Exploring Tea Options in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Denver, the capital of Colorado, is known for its vibrant culture, stunning mountain views, and top-notch cuisine. One of the city’s most popular beverages is tea, and there are many options to choose from throughout the Denver Metro area.

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Enjoying Beach Time in Colorado This Summer

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver, Motherhood.

Colorado isn’t exactly known for its waterfront property. Our colorful state tends to lend more towards majestic peaks and rolling plains. However, being completely landlocked does not mean that we don’t have something to offer water lovers. While we can’t magically produce an ocean here, we have plenty of lakes and reservoirs to soothe those who enjoy basking in the sun on the beach.

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Denver in Winter Activity Guide

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Locals all know that winter is when Denver really comes to life with lots of activities and outdoor fun. While it is very likely that this year’s winter activities will look totally different than in years past because of COVID-19, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy yourself.

Here are the top winter activities in Denver (and the surrounding areas) that you can enjoy with your friends and family:

  • Denver Christkindl Market – Every year for the past 20 years, Denver has been transformed into a German wonderland with this authentic replica of a Bavarian market. Here, you can sample a wide selection of German wines, beers, and food while shopping through an arts and crafts market. And, you can also visit with St. Nikolaus and his dark counterpart, Krampus!
  • Dillon Ice Castles – A little over an hour outside of Denver is the town of Dillon, which is home to some truly beautiful works of natural art. This year, the ice castles will be returning despite the pandemic and locals are hoping to see lots of visitors to help make up for lost revenue in the past few months. These castles take 10 million gallons of water to create! Visitors can tour the castle and see incredible ice sculptures including fountains, slides, thrones, and tunnels.
  • Blossoms of Light – This holiday event has been a Denver staple for over three decades and it will be back and open this year. The Denver Botanic Gardens is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with elaborate holiday light displays. And don’t forget to pick up a hot cocoa or coffee with some sweet treats to keep you warm during your visit.
  • Denver Winter Brew Fest  – Kick off 2021 the right way with the Denver Winter Brew Fest, a celebration of smaller craft beers in a festival setting. Tickets range from $35 to $60 VIP tickets at the door and gives you a sampling glass and an unlimited sampling of beers and hard ciders. Also, food trucks will be available to buy snacks and live music will keep you entertained.
  • Ruby Hill Rail Yard – If you want some outdoor activities in the snow without heading out to the ski resorts, check out this local fun spot. This is the only urban snow sports terrain park in the United States and allows you to try out snowboarding and other activities in a park location. Plus, it’s FREE!

Denver in the winter is a bustling mecca for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. These are just some of the best activities that you can find this season that will be open despite the pandemic.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

A Guide for Great Coffee Shops in Denver

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Fall is here and many of us are relishing the cooler temperatures so we can enjoy the local coffee shops with a warm cup of java. But it’s not enough to have a good house coffee. A great coffee shop also has to have that quirky ambiance, friendly baristas, and unusual specialty drinks that make each one unique.

We’d like to share some of our favorite coffee shops in the Denver area where you can be sure to get a great cup of coffee—and yes, that includes pumpkin spice lattes. (While there are some restrictions in place thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, many of these are still open with mask requirements and social distancing.)

Here’s a list of great coffee shops in Denver you don’t want to miss:

  • Queen City Denver Collective – You’ve probably heard a lot about the whole concept of “farm-to-table.” But have you heard about “farm-to-cup?” Queen City Denver Collective has been around for over a decade as the owners worked in Zimbabwe on humanitarian projects. The café is dedicated to bringing in beans directly from the farmers and roasting them in-house to give you the freshest brews possible. Also, be sure to check out the Dark Star, a nitro cold brew that is mixed with Mexican Coke.
  • Steam Espresso Bar – If you are a fan of microbrew beers, then you might want to try the Steam Espresso Bar, a location that has been open since 2013. Steam only buys their coffee from micro-roasters and are committed to sustainable coffee brewing methods and environmental consciousness. If you don’t believe us, check out the experts—Steam has been named as one of the top 10 coffee bars in Denver by Zagats.
  • Huckleberry Roasters – Another globally responsible coffee bar is Huckleberry Roasters, which boasts two locations in the Denver area and is also selling its roast blends online. But if you can make it there in person, check out the Adventurous Coffee Flight which lets you sample several different types so you can find a new favorite.
  • Black Eye Coffee – This location may have started as a speakeasy during Prohibition, but it now houses some of the best coffee in the area. Black Eye brings in a variety of local roasters (including Huckleberry Roasters) and even features a bottomless cup for $4. But, that’s not where the appeal ends. On warm days, they open up the garage door at the entrance and let the fresh air in and also serve beer, wine, bottomless mimosas, and great snacks and sandwiches including a chorizo burrito.

For many of us, a good cup of coffee isn’t just about kicking off your morning with a burst of caffeine. It’s about enjoying the atmosphere and local flavor of independently owned and sourced coffee shops. That’s why you should definitely check out these four coffee shops in the Denver area.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.

Denver Parks to Visit Before Winter Hits

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

As summer starts to fade into fall, many of us in Colorado are already thinking about battening down the hatches to stay warm and cozy this winter. Part of that is trying to enjoy the natural beauty of the region before it gets too cold to venture outside. Another big part is enjoying the outdoors before we have to deal with a few months of cabin fever.

Here, then, is a rundown of the top parks in Denver for you and your family to check out before the winter hits:

 

  1. Alamo Placita Park — This park is maintained by the team at the Denver Parks and Recreation bureau and their hard work shows clearly in the beautifully landscaped terrain. If you can make it before October, you will enjoy beautiful gardens that are regularly cared for and will be a great location for a picnic or just a stroll amongst the flowers.

 

  1. Barnum Park — This park is named for former Denver resident and world-famous circus owner Phineas T. Barnum. Although Barnum originally planned to keep some of his circus animals here during winter months, that plan never worked out and the property is now a public park with a hilltop view of the Denver skyline. You can also enjoy spending time walking through trails, along the reservoir, or playing with your pooch at the park’s designated dog area.

 

  1. Confluence Park — The word “confluence” means the place where two bodies of water come together and that’s exactly what happens at this intersection of the South Platte River with Cherry Creek. You can enjoy a baseball or soccer game, walk with your dog, or bike around the creek. While the weather still holds up, this is also a great place to rent a kayak for a day on the water.

 

  1. Sloan’s Lake Park — While this is a really great choice for outdoor activities in the summer, you can still enjoy the park in the fall. This is one of those great places to get in the car, roll down the windows (or put the top down) and go for a leisurely drive around the lake to enjoy the view of the area.

 

  1. Denver Botanic Gardens — Here’s another great choice if you want someplace with beautiful flowers and other foliage. It’s not just great for a picnic or a stroll, but also boasts a bistro that provides takeout. Although entrance to the park is limited thanks to COVID-19, you can still get access by reserving a ticket to this natural beauty.

 

Denver is known for its beautiful outdoor vistas throughout the year. But those of us who are locals know that it may not be practical to venture out too much in the wintertime. With that said, these are the best locations to check out before the snow falls.

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Whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or building your dream home, I’m here to help you explore the many financing options available. Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is my ultimate goal. I am committed to providing my customers with mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Find out more by visiting my website.