I'll be in Denver the week of GABF, for about the 5th time. I pretty well know the Breweries, Bars, Restaurants and Bottle Shops to visit. Many thanks to the local BA's for sharing this info over the years. You've pointed me to some great places. Now, my question. What other non beer things can you suggest. The plan this year is that a few of us are planning to bring our Wives. Probably do the family thing in the AM and hit the bars and breweries in the afternoon and evening. The Rock Mountain Train Ride is one thing that we want to try. We did the one near Asheville and enjoyed it. We're really not into anything really physical like hiking, rafting, ect. What other suggestions can you offer? If it helps, we plan to go to Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins, and maybe to Colorado Springs or out to Glenwood Springs during the week. We would be up for any other places about equal distance. Also,if any of you Colorado BA's are off during the week and would like to hook up for a beer please feel free to PM me. Thanks for the info, both past and present.
picnic in Chautauqua in Boulder drive up to Lyons or Estes Park to see the aspens changing color (check out St Vrain Mkt in Lyons and Scratch Deli in Estes for great sandwiches) museums in denver are awesome, especially the natural history museum like @ManBearPat said and the Denver Art Museum or MOCA grab crowler/cans from Cerebral and take it to the Denver Botanic Gardens, awesome spot
Mt. Evans scenic byway. Bring extra clothes if you do, it gets cold and potentially windy at 14,200 feet. You can hit Westbound and Down in Idaho Springs either heading up or back.
Agree on a bunch of these (definitely Botanic — bring some beer and food for a picnic; Mt Evans Scenic Byway — fun to do it as a loop with Squaw and Idaho Springs), and would also add some time spent in Morrison at Red Rocks (another fun spot to bring some beer and food for lunch). Denver's Art Museum is actually top notch too, as is the Clyfford Still Museum — both are worth the trip/admission. If you have a car Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave atop Lookout Mountain is a killer spot to take in views of the front range.
If you're gonna have a set of wheels Colorado Springs has some low exercise tourist spots that are pretty cool to hit up. Garden of the Gods is awesome, free, and you can drive up to the majority of the hot spots like balancing rock. Cave of the winds is pretty gimmicky on the front side, but they offer a back tour that involves getting filthy, helmets, and headlamps. 7 falls requires some walking, and I think costs money now, but Helen hunt falls is as pretty and is also free. Pikes peak is pretty cool, and the drive up is spectacular, unless you're riding up with Sebastian Loeb. Manitou springs is at the base of pikes peak, and if walking around small towns and checking out the shops is your jam then it's right up your alley.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. You Guys have been great recommending bars, breweries and restaurants. Had to come to you for the non beer stuff too!
