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.

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

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 Mud Season 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?

http://www.centralcitycolorado.com/

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