We will be ariving for our first trip to Denver on April 14th and staying for 5 nights. Any recommendations for restaurants and/or must do's while we are there?

Denver is home for me even though I now live in Phoenix. If you're looking for a Denver experience try "The Fort." It's west of Denver. Known for it's wild game, rattlesnake cocktail. Great view of the city itself. Reservations a must. Dress is casual even though it's upscale food (and prices) and great view.

You could also try the Buckhorn Exchange in downtown Denver.

Thanks so much for your recommendations. Hmmmm rattlesnake cocktail sounds inviting!

Let me know what your food interests are. There is a wider range of foods other than the Fort or the Buckhorn Exchange. Both focus on wild game and steaks. Buckhorn is interesting as a old bordello in a so so neighborhood but has its own stop on the light rail. BE holds the first liquor license issued in Denver and Buffalo Bill and boys used to hang out there. My wife cannot stand the place with all of the mounted heads hanging on the wall.

LoDo (lower downtown) is mecca for good restaurants as is the Cherry Creek area. Let me know what you like.

Oh !!! almost forgot -- BE is known for one of the local delicacies -- Rocky Mountain Osyters.,

As is the Fort known for them.
Domo for a very interesting and delicious Japanese dinner--"country Japanese" in a martial arts academy. Sake as you have never had it before--sushi served "country style" in bowls.
Luca's for the best best Italian food, wonderful service.
Go to the Tattered Cover for a bookstore experience like no other.
Little Ollie's in Cherry Creek for Chinese.
Elway's for the ultimate steakhouse experience plus other perfectly prepared fish and meats. At Cherry Creek.

Ah !!!! Personal taste and opinion. Domo IS very good and even better if you can sit in the garden. Personally think Elways is over priced and over hyped. I think Del Frisco is much better for the price. And the Barolo Grill for Italian cannot be beat. There are some excellent, ethnic Chinese/Tail on south Federal. But you will need a car and directions.

A excellent general guide for Denver is www.GabbyGourmet.com

I seond the recommendatio for Barolo Grill. Excellent. In fact we're dining there tonight!

Where are you staying and I'm assuming you'll have a car?

Have eaten at the Barolo Grill. Luca's is an entirely different gourmet exerience. It is the sister restaurant to Mizuna--they are around the corner from each other.
Elway's has meat cuts and entrees other "steak houses" don't even approach. And they also have a new chef.

What do you like to do? Museums? shopping? sports? Outdoors? Will you have a car?

Thank you all for your input. Sorry I haven't been around to reply or answer questions. We will be staying at the Monaco and we will have a car. We love food- fish, steak, chinese, mexican, Thai, French. My problem is I have been searching for years for food I don't like. Sigh, the search continues. Since this will be our first time in Denver we expect to spend time exploring the city, no big agenda. This is suppose to be a relaxing trip!

Bring your boots. The forecast is for 6-12 inches of snow on Friday. Might made Sat travel tough.

Check the weather here before you pack. I live in Aurora in the Denver metro area. We've had all kinds of weather over the past week.

If your interested, the Rockies are in town while your here:

http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/schedule/

Highly recommend the Cherry Creek area and LoDo for your evenings. I second, Little Ollie's and The Fort. The Fort is very good, but very pricey. Little Ollie's is a favorite.

If you like german food try Cafe Berlin. It's located near the capital building downtown. This is my absolute favorite restaurant. Highly recommend the Rahmschnitzel and apple struddel.

Maggiano's and all kinds of fine dining is downtown. Maggiano's is another favorite. Fabulous Italian food, but I wouldn't go there without getting a reservation.

If you have a car, I'd head up the mountains for a day trip. Recommend Breckenridge or Vail.

Oops, I forgot, the Wynkoop Brewery or Rock Bottom Brewery if your interested in brew pubs.

I tend to think the food is much better at Rock Bottom, but Wynkoop is better for entertainment. The upstairs has many pool tables and such for entertainment.

It's a great place to hang out, drink some beer and shoot some pool.