Based on exactly one night visiting Denver, Colorado, here are a few of my thoughts and recommendations (in no particular order)!
TO SEE:
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater
The trip out of the city to see Red Rocks Amphitheater is definitely worth it! Even if you don’t have the chance to see a show, it is impressive to stand on the stage and imagine what it would be like to perform in or attend a show in such a natural, unique, and beautiful venue. There are also plenty of hiking trails and scenic overlooks that allow you to enjoy Red Rocks and the Rockies. As an extra perk, the visitors center has clean bathrooms!
Fortissimo Dueling Pianos
Have you ever been to a dueling pianos bar? I had not and must say it was especially impressive! Not that you have to go in Denver specifically, but this is an experience any music or culture lover should have at some point. We spent hours watching in amazement as three expert musicians with two grand pianos and a drum set performed song after song from varied genres!
A couple notes to keep in mind if you’re planning to visit Fortissimo Dueling Pianos:
There is a $10 cover on dueling piano show nights & drinks aren’t particularly cheap
Seating is SUPER limited and this appears to be a popular bar
Food seems limited and is rumored to have long wait times
The Colorado State Capitol Building’s Mile High Marker(s)
How cool is it to be a mile above sea level? I love that the Capitol Building has a marker indicating the “exact” elevation…though evidently they have struggled a bit on the specifics of exactly where that marker should be.
“In 1909, the first brass plaque was installed on the 15th step of the Capitol’s west side to denote the exact 5,280-foot measurement. The piece was stolen several times, so in 1947 city officials opted for a more permanent solution—inscribing the granite stairs with the words “ONE MILE ABOVE SEA LEVEL.” Fast forward to 1969 when a few engineering students surveyed the site and identified the 18th step as the actual mile-high marker. Another badge was added. The subject came up again in 2003 when—thanks to more advanced technology—a new location was established. Gov. Bill Owens presided over a ceremony during which a third badge was placed two feet below the original marker on the 13th step. This is the one that’s currently recognized as the official 5,280 seal, but the earlier versions also remain.”[1]
Improv at Chaos Bloom Theater
I must admit, I am not well versed in improv but my Denver travel companion is and she was very impressed with Chaos Bloom Theater and Denver’s improv scene as a whole. She loved participating in an Improv Jam and then we both enjoyed a MainStage Players Show.
Tattered Cover Bookstore
“Tattered Cover is the largest independent bookstore in Colorado,” a popular destination for visiting book lovers, “a Denver institution, a community gathering place, and an experience you can't download.”[2] We didn’t take time to enjoy the café, but spent awhile meandering through the expansive shop wishing we weren’t limited by suitcase space and could actually shop!
TO SKIP:
Adam’s Mystery Playhouse for a Murder Mystery Dinner
I can’t say I understand why Adam’s Mystery Playhouse made it onto so many “top things to do in Denver” lists. While the mortuary turned dinner theater building was interesting, the performance wasn’t terribly polished and I didn’t find the mystery to be especially engaging.
FOR NEXT TIME: Of course I left with a list of things to do next time I am in town!
Smothered Burritos
Evidently it's a must-try in Denver. We tried a burrito place but they didn’t serve them smothered? This feels like something we needed more local guidance to truly enjoy.
SOURCES:
留言