Blue Lake Ranch is located on a private 200-acre estate just 15 minutes from Durango. Choose from 16 well-appointed rooms, suites, casitas and cabins. Don’t Miss Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR) – The railroad arrived in Durango in 1881 and tracks to Silverton were completed the next year. The line was originally constructed to haul silver and gold ore but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious. Brewery hopping – With six craft breweries, Durango is a beer lover’s paradise. Culinary Hotspots Cyprus Café – Located in a renovated Victorian home with a garden patio, this eatery serves award-winning Mediterranean cuisine using produce from its garden as well as other local produce, meats and cheeses. El Moro Spirits & Tavern – Serving modern rustic cuisine, El Moro uses primarily locally grown and raised ingredients to offer a menu that changes seasonally. Bread - Cookies, bread, muffins, scones, pastries, rolls, sandwiches and more are made fresh daily. Things to Do/See Animas River & Animas River Trail – Walk, bike or rollerblade alongside the Animas River with rafters, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders enjoying the water. Fun stops are the fish hatchery, Cream Bean Berry for ice cream and The Animas River Café. Soaring Tree Top Adventures – Soar over the San Juan Mountains on 27 different zip lines. Transportation via the historic D&SNGRR and a fourcourse gourmet lunch served on a suspended platform complete the experience. First Thursday Art Walk – Visit several galleries and enjoy live entertainment, treats and the chance to meet local artists. Also don’t miss The Clay Room and Durango Arts Center for art outings. Key Festivals Animas River Days, May Music in the Mountains, July & August Cowboy Poetry Gathering, October

Website: www.colorfulcolorado.com Unique Fact – The Iron Horse Bike Classic, launched in 1972, is the longest continuously run cycling event in the United States and involves road bikers racing the D&SNGRR from Durango to Silverton. denverhotelmaga zine.com :: your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices

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Colorful Elevated Colorado It’s All in the Springs

Colorado has its fair share of towns with Springs in their names, and for good reason. Three of the communities mentioned in this section have premiere hot springs for soaking, while Manitou Springs has mineral springs for drinking. However, water is only the tip of the iceberg when enjoying a weekend or weeklong getaway in these towns.

Steamboat Springs Where to Stay Sheraton Steamboat Resort & The Steamboat Grand – Located at the base of Steamboat Resort, these large full-service resorts have everything from spas, restaurants and outdoor pools to hotel rooms, condos, penthouses and villas. Trailhead Lodge – With studio to three-bedroom condominiums, this property also has a pool, hot tubs and access to the Wildhorse Gondola. Trappeurs Crossing Resort – Located within walking distance of the Gondola Square area, choose from a variety of condominiums and enjoy pools, hot tubs, tennis courts and a day spa. Don’t Miss Hot Springs – Strawberry Park Hot Springs takes a little driving but rewards with hot springs in a natural environment and unique lodging options like a covered wagon, train caboose or rustic cabins. In town, make a quick trip to Old Town Hot Springs. Hot Air Balloon Rides – Soar above the Yampa Valley in a colorful balloon with expert pilots. Don’t miss the annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park that happen on the same weekend in July. Culinary Hotspots Steamboat Coffee Roasters – Stop by for a cup of fair trade organic coffee and tour the onsite roasting facility. Winona’s & Freshies – These are the places for great breakfast, lunch, desserts and baked goods. Winona’s is especially known for its delicious cinnamon rolls. McKnight’s Irish Pub & Loft – With authentic Irish and classic American fare on the menu and flat-screen TVs, jumbotron, pool tables, ping-pong, darts and foosball in The Loft, this is a perfect place to unwind. Things to Do/See For Music Lovers – Music on the Green at the Yampa River Botanic Park, Strings Music Festival, and a free concert series at Howelsen Hill Sunset Happy Hour – Steamboat Gondola is the transportation to Thunderhead at 9,100 feet in elevation for cocktails and live music. Hike to Fish Creek Falls or tube the Yampa River – Enjoy a perfect day in the outdoors. Key Festivals July 4th Celebration & Cowboys’ Roundup Days, July Steamboat Wine Festival, August Wild West Air Fest & Labor Day Celebration, September

Pagosa Springs Where to Stay The Springs Resort & Spa – The resort has 79 rooms available for lodging as well as a full-service spa and 23 separate hot springs pools of varying temperatures overlooking the San Juan River. The Cabins at Hartland Ranch and Fireside Inn Cabins – These properties offer great options for travelers looking for privacy and something different. Holiday Inn Resort – Quality Inn Resort is being totally remodeled and rebranded, with plans to reopen this summer. Paddleboats and stand up paddleboards can be rented for use on the adjoining lake. Don’t Miss Local Microbreweries – Pagosa Brewing, Riff Raff Brewing and Wolfe Brewing all have beer gardens and full menus. Chimney Rock National Monument – Located between Pagosa Springs and Durango, this was a sacred place, celestial observatory and seasonal calendar for the Ancestral Puebloans more than 1,000 years ago and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970. Recreation Trails – More than 650 miles of trails are surrounded by 2.5 million acres of wilderness and national forest. Culinary Hotspots Pagosa Baking Company – Offering tasty fresh-baked goods, desserts, breakfast and lunch. Alley House, Side Street Sushi and Tavern Le Boeuf – A trio of unique restaurants owned by Todd & Kelli Stevens. Kip’s Grill – Looking for a favorite local’s hangout? This qualifies with all sorts of Baja-style tacos, burgers (including options made from elk and bison), sandwiches and salads. Things to Do/See A live theatre production at Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. Float or tube along a two-mile stretch of the San Juan River that weaves through downtown. Williams Creek Reservoir for picnics, fishing and canoeing on a gorgeous mountain lake. Key Festivals Folk n’ Bluegrass Festival on Reservoir Hill, June Fourth of July Celebration, July Colorfest Weekend, September

Unique Fact – Steamboat Springs was named by French fur trappers in the 1860s for a hot spring near the Yampa River that sounded like a steamboat. There are more than 150 mineral springs in the area.

Unique Fact – The “Great Pagosa Spring” that can be viewed at The Springs Resort & Spa is the World’s Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring measuring at more than 1,000 feet in depth.

Website: www.steamboat-chamber.com

Website: www.visitpagosasprings.com

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Glenwood Springs Where to Stay Hotel Colorado or Hotel Denver – Individuals seeking accommodations with rich histories will love these options with great access to downtown. Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge – A modern hotel affiliated with Glenwood Hot Springs. Don’t Miss Hot Springs – Glenwood Hot Springs, the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool, has slides and a poolside spa. Opening this summer is Iron Mountain Hot Springs with a family pool and four smaller relaxation pools on the bank of the Colorado River. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park – A whole day of entertainment with gondola rides, tours of Glenwood Caverns and Historic Fairy Caves, Alpine Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing, laser tag and much more. Culinary Hotspots Going Local – The Pullman, Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse and The Riviera Supper Club specialize in serving local produce and meats. Glenwood Canyon Brewpub – This hometown brewpub also is keen on using local beef, potatoes and produce. The Lost Cajun – A fun, new eatery serving authentic southernstyle cuisine with garage-style doors to fling open in warm weather.

Things to Do/See Rafting on the Colorado River – Offers a combination of whitewater and leisurely floats with stops at in-river hot springs. Further downriver, Glenwood Springs Whitewater Activity Area provides kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders with everchanging challenges that depend on river flow. Ride the Rio Grande Trail – Meandering along the Roaring Fork River, the 44-mile trail links Glenwood Springs to Aspen. Yampah Vapor Caves – Thermal spring water containing 34 minerals and trace elements flows through the cave floors to create underground geothermal steam baths. Key Festivals Strawberry Days, June Glenwood Downtown Market, June - September Summer of Music at Two Rivers Park, June - July

Manitou Springs Where to Stay The Cliff House at Pikes Peak – Dating back nearly 150 years, this distinct property evokes an atmosphere of Victorian opulence and has 54 guest rooms and suites and gourmet dining options. Avenue Hotel Bed & Breakfast – The 6,500-square-foot former boarding house with a convenient downtown location has been converted into a seven-room bed and breakfast and has a carriage house that adds two more lodging units. Don’t Miss Garden of the Gods – You may not know that this amazing park is located in both Manitou Springs and neighboring Colorado Springs, with two routes in from each community. Pikes Peak Cog Railway – The world’s highest cog train runs in all seasons, taking guests to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,115 feet in elevation. Culinary Hotspots Adam’s Mountain Café – This restaurant is all about the slow food movement and always looks for foods that are organic and/or local first. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, 70 percent of the restaurant’s dishes are vegetarian. Keg Lounge – Open daily, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and salads are on the menu for lunch and dinner. Additional options for evening meals change daily at this family-owned eatery. Manitou Brewing Company – This new brewery not only serves great brewskies but also small plates, burgers and sandwiches. The pork belly tacos are earning a following. Things to Do/See Manitou Springs Penny Arcade – This five-building arcade has one of the planet’s best collections of antique-to-current video games, pinball machines, skeeball, coin-operated rides and more. Cave of the Winds – Located atop Williams Canyon, there are two cave tours, daring attractions like the Wind Walker Challenger course, and family-friendly activities. Summer Concerts – The Manitou Springs Library Lawn Concert Series and outdoor concerts offered by the Chamber of Commerce result in free music through much of the summer. Key Festivals Manitou Springs Wine Festival, June Commonwheel Arts & Crafts Festival, September Emma Crawford Festival, October

Unique Fact – According to legend, the teddy bear was first created at Hotel Colorado when maids presented Theodore Roosevelt with a stuffed bear pieced together with scraps of material to cheer him after an unsuccessful day of bear hunting.

Unique Fact – Eight naturally carbonated, cold-water mineral spring fountains are located in the downtown district, with free Springabout tours offered every Saturday in summer. A map that shows mineral content is available, and the springs are tested monthly. Fill a water bottle, jug or cup to drink the water and bring along powdered lemonade for a refreshing taste sensation.

Website: www.glenwoodchamber.com

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Dream it. Find it. LIV it.

Pictured: 1133 14th Street #4050, Four Seasons Private Residences, Denver, Colorado.

The life you love.

#thelifeyoulove

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142 Spring Creek Lane, Edwards, $2,100,000

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Exploring Colorado’s Best

Cigar Bars

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By Bill Husted

hen people talk about smoke and Colorado, the conversation doesn’t naturally turn to cigars. But that’s what I like to smoke, every day at 6 p.m., ideally with a clear, cold martini and a dirty blonde. The good news: Colorado has some very special places for you to light up. Outside the Hotel Bar at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is a lakeside fireplace. Smoking permitted. Heck, it’s encouraged. On a cool Colorado night with the fire blazing, sitting in a rustic rocker and sipping a cocktail delivered to you in a silver goblet, smoking a Dominican robusto you just purchased from the bartender’s small but well-edited collection – yes, you are in paradise. The Hotel Bar is a bustling watering hole – sports on the TVs, bartenders shaking it up, and bridesmaids wobbling in after a wedding. But you cannot smoke inside at the Broadmoor, so head to the fireplace and light up your gasper. Churchill’s at the Brown Place is an opulent cigar haven just off the hotel’s spectacular lobby. Filled with an after-work crowd of men and women, this is a go-to spot for the serious smoker. Newspapers sit on a table, TVs broadcast sports (of course), a large pub menu is available (Angus, Kobe and Buffalo Burgers) and the cigar list is impressive, crowned by a Davidoff Special ‘R.’ This the most sophisticated cigar bar in downtown Denver – pricey drinks and smokes, but worth the tariff. The Cigar Bar at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House in Greenwood Village is connected to the iconic steak emporium – without question the best food/music/cigar combo in the state. You can have a full dinner in the cigar bar, if you don’t mind eating it from the low cocktail tables. Drinks are expensive and the cigar prices border on the ludicrous. But the cocktails are wellmade, a trio usually plays music after 7:30 p.m., a Sinatra impersonator often drops in on Thursday nights. The room itself has an odd layout but still makes you comfy with seven seating areas of couches and leather chairs, Tiffany lamps, a


Photograph by Adam Larkey

fireplace, a small bar. You can also smoke your sticks on an outdoor patio in the front of the restaurant, where you can watch local sports figures arrive in their Maybachs. The Robusto Room in Lone Tree is a good option if you’re out that way – and I mean out that way to Denver’s south suburbs. People want to have fun here too – and the Robusto Room is hailed as the keeper of cool in these parts. The cigar shop, Stogies & Bogies, offers an extensive list of hundreds of cigars, certainly more reasonably priced than the above mentioned bars. The Aspen Cigar Bar is the only place to partake of tobacco in Glamour Gulch. It’s located behind a half-forgotten door in a bar/restaurant complex that also holds Eric’s Bar, Su Casa and Aspen Billiards. No food at the Cigar Bar - just mixed drinks and a fine selection of ropes. The small bar offers a smattering of stools and a few hightops. The main room is filled with the requisite leather chairs. It’s a great room – and great that it survives in Aspen. Outside of Vail in Bachelor Gulch, on Beaver Creek Mountain, is the crown jewel of Colorado’s cigar bars: Bachelors Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch. General manager Abdullah Vural took an underused Kid Zone and turned it into a Grown-up Zone. He spent $2 million to build out one of the only ski-in/ski-out cigar bars in the world. Its 1,000 square feet are filled with couches, flatscreens, fireplaces, overhead heaters and stone walls that open to spectacular views of the mountain and forest. You can cover up with a blanket if the cigar doesn’t provide enough warmth. The walk-in humidor shows off expensive sticks, but now’s not the time to pinch pennies. You’re at the Ritz. The room also serves up hookahs and elixirs. Let the Ritz-Carlton and the Broadmoor serve as bookends to this roster of Colorado cigar bars. They are the best. They stand alone. They are two of my favorites place to smoke in Colorado. Make that the world.

