Denver area questions
 

Hi,

Friends have invited us to join them for part or all of a 5 day vacation in Denver in mid-May and we're thinking about it. Never been before.

We're a 50 yr. old couple and they're a little older, none of us with kids or pets. Things we like to do are easy+ hikes (hike for one to three hrs. and not too rocky or steep); wander in places with pretty nature (the botannical gardens sound lovely!); eat at interesting and delicious but not too up-scale restaurants; hear good music if possible; wander shopping areas if they're not just filled with chain stores; see places unique to the area - not opposed to tourist attractions when it's our first time to a place, if they're worth seeing; and basically just enjoy getting a feel for an area by wandering around any interesting neighborhoods or unique places.

Help with any or all of the following questions would be so appreciated as we ponder this decision:

1) Would I be right to assume we could pretty happily spend the whole time in Denver and surrounding area with plenty to do?
2) Is there plenty of easy hiking around (concern would be everything worth seeing being too difficult)?
3) We don't get a whole lot of vacation time so it's feeling important for this to feel relaxing as well - if we wanted to base outside of the city in a more picturesque setting, how easy/hard is it in and out?
4) And finally, if we do go for staying in city, knowing our interests, would you recommend staying in Denver or Boulder?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Great time of year for Denver. You might like a day trip to the mountains a lot--it would be too bad not to. Even RMNP would be an easy day trip.
Great shopping in Denver. The Botanic Gardens are very nice and the Denver ARt Museum is VERY nice with excellent collections. I am particularly fond of their Native American collections. The restaurant there is also excellent. Personally I would stay in Denver and if you want to go to Boulder for the day, it would be nice. There is a butterfly pavilion on the way there, by the way, which is very nice.
I am understanding that your friends are also coming in (not living in Denver?).

Thanks, Gretchen! Yes, the friends are also coming in - they're coming from CT, we're coming from PA.

I've just been reading many old threads and am starting to think instead of staying urban the whole time, to hang out with them for 3 nights in Denver and then spend 3 nights in a cabin by Estes or RMNP. I'll want to check how cold it's likely to be right in the mountains tho'!

I think I'll feel more like I've had a real vacation, by spending some time actually staying in the mountains. But I'll have to see if I can work the logistics of this out, with when I can be away from work, and getting in a baseball game we all want to go!

Keep in mind that in May, there's still the possibility of a good amount of snow in the mountains, or at least a lot of mud. Trail Ridge Rd., in RMNP, doesn't open until Memorial Day, I believe, though you could take the road part of the way up.

Estes Park, the town, is very touristy, just to "warn" you. Many non-chain stores, but of the kitschy variety.

Consider Boulder. It's a beautiful little town, with some great small hotels and B&Bs. We live south of Denver, and have taken some adult weekends away from our kids, very relaxing, merely by spending the weekend in Boulder. Also some really nice hikes in that area. Boulder (and Denver) are low enough in elevation that the trails should be dry, or mostly dry. Some of them are somewhat steep, but some are not, and they're all pretty short. I'm not really into shopping, but I've seen a lot of independent stores in Boulder. You could spend 3 nights in Boulder, 3 nights in Estes, though they've pretty close to each other. And you could always drive into Denver for the day (or if you stay in Denver, drive into Boulder for the day).

And while the restaurant scene in Denver is improving, I would say that Boulder has a higher concentration of great restaurants in a smaller geographic area.

Thanks, that's very helpful information.

I will say that when I told dh of my original post, he thought I'd understated our hiking ability, he said some of the hikes we've done that I don't think of as all that steep, others might. For example, the hike to the top at Tent Rocks in New Mexico (tho that's probably an example of the upper end of my limit).

However, the possibility of a good amount of snow, is definitely something for us to think hard about! Maybe we'll think about a few nights in Denver (that part's kind of a given since that's where our friends will be) and a few nights in Boulder. Clearly my thinking will keep evolving on this, as I hear more feedback and ideas.

Honest, rather than Boulder, do a night or two in the mountains themselves. Yes, the mountains may still be in their "thaw" stage. AND they will be cold at night, but layer layer layer.
But the good news is that you won't be disappointed in ANY of it. Colorado is just terrific. Yes, Estes Park is touristy, but to me in a kind of fun way. As said, kitschy. In the mountains you could combine shopping and the possibility of a hike--Silverthorne (1.5 hours from Denver) has an outlet center. Breckenridge is near there with the possibility of some hiking.
If you do go to Boulder do the Celestial Seasonings tour. It is fun and interesting--doesn't take long. There would be hiking in the mountains around there, no doubt.

