City Spotlight: Denver

Denver is a huge city. Where you stay may depend on which parts of town you think you’ll be in most. That being said, there are certainly no shortage of wonderful places to stay in the Mile High City. Here are a few that we’d recommend:

• The Crawford Hotel at 1701 Wynkoop Street, for a centrally located gem — you’ll find it at Union Station.
• The ART, a Hotel at 1201 North Broadway, for a modern experience you can share with a group of friends or your other half.
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver at 1717 Champa Street, for a convenient downtown location and a fun boutique hotel experience. Also great for families.
• Hyatt Place Denver/Downtown at 440 14th Street, if you’re on a bit of a budget but still want a great hotel experience at a convenient location.
• The Oxford Hotel at 1600 17th Street, for a charming romantic getaway.
• Magnolia Hotel Denver at 818 17th Street, if you’re traveling as a family.

Unlike some other major cities, Denver isn’t known as a mecca for foodies. But there are all kinds of amazing options, from classic Southwest Tex-Mex to fine dining to all-American steak and potato meals. Here are a few suggestions:

• Mercantile Dining & Provision at Union Station, for delicious seasonal farm-to-table cuisine.
• Uncle at 2215 West 32nd Avenue, known for excellent ramen.
• El Taco De Mexico at 714 Santa Fe Drive, for incredible authentic Mexican food — the best green chili in town.
• Guard and Grace at 1801 California Street, a new-generation steakhouse with a top-notch raw bar.
• Sushi Den at 1487 Pearl Street, for those nights when nothing but sushi will do.
• Mizuna at 225 East 7th Avenue, for a romantic date night spot.
• Table 6 at 609 Corona Street, for an amazing upscale Sunday brunch.
• Snooze An AM Eatery at 2262 Larimer Street, for a classic breakfast and brunch experience.
• Cherry Cricket at 2641 2nd Avenue, for a family-friendly experience.
• Casa Bonita at 6715 Colfax Avenue in Lakewood — the cliff divers, Wild West gunfights and gorilla sightings make it an experience kids will never forget. But fair warning: the food is notoriously terrible, though ordering is mandatory.

Denver is incredible. There’s truly something for everyone. Here are just a few of the many suggested excursions:

• Stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens and relax while enjoying the sights and scents.
• The Downtown Aquarium has wonderful underwater exhibits and an onsite restaurant.
• Children of all ages will love the animals at the Denver Zoo.
• During baseball season, the Colorado Rockies play at the beautiful Coors Field.
• Visit the house of famed philanthropist and Titanic survivor the Unsinkable Molly Brown at 1340 Pennsylvania Street.
• The Treasure Falls trail near Pagosa Springs is one mile round trip and takes you past a relaxing waterfall. Legend has it that French trappers buried gold in this area.
• Take a short trip to nearby Boulder, a beautiful place to spend a day.
• The Denver Art Museum is one of the largest museums between the West Coast and Chicago.
• Spend an evening at the classic country bar, the Grizzly Rose, where you can two-step to live music.
• The Historians Ale House is a tavern that captures the rustic, laid-back elegance of Colorado.
• The Bear Lake Hike at Rocky Mountain National Park is only a 0.6-mile loop. The park is a two-hour drive from Denver and makes for a beautiful day-long escape.