Guide to The Author’s Favorite Cigar Bars The Hotel Bar The Broadmoor 1 Lake Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80906 844-513-9981 Broadmoor.com

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse 8100 E. Orchard Rd. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303-796-0100 Delfriscos.com

The Cigar Bar 315 E. Hyman Ave. Aspen CO 81611 970-920-4244 Sucasaaspen.com/ the-cigar-bar/

Churchill’s The Brown Palace Hotel 321 17th St. Denver, CO 80202 303-297-3111 Brownpalace.com

The Robusto Room 9535 Park Meadows Dr. Lone Tree, CO 80124 303-790-7363 Therobustoroom.com

Bachelors Lounge Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch 0130 Daybreak Ridge Avon, CO 81620 970-748-6200 Ritzcarlton.com

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ange n then WeR Homeg o st with Chef Paul Nagan of range the New America Discoverin


W

By Monica Parpal Stockridge

hen Paul Nagan first set foot in Colorado, he wasn’t sure what to expect. As a young college graduate from the Midwest, he arrived in Steamboat Springs with a degree in economics and a taste for adventure. He didn’t know it then, but he was embarking on a journey toward a distinguished career in fine dining — and a new life in the American West. That first summer spent working as a cook at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort left an indelible impression on Nagan. “The scenery, the people, the attitude, and my first experience in finedining cooking … it was all totally new to me.” Savoring the experience, he enrolled in culinary school and landed a job at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort. In between classes at Johnson & Wales University, he took trips to California to learn more about the area’s vibrant local ingredients. “In the 1990s, Colorado was known primarily for things like green chile and game. Going to California was eye-opening for me,” Nagan remembers. “Colorado has turned into that kind of environment, where there’s so much produced locally and you can source what you want from the area.” For a time, California lured Nagan away from the Rockies. He honed his natural cooking ability in fine establishments like the four-star, four-diamond San Mateo Marriott & Convention Center near San Francisco, and served as consulting chef for menu development and design while opening the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. Eventually he returned to Colorado, where he took on the role of Executive Chef at Zink Kitchen + Bar in the Denver Tech Center DoubleTree Hotel. There, he explored global cuisine using local ingredients, bringing the best of his experience and expertise to south Denver. Before long, the Zink owners approached Nagan about a pioneering new restaurant opportunity in Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Hotel — formerly the Colorado

National Bank building, first opened in 1915. The multi-year plan involved massive interior renovations. The space would be converted into a luxury hotel, while features like the original coffered ceilings, bank vault doors, and one-ofa-kind murals by turn-of-the-century Colorado painter Allen Tupper True would be preserved. The stately building was to be the setting for a new restaurant, first envisioned as a modern whiskey saloon. Yet, range restaurant (yes, the “r” is lowercase) developed into something much greater than a trendy tavern. The modern design fits the luxury hotel bill, the original marble columns bring you back to earlier days, and leather upholstery and reclaimed barn wood achieve rustic flair. To focus his culinary scheme and to honor the history of the setting, Nagan coined the term New American West, concentrating on the flavors of western culture and heritage.

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“New American means sourcing what you can locally, but then applying techniques and flavors from all over the world,” he explains. “At range, we wanted to highlight Colorado. So the idea was to take that New American concept, source locally, and focus on flavors of Colorado and the West.” To execute his vision, Nagan harnesses what he calls “campfire cooking” techniques — cast iron sautéing, in-house smoking, and cooking over a hickory wood-fired oven. “I think this is just a natural way of cooking,” he says, countering the molecular gastronomy and sous-vide techniques du jour. “This is where you really generate depth of flavor.” Yet, the concept might still be misunderstood. “I definitely think the term New American West can get misconstrued as a pot of chile and cornbread,” Nagan laughs. “I love chili and cornbread, but we’re trying to do more of a contemporary take here at range.” So what does a contemporary campfire dish look like? In a bite, Nagan’s Tender Belly Tomahawk Pork Rack. Brined for 24 hours with brown sugar, black pepper, and thyme, this bold bone-in chop is smoked in-house, grilled-to-order, and served simply with spaghetti squash and roasted pears. “It’s a good example of what we’re trying to do here,” Nagan says. “We take high-quality ingredients and improve what we can, but let the flavors stand on their own.” The restaurant is also open for breakfast, serving dishes like Huevos Rancheros with house-smoked pork belly and homemade hatch green chile, and Eggs Benedict with house-shaved prosciutto and roasted jalapeño hollandaise on a cheddar biscuit.

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For lunch, the Niman Ranch “Never” Burger delivers a high-quality beef patty topped with a small mountain of Tender Belly jalapeño bacon, cheddar, avocado, and smoked chile aïoli. Even the salads are dressed to Western standards, with choices like the Wood-Fired Veggie Salad with smoky, caramelized seasonal vegetables served on a mound of fregola (a pasta similar to couscous) and tossed with arugula, romesco, and kale pesto sauce. “In my opinion, the wood-fired oven makes everything taste better,” Nagan says. This summer, keep an eye out for new seasonal dishes like Oxtail Empanadas with grilled mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and piquillo-almond pesto, as well as Venison Osso Buco accompanied by brown butter smashed potatoes, root vegetables, and a bright citrus-herb gremolata. Food and Beverage Director Tommy Lloyd ensures the drink menu aligns with this concept, focusing on local producers and native ingredients. “Our goal for the beverage program is to create something that is intriguing, indigenous, and independent,” Lloyd says. “We take pride in local products and really want to tell the story of Denver and Colorado’s beverage offerings.” The craft beer program, for example, taps local breweries like Left Hand and Great Divide, anchored by the house draft, Countinghouse Cream Ale from Former Future Brewing Company. “Former Future is a wonderful brewery,” Lloyd says. “We knew we wanted to develop a relationship with a brewery that was a rising star.” Former Future earned that star at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), and the cream

ale has been a winner at range since the beginning. Lloyd recommends pairing it with an order of Candied Habanero Bacon. “You can’t go wrong,” he says. If you seek a refined cocktail, Lloyd recommends the Centennial Mule: Breckenridge Vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime served in a cold copper mug — or any of the Colorado cocktails, all crafted with locally produced spirits. From the striking Rocky Mountain views to the welcoming, vibrant energy, there is an undeniable magic that draws people to Colorado. Although the hotel welcomes many out-of-town guests, the majority of range diners are local residents. It’s a testament to Colorado’s good taste. And luckily, local chefs, ranchers, and producers constitute a veritable garden of talent that just continues to grow. “Everyday there are new purveyors and producers coming available. It’s exciting that we have those to work with,” Nagan says. When asked if he sees himself in Colorado for the foreseeable future, Nagan nods a quick affirmative. He’s raising a family here now, and he loves Denver for its blend of attitude, energy, and livability. “Yeah, I’m here for good,” he chuckles. With range’s one-year anniversary just past, it’s safe to say that Nagan — and range — have found a permanent home in Colorado.

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The

face of

DOWN TO W

By Courtney Drake-McDonough

N Photograph courtesy of Denver Pavillions

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ot that long ago, a person didn’t dare stray too far from the heart of Downtown Denver since the immediately surrounding areas were, well, a little rough. I am a Denver native, and I remember an instance about 20 years ago, when I stood on 17th Street, peered eastward into the darkness, and wondered what was down that way … in the unknown. Head that way today and it’s a hip, happening, thriving restaurant, gallery and residential district. In nearly every direction, that cautious radius has expanded over the years, revealing a pedestrian-friendly new world that shows off the vibrancy of Downtown Denver, its residents and visitors. Follow along and explore some of the best of what Downtown Denver has to offer as you visit the Mile High City.

A City of the Past, Present and Future Denver’s Downtown area has grown rapidly over the past two decades. There has been an influx of new residents and businesses. “We’re attracting the most innovative ideas and best and brightest employees,” says Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc., which plans, manages and develops Downtown Denver. “We’ve become the entrepreneurial hub of the Rocky Mountain West. And we consistently rank as Number One or Number Two at attracting the millennial generation.” To support the growth while making Denver a premier place to live, work and visit, the city center was carefully built. “What you’re seeing is the culmination of all of that work,” says Door. Some of the most impressive and important improvements to Downtown Denver include increasing transportation options, such as expanding the 16th Street Mall from Civic Center Station all the way to the Millennium Bridge; creating the free MetroRide; designating bike lanes and expanding bus routes and Light Rail lines. Housing opportunities have increased, Denver’s historic Union Station was redeveloped, parks were added and a theatre district and related activities were created. Other significant projects are in the works, including redevelopment of a 30-block mixeduse area called Arapahoe Square, right in the heart of Downtown. Door says, “The Downtown Denver Partnership has worked with partners to craft a vision for what that area could be.” Door recommends visitors be sure to see the following jewels of Downtown Denver: Civic Center Park with its nearby museums; the redeveloped Skyline Park with amenities including an annual ice rink and outdoor movie venue; the 16th Street Mall’s shopping and dining; theater and music at the Denver Performing Arts Complex; Commons Park and the Auraria Campus, west of Speer Boulevard, the largest higher education campus in the state, located right in the city. To spend time in Downtown Denver is to spend time where the locals are found, milling about the city blocks, appreciating and enjoying the city. “When visitors go to the city, they want to experience the authenticity of the people who live there and the environment they live in,” Door points out. Residents and visitors alike are taking it all in together. “[Travelers are] going to be surprised at what they find when they come to Denver, particularly if they haven’t been here over the past decade, truly over the last five years. And this is only the beginning,” says Door. “It just goes to show that with really strong vision, which Denver historically has, you really can create a magnificent, urban environment.”

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Photograph by PhotoLaszlo.com

Vibrant Downtown Denver is host to a unique combination of historic architecture, eclectic sights and lively entertainment. 42

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Denver Pavilions One of the anchors of the 16th Street Mall is the Denver Pavilions, created as a destination attraction for fashion, dining and entertainment downtown. In the open-air, multi-level area, browse major anchor stores and local boutiques, dine at any of the eight restaurants, catch a movie, bowl or enjoy a jazz club. “You’re not going to get the vibe of ‘any mall’ USA when you visit Denver Pavilions,” says Wendy Manning, marketing director for Denver Pavilions. “The complex features the great wall marquee featuring the word ‘Denver,’ which is one of the most photographed signs in the state and sets the tone for a special experience.”


Photograph by Chad Chisholm

Locally owned boutiques and award-winning restaurants infuse Larimer Square with a unique charm.

Larimer Square Given that the buildings date back to the 19th Century, at first glance Larimer Square, on Larimer Street between 14th and 15th Streets, appears frozen in time. It’s the vibe that comes from the 110 tenants who breathe fresh life into this historic district. Larimer Square’s history goes back to the 19th Century and is named for General William H. Larimer, who staked his claim on the area and landed his moniker on the main street for his efforts. Over time, the area transformed from a lively mecca of dance halls, a hotel and stores that catered to silver miners. When hard times hit it became known as one of the most famous skid rows in America. Later, it was featured prominently

in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, where he talks about the hobo lifestyle. “From the 1940s-1960s it was a bleak place,” says Joe Vostrejs, chief operating officer with Larimer Associates. Slated to be torn down, preservationist Dana Crawford was aghast these buildings, prime examples of western Victorian architecture and full of history, would be leveled. She assembled a group of partners who bought the buildings and preserved them in what was one of the nation’s first Adaptive Reuse projects. Her actions were considered radical, but she and her partners had vision and weren’t deterred. In 2015, Larimer Square celebrates its 50th anniversary. Remember those tidbits, and take notice of the details in each building as you stroll along, discovering mostly locally owned businesses, another feature that makes Larimer Square special. Restaurants run by some of Denver’s top chefs, 15-20 boutiques and 100,000-squarefeet of office space are all strung together by a canopy of glowing white lights, melding to make Larimer Square magical. Although all of Larimer Square is a treasure, Vostrejs recommends visitors explore the “Bull and Bear Courtyard” on the south side of the street to discover a historical ceiling mural and hidden garden. Across the street, visit the restaurants and shops in The Walkway, a subterranean area leading to Larimer Square’s own parking area. Always improving on history, Vostrejs reveals exciting new plans for the alleys on both sides of the street. “The vision is to turn them into beautifully detailed streets with cobblestone surfaces, elegant lighting and storefronts,” giving Larimer Square three streets instead of one. “It’s really going to be something special,” he says.

Union Station You can’t really talk about the changing face of Downtown Denver without talking about Dana Crawford. As mentioned above, Larimer Square owes its renewed life to the efforts of Crawford and her partners. But so do several other properties, including the 1905 warehouse-turned-Edbrooke Lofts and the first housing in the Platte Valley area of Downtown, the Flour Mill Loft. Crawford also renovated the Oxford Hotel at 17th and Wazee, taking it from what she describes as a “flop house” built in 1891 to the beautiful hotel it is today (be sure to stop by the art deco Cruise Room for a cocktail). Crawford’s most recent project, a jewel in the crown of not only Crawford and her Union Station Alliance partners, but also of the city, is Denver Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop. Built in 1881, the station in its heyday saw 116 trains pass daily over its tracks. Time passed and train traffic dwindled to two a day. Like Larimer Square, Union Station was slated for the wrecking ball. Crawford had her eye on the project, appreciating its potential and, with the Union Station Alliance (which includes Larimer’s Vostrejs), set about a $54-million renovation and rejuvenation. Denver Union Station reopened in July 2014 with the addition of the 112-room Crawford Hotel, numerous locally owned restaurants and shops, an outdoor plaza and a complete transit center that manages Amtrak trains, buses and light rail and the 16th Street MallRide and MetroRide, both of which circulate for free throughout Downtown Denver. On any given day or night, you’ll see people working in the great hall on their laptops, holding meetings, eating a meal, playing shuffleboard, sipping a cocktail or a Colorado craft beer, and just engaging in conversation. “The city’s living room,” is the tag Crawford coined, feeling it’s a place that “redefines the metropolitan Denver area and this particular neighborhood,” known as LoDo (Lower Downtown). Whether arriving from Denver International Airport via Light Rail (a 35-minute route coming in 2016), or simply entering through the front doors, Crawford encourages people to notice Colorado’s state flower, the columbine, artfully carved into the arches of the Great Hall; the Terminal Bar, featuring ticket windows from its prior life; the original flooring and everywhere, Colorado art. “This place is all about Colorado,” Crawford states. And ultimately, she adds, it’s about connections. “Connections between all kinds of people, connections between the past and the future.”