It's difficult for us Coloradoans to tell what an easy hike would be, too. If you google for information about Boulder hikes, some in the Chautauqua area are pretty flat, though the scenery is still wonderful. Royal Arch is a bit of a climb, but (to my surprise) my 70yo parents, dad with bad knees, made it to the Arch. The views from there are stupendous. The Boulder Creek bike path is very nice too, even though it's right in town.

We have a condo in Breck, and in May, the town is pretty dead (that's when the locals take their vacations), and the only hikes that you really could take is the bike path around Dillon reservoir (which is very pretty), Sapphire Point or Tenderfoot mountain. Not that it happens often, but one year we took friends to Vail for Memorial Day weekend, and it snowed there. You could make a decision on the spot, depending on the weather - if it's nice and warm, drive up to RMNP, Summit County (where Breckenridge is), or wherever.

I would suggest splitting your time in both Denver and either Breckenridge (west) or Colorado Springs (south). The Springs has Pikes Peak with the Cog Railway (incredible views), Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods (hiking), Cave of the Winds (a little touristy, but fun tour underground), and the Broadmoor for beauty and history. You could also just spend a day in Colorado Springs on your way to Breckenridge. Take Interstate 25 south to the Springs - spend the day and night. Then set out the next morning for Breckenridge via Highway 24. Personally, I would skip Boulder.

<i>2) Is there plenty of easy hiking around (concern would be everything worth seeing being too difficult)</i>

Possibly the best easy hike in RMNP for May is the Cub Lake Loop. It is about six miles if you do the complete circuit and only a couple hundred feet in elevation gain. To go that far in the Rockies with only a small elevation gain is not common, so a perfect easy outing.

Good chance to see deer and/or elk, especially later in the day near Moraine Park.

You don't have to do the entire circuit of course, just turn around when you are halfway tired! Elevation is low for RMNP, about 8000 feet. There could be some snow on the north side of Cub Lake, but this trail "should be" mostly clear in May. No guarantees of course.

May weather is notoriously unpredictable, but it could be absolutely stellar.

Have fun!

Lexma90 is right about Colorado ski towns being dead in May, and they call it <I>Mud Season</I> for a good reason. I lived in Summit County for several years, and I'd avoid it in May.

Personally, I'd stick to Denver and Boulder. Easy to get to RMNP from Boulder for hikes etc., if the weather is nice. If not, Boulder has miles of footpaths/trails, and there's always the Flatirons.

Great shopping in Denver as well as Cherry Creek North which is about 10/15 minutes from downtown Denver. Boulder Pearl Street has numerous shops/restaurants/etc. Denver has a footpath for walking/biking that runs along Cherry Creek and the Platte River. Both places offer a variety of music venues for about every taste.

If you stay in Denver, you can go to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and do some easy hiking. Also you can check our Manitou Springs while you are there. It's a small unique little town.

www.gardenofthegods.com

"Things we like to do are easy+ hikes (hike for one to three hrs. and not too rocky or steep); wander in places with pretty nature (the botannical gardens sound lovely!); eat at interesting and delicious but not too up-scale restaurants; hear good music if possible; wander shopping areas if they're not just filled with chain stores; see places unique to the area - not opposed to tourist attractions when it's our first time to a place, if they're worth seeing; and basically just enjoy getting a feel for an area by wandering around any interesting neighborhoods or unique places."

You just described Boulder

Wow, what a diversity of replies! You've all given us plenty to think about. In the meantime, we're definitely going! We got a $120 airfare from Philly to Denver so decided to grab it - we're waiting to see if a similar price or close comes up for our return trip - which we've decided to make a full week later.

Haven't decided yet on the "where to stay" issue tho' certainly half of it will be Denver since that's where our friends will be. Still pondering all your replies re: the other half. Thanks to all who took the time to respond, and I welcome any additional replies too as we'll probably still be figuring it out over the course of the next week or so.

One draw back to Boulder in mid May (depending on how mid May you mean) is it could be very crowded. Semester ends May 6 and you will have a lot of students coming and going along with parents so it could be bit more zooish than it normally is.

There really is no serious hiking close to Denver. There are some biking/walking trails along Cherry Creek and the Plate river that are very easy to do since it is very flat.

Are you comfortable riding a bike? We have a terrific bike sharing program that makes it very easy to get around downtown Denver. I could provide more details if that is an interest.

