Denver in a half day
 

Hello all. We want to spend a half-day in Denver before driving out to Breckenridge.

I am interested in any suggestions about what to do, or restaurants for lunch.

The only things we've done so far in Denver are: the historical Museum, Larimer Square and the waterpark. I want to see the art museum, and I'm open to any other suggestions

We will be with my two kids, ages 18 and 20, and coming from an early morning flight, so we won't be able to do any fancy restaurants.

Voodoo Doughnuts on Colfax!

16th St Mall, LoDo, Tattered Cover bookstore

After you leave Denver and if it is a nice day, stop at Red Rocks Amphitheater on the way to Breckenridge. You can run the benches along with the other fitness buffs, enjoy the scenery and view the concert history.

The art museum should take up 1/2 day; lunch there at Pallettes is very nice.http://www.ktrg.net/palettes/

Make reservations if you want to eat at Pallettes; the "ladies who lunch" take up lots of tables during lunch. Not sure teen boys would appreciated it as a place to eat though.

We've enjoyed Pizzeria Locale recently--very casual--not far from the Art Museum (about 7 blocks)--they have a big parking lot--pizza is very good, not expensive and the budino for dessert is fabulous.

Pallettes is great for lunch. Our adult sons like it also. The Art Museum is wonderful.
Eating in LoDo can be good also. The teens might enjoy a trip to REI?

I will say that Pallettes if fine dining at lunch, and will take more time, but delicious if you have time.

Pizzeria Locale, mentioned above, has a partnership with Chipotle (a favorite of my sons) and a similar assembly line concept.

If we're gonna recommend pizza, the best is on Larimer at Marco's Coal Fired Pizza. Neopolitan pizza in a wood fired oven and limoncello marinated chicken wings in the coal fired. The antipasti, salads, and other menu items are equally delicious. This is not a "pizzeria". It is a restaurant that serves pizza.

When??? The Denver Mint, call for reservations.

Gretchen is correct-- Marco's is great. I love the Toscana. http://www.marcoscoalfiredpizza.com/

Steubens and sister restaurant Ace are in the uptown area - a less than 10 minute drive from the Art Museum and are good for lunch - Steubens is comfort food http://www.steubens.com/ and Ace is more Asian (and has ping pong!) http://www.acedenver.com/

Thanks, all. I can't tell you how excited I am to know that there is a voodoo donuts in Denver. We loved the one in Portland. And this was after just discovering that at copper there is a place that sells mini donuts with specialized toppings (Sugar lips).

I love the Denver Art Museum -- it is an absolute gem. The current crop of exhibitions look wonderful. When visiting last summer, we put our names on a list for seating @ Pallettes after we purchased tickets for the museum. Wait was maybe 45 minutes. Food was lovely, agree it might not be a real magnet for 18 & 20.

Marco's was GREAT - thank you, thank you, Gretchen and martym for the recommendation!

We ate at Pizzeria Vetri in Philly the day before, and I have to say that I think Marco's was even BETTER. (For those not familiar, Marc Vetri has what has been described as one of the best restaurants in the country). Actually, the pizzas were very similar, both places had an excellent Rotolo and both had Nutella dessert pizza!

I am sad to say I didn't get a VooDoo donut :( We drove over there, and the line was halfway down the block. We were anxious to get to the mountains, and no one wanted to wait.

I also didn't get to the art museum or bookstore - we just couldn't fit it in and now I really want to return soon to check them out. We had an early flight so I was tired, and I didn't want to deal with the logisitics of the museum - and leaving our car fully loaded with all our ski equipment and suitcases. And, as always in Colorado, those mountains were calling us!

P.S. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Colorado?!