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Photograph by Mike Arzt

Denver Theatre District

Thomas Edison was quoted as saying Denver’s Champa Street is the brightest street in America. These days, the Denver Theatre District is playing off that idea – casting light for visitors to experience the arts in unique ways. Light is the starting point for the Denver Theatre District. David Ehrlich, the organization’s executive director, says it was determined that putting light on a street provides people a sense of safety, which leads to spending more time walking around Downtown viewing art, experiencing theater and everything Denver has to offer. In turn, those distractions make walking more pleasurable and contribute to a more walkable city. And it all starts with light. “You create a sense of warmth and comfort and people will then experience fun things,” Ehrlich says. The Denver Theatre District, a nonprofit organization founded by the Arts and Venues division of Denver and the Downtown Denver Partnership, hosts 30-50 activities a year, all within the confines from 14th to 16th Streets and Lawrence to Champa Streets. Activities range from art installations and murals,

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community gatherings, theater and music performances on the street and LED digital billboards featuring digital art commissioned from artists around the world. The billboards showcase a unique public/private partnership. “Any media company that wants to put up an ad in the district dedicates 15 percent of its gross revenue and 15 percent to 20 percent of the time they have, all year long, to the district,” explains Ehrlich. In addition to advertisements, the LED boards show commissioned digital art pieces and video promotions for local artists, basking them in thousands of dollars worth of free advertising time for their art. A percentage of the commercial revenues goes back to the Denver Theatre District for unique street activities, such as a plan to commission short plays held in alleyways off of the 16th Street Mall. The Denver Theatre District is the first of its kind in the United States, and Ehrlich and his team receive frequent inquiries from other cities wanting to learn more. Being leaders

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in promoting theater and the arts is nothing new for Denver. “Denver’s theater scene is one of the top in the country. From the small to the large, we have an incredibly vibrant scene that includes national launches of shows like Book of Mormon and incredible original work too,” he says. The District’s activities serve as a supplement to the theater experience, bringing art, culture and activity to people. “Why can’t you do theater in an alley?” asks Ehrlich. “Why can’t you put up a bunch of art pieces on the streets? If you’re walking down the street and you get a surprise that makes you smile or think for a minute and makes you stop for 20 seconds, we think that’s kind of cool.” For a map of the Denver Theatre District and its various activities, including upcoming events, visit www.DenverTheatreDistrict.com. And for examples of art pieces that have been shown, visit the online museum, Denver Digerati at http:// denverdigerati.com/


Bright Lights, Big City. Denver’s vibrant downtown has transformed from a low-key business hub to a lively mecca for first-rate dining, entertainment and shopping.

The Highlands Overlooking Denver Union Station is the soaring mast of the Millennium Bridge, which crosses the busy train tracks. From there, looking west across Commons Park, there are two bridges that cross Platte River and the highway into not-to-be-missed extension of Downtown Denver. Although the Highlands neighborhood has always had a close relationship with Downtown Denver, due to being neighbors just up the hill, the two areas are now forever literally linked, thanks to those pedestrian and bike/auto bridges. From Downtown, the Highlands is just minutes away, a wellestablished but trendy neighborhood with an identity all its own. Immediately upon crossing over into the 150-year-old Highlands, the Lower Highlands (LoHi) area greets visitors, extending from I-25 to Tejon Street, with shops, galleries, restaurants, bars and historic and new residences that all enjoy magnificent views of Downtown Denver in one direction and the majestic Rocky Mountains in the other. Rebecca Hunt is president of Highland United Neighbors, Inc. (HUNI), a neighborhood organization. When she moved to the Highlands 20 years ago, she says “it was still very much an ethnic, working-class neighborhood with an emphasis on Latino culture mixed with a bit of the old Italian neighborhood and some newer families.” But in the last five-to-ten years there has been an explosion of high-end restaurants, entertainment and arts venues and people. “We’ve seen rapid deployment of developers tearing down the old and building the new. We’ve seen an influx of people who want an inner-city experience in a livable neighborhood,” says Hunt. “It’s a mix of the hip oldsters and hip youngsters!” Hunt recommends a bike tour through the various neighborhoods within Highlands, to take in highlights of the Italian area, Stone

Photograph by PhotoLaszlo.com

Masons Row of homes, the variety of church architecture, the gallery district and the collection of businesses at 16th and Boulder Streets. There, you’ll find eclectic shops and Linger Restaurant, a great eatery in what used to be Olinger Mortuary, hence the name. Be sure to partake at the hugely popular Little Man Ice Cream, housed in a building that looks like an actual, giant, old-fashioned cream can! A neighborhood big into sustainability, Highlands has many community vegetable gardens as well as residential gardens with the occasional backyard chicken running about. “We’re one of the best small towns in the middle of the city,” says Hunt. “And it’s just over the bridge from Downtown.”

As you spend time in Denver, feel the palpable pride we have for our city. No longer peering into the unknown, Downtown Denver is flourishing and vibrant everywhere you look. We welcome you to explore and discover the various areas and neighborhoods of Downtown Denver and to really experience what it’s like to be part of the city and its people. Author bio: Courtney Drake-McDonough is a Denver native who writes and edits for local and national magazines and newspapers. She also founded www.InGoodTasteDenver.com, a website featuring news and reviews of restaurants, theater, movies and travel in Denver and beyond.

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Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Calendar

the

scene Entertainment options abound in the Mile-High City, ranging from great shows featuring first-run artists, to fabulous dining and shopping. Denver Hotel Magazine brings you our favorite picks of the Summer season.

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September 5-6

Taylor Swift The Pepsi Center

Taylor Swift’s latest album, 1989, has sold more than 5 million copies, and the frenzy does not appear to be slowing down as fans both old and new continue to bring her stardom to new heights. This marks Swift’s third album to cross the 5 million milestone, and her Blank Space video is the fastest video to surpass 1 billion views on Vevo. Her North American and European tour kicked off in Louisiana, and includes shows in Canada, Germany, Amsterdam and the United Kingdom. Australian singer Vance Joy, whose song Riptide is a huge sensation, joins her in Denver for this not-to-bemissed concert.


JULY Calendar Pepsi Center

Cirque Kurious - Cirque du Soleil

Seeing is disbelieving with this magical show that plunges the audience into a fascinating realm that disorients the senses and challenges perceptions. KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities leaves the viewer wondering, “Is it real, or just a figment of my imagination?” The show takes place in a curio cabinet of an ambitious inventor, who defies the laws of time, space and physics in order to transform reality around him. Suddenly, the visible becomes intangible, perspectives are thrown out of balance, and his world is literally turned upside down in a place that’s as beautiful as it is mysterious.

Red Rocks

Premier dance artists perform under the open sky in a stunning spectacle of lights and lasers. July 18

Train with The Fray Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre

Popular Colorado rock band The Fray returns to Denver alongside Train, who will perform a host of hits. July 18-19

Winter Park Jazz Festival Hideaway Park

Parties, great food and jazz galore, including performances by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Tower of Power and Rick Braun. July 23

Harry Connick Jr. Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Harry Connick launched his career playing jazz and popular music, then took his talent to the big screen where he proved equally talented. July 23

Devotchka and the Colorado Symphony

Defending the Caveman Garner Galleria Theatre at DCPA

Venues on South Broadway

A great showcase of Colorado’s best artists performing alongside some of the nation’s most compelling independent acts.

July 17-19

Global Dance Festival

July-August 23

Denver Post Underground Music Showcase (UMS) Michael Brosilow

An original MADtv cast member, Bryan Callen has made audiences laugh on both the big and small screen.

July 23-26

July 26

Defending the Caveman is a hilarious play about the ways men and women relate to each other. Without taking sides, this insightful comedy discusses the ongoing battle for understanding between the sexes.

Hunter Hayes with Sam Hunt

July 11

Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre Pepsi Center

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Hunter Hayes took the country music world by storm at a young age, and at age 22 he is already a four-time Grammy nominee, CMA new Artist of the Year and the youngest male ever to top the Billboard Hot Country song chart.

Channel 93.3’s Big Gig 2015

DFree / Shutterstock.com

Comedy Works

July 27

Imagine Dragons: Smoke + Mirrors Tour

Biennial of the Americas

July 28

Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire – Heart and Soul Tour 2015 Pepsi Center

Unparalleled entertainment from two of America’s most legendary musical groups, who combined have more than 200 million albums sold and 20 GRAMMY nominations.

Featuring Awolnation, Nate Ruess, Andrew McMahon, In The Wilderness, Banks, New Politics, Atlas Genius, Saint Motel, and Pandas & People Singer/songwriter Nate Ruess exploded onto the music scene with his Grammy award-winning hit We Are Young, recorded with his ban Fun. Now a solo act, Ruess appears with a host of other great musical talents. July 14-19

Pepsi Center

Their Grammy Award-winning single “Radioactive” sent them to the forefront of the alternative rock genre, and now the Smoke + Mirrors Tour will show the world why they’ve sold more than 3.9 million albums.

Sloan’s Lake Park

Now celebrating its 15th year, this unique festival features good-natured fun as more than 100,000 people turn out to watch teams compete in the ancient sport of Dragon Boat Races. The festival is a celebration of Asian culture, and has earned recognition from a host of organizations. This year, 52 teams , including a fleet of six Hong Kong-style competitive boats will be part of the festivities, racing alongside Taiwan-style boats that have long been the mainstay of the events.

f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Bryan Callen

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

McNichols Civic Center Building

An international festival of ideas, art and culture that connects business, cultural and civic interests from throughout the Americas. Featuring innovative workshops, world-class symposia, art exhibits and much more.

July 29

AT&T MLS All-Star Game Photo Works / Shutterstock.com

July 16-18

July 18-19

Jim Medford

June 11-July 26

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

An exciting exhibition matchup between the English club Tottenham Hotspur and the Colorado Rapids. Soccer fans will thrill to the fast-paced play and skill demonstrated by players from both sides of the pond.

Red Rocks

DeVotchKa returns to Red Rocks with trademark lush orchestrations in an evening of majestic sound and illuminating theatrical surprises. denverhotelmaga zine.com :: your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices

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Calendar AUGUST

Joan Marcus

The Book of Mormon

The Ellie Caulkins Theatre

FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com

Two Mormon missionaries are sent to a remote part of Uganda where they embark on a mission to baptize the uninitiated. A hilarious comedy replete with a fun plot, show-stopping songs, well-choreographed dances and an overall fantastic production that has captured the hearts of audiences nationwide.

Red Rocks

Red Rocks

Irish singer/songwriter Hozier rose to stardom following his hit single Take Me to Church. Following the release of his self-titled album Hozier, Take Me to Church was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2015 Grammy Awards, where he performed with Annie Lennox.

A great evening of rock and pop featuring hit songs Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon) and Stolen Dance (Milky Chance).

High Plains Comedy Festival Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Broadway superstar Idina Menzel stole the show with the lead role in Frozen, performing the hit song “Let it Go.” Her beautiful voice garnered her a coveted Tony Award, and amassed fans around the globe. Menzel performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a stunning venue for an absolutely stunning voice.

August 6

Hozier

Various - South Broadway

In just its third year, the High Plains Comedy Festival has quickly garnered the love of Colorado (and national) audiences by showcasing some of the best comics performing today. High Plains prides itself on offering some of the best comics from stage, TV, and film. August 28-September 7

Colorado State Fair

Walk the Moon, Milky Chance

August 6

Kelly Clarkson with Pentatonix The Pepsi Center

Since winning the first season of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson has enjoyed nonstop success, with Billboard naming her a Top 100 Artist.

360b / Shutterstock.com

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Kidz Bop Kids: Make Some Noise Tour Pikes Peak Center

A lively and fun performance of today’s biggest pop music hits sung by kids, for kids. August 19

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – 35th Anniversary Tour Paramount Theatre

August 8

Sports Authority Field at Mile High

August 21-22

Kenny Chesney & Jason Aldean A night of authentic country music performed by two of the industry’s leading vocalists who are adored by fans. August 11

Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint Tour The Pepsi Center

Rapper Nicki Minaj was the first female artist included on MTV’s Annual Hottest MC List, and always steals the show with her colorful costumes and wigs … and great music!

August 25

Gentlemen of the Road Vandaveer Ranch, Salida

Mumford & Sons, The Flaming Lips, Jenny Lewis, Dawes, The Vaccines, tUnE-yArDs, James Vincent McMorrow, Blake Mills, JEFF the Brotherhood, and more! Talent will rule the day as a host of fun bands take to the stage. August 22

Reggae on the Rocks Red Rocks

“1964” The Tribute (Beatles Anniversary Concert)

August 14

Red Rocks

Pepsi Center

Rolling Stone Magazine hails “1964” as the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth.” The show is a musical journey that has been called the most authentic tribute in the world, with songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era that recreate the vibe with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles and onstage banter.

August 16

The fantastic duo perform for fans, with show-stopping guitar, familiar vocals and hit songs that have made them icons of the music world.

Pueblo

Now in its 143rd year, The 2015 Colorado State Fair is Colorado’s premier celebration of agriculture. The annual event features one of the country’s largest traveling carnivals, artwork, crafts, food competitions, thrilling rodeo action, a wide variety of food and merchandise booths and a Fiesta Day honoring Colorado’s ties to the Hispanic culture.

Red Rocks

Idina Menzel

August 2

August 20-22

Margo Harrison / Shutterstock.com

August 11

Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com

August 11-September 13

Shania twain: Rock the Country Tour The “Queen of Country Pop” brings her fabulous talent to Denver, and shows audiences why she is the best-selling female artist in the history of country music.

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Featuring some of the top Reggae bands, including Sublime with Rome and the Mighty Diamonds – bringing their good energy and positive vibes for a beautiful summer evening at Red Rocks.


September Calendar September 4-7

Civic Center Park

Marti Griffin

A Taste of Colorado

Legendary rock band KANSAS opens on the Main Stage at the 32nd annual A Taste of Colorado. The four-day, free admission, food, music, and entertainment festival takes place in Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park and features food from 50+ local restaurants and more than than 275 marketplace booths for original arts and crafts, home and gift items, furniture, jewelry, imports, and more.

September 17-19

Comedy Works Downtown

Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson entered the world of late night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. Since taking the helm of CBS’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” in 2005, the show has set all-time viewer records in the nine years that it has been on the air. Ferguson stepped down as host of “The Late Late Show” in December 2014.

September 9

Pepsi Center

English rock band Def Leppard has a multitude of chart-topping songs, and is one of music’s best-selling artists with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide.

September 13

September 10-13

Pepsi Center

Comedy Works Downtown in Larimer Square

With a unique style that crosses a host of musical genres, Brown’s talent has earned several top spots on Billboard. A great combination of R&B/Hip Hop/Rap.

The irreverent comedian is a cast member on the hit MTV series Girl Code, and was named one of the “Top 18 Women You Should Be Following on Twitter” by Huffington Post.

September 13

September 25, 26

Ogden Theater

Red Rocks

British folk rock singer and songwriter Passenger sprang to stardom following the release of his hit single “Let Her Go,” which has topped charts in several countries.