And there are some who are absolutely in love with Boulder. But it is basically a college town with some interesting highlights. Certainly worth an afternoon and you can easily take a bus there and back. North Cherry Creek has more to offer in shopping and restaurants. And there are some other interesting areas within Denver -- old town Arvada, downtown Littleton, Golden, etc, and all reachable via bus or light rail.

Mid-May can still be a challenge weather wise. The first year we lived here May 9th was the only snow day for the local school district. So you need to plan for cool weather and rain as April and May are our wettest months. However, this year has been exceptionally dry so far. IF we are going to have an average year it has to start snowing and raining soon!!

A short drive to Morrison, Idaho Springs, and Golden can give you a nice mountain experience without a long drive into the mountains. Watching the sun set on Denver, with the lights coming on, during dinner at the Fort in Morrison is about as good as it gets. The Fort is one of the top restaurants in the Denver area. The Tommyknocker brewery in Idaho Springs has great beer and sandwiches. A day trip to Georgetown, an hour west of Denver, with lunch there and back to the Fort would be a nice trip to the mountains. Should have no problem staying busy.

PS --- And while the restaurant scene in Denver is improving, I would say that Boulder has a higher concentration of great restaurants in a smaller geographic area.......

I absolutely disagree with that statement. The Denver restaurant scene far exceeds Boulder. The LoDo area alone in Denver has more top rated restaurants than Boulder. Some people just put on the blinders when it comes to Boulder.

It is pretty ludicrous, isn't it, even though you think I'm a one note. Absolutely outstanding restaurants of every stripe in Denver.
Barolo Grill, Fruition, Mizuna, the great little restaurants up in the Highland neighborhood (Venue?).
And the Boulder chef who won Top Chef was "trained" in Kevin Taylor's kitchen--maybe even used his recipe?

So much great information here... I could spend a whole week in Denver alone.
One of my favorite things to do is to run up to Idaho Springs and take the Oh My God road to Central.
I am sure I have done it in May and the road was dry and not scary at all.
I have driven the road alone (female!) no less than 10 times in a standard rental car.
I'll probably get scolded for even reccomending this drive... but it is beautiful, solitary and peaceful. I pulled off the side of the road and just sit and soak it in.
You end up in Central, which is a sweet little town that makes me a bit sad for some reason. Many empty buildings. But I love it very much.
I also love Nederland. Why? Because it is funky.
Also, it was home to Caribou Ranch, where some great music was made back in the good old 70's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribou_Ranch
In fact, I think I love Nederland because it has the spirit of those great years (I was a teenager/young adult).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXY2YKjXJ2Q

Just out of curiosity, TxTravelPro, when was the last time you were on O'My God !! highway or in Central City?

Central City is not a "sweet little town" anymore. Sorry to say. It is now full of casinos.

Actually it is now full of empty casinos having lost the battle to Blackhawk. My guess is that TxTravelPro hasn't been there in 15 to 20 years.

Oh, that's a shame. They should have left it alone! Darn casinos.

Thanks again, everybody. Thinking, thinking...

fmpden, when you say that the semester ends May 6, do you happen to know if exams and everything are over that early? Or would students still be around another week or two for exams? Our trip is May 7 -14. So if even exams are over on the 6th, making the 7th and 8th the weekend there will be lots of parents around, that's something for us to consider.

Other question for you on the bike sharing program, are helmets available? Since we'll be air traveling we won't have ours with us. We actually can't do a whole lot of biking these days due to some health issues. But can do a little!

Mirth60, Colorado Springs sound intriguing, as a possibility for our first couple nights if not Boulder. We'd certainly make sure to do both in day trips, regardless of where we decide to stay. Gretchen, thanks for the Celestial Tea tour tip! I'm a huge tea drinker, so tho' I generally am a tea snob and drink loose teas, I bet that would be fun. I hear what you're saying about staying right in the mountains for a couple nights, and layering. Problem being, with air travel that's a lot harder to do, do not want to lug my parka coat!

We're now seriously thinking of getting a condo or house in Denver for the whole week, having that as our base. All the other places are sounding very do-able as day trips, and there's something nice about getting to settle in like that, as well as not eating every single meal out for a whole week, as much as we love eating out!

NElson, thanks for the Cub Lake Loop tip, that sounds just right for us.

Students are done the 6th. Commencement is that weekend so Boulder will be more than a little busy that weekend and the following week. Helmets are not provided. It is not a bike rental program but a bike sharing program that gets you from point A to point B on cruising style bikes. First 30 minutes are free, next 30 minutes is $1, and the next is something like $25 and next $60. There are several bike rental shops around if you want something for the day.

