photo by Adam Szafranski
Travel
The Ultimate Group Guide to Denver You’ve Been Waiting For
You asked, we started planning. When we took to Instagram earlier this month to ask where you wanted our next guide to be, we were met with an emphatic, overwhelming response: Denver. And we see why! Colorado’s capital is a treasure...
photo by Adam Szafranski
You asked, we started planning. When we took to Instagram earlier this month to ask where you wanted our next guide to be, we were met with an emphatic, overwhelming response: Denver. And we see why! Colorado’s capital is a treasure trove of chef-driven restaurants, historic landmarks and vibrant art scenes. But in addition to its fun and funky neighborhoods, the Mile High City is an easy drive from some of Colorado’s most impressive natural sights (we see you, Rocky Mountains). The next time you and your crew start to get the traveling bug, look no further than the city-chic and nature retreat getaway of Denver.
Reporter: Erica Nichols
Love, and live, where you stay while in Denver. The city’s most popular hotels focus on creating accommodations that go beyond a place to rest your head, with chic bars and social clubs just steps from your room.
Inspired by 17th-century French salons, The Ramble Hotel is an elegant and artistic stay in Denver’s Arts District. The 50-room hotel houses an extension of New York’s beloved theater and bar Death & Co and is elegantly decorated in moody blues and brass accents. Read the full story ➝
This Alpine-inspired boutique hotel is an ideal stay for the sightseers in your group, situated right outside Union Station. Explore the local art that lines the hotel walls and enjoy luxury amenities in each room.
The Maven is a perfect example of where the newly-revitalized LoDo District is heading. Spacious suites, vibrant accents, a cool cocktail social club—all located in the heart of LoDo’s buzzing Dairy Block.
HALCYON, a Hotel in Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado
Photo by HALCYON, a hotel in Cherry Creek
Tucked into Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood, the Halcyon impresses with furnishings to feel like home matched with all of the luxury amenities of a hotel. In between boutique shopping and checking out local coffee shops, this hotel provides the perfect respite with a sleek rooftop deck and special events on-site.
The Jacquard, Autograph Collection
Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado
Photo by The Jacquard, Autograph Collection
Weaving minimalistic design with the intimacy and charm of the Cherry Creek District, The Jacquard Hotel creates a seamless blend between “stay” and “explore.” Art galleries, boutiques, eateries—they are all just steps away from this modern home base.
To set the scene for a glam visit to the Mile High City, look no further than the Moxy Cherry Creek. The stylish respite features a hip outdoor lounge, a modern indoor bar and a beer garden for the vacationers who prefer to sit back and relax than take the city by storm.
There are swoon-worthy hotels, and then there are stay-inside-Union-Station kind of hotels. Downtown Denver’s most iconic stay went for the latter with cherished historic elements intertwined with contemporary elegance and amenities housed inside Denver’s beloved landmark. In short? This is an unbeatable stay.
The Downtown Denver hotel captures the stylish flair Kimpton always delivers, but with a cool Colorado touch. You’re just a short distance from Denver’s popular neighborhoods, but have a relaxing home base to return to when you need a break.
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This lifestyle hotel serves as both a modern retreat and a popular market hall of independent restaurants and retail shops. Complete with impressive views of the Denver skyline and Rocky mountains on a clear day, The Source is a taste of Denver in one place.
JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado
Photo by JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek
This sophisticated stay packs a punch with views of the Rocky Mountains and a prime location close to Cherry Creek’s most popular spots. The hotel also has a number of outdoor spaces ideal for lounging in after a jam-packed day of exploring!
Housed in a restored Renaissance Revival building from the 1900s, Hotel Teatro is an eclectic, cozy boutique hotel in Downtown. For groups on a mission, the hotel offers a number of fun packages, like Bike and Brew for the beer fans and the Claude Monet for the art-chasers.
Relax into the luxurious accommodations the Four Seasons is known for at its Denver outpost. Unwind in the refined elegance of your guest room, chill out at the rooftop pool, or meet with the concierge to plan your ideal day out in the city.
Denver’s cool culinary scene puts an emphasis on global eats created from local ingredients, with chefs flocking to the city to put modern twists on their cultural recipes. For libations, Denver continues to wow with sultry lounges and spacious outdoor breweries that reflect the unique neighborhoods that make up the city.
At Morin your group can taste the vibrant flavors of French cuisine, set in a modern rustic atmosphere. Each dish is inventive, masterfully plated and fun, with a just as memorable wine list to complement the pairings.
The famous New York cocktail institution spread its wings and landed at The Ramble Hotel in RiNo. At the exclusive, 21-seat bar sip on unique craft cocktails and talk libations with the incredibly knowledgeable staff.
“Imbibe in style” is the motto of this elegant cocktail lounge, which pays homage to the classic lounges of yesteryear. Find an extensive list of traditional and new cocktails, along with light bites to nibble on.
With a James Beard award-winning Chef leading its team, Rioja offers a top-tier dining experience with locally-sourced Mediterranean cuisine and flavorful wines in a lively atmosphere. There are menus for brunch, lunch and dinner, but the evening entrees steal the show.