A huge new stage and great lineup of artists from around the globe converge at ROWDYTOWN 4, featuring performances by RL Grime, Thomas Jack, Snails, Jauz, Two Fresh and DeFunk.

September 18

September 4-6

Chris Brown: One Hell of a Nite Tour

Passenger

Brad Paisley Crushin’ It World Tour Pepsi Center

A not-to-be-missed show that combines great music performed in a unique full working bar setting that is incorporated into the sets.

Jamie Lee

Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience Snowmass Town Park

September 18

Paramount Theatre

September 16

John Hiatt & Taj Mahal

Pepsi Center

Actor/comedian Kevin Hart is known for taking his own real-life experiences and making them … Seriously Funny. He has had starring roles in several movies, and has been the host of Saturday Night Live. He is known worldwide as one of the funniest comedians performing today. September 9, 10

Tim McGraw Red Rocks

He has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and has 36 #1 singles. He has won 3 Grammys, and numerous other awards. Since his debut in 1992, Tim McGraw is the most played country artists, and now he will wow the audience in Colorado. September 9-20

Rowdytown 4: Big Gigantic

72 hours of world-class music on three stages. Great performances by No Doubt, Hozier, Lenny Kravits, The Fray, Fitz & The Tantrums, Jimmy Cliff and more.

Arguably one of the country’s most influential singer/songwriters, John Hiatt will keep the audience singing. Blues musician Taj Mahal will keep them dancing as well.

Kevin Hart-What Now? Tour Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Jamaican ska & reggae musician Jimmy Cliff will keep the audience dancing with his hits such as “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” “The Harder They Come,” and “Sitting in Limbo.”

Def Leppard

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Ogden Theater

September 5 September 26

Matilda The Musical The Buell Theatre

Joan Marcus

Jimmy Cliff

Winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl. September 4-6

Phish

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Since their debut in 1983, American rock band Phish has cultivated a devoted fan base that has followed them through the decades. Their musical style ranges from progressive rock, to psychedelic rock to folk and jazz, and their popularity continues to grow through the years.

Billy Joel

The Pepsi Center

Die-hard fans never tire of Billy Joel’s classic hits which have garnered countless awards and recognition as one of the best-selling artists of all time. denverhotelmaga zine.com :: your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices

49


the scene

FESTIVALS

SPORTS

2014–2015 season

All home games played at Coors Field

Colorado Rockies

June 25-Aug 9 Crested Butte Music Festival Crested Butte

Aug 22-23 49th Fine Arts Festival Evergreen

June 26-Aug 15 16th Street Fair Downtown Denver

Aug 22-23 High Octane Arts & Crafts Show Gunnison

July 1-Aug 6 BRAVO! Vail Vail

Aug 28-Sept. 7 Colorado State Fair Pueblo

July 13-19 Crested Butte Wildflower Festival Crested Butte

Aug 28 Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Festival Denver Mart

July 18-19 Winter Park Jazz Festival Hideaway Park

Aug 28-30 Riot Fest & Rodeo Featuring Snoop Dogg, Iggy Pop, Tenacious D National Western Complex

July 18-19 Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival Keystone July 23-24 Aspen Art Festival Aspen July 23-26 The Underground Music Showcase Various venues on South Broadway July 24 Buffalo Bill Days Golden Evan Meyer / Shutterstock.com

July 27-Aug 10 Vail International Dance Festival Vail July 31-Aug 2 Telluride Jazz Festival Telluride Town Park July 31-Aug 2 Denver County Fair National Western Complex JULY 20 vs. Texas Rangers JULY 21 vs. Texas Rangers JULY 22 vs. Texas Rangers JULY 24 vs. Cincinnati Reds JULY 25 vs. Cincinnati Reds JULY 26 vs. Cincinnati Reds AUG 3 vs. Seattle Mariners AUG 4 vs. Seattle Mariners AUG 5 vs. Seattle Mariners AUG 14 vs. San Diego Padres AUG 15 vs. San Diego Padres AUG 16 vs. San Diego Padres Aug 18 vs. Washington Nationals AUG 19 vs. Washington Nationals AUG 20 vs. Washington Nationals

AUG 21 vs. New York Mets AUG 22 vs. New York Mets AUG 23 vs. New York Mets AUG 31 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks SEP 1 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks SEP 2 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks SEP 4 vs. San Francisco Giants SEP 5 vs. San Francisco Giants SEP 6 vs. San Francisco Giants SEP 18 vs. San Diego Padres SEP 19 vs. San Diego Padres SEP 20 vs. San Diego Padres SEP 25 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers SEP 26 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers SEP 27 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Colorado Rapids All home games played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

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Aug 1-2 Beaver Creek Art Festival Beaver Creek Aug 1-2 Keystone’s 19th Annual Bluegrass and Beer Festival Keystone Aug 5-9 Steamboat Wine Festival Steamboat Springs Aug 7-9 Arise Music Festival Sunrise Ranch, Loveland Aug 7-9 Leadville Boom Days Festival Leadville

2015 season

AUG 1 vs. AUG 26 vs. AUG 29 vs. SEP 12 vs.

Aug 1-2 Colorado Scottish Festival Town Park, Snowmass Village

LA Galaxy Houston Dynamo Sporting Kansas City DC United

July 24-26 MOPAR Mile High NHRA Nationals Bandimere Speedway

AUG 17-23 USA PRO Challenge Civic Center Park

July 29 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

SEP 18-20 Pedal the Plains Colorado Eastern Plains

Aug 13-16 2015 True West Railfest Durango Aug 13-16 Palisade Peach Festival Palisade Aug 14-15 16th Street Fair 16th Street Mall- Pedestrian Mall

Sept 4-6 JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience Snowmass Sept 4-6 Four Corners Folk Festival Pagosa Springs, CO Sept 4-7 Taste of Colorado Civic Center Park, Downtown Denver Sept 5-6 Keystone’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Celebration Keystone Sept 10-13 Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival Stanley Park Sept 11-13 21st Annual Oktoberfest Breckenridge Sept 12-13 Colorado Chilefest Centennial Center Park Sept 17-20 35th Annual Festival of Film Breckenridge Sept 17-20 Colorado Mountain Winefest Palisade Sept 18 40th Annual Snowmass Balloon & Wine Festival Snowmass Sept 18-19 OktoberWest Steamboat Springs Sept 18-20 Denver Beer Fest/Oktoberfest Denver Metro Sept 18-20 Downtown Boulder Fall Fest Boulder Sept 18-20 Colorfest Weekend Pagosa Springs Sept 18-20 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

Aug 15-16 Golden Fine Arts Festival 11th St. and Arapahoe St., Golden

Sept 19-20 Centennial Chalk Art Festival Centennial Center Park

Aug 21-22 Mountain Town Music Festival Keystone Resort

Sept 19-20 ARTumn Festival in Crested Butte Crested Butte

Aug 21-22 Higher Ground Music Festival 27th and Larimer St.

Sept 25-26 Brush Oktoberfest Brush

Aug 22 Boulder Craft Beer Festival Boulder

Sept 25-27 Fruita Fall Festival Fruita

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Recreation

At a higher level.

Get your fun on. It’s called the Mile High City for a reason, and once you stop in, you’ll know you’ve reached the summit of enjoyment. Our incredible selection of edibles, candies, chocolates, infused drinks, tinctures and topicals will blow your mind. We are a short walk from your hotel, and a mile above the rest. Mention get is th ad and

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6260 S. Gun Club Road

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16th and Tremont

303.766.8677

303.680.1016

303.534.6255

EufloraColorado.com

While all our products are delicious, they are most definitely NOT for children. Please keep out of the reach of children.


the scene

events

July 13 The Smashing Pumpkins & Marilyn Manson Red Rocks Alternative Rock

July 17 Eddie Money Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont Rock and Pop

July 27 Lyle Lovett Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs Folk, jazz, gospel, country

July 13 Boz Scaggs Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder Rock and Pop

July 17, 18 Jurassic 5 Ogden Theater Rap and Hip-Hop

July 14 Wilco Red Rocks Alternative Rock

July 19 The Temptations The Hudson Gardens & Event Center R&B/Soul

July 27 Red Wanting Blue The Soiled Dove Underground, Denver Rock and roll

July 14 The Ataris Marquis Theater Punk/Rock July 14 Boz Scaggs Denver Botanic Gardens Rock and Pop July 14 3 Doors Down 1stBank Center, Broomfield Rock and Pop July 14 Patty Griffin Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder Country and Folk July 14 Buddy Guy Belly Up, Aspen Jazz and Blues July 15 Death Cab for Cutie Red Rocks Alternative Rock July 15 Buddy Guy Paramount Theatre Jazz and Blues July 15 Bruce Hornsby Denver Botanic Gardens Jazz and Blues July 15 Indigo Girls Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder Country and Folk July 15 Cut Copy The 1up – Colfax Dance/Electronic July 16 Morrissey Red Rocks Alternative Rock July 16 The Contortionist The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs Progressive Rock July 16 Corey Taylor The Summit Music Hall Hard Rock/Metal July 17 The Melvins The Summit Music Hall Punk/Rock July 17 Darius Rucker Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre Country and Folk July 17 Between the Buried and Me Mesa Theater & Club, Grand Junction Progressive Rock

52

July 28 Lyle Lovett and His Large Band Red Rocks Folk, jazz, gospel, country

July 19 Say Anything The Summit Music Hall Alternative Rock

July 28 TV on the Radio Belly Up, Aspen Punk Rock

July 20 Van Halen with Kenny Wayne Shepherd Red Rocks Hard Rock/Metal

July 28 Arch Enemy The Summit Music Hall Metal

July 20 Jurassic 5 Belly Up, Aspen Rap and Hip-Hop July 21 NeedToBreathe Red Rocks Rock and Pop July 21 Danzig The Fillmore Auditorium Hard Rock/Metal July 22 Steve Miller Band Red Rocks Rock and Pop July 22 Keb Mo Denver Botanic Gardens Jazz and Blues July 23 Aaron Lewis Ogden Theater Country July 24 Marco Antonio Solis + Camila Pepsi Center Latin July 24-26 The String Cheese Incident Red Rocks Bluegrass, rock July 24 Reckless Kelly Grizzly Rose, Denver Country July 24 Sammy Adams Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver Rap July 26 Lady Antebellum Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre Country July 26 TV on the Radio Boulder Theater, Boulder Punk Rock July 27 ALT-J / TV on the Radio Red Rocks Punk Rock

July 29 The Music of Abba Red Rocks Pop July 29 Fall Out Boy with Wiz Khalifa Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre Rock July 29 Charli XCX The Fillmore Auditorium Punk July 29 G. Love & Special Sauce Belly Up, Aspen Alternative blues, hip hop July 30 HARD Summer Music Festival Red Rocks Stylistic R&B July 31 Motley Crue – The Final Tour 2015 Pepsi Center Heavy Metal July 31 John Mellencamp Ellie Caulkins Opera House Heartland rock August 1 Slightly Stoopid Red Rocks Folk, rock, reggae fusion August 1, 2 Brian Culbertson The Soiled Dove Underground Jazz, R&B August 2 Vans Warped Tour ‘15 Pepsi Center Electropop, metal August 2 Lynyrd Skynyrd The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, Littleton Rock August 3 Florence + The Machine Red Rocks Indie rock August 4 Sam Smith Red Rocks Vocals

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

August 7, 8 Pretty Lights Red Rocks Electronic music

August 28 Atmosphere Red Rocks Hip Hop

August 9 Michael Franti & Spearhead Red Rocks Rap, hip hop, reggae

August 29 Trampled by Turtles Red Rocks Bluegrass, folk rock

August 10 Damien Rice and Iron & Wine Red Rocks Irish singer/songwriter

August 30 Mad Decent Block Party Red Rocks Rap, varied

August 12 Diana Krall Red Rocks Jazz

September 1 Daryl Hall & John Oats Red Rocks Rock, R&B

August 13 Chris Tomlin Presents Worship Night in America Red Rocks Christian music

September 4 Griz Red Rocks American DJ, electronic

August 14 My Morning Jacket Red Rocks Rock August 15 Brandi Carlile Red Rocks Alternative country August 16 Alabama Shakes Red Rocks Rock August 17 Joe Bonamassa Red Rocks Blues rock August 18 Jackson Browne Red Rocks Rock August 19 Slipknot Red Rocks Heavy metal August 20 The Piano Guys Red Rocks Popular and classical piano August 20-22 Fortune Feimster Comedy Works South at the Landmark Comedy August 21 Yonder Mountain String Band/ Greensky Bluegrass Red Rocks Bluegrass August 22 ZOSO (The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience) Bluebird Theater Rock

September 5 Demolition Derby and Monster Truck Tour Colorado State Fair Automotive September 6 Illegal Pete’s 20th Anniversary with Lucero/Built to Spill Red Rocks Country, punk rock September 8 Faith No More Red Rocks Rock September 11, 12 STS9 Red Rocks Instrumental Rock September 13 O.A.R. Red Rocks Rock September 15 Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Red Rocks Blues, reggae, rock September 16 Counting Crows Red Rocks Rock September 18 Railroad Earth Red Rocks Newgrass September 19 Grace Potter Red Rocks Rock September 20 Duran Duran Red Rocks Pop/Rock

August 23 Garrison Keillor Red Rocks Humorist, storyteller

September 23 An Evening with Mark Knopfler and Band Red Rocks Rock

August 24 Incubus/Deftones Red Rocks Rock

September 24 Get the Led Out The American Led Zeppelin Rock

August 25 J. Cole Red Rocks Hip Hop

September 27 Twenty One Pilots Red Rocks Amphitheatre Schizophrenic pop


Complete your night on the town overlooking the city. There’s no place in Denver quite like it. Appetizers, desserts and a view.

Choose a Colorado cocktail or from an extensive selection of wines by the glass. Open from 4:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 3:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Located on the 27th floor of the AAA 4-Diamond Hyatt Regency Denver. Hyatt. You’re More Than Welcome.

hyatt regency denver AT COLORADO COnvenTiOn CenTeR 650 Fifteenth Street, Denver, CO 80202, USA T: +303 486 4433 peakslounge.com


dining 1515 Restaurant

Barolo Grill

A Denver mainstay, owner Gene Tang and his staff take Modern American Cuisine into the stratosphere at 1515. They cook what they love. Chefs Garren Teich and Jonas Halstead create intimate menus with a nod to molecular gastronomy and the sous-vide technique. Housed in an historic building, the vintage setting is perfect for any special night out on the town or simply a dinner among friends. Their wine list has repeatedly won Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence.”