Try to get your condo or house near a light rail station. Between the light rail and the free mall shuttle, there is no need for a car in downtown Denver.

Thank. We didn't even think of that when we agreed to these dates. Oh well!

We'd thought to go for a condo right in the heart of downtown to be walking distance to as much as possible. Any reason not to do that? Any neighborhoods of downtown Denver to avoid for safety reasons?

For music, or just an interesting place to visit check out Red rocks park. It is quite close to Denver and spectacular.

Here is a site to look at http://www.redrocksonline.com

Don't get caught up in the hype that if you miss Boulder your trip will suffer. And don't go there during an "event".
As for the mountains and a parka, layers are the winning way to dress-in Denver or the mountains.
IF there is a concert at Red Rocks it would be a wonderful way to spend an evening. There is a distinctive restaurant very near--The Fort--that specializes in wild game meat, and is quite delicious and interesting.

Your trip won't suffer if you miss Boulder, but it'd be a shame not to visit it for at least a day trip. Students get out of town as quickly as they can and certainly after commencement there would be no problem. I lived there for several years, and the impact of students really isn't as much of a problem as others have indicated. With the exception of game days and a few events, the local Starbucks seem to be the one place where students are really visible.

I live in Denver and love it here, but Boulder is certainly worth a visit or short stay for all the reasons others have indicated.

Do you have 5 nights? And you want to spend time in Denver with your friends? If so, I recommend 2/3 nights in Denver and 2/3 nights in a mountain location.

Boulder is an easy and fun day-trip from Denver. We have lived there, way back when. And we love to visit friends there. The campus is pretty red rock architecture which fits the setting so nicely. Our favorite outdoor area in Boulder is Chautauqua Park, for hiking and scenery. The restaurant there is fantastic, with a scenic view of sunset from its veranda dining tables. You can Google it.

See Denver and environs for two or three days, with all the good ideas you have seen.

Then spend two or three nights somewhere in the mountains. But check out what will be open in the towns you research, because many restaurants close between seasons.

We love Winter Park, but it has lots of closures then. The good news is that it is a nice, quiet time to visit before summer activities open up. And lodging should be cheapest then Great bike riding, weather permitting.

Have fun planning your trip.

Thanks so much, all. Your collective advice has been interesting - less unanimous than advice I've received for other trips, I think. So we're still looking into various options. I'll let you know once we make decisions, and certainly will post a trip report upon return!

Fwiw, we are fortunate to have 7 nights total, with the last 3 (or maybe 4) committed to Denver with our friends, the first 3 or 4 open. We most definitely will go to Red Rocks Park as part of this trip, that looks wonderful.

Central... last time I was there? Last fall.
Sweet town, yes. I HATE casinos, but I spent some time walking around the old part of town (not in the casinos), looked at many decaying buildings, ate in a diner, talked to some local shop owners.
The shop owners are kind and the town is a bit sad.
Many of the buildings are not stable, so they sit empty.
There is at least one stinky old casino in one of the old buildings. I think I saw a new casino kind of behind the older part of the town, but my visit focused on non-casino buisnesses.
Still, a sad little town to me.
But to answer you again... I have been on the road dozens of times, all WITHIN the last decade!

I agree, a "sad little town", not a "sweet town" really.

We are originally from the Northeast and moved to Denver about 3 years ago. We have had alot of visitors and everyone loves the visit to Rocky mountain National Park. They usually like a couple of the short hikes around the Bear Lake area, do a lunch at Sprauge Lake in the park and then do the drive up Trail Ridge road. In May it wont be open all the way but you do get pretty close to the Alpine Visitor Center and then head back down. In Denver, don't miss Red Rocks as it is really an awesome site. Also, while In Denver, you can also visit Coors field if there are any Baseball fans in your group. Other areas that have gone over well with our visitors is Pike's Peak around Colorado Springs as there is a Cog Railway that takes you to the top and also Garden of the Gods park near the same area. Hope this helps.

Trvlpro. It would have been MUCH more informative to EVERYONE if you had posted THAT--it didn't sound that way AT ALL. So, it COULD still be interesting. It's a travel board. Tell the story, and let the people decide.

Gretchen, ??

mssav, thank you for your suggestions. We are ALL baseball fans and absolutely plan to go to a game at Coors Field. Mabye even 2! All of your other ideas sound great as well.