Tag: Denver

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.

Exploring Denver’s Trails While Leaving No Trace

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Many of us intentionally moved to the Denver, Colorado, area because of the natural beauty that is so readily available. But, if we aren’t careful, this beauty may not be here much longer.

With so many people heading outdoors after being cooped up because of COVID-19, the increased traffic is starting to take its toll on Denver’s hiking trails and natural parks. We don’t blame people for wanting to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature. But there are some things that people need to remember to protect those trails.

Keep these in mind when enjoying Denver’s natural parks and hiking trails:

  1. Stay on the Path — The trails have been created to provide you with a safe path to follow through the landscape. If you decide to walk off the trail, you will be destroying plants and animal habitats. The easy way to leave no trace is to stay on the trail. If you come across mud or a large puddle in the path, walk through it. Even stepping around can cause the path to widen over time and destroy a small portion of the natural habitat.

 

  1. Don’t Bother the Animals — One of the best parts of exploring these trails is the chance to see wildlife. Now, we know most people aren’t crazy enough to try to bother a wild bear, mountain lion, or rattlesnake. But we are talking about the “cute” animals that are out there. This is not a petting zoo. If you see baby animals, know that they haven’t been abandoned by their mothers. The full-grown ones are nearby, and if you bother the babies, they may either defend them or they will abandon them. Just look and take pictures.

 

  1. And, Don’t Mess with the Plants — Yes, there is some gorgeous foliage in these areas. But leave them alone so that others can enjoy them. You may come across some beautiful mountain flowers. Hold back on your instinct to pick them. Let them grow naturally and, if you have to have a physical memento, take a picture.

 

  1. Pack It In, Pack It Out — If you bring something on the trail with you, make sure you take it back out when you are done. This means everything from food wrappers and bottles to food scraps. Yes, fruit rinds and banana peels are biodegradable. But you should take these with you as well. Also, if you see any trash along the trail, be considerate and pick it up.

There’s an old saying amongst hikers: “Take nothing but memories. Leave nothing but footprints.” If you want to help keep our natural hiking trails lasting for years to come in the Denver area, it is imperative that you follow these rules to maintain the beauty of the 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.

Checking out Denver’s Art Scene: The Districts You Need to Know

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

For years now, if you wanted to enjoy the natural beauty of the Colorado landscape, you had state parks and national forests that were designated as areas you could visit. But in 2011, Colorado’s government began to also designate areas as “art districts.” These are officially designated areas that are known for their creative output—be it visual arts such as painting or sculpture or other imaginative arts such as theater and culinary arts.

If you’re interested in checking out the top art districts in the Denver area, then here are the best for you to visit:

  • Art District on Santa Fe—This area was the first to be designated and it is still the artistic center of the city and a great place to start. This area is known for its visual art galleries and studios that include painters, sculptors, and photographers. On the first and third Fridays of each month, the area hosts a special event. First Friday has an art walk that lets you see installations and studio work throughout the area. But the third Friday features Collector Preview Events, which is a smaller version of the First Friday event. Here, you can meet with the artists and gallery owners and find out more about their work and process.

 

  • Golden Triangle Creative District—This is another wonderful alternative for those of you that want to spend more time checking out large collections. That’s because this art district features eight museums, including the Denver Art Museum, the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art, the Clyfford Still Museum, and The Center for Colorado Women’s History at the Molly Brown House Museum. Many of these also feature free admission from 6-9 PM on the last Friday of the month. And, where there are art galleries and studios, you can also bet there will be quality eclectic restaurants and cafes.

 

  • RiNo Art District—The RiNo Art District is one of the newest and hippest districts in the Denver area. It pulls its artistic strength from four different areas—Cole, Elyria/Swansea, Five Points, and Globeville. This area is known for CRUSH Walls, a regular event that helps unite the districts with artistic expression. RiNo is known for its contemporary art in the form of wall murals which mixes graffiti art with more traditional forms.

If you live in Denver or are coming in for a visit, then these three districts are the perfect place to satisfy your artistic cravings. The areas are also thriving districts of restaurants and shops, as well as studios and galleries, making them the best destination for you and your family.

 

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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.

The Best Publications for Staying on Top of Denver Happenings

Written by Marybeth Heckler on . Posted in Denver.

Many of us in the Denver area are used to cabin fever with the long winters and deep snow. But with all of the craziness in the world today, that term is being taken to a new extreme as more and more of us are stuck inside due to quarantine and stay-at-home orders related to COVID-19.

We can all look forward to the glorious day when the quarantines are lifted, and life can get back to normal (or at least as close as possible). So, while you’re waiting at home with nothing to do, check out these publications and put a bookmark on them.

These are the best publications for staying on top of what’s going on in Denver:

  • 5280 —This publication is a great independent news outlet that gives you a new and fresh take on what’s going on in the region. Right now, their coverage of COVID-19, for instance, includes the standard articles on the quarantine orders, but it also has special interest stories you might not find elsewhere.

    Check out the articles “Delicious Good Deeds” which highlights how food delivery restaurants are doing something special for those in need. Also, their coverage of the Denver Zoo during the outbreak is heartening because it highlights those cute animals and what they are up to while everyone is staying away.

  • 303 Magazine —This magazine is usually one of the go-to publications for information about dining and entertainment. But during the shutdowns, they are transitioning to different coverage including updates on food delivery systems. Also, check out “A Master List of Virtual Denver Events” for all kinds of live-streamed culinary events including cooking classes.
  • Denver Dweller —Denver Dweller encourages people to “Experience Denver Authentically” and this publication helps to do just that. Right now, they have great list articles including “7 Denver Coffee Subscriptions to Order for Your New Work-At-Home Routine” and “16 Denver Local Grocers You Can Still Shop (And They’re Stocked!).” These highlight the magazine’s devotion to highlighting local businesses and artisans.
  • Eater Denver —As the name implies, this is a publication devoted to the best in food in Denver. Restaurants may be shut down for now, but Eater Denver is still helping to connect you with great local restaurants and cafes which are currently offering delivery options. They also have great articles on the state of the restaurant business and dining in general.
  • Colorado Homes and Lifestyle —This publication is a great way to stay on top of design and decorating tips for your home. Since most of us are currently locked down with no place to go, it’s a good source for ideas for your home that can hopefully get your creative juices flowing.

Just because you are stuck at home doesn’t mean there aren’t things going on in Denver. From food delivery to virtual gatherings to behind-the-scenes updates on the COVID-19 fight, these publications can give you the needed update on what’s happening in your neighborhood and beyond.

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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.