This Denver favorite features a seasonal menu showcasing authentic northern Italian dishes with locally sourced ingredients. The spectacular wine cellar at this award-winning eatery includes a large collection of Barolo wines.

1515Restaurant.com

Acorn Chef/owner Steven Redzikowski serves up contemporary American cuisine in this innovative new epicurean marketplace located in the River North (RiNo) District. Housed in a reclaimed 1880’s foundry, the atmosphere is as innovative as the food. Co-owner Bryan Dayton delivers fabulous cocktails, artisan wines and beers. 3350 Brighton Blvd 720.542.3721 DenverAcorn.com

Argyll

BaroloGrillDenver.com

Beast + Bottle Owned by siblings Chef Paul C. Reilly and House Manager Aileen Reilly, Beast + Bottle is considered a new kid on the block, and an amazingly successful one at that. Just blocks from Denver’s city center, Beast + Bottle has raised the bar on the “farm to fork” genre of cuisine. They work with ranchers, farmers and other purveyors, offering unique cuts of meat prepared in their in-house butchery, and organic ingredients. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Beast + Bottle offers a delicious adventure in dining in a friendly, comfortable setting.

ArgyllDenver.com

Bang! With a menu as colorful as the restaurant’s exterior, Bang! quickly became a hit among locals and tourists looking for a great place to dine in The Highlands, just north of downtown Denver. The dress is casual, but the food is as good as it gets, whether it’s a shared calamari appetizer, a fresh salad or a plate of baby back ribs. Comfort food and so much more! 3472 W. 32nd Avenue 303.455.1117 BangDenver.com

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BistroVendome.com

Bittersweet This award-winning restaurant offers artisanal cuisine steeped in old-world traditions. From handmade breads, tempting pastas and creative desserts, to produce grown in on-site gardens, every aspect of its dining experience blends authentic flavors with local ingredients.

BittersweetDenver.com

Founded in 1893, Buckhorn Exchange boasts a colorful history reflected in its food and décor. Take in the Old West artifacts while enjoying some of Denver’s best beef steak, or get adventurous with some wild game, like elk, yak or ostrich steaks.

Black Pearl

1000 Osage St. 303.534.9505

500 E. Alameda Ave. 303.942.0320

Buckhorn.com

Café Aion

719 E. 17th St. 303.623.3223 BeastandBottle.com

Beatrice & Woodsley

The gastropub concept originated in the U.K., and Denver’s Argyll GastroPub presents a “notched up” version, with pub fare featuring fresh ingredients served in an authentic “public house” ambience. Noted chef John Broening has created a superb menu, and seasoned sommelier and whiskey enthusiast Ryan Conklin has assembled top-notch spirits. 1035 E. 17th Avenue 303.847.0850

1420 Larimer Street 303.825.3232

Lanie Benack

1515 Market Street 303.571.0011

3030 E. 6th Ave. 303.393.1040

Buckhorn Exchange

derful selection of French wines are on hand to complement the meal, representing France’s major wine regions. The restaurant’s “Vin Maison” wine program allows guests to select different wines to accompany their meal.

The atmosphere is as original as the menu, which features contemporary American cuisine focused on seasonal offerings. Many items are made from locally grown ingredients, and the restaurant prides itself on strong attention to working with local, organic, humane and environmentally conscientious producers. The tastes of the Old world and new cuisine blend wonderfully to create a memorable dining experience. Beatrice & Woodsley is as original as the name implies, and has garnered great attention and kudos from foodies around town. The dinner menu is a delight, and the brunch is sure to put a smile on your face. 38 S. Broadway 303.777.3505 BeatriceAndWoodsley.com

Bistro Vendome This classic French bistro is named after Place Vendome, a local favorite in the heart of Paris. Located in the historic Sussex Building in the heart of downtown’s Larimer Square, Bistro Vendome serves up classic French bistro fare made from local, seasonal ingredients. A won-

BlackPearlDenver.com

Pulling from the rich traditions surrounding Spanish tapas, Café Aion focuses on small, straightforward and delectable dishes like Manila clams with fresh peas and chorizo or beef short rib with roast cauliflower. They also offer a variety of smaller bites and larger plates in addition to a delicious dessert menu. Don’t miss their all-night happy hour on Tuesdays!

Bones

1235 Pennsylvania Ave., Boulder 303.993.8131

1529 S. Pearl Street 303.777.0500

An Asian-inspired noodle house with a twist that’s uniquely Frank Bonanno’s, the chef/ owner of a growing empire of top-notch local eateries. Situated between two other highly popular Bonanno restaurants, Luca D’Italia and Mizuna, Bones offers a unique, casual dining experience that nevertheless has a gourmet feel. The space is small; the flavors are anything but. And the noodle bowls are all the rage. 701 Grant Street 303.860.2929 BonesDenver.com

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

CafeAion.com

The Capital Grille Be wined, dined and dazzled by relaxed elegance and exceptional cuisine. With an intimate dining room and sophisticated bar, this is the perfect setting for lively afternoons and relaxed evenings. Enjoy a renowned dryaged steak and one of 5,000 wines from the award-winning wine list. 1450 Larimer St. 303.539.2500 TheCapitalGrille.com


From every point of view, Central is an American restaurant, from the well thought-out recipes to the great atmosphere. Vintage furnishings create a place of comfort and relaxation, and that is exactly what you’ll want to do once you sample the food. Whether you’re in the mood for something from the sea or the land, Central will have you coming back next time in you’re in town. 1691 Central Street 303.477.4582

Enjoy everything from juicy burgers and beer to delectable lobster dishes complemented by vintage wines at this cozy local pub. The classic setting is augmented by the affordability of a neighborhood restaurant that prides itself on superior food and service. 1553 Platte St., No. 120 303.477.1447 ColtAndGray.com

Located downtown in the historic Union Pacific Building adjacent to Coors Field, this venerable restaurant is perfect for all occasions. It features an extensive wine collection, handcrafted beers brewed on-site, plus a weekend brunch happy hour and a celebrated menu. 1735 19th St. 303.296.0800 DenverChophouse.com

Coohills

Duo Restaurant

CentralBistroBar.com

43 W. 9th Avenue 303.454.0000 CharcoalDining.com

Chart House Exquisite cuisine and a spectacular view of the Denver area top the list at this long-standing local favorite. Located just half an hour from downtown Denver, it features an impressive selection of mouthwatering entrées, wines, cocktails and decadent desserts. 25908 Genesee Trail Rd., Golden 303.526.9813 Chart-House.com

Cholon Modern Asian Bistro Named after the largest market in Saigon, this historic LoDo restaurant offers a creative spin on traditional Asian dishes along with handcrafted cocktails that enhance the vibrant flavors. The large projection screen in the lounge makes ChoLon a suitable location for business meetings and presentations. 1555 Blake St., Ste. 101 303.353.5223 Cholon.com/denver

Colt & Gray

Elway’s Cherry Creek 2500 E. 1st Ave., Unit 101 303.399.5353 Elway’s Downtown 1881 Curtis St. 303.312.3107 Elway’s DIA Denver International Airport Elways.com

Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen

Charcoal Restaurant

If you’re looking for one restaurant that boasts service equally as phenomenal as the food, Charcoal is the place to go. Executive Chef Patrik Landberg uses the highest-quality ingredients, and from there, lets the food do the talking. No overdone sauces to mask the flavor, just delicious food every time. The restaurant’s custom-designed “Bincho” charcoal grill is a staple used to prepare many of the meals.

dining

Denver Chophouse & Brewery

With a focus on local, regional, and farm-fresh ingredients, this LoDo hotspot invites you to relax in its uniquely modern, European setting. Enjoy crudo salads, cheese or salumi selections or warm cassoulets served before, during or even after plates of pasta, fresh seafood, grilled or smoked meats, and locally grown vegetables. You can pull up to the community table, tuck in at your own intimate table or enjoy the outdoor terrace for a spirited drink. 1400 Wewatta St. 303.623.5700

This farm-to-table treasure is tucked away in one of Denver’s hippest neighborhoods and offers a relaxed and unassuming environment. A word of advice: Save room for dessert. Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, Duo’s renowned pastry chef, presents magical treats to top off any meal.

DuoDenver.com

Located in historic Euclid Hall, this American tavern specializes in fine cocktails, craft beers and innovative, high-quality pub food from around the world. The eatery is a convenient location for Pepsi Center attendees, LoDo club-goers and Denver Center for the Performing Arts patrons.

Eat + Drink

1317 14th St. 303.595.4255

2413 W. 32nd Ave. 303.477.4141

Coohills.com

Cool River Café With a warm, casually elegant ambiance, Cool River Café offers a dining experience that caters to all the senses. Savor American classics including sizzling steaks and tasty seafood recipes while enjoying happy hour and martini specials. Visit Cool River for lunch, dinner, cocktails or brunch. 8000 E. Belleview Ave., Ste. C10 303.771.4117 CoolRiverCafe.com

A wine and cheese emporium offering more than 100 artisan cheeses, gourmet foods and lots of wines. Located in LoHi, this is a great place to grab a quick lunch or enjoy some wine and cheese on a warm summer night.

Edge Restaurant

TheCurtisClub.com

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House

1111 14th St. 303.389.3343

Taking traditional cues from its Western roots, this classic steakhouse features an intimate atmosphere and the finest in chef-driven cuisine. Enjoy the prime steaks, seafood, veal, lamb and lobster tails. Make sure to sample the exceptional wine cellar and premium cigars. 8100 E. Orchard Rd. 303.796.0100 DelFriscos.com

Flagstaff House Restaurant

EatDrinkIncDenver.com

This steakhouse at the Four Seasons brings Colorado’s best local ingredients to the heart of downtown Denver. Enjoy a sleek dining room experience with wood-grilled steak or sample the juicy Kobe sliders at the bar.

2100 Curtis Street 720.420.9898

EuclidHall.com

1541 Platte Street 303.477.3288

The Curtis Club Chef Eric Johnson has designed a menu that appeals to every taste, presented in a cool urban setting that is a bit off the beaten path for locals. Entrees are meticulously prepared to look as inviting as they taste, and are a far cry from your standard club fare. Make sure to check out the décor — original, fun and interesting.

Jennifer Olson

Central Bistro and Bar

EdgeRestaurantDenver.com

Elway’s With two locations in central Denver (and two more in Vail and DIA), this is the ideal setting for any occasion. The menu boasts USDA hand-cut prime steaks, finfish, crustaceans and fresh seasonal dishes. Come for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner and enjoy an outstanding meal that is uniquely Colorado.

This 1929 cabin built into a mountainside at 6,000 feet offers breathtaking views of Boulder and surrounding wildlife. The family-owned restaurant is an excellent dining experience featuring a 12,000-bottle wine cellar, exquisite French-American cuisine and impeccable service. 1138 Flagstaff Rd., Boulder 303.442.4640 FlagstaffHouse.com

Fogo De Chao The original Fogo de Chao opened in southern Brazil, and still is acclaimed for its delectable slow-roasted meats prepared by Brazilian-trained churrasqueiros, great service, award-winning wine list and gourmet salads. The savory meats are prepared over pits of open fire, infusing them with delicious flavor. 1513 Wynkoop St. 303.623.9600 FogoDeChao.com

denverhotelmaga zine.com :: your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices

55


dining

Go Fish

The Fort Sample a tantalizing selection of old and new cuisine from the early West, including beef, buffalo, wild game and seafood at this award-winning restaurant. Featured in Bon Appétit, The Fort reportedly sells more buffalo steaks than any other independently owned restaurant in the country. 19192 Colorado 8, Morrison 303.697.4771 TheFort.com

Frasca Named after friendly, informal gathering places in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region of northeast Italy, Frasca features exquisitely prepared fare and a comprehensive wine list boasting more than 200 varieties. Warm, welcoming and unpretentious, it is the perfect destination for impromptu gatherings, casual dinners and special occasions.

In the heart of the trendy blocks of Broadway, just minutes from downtown, Go Fish offers creative Asian appetizers, entrees, noodle and rice specialties. The sushi and sashimi are innovative and delicious and great for vegetarians. The contemporary interior is a perfect blend of eclectic and chic. 1 Broadway 303.733.8881 GoFishDenver.com

Guard & Grace

Hutch & Spoon For a fun respite from a busy day, make your way over to Hutch & Spoon, where chef/ owner Tracy Zimmer is hard at work designing ever-changing menus that reflect her commitment to fresh ingredients made in just the right way. The casual atmosphere is great for relaxing over a great cup of coffee or a grilled cheese and peach chutney sandwich. The food is fresh, the ambience inviting, and a great choice for breakfast or lunch. 3090 Larimer Street 303.296.2317 HutchAndSpoon.com

Ii Posto Glance into the open-air kitchen as Milanese chef and owner Andrea Frizzi prepares dishes inspired by northern Italian recipes at Il Posto. The resident sommelier selects the perfect wine for any meal. And the ever-changing menu features local organic produce and meats, along with fresh seafood flown in daily.

with international flavor. The creative spin on sushi offers delicious rolls and refreshing cocktails in an understated, upscale ambiance. 1518 S. Pearl St. 303.777.0691 IzakayaDen.net

Jing This is an elegant Modern Chinese restaurant which stretches the margins of traditional Chinese fare. Specializing in Asian-fusion, the seafood and small plates are especially remarkable. Don’t miss the ultra-chic cocktail lounge, featuring a mesmerizing ambience with extraordinary specialty drinks. Located in Landmark Square, just minutes from major Denver Tech Center office parks and hotels, Jing is open 7 days a week. 5370 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. 303-779-6888 JingRestaurant.com

The Kitchen

2011 E. 17th Ave. 303.394.0100

1738 Pearl St., Boulder 303.442.6966

IlPostoDenver.com

FrascaFoodAndWine.com

Ivy At The Glenn

Fruition

Chef Alex Siedel, named one of Food & Wine’s best new chefs of 2010, creates a seasonal menu of sophisticated comfort food using only the highest quality, local ingredients. Fruition’s symphony of mood, service and cuisine reflect a grace that elevates this dining experience to a new level. 1313 E. 6th Ave. 303.831.1962 FruitionRestaurant.com

Fuel Café Located in the oh-so-hip Taxi district near downtown Denver, Fuel Café is a great place for small groups or larger parties. Featuring small plates and great drinks, this is the type of restaurant that brings out the best parts of eating out, whether you’re in the mood for a great brunch, steak or chicken or an interesting medley of small plates. 3455 Ringsby Court 303.996.6988 FuelCafeDenver.com

If you’re looking for a twist on a traditional steakhouse, Guard & Grace is your destination. Owner Troy Guard calls his beautiful establishment a “Progressive-modern steakhouse,” and indeed this is a far cry from the leather booths and darker ambience of other high-end steak places. The focus is on lots of light, inside foliage and a great menu. There are seafood options aplenty, and a wine list that’s second to none. 1801 California Street 303.293.8500 GuardandGrace.com

Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar Hapa’s menu reflects a harmonious blend of Asian and American cultures. Traditional Japanese cooking fundamentals are amplified, muted or mixed with other styles to create something completely new and different. Multiple locations. 2780 E. 2nd Ave. 303.322.9554

Enjoy the spirit of the family kitchen in this neighborhood restaurant. This spot serves exceptional contemporary American cuisine with local, organic ingredients and is deeply committed to eco-friendly practices and the community. This is a great addition to southeast Denver’s restaurant scene. It features a new concept, developed by the founder of Footer’s Restaurant and Baur’s Ristorante, and combines classic comfort food with a warm, inviting ambiance.

