elisa30

Hello,

My family & I are planning a weekend trip to Denver to watch a little baseball. We will be staying downtown, close to the stadium, and I am looking for some advice as to some other activities we can do that are close to downtown. Because our time is limited with game times I'd still like to experience a little of what Denver has to offer. Are there any night activities, no clubs, but a popular street maybe that may have alot going on during the evenings.

Also suggestions for some great restaurants would help!

Thanks.

Orlando_Vic

Great restaurants?

Two years ago, my wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Fruition and we thought it was superb. Apparently a lot of other people continue to think so, even now. Look at their Tripadvisor reviews: http://tinyurl.com/28nr4tr

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Gretchen

Very near the ballpark is the best pizzeria you will ever eat at--Marco's coal fired pizza. On Larimer. It is a true cut above a pizzeria. The antipasto platter is TDF. Salads are also. Artisan wood fired pizza and coal fired wings done in a limoncello rosemary marinade. DON"T miss it!!
The botanic Gardens are very nice for a stroll.
Fruition is wonderful. For EXCELLENT Italian (also a "cut above) go to Barolo Grill. Best steak--Elway's at Cherry Creek.

philm67

Right through the summer they have "City Park Jazz" every Sunday evening. It starts at 6pm and they have some great performers. For a list of all the coming artists and full details check out: http://www.freetripstoday.com/music/52-city-park-jazz

For restaurants: Last time we were there we had dinner at a Spaghetti place (had "Spaghetti" in the name). It looked like a big warehouse, but I can't recall the name of it. Someone else may be able to help. But the food was awesome, and great atmosphere for the whole family.

Have a great weekend!

Phil

fmpden

I am afraid you may be referring to the Spaghetti Factory -- personal opinion -- it is so/so chain but a lot of people like just like the Cheesecake Factory.

Some of the other recommendations are not near where you are staying or responsive to your question. The 16th Street Mall, more towards the north end is very active in the evening. The area of LoDo (Lower Downtown) -- streets perpendicular to the 16th Street Mall at the north end can be jumping especially if an evening ball game. The majority of the downtown restaurants are in this area. Coors Field "kind of" the east end of LoDo.

Elway's is now in LoDo although my preferemce is the Capitol Grill on Larimar, an excellent Italian restaurant, Osteria Marco is across the street and in the middle of the block in a basement area is Lime, a very moderate price Mexican restaurant.

It is very easy to get around in downtown Denver. The 16th Street Mall has a free shuttle bus running the full length. AND first in the nation to launch, Denver Bike Sharing Program. There are a 20+ bike stations scattered through out downtown Denver area. The first 30 minutes is free since the program is designed to get people from point A to point B and not as an all day bike rental program. BUT, I think you have to have $5/day bike card. I have an annual pass so I don't know the daily system for visitors. Check it out at Denver.Bcycle.com

The Art Museum is a short walk from the south end of the 16th Street Mall.

I don't think you will have any problems filling your limited time in downtown Denver.

Gretchen

Elway's is NOT in LoDo unless the RitzCarlton is there. They have two locations--in Cherry Creek and the RitzCarlton. The Elway's at Cherry Creek has the superior chef/kitchen. Capitol Grill is still a "chain".

LoDo is a fun area to "do". Stores and restaurants abound.
Cool about the bike program, and I hadn't heard about it!

sf7307

From the outside (unfortunately, we didn't have time to go in), the art museum looks very cool. The area near the ballpark was hopping because we were there on the day of the St. Patty's day parade. As for LoDo, it's very nice, but it's a really really small area -- you could browse in every shop and eat lunch in a couple of hours.

sf7307

Sorry, that last reference was to Larimer Square, not LoDo.

fmpden

Gretchen, I know you like your Elway's. But more than one restaurant critic puts the Capital Grill on a par and some of ahead of Elway's. So what does it matter if it is a chain? Af if, somehow, automatically lowers the quality. There are now two Elway's. Do you need three for a chain? Either way two superb restaurants that will extract a good deal of change from your bank account. Since the original poster is stay in the Coor's field area and time is short, the CGrill is much more convenient.

And since we are being technical about LoDo, do you consider Coor's Field as a part of LoDo?