Beckon
RiNo, Denver, Colorado
Photo by Jonnie Sirotek for Paper Laundry
This culinary experience breaks ground in Denver as an 18-seat chef’s counter. The tasting menu is curated with ingredients and produce from the Denver area, but inspired by the vibrant cultures from Scandinavian, America and European regions.
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Dead Battery Club puts an emphasis on dining “unplugged,” with nods to a simpler time without the constant buzz from phones or TVs. To persuade you to set the phone down, the all-day lounge offers an impressive menu of Mediterranean eats.
Enjoy your sweet treats in a 28-foot-tall milk jug at this popular ice cream spot. Little Man has a menu of classic and specialty flavors like Purple Cow and Salted Oreo, and late night hours for you and your group to get the only nightcap that matters.
Eat, drink and shop among locals at The Denver Central Market. Denver vendors line up seven days a week 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. There’s a little something for everyone in your hungry group—butcher shop, chocolate, sandwiches, pizzas and ice cream included!
Dine on wood-fired pizzas, fresh oysters and share plates at this Italian-inspired eatery. You can hang inside the renovated shipping container or head out to their spacious outdoor area. Either way, be sure to order an Italian spritz to complete your chic hangout.
This bright, charming coffee shop is located within the Backyard at the Blake community, and offers coffee on tap with a variety of specialties. Pour yourself a CBD Nitro Cold Brew, grab a light pastry and enjoy hanging out at this inviting hangout spot.
Modern Chinese cuisine, craft beer, cool cocktails and, of course, lots of hip hop are what make Hop Alley one of Denver’s most popular haunts. Plates are meant to be shared here, so come hungry so your group can try a little bit of everything!
This cozy cafe serves a menu of global breakfast bites in a spacious yet homey industrial environment. Nosh on granola, breakfast sandwiches and potato hashes—and don’t forget the coffee!
This cozy, modern restaurant brings authentic Italian fare from the James Beard award-winning group of Frasca Food and Wine. In the heart of the Union Station neighborhood, let time slow over indulgent eats.
Get a taste of Napa right here in Denver at Bigsby’s. The RiNo winery offers California’s most beloved wines from the Sonoma and Napa regions in an elegant tasting room with exposed brick, chandeliers and cool tours for your vino squad.
Enjoy Latin-inspired cooking at this fun, vibrant eatery in Lower Highland. Ingredient-driven bites of coconut spare ribs, chicken empanadas and asado de res are beautifully plated alongside zesty cocktails.
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This micro-district has had a renaissance of community, with 18 restaurants within its borders to taste your way through. Kachina Cantina, Denver Milk Market and Seven Grand are just a few of the many for your group to try out in Dairy Block.
Avanti is an industrial food hall with seven different (but totally delicious) restaurant concepts under one roof. Go for drinks on the outdoor deck, enjoy an elevated dining experience, relax with light bites in the lounge... whatever is on your group’s agenda, this Highland hang out is a must.
This intimate neighborhood spot offers up modern Italian-inspired dishes alongside dreamy views of the bustling city. Check out the market cafe, situated inside, then head to one of their three patios for more sights of the Downtown skyline.
A visit to Lula Rose is like stepping back into the ‘good ol’ days’ of visiting your neighborhood corner store. The City Park concept is part brick-and-mortar coffee shop and part general store in a bright, charming space.
Set in City Park’s Bluebird District, Q House is a friendly eatery serving modern Chinese eats with a refreshing drink menu (we love the lychee martini!). Be sure to order the crispy fried chicken wings and fried monkfish.
Modern art galleries, popular landmarks, relaxing nature retreats—your group can experience the very best things about Colorado all within Denver’s main borders.
Only in Denver is the city’s historic landmark and transit system also the city’s popular hangout spot. Union Station masters both with restaurants and local shops located at a 100-year-old building. Catch the Amtrak, go shopping or grab a bite to eat—the choice is yours!
For the art seekers in the group, the stunning architecture and captivating collections at Clyfford Still Museum make it a must-stop in Denver. Throughout the critically-acclaimed museum you can tour various galleries and exhibits of show-stopping art.
This national park showcases Colorado at its very best—with miles of breathtaking forests, valleys and that famous mountain range. There are guided tours of the park available, but it’s also open to hiking and camping on your own schedule. Be sure to check weather conditions before heading out!
You haven’t experienced Colorado until you’ve seen a show under the stars at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The open-air theater is built into a natural bright red rock formation and features artists and bands from all music genres. Trust us, this is a must!
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Your Denver getaway isn’t complete without a seventh-inning stretch at Coors Field. Home of the Colorado Rockies, the baseball field hosts games all throughout the summer months into late September.
Your group can unwind at Denver’s Commons Park, a large stretch of green ideal for a lazy afternoon. With plenty of seating areas and entries, the park holds a number of events throughout the year, so keep a lookout on the calendar to see what you can schedule in.
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
LoDo, Denver, Colorado
Photo by Christopher Burke Studios
This contemporary art museum features a rotating collection of modern art exhibits from regional and global artists. In a variety of mediums, the exhibits encourage dialogue and reflection, making for great conversation with your group.
Less than 40 minutes from the city, Boulder is an easygoing getaway with tons of outdoor activities and opportunities to dig into. A college town at heart, Boulder’s center is full of young coffee shops, local stores and restaurants. The rest of the city is surrounded by protected open land ideal for hiking and exploring.
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