BOULDER 1039 Pearl St. 303.544.5973

6955 S. York St., Centennial 303.730.7200

TheKitchenCommunity.com

IvyAtTheGlenn.com

The Kitchen Next Door

Izakaya Den

HapaSushi.com

Humboldt Farm Fish Wine Chefs DJ Nagle and Kollin Gandy are all about serving up the freshest, tastiest food possible, whether it’s a simple salad or a sumptuous dish of lobster spaghetti. From the down-home to the downright delicious, this is one restaurant that will surprise you with the preparation, making you wonder how food that sounds so simple can taste so great? Ingredients are mostly local, and produce, farm and fish are prepared onsite on a daily basis.

This community pub is located in the beautifully renovated Union Station in downtown Denver. From classic sandwiches to creative salads, the menu is full of fresh eats enhanced by the open atmosphere. The Kitchen offers a variety of Colorado craft beers on tap, plus great specials during “Community Hour” from 3 to 6 p.m. every day. 1701 Wynkoop Street (Union Station), South of the Great Hall 720.460.3730 TheKitchen.com/Next-Door-Union-Station

A popular Japanese gastropub with global cuisine, their tapas-style menu features traditional Japanese plates and dishes inventively infused

1700 Humboldt Street 303.813.1700 HumboldtRestaurant.com

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DENVER 1530 16th St. 303.623.3127

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado


Lola Mexican Fish House

Adam Larkey

La Biblioteca Denver

Internationally heralded chef Richard Sandoval has taken his well-regarded Manhattan concept “the Library of Tequila” and created an eclectic menu of Latin-Asian specialties. The intimate venue boasts a massive collection of tequilas, mezcals and agave spirits, and food ranges from sushi to tacos to small plates. 1610 Little Raven Street 720.904.0965 RichardSandoval.com/LaBibliotecaDenver

La Cour Their website sums it up best: The Monley family and friends, with members who live in Denver and Paris, decided to share their love affair with France — and the way that fine food, drink and art can elevate a person’s senses. A unique and fun place featuring local and imported meats, cheeses and breads. Affordable French wines and great art make this a great way to spend a few hours. 1643 S. Broadway 303.777.5000 DenversArtBar.com

Linger

Just a scenic stroll or a few minutes cab ride from downtown, Lola Mexican Fish House offers everything from custom guacamole mixed tableside to a varied array of remarkable, fresh entrees reminiscent of coastal Mexico. Patio seating, terrific weekend brunch and tantalizing cocktails are also a part of what makes Lola Mexican Fish House the place to be. 1575 Boulder Street 720-570-8686 LolaDenver.com

Los Chingones Restaurateur Troy Guard’s foray into the world of Mexican food is really all about tacos, and his selections are drawing rave reviews. Locals are going gaga over the octopus tacos, the shrimp tacos, the butternut squash tacos. Pretty much everything you would never dream of putting in a taco has made its way into one at Los Chingones, and the result is wonderful. It’s not a fancy place, it’s just plain fun. 2461 Larimer Street 303-295-0686 LosChingonesMexican.com

Lower48 Kitchen The name pays homage to the lower 48 states and foods special to these regions. This theme is carried through in the décor, which represents modern America. The heritage of the nation is evidenced throughout, with modern accents to round out the interest. The menu changes daily, and you can always be assured it will be something delicious. 2020 Lawrence Street 303-942-0262 Lower48Kitchen.com

Luca D’Italia

The vibrant international cuisine at Linger reflects a broad farm-to-table sensibility with a spin on traditional ethnic eats. Design elements create a purposeful contradiction, featuring reclaimed boxcar floors, a Lite Brite bar top and infinity windows with incredible views of downtown Denver. 2020 W. 30th Ave. 303.993.3120 LingerDenver.com

Little Ollie’s The big sister to Jing, Little Ollie’s has been voted the best Chinese food in Denver by newspapers and magazines for the past 11 years of their 17-year history. MSG-free, Chinese made fresh is their stamp of excellence; the Peking duck a highlight. Little Ollie’s patio is open year round and abounds with flowers in the summer months. 2364 E. 3rd Ave. 303-316-8888 LittleOlliesCherryCreek.com

Zagat once named this bistro the top Italian restaurant in the western United States. The food is lovingly prepared, thoughtfully served and thoroughly enjoyed. A seasonally changing menu features Sicilian-style meats, pastas, breads and cheeses all prepared fresh in-house.

dining

Sample new versions of old recipes, unique food combinations and a stellar wine list for lunch and dinner. 225 E. 7th Ave. 303.832.4778 MizunaDenver.com

Mercantile Dining & Provision Acclaimed chef Alex Seidel takes diners on a culinary journey featuring fresh Colorado ingredients, many farmed from Fruition Farms artisanal sheep dairy and creamery. Located in Union Station, the atmosphere is hip, friendly and urban. Alex Seidel gained a following as owner of the award-winning Fruition Restaurant, and now takes diners to a new level of inspired eating. 1701 Wynkoop Street 720.460.3733 MercantileDenver.com

Morton’s Steak House This popular steakhouse serves the finest quality beef, fresh seafood, handpicked produce, delicious appetizers and elegant desserts. Adjacent to many of Denver’s top venues, it is the perfect destination for an exceptional dining experience or bar bites before the big game. 1710 Wynkoop St. 303.825.3353 Mortons.com/Denver

North Italia The flavors of Italy come alive at this restaurant that is part of Fox Restaurant Concepts. Long a staple of the lively Cherry Creek North shopping area, North consistently serves up some mouthwatering Italian fare. Featuring a great variety of small plates, and excellent entrees, pizzas and pastas. 190 Clayton Lane 720.941.7700 NorthItaliaRestaurant.com

OAK at Fourteenth

Ocean Prime With a passion for delivering an extraordinary experience to each guest, this restaurant serves the highest-quality steak and seafood, handcrafted cocktails and award-winning wines. Executive chef teams traveled, tasted and compared notes to refine a menu that surpasses expectations. 1465 Larimer St. 303.825.3663 OceanPrimeDenver.com

Old Major When a restaurant prides itself on serving sustainable cuisine, that definition can be all over the board. Not so at Old Major, a venue that cures its farm-raised meats in-house, serves sustainable seafood and sources ingredients from local farms. An experience in contemporary farmhouse cuisine. 3316 Tejon Street 720.420.0622 OldMajorDenver.com

Olive + Finch For a delicious alternative to a heavy meal, Olive & Finch is inspired by European cafes that excel in locally handcrafted, fresh food. This charming marketplace and eatery serves sublime fresh-baked pastries, artisan sandwiches, soups and salads, made from scratch using organic and locally sourced produce. 1552 E. 17th Ave. 303.832.8663 OliveAndFinchEatery.com

Opus French inspired with old-world charm, Opus is definitely charming residents and visitors in Cherry Creek North. Whether you order from the tasting menu, stop in for the Sunday brunch or select one of the wonderful entrees, this will be a meal to remember. 250 Josephine Street 303.355.5853

711 Grant St. 303.832.6600

OpusDine.com

LucaDenver.com

Osteria Marco

McCormick’s Fish House & Bar Demonstrating culinary excellence, McCormick’s menu features seafood from the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Products are sourced from local ranches, farms and wineries to showcase regionally inspired dishes. Stop by and enjoy award-winning happy hour specials. 1659 Wazee St. 303.825.1107 MccormickAndSchmicks.com

Mizuna One of the top-rated restaurants in the country, Mizuna gives its chefs a wide creative berth when it comes to the monthly changing menu.

Combining features of Colorado’s rustic past with Boulder’s contemporary foodie scene, OAK at Fourteenth offers exquisite New American cuisine. Chef and owner Steven Redzikowski creates seasonally inspired menus centered on locally grown vegetables, locally sourced meats, sustainably raised seafood and house-made pastas. Co-owner Bryan Dayton is passionate about mixology, meaning the bar offers a variety of creative, handcrafted cocktails.

With classic hand-tossed Italian pizza, an extensive and accessible wine selection, housecrafted meats and cheeses and rustic elegance, this restaurant is classic osteria. This playful little brother of the high-end Luca d’Italia continues the tradition of quality and impeccable service. 1453 Larimer St. 303.534.5855 OsteriaMarco.com

1400 Pearl Street, Boulder 303.444.3622 OakAtFourteenth.com

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dining

Billing itself as a neighborhood bistro, P17 has a huge base of fans who come for the experience and return for the great food. This is a place that is casual enough to attract the neighborhood crowd, yet chef/owner Mary Nguyen’s creative technique draws people from across town and across the country. She is a masterful chef, and her talent is reflected in her creative dishes.

Palace Arms Located in the Brown Palace Hotel, this award-winning restaurant blends contemporary American cuisine with an exceptional wine selection. Signature items include a tableside Caesar salad, seared Colorado bison steak and other creative, contemporary and traditional dishes.

and the sea scallops are not to be missed! Oh, and desserts are awesome too.

cated near the Convention Center, is a go-to destination for serious steak enthusiasts.

918 17th Street 720.726.4800

707 15th Street 303-825-0713

rangeDowntown.com

RuthsChris.com

Rialto Café

Session Kitchen The space itself is totally cool: great art combined with an oh-so-contemporary vibe, offset by lines from song lyrics that spring up in unexpected places. Chef Scott Parker truly has created a wonderful blend of small plates and large plates, that can be enjoyed and relished in “sessions.”

1600 17th Avenue 303.399.0988 P17Denver.com

321 17th St. 303.297.3111

The Plimoth The menus are constantly changing at The Plimoth, as the restaurant’s team of talented, creative chefs continue creating food that is fun, fresh and flavorful. Whether your taste runs toward a smoked salmon salad, smoked pastrami tartine or creatively prepared steak, you won’t be disappointed when you order items that taste as good as they sound.

BrownPalace.com/Dining/Palace-Arms

The Palm Restaurant This fashionable restaurant maintains the same standards the original Palm set so many years ago. It features honest, satisfying dishes that reflect an American heritage, from steaks and lobsters to a variety of Italian classics. The signature cocktails and award-winning wine list complement the menu perfectly.

2335 28th Avenue 303.297.1215 ThePlimoth.com

1672 Lawrence St. 303.825.7256

The Populist

ThePalm.com/Denver

This gem of a restaurant has won kudos for so many reasons: the sense of community created by the numerous community tables, the creatively prepared small plates that are simply meant to be savored and shared, and the wonderful food and wine. The menu is fun, the drinks are fun, the experience is … well … fun!

Panzano Decorated chef Elise Wiggins offers excellent contemporary northern Italian cuisine. Each handmade dish is unique and made with local, organic, sustainable ingredients. An award-winning wine list features hand-selected pairings that will please even the most discriminating palate.

3163 Larimer Street 720.432.3163 The PopulistDenver.com

909 17th St. 303.296.3525

Potager

Panzano-Denver.com

Taking its name from an old movie theater, Rialto Café offers diners a variety of contemporary takes on classic American dishes, expertly prepared. Enjoy affordable fare in Old Hollywood style at a restaurant featuring a heated patio and two happy hours.

SessionKitchen.com

Shanahan’s

RialtoCafe.com

Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan’s famed Lombardi trophies are proudly displayed at Shanahan’s, but the exceptional menu of prime-aged steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails is the real attraction.

Rioja

5085 S. Syracuse St. 303.770.7300

934 16th St. 303.893.2233

Featuring a menu inspired by Mediterranean food and influenced by local ingredients, Rioja offers pure food and bright flavors. With a wine list that offers fun, interesting varietals and a menu that features plenty of vegetarian options, this spot is consistently rated among the top restaurants in Denver. 1431 Larimer St. 303.820.2282 RiojaDenver.com

Root Down

ShanahansSteakhouse.com

Snooze One of Denver’s favorite A.M. eateries, Snooze offers a fresh take on breakfast classics. Their unique flapjacks set them apart; we recommend the pancake flight so you can try flavors ranging from pineapple upside down pancakes to sweet potato pancakes with caramel and pecans. 1701 Wynkoop Street (Union Station), North of the Great Hall 303.825.3536 SnoozeEatery.com

Patrons partake in the excitement of vegetables fresh from the earth, fruit right off the branch and fish straight from the sea. Cuisine is determined largely by the availability of ingredients that meet Potager’s high standards of quality and eco-friendliness.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

1518 S. Pearl St. 720.763.3387

Spuntino

1109 Ogden Ave. 303.832.5788 PotagerRestaurant.com

Racine’s This has been one of the area’s favorite spots for everything from breakfast to late night since opening in 1983. Serving a tried-and-true mix of award-winning American and Mexican cuisine, Racine’s is also gluten-free. Located between the Cherry Creek area and downtown Denver.

This restaurant is all about fresh seafood and bold New Orleans flavors. Even Louisiana natives consider this one of the best places to get Cajun cuisine away from home. With friendly service and a lively atmosphere, the only thing more authentic than the dishes is the Southern hospitality.

