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.
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 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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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.)
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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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.
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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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.
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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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 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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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.
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.
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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Denver has long been known for its great food and eclectic restaurants that serve a lot more than just your standard Denver Omelet. But sometimes, it may feel like there are too many restaurants so that you don’t know which ones you should actually check out. (We hear you now—there can never be TOO many restaurants.)
In the past, you may have relied on Yelp or Google reviews as your sole means of finding a good restaurant. But here are five publications that you can check out which also feature great food spots in Denver.
This great online publication has sections for restaurants and bars as well as other fun things to do in the Denver area like concerts and art exhibits. The magazine includes reviews of local restaurants, announcements of new restaurant openings (or closings), and special interest pieces about local spots. Currently, there’s a piece on the much-loved Welton Street Café which is being featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network.
Another great lifestyle publication that covers multiple cities is Thrillist. This one has interesting reviews of restaurants as well as suggestions for where to eat such as “The Best Places to Eat in the Denver Airport,” “The Most Fun Sports Bars In (and Around) Denver,” and “Everything You Have to Do in Denver This Weekend.” This is a great way for both the locals or the visitors to plan out their weekend (or vacations) including food and activities.
This publication has some awesome articles highlighting specific cuisines of the region. In the current listing, you can find articles on “A Taste of Colorado-Mex” which highlights the hybrid of Mexican and Colorado cooking and “How Chef Charles Mani is Heightening the Denver Area’s Indian Food Scene.” The site also has recommendations for high end restaurants if you are looking to check out celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey when they visit the area.
This website is a great resource for those who are planning meetings, conventions, or destination weddings in the Denver area. If you need to recommend restaurants to your guests, then this site has a great rundown including favorites such as Jovanina’s Broken Italian and Woodie Fisher’s Kitchen and Bar.
Then we have Eater, another lifestyle publication that features the best of a variety of cities. Currently the site is featuring articles such as “The 38 Essential Restaurants in Denver.” But it also contains a “Heatmap” that shows the most popular dining spots in the area.
With so many options to choose from, it may be hard to find the absolute best restaurant for your tastes on any given night. But with these five publications, you can be assured to have plenty of help narrowing down the field.
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Although traditionally the warm weather months of spring and summer have been the best for home sales, many people still like to get out and start house hunting when the weather takes a slight dip during the fall.
The cooler temperatures seem more ideal for visiting and touring homes to (eventually) pack up your belongings and move into a new house. If you have been thinking about buying, but haven’t decided to make that move just yet, remember that you can still take advantage of tax breaks that are given to homeowners so you can claim them on your taxes when you file in 2020.
The first thing you need to do, especially if you’ve never purchased a home before, is to educate yourself. Many of the types of loans, requirements, and terms used by realtors can be quite confusing. You can find many government offices, libraries, and real estate agencies will offer introductory courses to educate homeowners on all of the intricacies of this complicated process.
The next thing you will need to do is assess your finances and determine your budget. This means that you need to check your credit score to determine if you have the credit needed to buy a house. (Generally, a score of 740 or higher is necessary to get lower interest loans.)
You should also evaluate your budget by determining just how much you can afford monthly and how much you can place as a down payment on the property. This will help determine “how much house” you can afford and help you narrow down your search later on. Once you determine how much you plan to pay on the house upfront, you need to transfer this money into an account so that you can easily cut a check or transfer the funds.
Another thing you can do to help make the process even easier is to get preapproved for your home loan. This way, you can make an offer on your dream house as soon as you find it without having to play “wait and see” to show that you will be approved for the loan. If there is a bidding war for the house you are interested in, this preapproval will give you a competitive edge over the other prospective buyers.
In order to find your dream home, take the time on weekends to tour neighborhoods you’re interested in. A lot of homeowners who are looking to sell will take advantage of the fall temperatures to host open houses. You can sometimes bounce from open house to open house on a Sunday with several in the same neighborhood. No matter how much you may fall in love with the first house you see, it’s important to shop around and find the one that is perfect for you.
Fall is a great time to get out and start looking at a new home for you and your family. Not only do the cooler temperatures make the house hunt more comfortable, but you can also get your family moved into your perfect home without breaking much of a sweat.
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Summer has arrived, and as those temperatures start to climb all over the Denver area, it’s time to start planning for the biggest event of the summer—Fourth of July!
This year, there are plenty of activities going on during the week leading up to the big day as well as the weekend to follow. Here’s a sampling of what’s on deck so that you can go ahead and make plans for you and your family:
From traditional events like fireworks and baseball to some unusual choices like jousts and lacrosse, there’s definitely something for everyone this year during Fourth of July week in Denver.
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