650 Sherman St. 303.595.0418

7520 E. Progress Ave. 303.740.9449

RacinesRestaurant.com

Pappadeaux.com

range

P17

Anastasiya Fett

A very cool Colorado-themed restaurant, housed in an even cooler setting: an historic bank turned hotel, right in the middle of downtown Denver. The delicious food matches the incomparable setting, the bar scene is fun

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The Root Down credo is that food should be sensational, igniting all the senses to create a full dining experience. Following a field to fork mentality, food is as organic, natural and local, as possible, and menus are globally influenced and inspired. 1600 W. 33rd Avenue 303.993.4200 ROOT DOWN DIA Concourse C at Denver International Airport 303.342.6959 RootDownDenver.com

Ruth’s Chris Steak House The Ruth’s Chris Steak House legacy began more than 40 years ago, when Ruth Fertel mortgaged her home to purchase “Chris Steak House,” a 60-seat restaurant located in New Orleans. The Denver restaurant, newly relo-

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

Located in the bustling Highlands area, Spuntino serves seasonal Italian-inspired cooking from executive chef John Broening and desserts from pastry chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom. The menu features fresh ingredients from local farms, sustainably raised seafood, locally sourced meats and housemade pastas and breads. 2639 W. 32nd Ave. 303.433.0949 SpuntinoDenver.com

Squeaky Bean The name is as playful as The Squeaky Bean concept, which is to take flavor and presentation seriously, but leave plenty of room for fun and inventiveness. The restaurant features an ever-changing menu of seasonal fare, and the


1500 Wynkoop Street 303.623.2665 TheSqueakyBean.net

Stoic & Genuine Located in the recently renovated Union Station in Denver’s Lower Downtown neighborhood, Stoic & Genuine has a simple motto: Fresh is everything. This multi-coastal seafood house and oyster bar flies in fresh seafood every day and features an innovative menu. Executive Chef Jennifer Jasinski is also behind three of our other favorite Denver restaurants: Rioja, Bistro Vendôme and Euclid Hall. 1701 Wynkoop Street (Union Station), South of the Great Hall 303.640.3474 StoicAndGenuine.com

Sugarmill Chefs Noah French and Troy Guard describe Sugarmill as a dessert lounge with a chef’s counter. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they offer savory dishes and tasty treats. They specialize in desserts and pastries, but fare ranges from breakfast burritos and gourmet quiche to kale salads and handmade pasta. 2461 Larimer Street 303.297.3540 SugarMillDesserts.com

Sushi Den

Tables

Venice Ristorante

Owners and chefs Amy Vitale and Dustin Barrett transformed this spot into a cozy, eclectic restaurant with personality and charm. The creative New American cuisine and friendly service at Tables are bright spots. Menus are regularly updated to feature the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Enjoy a five-star Venetian dining experience at the three Venice ristorantes (including Venice DTC and Chianti DTC) with the highest of culinary expertise. Enjoy monthly wine dinners, private dining for an event, catering services or a delectable five-course meal. You’ll be amazed by the impeccable service and exquisite authentic Italian cuisine.

2267 Kearney St. 303.388.0299 TablesOnKearney.com

Chef/Owner Troy Guard uses fresh local ingredients to offer a cross-cultural culinary adventure. Guard’s playful cuisine, described as Continental Social Food, melds classic and contemporary styles in a chic urban atmosphere to inspire a sense of community among friends. The menu is unconstrained by national boundaries, drawing from Chef Guard’s Hawaiian rearing and his travels in Asia and Latin America. 1441 Larimer Street 303.996.9985 Tag-Restaurant.com

Named for the goddess of the hearth, Vesta features chef Matt Selby’s world-grill cuisine in the form of more than 30 housemade dipping sauces, chutneys, salsas, mojos and aiolis, as well as a seasonally changing menu. This award-winning restaurant boasts a sensual ambiance, placing it at the top of Denver foodies’ lists. 1822 Blake St. 303.296.1970

Trillium is an urban eatery centered on rustic cuisine, with dishes rooted in the American and Scandinavian culinary traditions. The building itself is more than 100 years old and once operated as a “wheel and deal” pawnshop. Today, it features the original 14-foot ceilings, an open, exhibition-style kitchen, exposed wooden beams and pressed tin ceilings. The bar is geared towards small wine producers, eclectic beer offerings and handcrafted cocktails.

Trinity Grille Relax in this retreat tailor-made for the business traveler in downtown Denver. Just across from the Brown Palace Hotel, the Grille is a local staple with an inviting atmosphere. It offers a variety of appetizers, soups and salads and a full menu of fresh seafood, savory steaks and sandwiches.

SushiDen.net

TrinityGrille.com

Table 6

True Food Kitchen

Treat your taste buds to a tour of Europe without the expensive airfare. This lovely bistro caters to the casual diner, with room for business meetings and special occasions. The menu changes daily to ensure the freshest and best quality seafood, steaks, chops and other exquisite entrées. 8310 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village 303.741.1110 YaYasDenver.com

Z Cuisine Bistro The authentic Parisian eatery is located just minutes from LoDo. It offers a daily blackboard menu featuring genuine French fare made with the best local, organic ingredients. For the full French experience, visit the authentic, on-site absinthe bar. 2239 W. 30th Ave. 303.477.1111 ZCuisineOnline.com

Zengo

An upscale seafood and steak restaurant with a loyal following, this downtown hotspot enjoys a national reputation. Enjoy lunch, dinner or fabulous happy hour specials in a comfortably chic atmosphere.

1801 Broadway 303.293.3228

Table6Denver.com

Vesta Dipping Grill

Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks

Trillium

1487 S. Pearl St. 303.777.0826

609 Corona St. 303.831.8800

1700 Wynkoop St. 303.534.2222

VestaGrill.com

TrilliumDenver.com

This classic bistro offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Culinary mastery is evidenced in each succulent dish, delivered with elegant style and grace. His nightly fare is complemented by a dynamic wine list created by owner and sommelier Aaron Forman.

Ya Ya’s

VeniceRistorante.com

Tag

2134 Larimer Street 303.379.9759

Regarded as one of the premier sushi and Japanese restaurants in the U.S. since the mid ’80s, this popular spot continues to set a standard for high-quality cuisine. With its own pesticide-free farm for produce, plus seafood flown in from Japan, Sushi Den leads Denver restaurants in quality.

dining

1585 Lawrence St. 303.575.9000 WillieGs.com

Work & Class

Adam Larkey

majority of the produce and herbs are grown organically in the restaurant’s own gardens.

Chef/owner Richard Sandoval presents a masterful presentation of Latin-Asian dishes that have made Zengo a staple in Denver’s dining community. Dishes are made for sharing, and once you sample the fare you’ll understand why Bon Appetit named Sandoval Restaurateur of the Year. The décor is lively, the handcrafted cocktails are wildly popular and with more than 100 Tequilas, what more could any diner want? 1610 Little Raven Street 720.904.0965

While it’s obvious that True Food is all about healthy eating, it sure doesn’t taste that way. Meals are full of flavor and the way the restaurant packs in the crowds, it’s pretty obvious people keep coming back for more. The restaurant is dedicated to offering food that tastes good and is good for you .. a winning combination. 2800 E. Second Avenue 720.509.7661

RichardSandoval.com/ZengoDenver

Owners Tony, Delores and Dana describe the concept behind their restaurant as “a square meal, a stiff drink and a fair price.” The menu blends American and Latin cuisines seamlessly, leading to savory meats and delicious side dishes. Note: This restaurant is closed on Mondays. 2500 Larimer Street 303.292.0700 WorkAndClassDenver.com

TrueFoodKitchen.com

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shopping 16th Street Mall

Cherry Creek North

Denver Pavilions

Historic Downtown Golden

Scott Dressel

If you want a change of pace from busy malls or more populated shopping districts, this is definitely the place to be. With one-of-a-kind boutiques that offer all things unique, serious shoppers who want to bring back that hardto-find gift will love this district with a flavor all its own.

Built in 1982, the 16th Street Mall is a treelined, pedestrian promenade that runs through the center of downtown. Lined with outdoor cafés, shops and restaurants, the mall has a great family-friendly atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife. Free shuttle buses cruise the milelong Mall seven days a week. Entire length of 16th Street 303.534.6161

More than 350 businesses make up the Cherry Creek neighborhood representing local and national brands. Check out this retail and dining area just minutes from downtown where you will find fashion, jewelry and home furnishings, spas, salons, art galleries and restaurants. East 1st & East 2nd Streets btwn. University Boulevard & Steele Street 303.394.2904 CherryCreekNorth.com

Cherry Creek Shopping Center

DowntownDenver.com

Antique Row Although known locally as “Antique Row,” this eclectic mix of merchants offer the gamut, including high-quality antiques, garden supplies, fine wines, antique rugs, handcrafted picture frames, tiles, vintage lighting, custom furniture craftsmen, a host of fabulous dining and a tea room. 1100-1800 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80210 Antique-Row.com

Aspen Grove Located in Littleton, this pet-friendly, open-air retail village is home to over 55 stores and restaurants, including Pottery Barn, The Gap, Apple, See’s Candies, Hot Mama, Ted’s Montana Grill and more. 7301 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton 303.794.0640 ShopAspenGrove.com

Belmar One of the newest destinations for shopping, dining and events, Belmar is reaching new heights in the Denver scene. Located in the beautiful suburb of Lakewood, Belmar is a trendy escape from the busy city. 408 S. Teller St., Lakewood 303.742.1520 BelmarColorado.com

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Downtown Golden

Located on the 16th Street Mall in the heart of downtown, this three-story, open-air shopping center has it all: 40 shops and restaurants, bowling lanes and a movie theater. Ride the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle to your favorite retailers, including Banana Republic, Express, Forever 21 and H&M. 500 16th St. 303.260.6000 DenverPavilions.com

Flatirons Crossing Set on a rise between Boulder and Denver, Flatirons Crossing invites you to enjoy blue skies, fun restaurants and top-flight movies. Explore more than 200 fashion and specialty retailers, including Coach, Coldwater Creek, Bebe, BC Surf and Sport, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Papyrus, LOFT and many more.

VisitGolden.com

Historic Downtown Littleton Visit one of the few remaining historic shopping districts along the Front Range and experience a true hometown atmosphere where people smile and take life a little slower. With more than 250 eclectic shopping, dining and entertainment options, you are certain to find just what you’re looking for. West Main Street btwn. Santa Fe Drive & South Rio Grande, Littleton 303.795.5006 DowntownLittleton.com

Larimer Square

One West Flatiron Crossing, Broomfield 720.887.7467 FlatIronCrossing.com

The Rocky Mountain region’s premier shopping environment features more than 160 shops such as Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren. Other favorites include Nordstrom, Hyde Park Jewelers, Apple and Coach, plus popular dining hotspots like Elway’s and Kona Grill. 3000 E. 1st Ave. 303.388.3900 ShopCherryCreek.com

Colorado Mills Denver’s only indoor outlet mall features highend shops including Coach Factory, Forever 21, Express, H&M, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Last Call by Neiman Marcus and Eddie Bauer Outlet. Great restaurants round out the mix, along with numerous entertainment options such as United Artists Theaters & IMAX, Jumpstreet and The Putting Edge. 14500 W. Colfax Avenue Lakewood, CO 80401 303.384.3000 Simon.com/Mall/Colorado-Mills

Golden Triangle Museum District Denver’s Golden Triangle district is brimming with restaurants and culture. Within walking distance of downtown, it features more than 50 galleries, museums and specialty stores. Don’t miss free First Friday Night Art Tours every month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with complimentary shuttle service.

Located in the heart of downtown, the shops at Larimer Square offer a truly distinctive selection of fashion, jewelry, gifts and home accessories for shopping connoisseurs and fashionistas of all ages.

Bordered by Lincoln Street, Colfax Avenue & Speer Boulevard 720.253.2774

LarimerSquare.com

GoldenTriangleOfDenver.com

Highlands Three diverse commercial districts comprise this neighborhood: cosmopolitan Lower Highlands (LoHi), charming Highlands Square and artsy Tennyson Street. Denver’s largest neighborhood features local and national retailers, restaurants, landmarks, art galleries and entertainment. 32nd & Lowell Streets 303.892.1112 Highlands-Square.com

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado

Larimer Street btwn.14th & 15th Streets 303.534.2367

LODO Nestled between Coors Field and the Pepsi Center, LoDo is Lower Downtown’s prime destination for fun and trendy shops. The eclectic stores and hip, vibrant historic district offer everything from antiques and ranchwear to fine jewelry and eyewear. 1616 17th St. 303.628.5428 LoDo.org


shopping Old South Gaylord Street

Outlets At Silverthorne

One of the oldest business districts in Denver, here you can find passionate business owners who offer personal service. Old South Gaylord Street offers a variety of upscale boutiques, galleries and restaurants, as well as professional services and talented regional craftsmen. 1059 S. Gaylord St. 303.733.2670 SouthGaylordStreet.com

Old South Pearl Street This laid-back neighborhood features an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and restaurants. An antidote to the modern megamall, it features seasonal events year-round, oneof-a-kind stores and some of the city’s most popular nightspots. 1569 S. Pearl St. 303.892.1112 SouthPearlStreet.com

Olde Town Arvada With more than 150 unique shops, Olde Town Arvada has plenty of variety. Whether you’re in the market for books, clothing, handmade jewelry, furnishings and antiques or a great restaurant, this vibrant shopping district is full of treasures. 7307 Grandview Ave., Arvada 303.420.6100 OldeTownArvada.org

and Sport, Express, Victoria’s Secret, Target, four department stores including a Dillard’s flagship store, Panera Bread, Tokyo Joe’s, Chili’s and other shopper favorites. Nestled in the scenic Rockies, just off I-70 on your way to the mountains, the Outlets at Silverthorne is home to three villages of impressive retail including Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Guess, GAP, Coach, Banana Republic, J Crew, Columbia and more. A beautiful setting for some fabulous buys. 246-V Rainbow Drive, Silverthorne 866.746.7686 OutletsAtSilverthorne.com

Park Meadows A unique and visually stunning retail resort, Park Meadows features fashionable stores and delectable dining choices, along with entertainment and events. With over 165 retailers and 14 full-service restaurants, shoppers experience the classic Colorado lifestyle while enjoying the beautiful resort setting. 8401 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree 303.792.5384 ParkMeadows.com

Pearl Street Mall

Outlets At Castle Rock The Outlets at Castle Rock is the largest openair outlet center in Colorado, housing more than 100 name-brand stores, including Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, American Eagle and many more. A short drive from Denver in the town of Castle Rock, a thriving place with fun restaurants and hotspots.

RiverNorthArt.com

The Shops at Northfield Stapleton Located just minutes from downtown, The Shops at Northfield Stapleton is a pedestrian-friendly, open-air shopping district featuring specialty shops and restaurants including Macy’s, Bass Pro Shops’ Outdoor World and Harkins Theatres 18.

Tennyson Street Cultural Arts District Located in the Berkeley District, the Tennyson Cultural Arts District offers music, live performance, film, and art galore. Here you’ll find original photography, a huge open-air market, fine art and everything in between. Located in Northwest Denver between Sheridan and Lowell and 38th and 52nd Ave. BerkeleyDistrict.com

Town Center at Aurora

Streets at Southglenn This destination builds on the character of the surrounding neighborhood with a mix of retailers, restaurants, entertainment and services. SouthGlenn is an unmatched upscale shopping, dining and entertainment experience.

6155 Main St., Aurora 303.627.5000 ShopSouthlands.com

An indoor mall with more than 150 fun stores, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, Aeropostale, Express and Victoria Secret. A neighborhood shopping destination, the Town Center has great options for dining, children’s fashion, home electronics and everything for your style. 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora 303.344.9764 Simon.com/Mall/Town-Center-at-Aurora

Twenty-Ninth Street Twenty-Ninth Street is the premier mixed-use outdoor shopping center in Boulder. It features local and national eateries and shops, including Anthropologie, Apple, Arthaus Furniture, lululemon athletica, Sephora, California Pizza Kitchen and Nordstrom Rack. 1710 29th St., Boulder 303.444.0722 TwentyNinth.com

Village Shops at The Landmark

Btwn. the 1100 & 1400 blocks of Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302 303.892.1112 BoulderDowntown.com

SouthwestPlaza.com

NorthfieldStapleton.com

An outdoor lifestyle center with a community plaza and four blocks of retail shops, restaurants and entertainment options, Southlands offerings include a movie theater, Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, The Gap, Charming Charlie, McCabe’s Irish Bistro and Pub, Sports Authority and more.

A four-block pedestrian mall in Boulder, Pearl Street is home to a number of locally owned businesses and restaurants, national chains and the Boulder County Courthouse. This popular tourist destination is loaded with charm, from the fountains and gardens to the street performers.

8501 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton 303.973.7062

8340 Northfield Blvd. 303.375.5475

Southlands

Outlets at Loveland

OutletsAtLoveland.com

North of downtown Denver

ShopSouthglenn.com

OutletsAtCastlerock.com

5661 McWhinney Blvd., Loveland 970.663.1916

Situated just north of downtown, RiNo is home to an eclectic mix of galleries, artists, wineries, breweries, and more. If you’re in the market for unique, fabulous art, RiNo is the place to be, with a host of galleries showcasing works by some of the city’s most talented artists.

South University Boulevard & E. Arapahoe Road, Centennial 303.539.7141

5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock 303.688.4495

A true gem tucked at the foot of the Rockies between Greeley and Fort Collins, the Outlets at Loveland is a great destination for hikers wanting a little shopping to top off a perfect day, or anyone looking for a fun and upscale experience. Featuring more than 40 great outlets, including Ann Taylor, Under Armour, Nike, J.Crew and Gymboree.

River North Art District (RiNo)

Southwest Plaza Conveniently located in southwest metro Denver, Southwest Plaza features popular retailers and restaurants such as Forever 21, BC Surf

Featuring the best designers in Denver and some of the finest retailers in the world, Village Shops at the Landmark is one of the foremost shopping destinations in the city. With fabulous restaurants and the nationally renowned Landmark Theater, the Village Shops is a delight for all the senses. Quebec Street btwn. Belleview & Orchard Greenwood Village, CO 303.892.1112 VisitTheLandmark.com/Shops.htm

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attractions Art District On Santa Fe Home to many artists and studios, this arts district has become a national model of success in community revitalization. The art district has cultivated a friendly, welcoming feel for both seasoned collectors and new art lovers. 801 Kalamath St., Denver 303.868.8680 ArtDistrictOnSantaFe.com

Arvada Center for the Arts With two performance venues, three galleries and a multidisciplinary arts education program, the Arvada Center showcases theatrical shows, musical performances and local and touring art exhibitions.

Denver Center Attractions Denver Center Attractions provides a showcase for live theater, touring Broadway shows, acting classes for the community and more, located at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. 1101 13th St., Denver 303.893.4100

The Denver Theatre District features a high-tech mix of public performances, art and signage. Located along the 14th Street corridor, it’s less a district and more a giant outdoor art gallery right in the heart of downtown Denver. 511 16th St., Ste. 200, Denver

ArvadaCenter.org

THE GREAT OUTDOORS The Butterfly Pavilion This treasure features a visually thrilling rainforest filled with 1,600 free-flying tropical butterflies, live animal exhibits and interactive fun for all ages. 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster 303.469.5441

1278 Lincoln St., Denver 303.837.8888 ColoradoBallet.org

The Colorado Symphony

Butterflies.org

Chautauqua Park The Chautauqua movement of the early 1900s promoted simplicity, learning and art appreciation. That spirit lives on in this haven for cultural enrichment. Rental cottages are available at the park, one of 20 National Historic Landmarks in Colorado. 900 Baseline Rd., Boulder 303.442.3282 Chautauqua.com

Cherry Creek Reservoir

Performing traditional, modern and classical works, the Colorado Symphony offers yearround concerts featuring everything from light summer shows to performances by celebrated musicians. 1000 14th St., No. 15, Denver 303.623.7876 ColoradoSymphony.org

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Parks.State.CO.us

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Theatre District

DenverTheatreDistrict.com

A treat for classical and modern dance enthusiasts, the Colorado Ballet boasts 30 members from around the globe presenting a variety of exciting performances.

1313 Sherman St., Denver 303.866.3437

DenverCenter.org

6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada 720.898.7200

Colorado Ballet

Denver Zoo

ities such as hiking, camping, backpacking, snowboarding and more may be enjoyed seasonally.

Scott Dressel

ARTS VENUES

From the birth of an exotic animal to the exhilaration of a world-class exhibit opening, the area’s largest zoo is an adventure for the senses. Discover nearly 3,500 different animals living on 80 acres within Denver’s historic City Park. 2300 Steele St., Denver 303.376.4800

As one of the top-ranked facilities in the United States, the Denver Botanic Gardens presents a wide range of grounds and stunning collections from all corners of the world. The gardens host a popular summer concert series, water-lily competitions, tea gardens and many more attractions.

DenverZoo.org

York Street & Mordecai Children’s Garden 1007 York St., Denver 720.865.3500

700 Water St., Denver 303.561.4450

BotanicGardens.org

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Situated on a working farm on the banks of Deer Creek, this offers beautiful hiking through fields of wildflowers, fantastic bird-watching and a new butterfly experience. 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton 720.865.4336 BotanicGardens.org

Mount Goliath Mount Evans Scenic Byway Located 17 miles from Idaho Springs near Mt. Evans, this stunning area abounds with wildflowers and wildlife. Great views and hiking trails make this a local gem.

Downtown Aquarium Dive into food and fun — and an underwater adventure! Enjoy the Aquarium restaurant and explore more than 1 million gallons of sealife including sharks, otters, tigers and more.

DowntownAquarium.com

Fiske Planetarium What’s your sign? Test your astronomy knowledge at the University of Colorado’s popular planetarium. Check out the dazzling array of laser and star shows, live star talks and more. 2414 Regent Dr., Boulder 303.492.5002 Fiske.Colorado.edu

Flatirons Vista Trailhead Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, trail running and picnicking on the Trailhead’s 2-mile or 3-mile loop through the Ponderosa pines and meadows along the Flatirons. 3663 State Hwy. 93, Boulder 303.441.3440

Seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike flock here. Located just outside Denver, it boasts exceptional fishing and water recreation. Visit the surrounding state parks to enjoy outdoor pursuits all year.

Bailey, CO 80421 720.865.3585

ProTrails.com/trails

BotanicGardens.org

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

4201 S. Parker Rd., Aurora 303.866.3437

The entire parks system contains more than 14,000 acres of parklands in the mountains and foothills just west of downtown. It also encompasses a wide variety of striking Colorado terrain, perfect for activities including hiking, dining al fresco and sightseeing.

Colorado State Parks Colorado is home to 42 breathtaking state parks, giving visitors a variety of opportunities to experience the beauty of nature. Park activ-

Denver Mountain Parks

This area supports more than 330 species of wildlife, including bald eagles, hawks, mule deer and more, on a 15,000-acre expanse of shortgrass prairie. Reconnect with nature at one of the finest conservation success stories in history.

303.987.7800

6550 Gateway Rd., Commerce City 303.289.0232

DenverMountainParks.wordpress.com

fws.gov/Rocky_Mountain_Arsenal

your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado


attractions Washington Park

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

At more than 100 years old, the area known to locals as Wash Park is one of the largest parks in Denver. Located in the south central part of town, it features flower gardens, a 2.6-mile jogging trail, two lakes, a bowling green, tennis courts and more.

MUSEUMS Children’s Museum of Denver Engage with interactive playscapes, daily educational programming and popular special events. Serving children and their grown-ups, the museum provides a dynamic leaning environment to explore and discover. 2121 Children’s Museum Dr., Denver 303.433.7444

For more than 100 years, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science has allowed visitors to explore the cosmos and uncover brilliant gems and minerals. Enjoy the IMAX theater and planetarium or go toe-to-toe with a T-Rex … if you dare! 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver 303.370.6000 DMNS.org

Kirkland Museum of Fine & Contemporary Art

MyChildrensMuseum.org

Clyfford Still Museum

ClyffordStillMuseum.org

Denver Art Museum

MollyBrown.org

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

4600 Humboldt St., Denver 720.865.2475

Featuring regional, national and international artists, the vast array of rotating exhibits and public educational programs promotes creative experimentation with art and ideas for visitors of all ages. 1485 Delgany St., Denver 303.298.7554 MCADenver.org

Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum Located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado’s Air and Space Museum offers a trip through the state’s rich aeronautics history from distinctive aircraft nose art to stirring exhibits.

With painting, sculpture, furniture, ceramics and an eclectic hodgepodge of classic works from the past 100 years, this one-of-a-kind facility features some of the best-known designers of our time. 1311 Pearl St., Denver 303.832.8576

Presenting a glimpse into the history, art and culture of a town that dates back to the 1850s Gold Rush era. The museum features two farms, a small lake, a collections center and main exhibition area.

Colorado State Capitol Beaming through the Denver skyline is the gold-plated dome of the state Capitol building. Opened in 1894, it stands as a living museum of history and an active seat of state government. See where legislation takes place in the House and Senate chambers during free daily tours.

2000 Elitch Circle, Denver 303.595.4386 ElitchGardens.com

Pepsi Center Opened in 1999, this modern sports arena is home to the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Mammoth. It’s

Sports Authority Field At Mile High

1701 Bryant St., Denver 720.258.3000 SportsAuthorityFieldatMileHigh.com

MillerCoors Brewery Tour Experience traditional beer brewing in the Rocky Mountains. Become acquainted with malting, brewing and packaging processes, then sip a cold sample while resting on icecube benches in the fresh beer room. The 76-acre Coors Field stands at 20th and Blake Streets in Denver’s lower downtown/ballpark neighborhood and is home to the Colorado Rockies. Fans sitting in the first-base and right-field areas are treated to a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains.

MizelMuseum.org

2001 Blake St., Denver 303.292.0200

Molly Brown Museum

Colorado.Rockies.MLB.com

Experience the legacy of the Unsinkable Molly Brown, a leading socialite and philanthropist best known as one of the survivors of the RMS Titanic. The beautifully preserved museum

PepsiCenter.com

Coors Field

Mizel Museum

400 S. Kearney St., Denver 303.647.6522

1000 Chopper Circle, Denver 303.405.1111

Colorado.gov

Littletongov.org/museum

A fascinating series of exhibits and programs describes the Jewish experience, ceremonies and festivals at the Mizel. With fine art, film, literature and drama fueled by interactive experience, it’s a celebration of diversity.

also a popular concert venue featuring appearances by music megastars and top performers.

There’s no shortage of Bronco fans in Denver, especially not in the team’s legendary stadium. This is hallowed NFL ground where John Elway once ruled.

200 E. Colfax Ave., Denver 303.866.2604

6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton 303.795.3950

DenverArtMuseum.org

America’s only downtown theme park and waterpark has operated consecutively for more than 120 years. Elitch is sheer fun, making this a go-to destination for locals and out-of-town visitors.

OTHER VENUES

Littleton Museum

100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy., Denver 720.865.5000

Elitch Gardens

WingsMuseum.org

KirklandMuseum.org

Founded in 1893, the city’s largest museum is one of the most storied in the state with more than 68,000 pieces of art. With an extensive American Indian collection, the museum is a must-see for lovers of culture and art.

DenverColiseum.com

7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver 303.360.5360

The Clyfford Still collection represents one of the most comprehensive single-artist collections in the world, encompassing approximately 2,400 works, most never before exhibited. The venue is as fascinating as the subjects within. 1250 Bannock St., Denver 720.354.4880

Denver Coliseum For 60 years, the Coliseum has hosted such events as the acclaimed National Western Stock Show, concerts, ice skating and auto and trade shows.

1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver 303.832.4092

South Downing Street & East Louisiana Ave, Denver 303.698.4692 WashPark.com

offers a unique window into the inspirational life of an American hero.

13th & Ford St., Golden 303.277.2337 MillerCoors.com

Waterworld This massive venue offers 46 water adventures on 64 beautifully landscaped acres. Thrill rides abound, including Colorado’s only magnetic water coaster, and 3 separate children’s play areas. 8801 N. Pecos St., Denver 303.427.7873 WaterWorldColorado.com

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parting shot

Crack a Coors on Wilson Peak Majestic Wilson Peak is featured on Coors/Coors Light beer labels. At 14,017 feet, the mountain is awash with millions of wildflowers. From mid-June through mid-September, the iconic Hotel Telluride offers an exclusive “Crack a Coors on Wilson Peak� package, including a private guided tour and lunch at the summit. At the top, climbers are rewarded with spectacular photo ops and of course, Coors Beer! Cheers!

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your guide to hotels and hospitality ser vices :: denver + colorado


Playful spirit that children embrace.

Charming looks that parents love.

a haute children’s boutique

300 University Boulevard • Denver, Colorado 80206 • heloisechildrensboutique.com • 303.997.5261 Private parking available behind building.



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