Top 10 Favorite Places in Colorado
It's been over three years since Sarah and I traded frigid Wisconsin for colorful Colorado. We have explored quite a bit over the years and there is still a lot of terrain left to turn over. For this list of ten I rank my favorite places in the Centennial State.
10. De Steeg Brewing
One of the big draws for Denver was the beer scene. With over 300 locations in Colorado brewing the good stuff it became tough to resist a land of adventure and home to the second most breweries in the U.S. Over the years, many a pint have been drank and there is one location that ranks above the rest. De Steeg Brewing is located in the Highlands neighborhood and is a hidden gem in a saturated market. The low key brewery is tucked away in an alley but offers a wide variety of fantastic brews. The first visit was interesting as there were no signs on the street for the brewery until we noticed a piece of paper in shop window. The brewery entrance was through the alley around back. The bar was cozy, like someone replaced their living room furniture with pub tables and a tap. The beer, served in snifters, are not your typical varieties but if you're looking for something delightfully complex go searching for this hidden brewery.
9. Aspen
Aspen is not for everyone and I think they like it that way. It is an escape for millionaires and celebrities where their private jets have an easier time accessing the mountain town than Denverites driving on I70. Aspen is appropriately named as it is nestled in a grove of the trees the city is named for. My only visit came during the fall when the leaves were at peak color. Driving though town and its surrounding areas was like driving through the orange and yellow rows of a 120 box of Crayolas. The Maroon Bells are the main attraction but it if want an original composition you don't have to drive very far. Most of the weekend was spent in nature as we limited our trips into town to save our money. It is worth an experience but the city was not for me.
8. Hanging Lake
Unique to Colorado with its emerald waters, Hanging Lake has managed two photos in my gallery. Maxine and Rosanna were taken on the same day and the only time I've managed to see the waterfalls. The parking lot is small and the hike popular which can cause problems by mid morning for the late risers. It is going to become even tougher as permits are now required to hike the trail and are available in limited quantities. If you find yourself near Glenwood Springs with a morning vacancy I would highly recommend the steep climb to Hanging Lake.
7. Steamboat Springs
There seems to be a mountain town for everyone. Steamboat Springs is for the laid back type. With plenty of nearby activities of all sorts, Steamboat offers a quiet, slow vibe in a small town that feels distant. Roughly three hours from Denver, Steamboat boasts some of the best skiing in Colorado due to high amounts of annual snowfall. While Sarah and I haven't tried many winter sports yet, our trip revolved around hiking where we struggled to pick a trail out of the bunch. Our trip to Steamboat Springs was a short one but next time we want to get away this is where we will go.
6. Avalanche Ranch
Located in Redstone, Avalanche Ranch is a quaint collection of cabins located in no cell service country. We were forced to enjoy the simple life enjoying our wood burning heater and cozy cabin decor while playing card games and sipping tea. The property also features hot springs with two outdoor pools and an indoor tub. Our Valentines weekend started warm and misty but when we awoke to a winter wonderland on Sunday morning the resort deserved its own Christmas card. Come for the hot springs and solitude, stay for the sheep and crackling fires.
5. RiNo
There are plenty of happening neighborhoods in Denver but my favorite has to be the River North district. Sarah works in RiNo so it is an area we have gotten to know well. It hosts a saturated brewery market where you can easily kill an afternoon walking from bar to bar, I have done this a few times myself. It hosts its own art walk of which I have been a part of. The area used to be full of factories which are now being converted into hipster hot spots. You don't have to wait for first Fridays to see the art in RiNo, there are murals on every piece of brick in the neighborhood. The old rundown industrial sector is not a hopping masterpiece that continues to grow.
4. Home
Sarah and I bought a house last spring in the northeast suburbs of Denver. While we are no longer close to the action, it is so nice to finally have a space of our own. Lambeau has especially been a fan with his new back yard and a much upgraded space from a one bedroom apartment to the three bedroom two story house we now occupy. We have already converted a bedroom into an office space that has really made working more enjoyable. Our neighborhood is quiet and has plenty of green space for Lambeau to chase bunnies and prairie dogs in. Having a house has made Colorado feel more like home.
3. Rocky Mountain National Park
This one maybe should have been lower as I haven't spent much time in the park since we got Lambeau. The no dogs policy has sent us to dog friendly trails but you can't get past the beauty of this park. It is nearly impossible to make it in and out of the park without seeing wildlife if you don't have to wait for an elk to cross the street in Estes Park before reaching the gates. The Bear Lake Trail is still my go to for first time visitors where the lake views and mountain panoramas are stunning. Definitely a place I would like to explore more but it is so hard to leave Lambeau behind.
2. Crested Butte
This was a tough call between the final two spots. Crested Butte is my favorite mountain town. Offering a little something for everyone, Crested Butte is a hidden gem I hope will stay hidden. The main strip in town offers a large variety of dining options including Niky's Mini Donuts which is our grab and go breakfast of choice. The town is also home to my favorite trails in Colorado. Kebler and Ohio Pass run through the largest aspen grove in Colorado and are loaded with trails for all skill sets. Washington Gulch is another drive for breath taking views that you can see before leaving the city limits. Autumn offers some of the best leaf viewing in the state while spring and summer color the same hills in rainbows during the wildflower bloom. We have yet to visit in winter but those trails we love would make for some great snowshoeing.
1. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Based on other postings did you expect any different? Great Sand Dunes National Park is my favorite place in Colorado. From a photography perspective it was heaven, from an adventure stand point it was wild. Just the fact that dune fields exist is incredible to me and especially one with of this magnitude. What makes it even better is it's only a few hours from Denver. If you've never been pelted in the eyes with sand, consider yourself lucky. All afternoon the wind blasted sand at us and found a way into compartments of my bag I never opened. Even after that trouble I would go back in a heartbeat. It is something pictures cannot do justice and I hope to share more with you as I edit through them. You can bet I will be returning this year again too.
10. De Steeg Brewing
One of the big draws for Denver was the beer scene. With over 300 locations in Colorado brewing the good stuff it became tough to resist a land of adventure and home to the second most breweries in the U.S. Over the years, many a pint have been drank and there is one location that ranks above the rest. De Steeg Brewing is located in the Highlands neighborhood and is a hidden gem in a saturated market. The low key brewery is tucked away in an alley but offers a wide variety of fantastic brews. The first visit was interesting as there were no signs on the street for the brewery until we noticed a piece of paper in shop window. The brewery entrance was through the alley around back. The bar was cozy, like someone replaced their living room furniture with pub tables and a tap. The beer, served in snifters, are not your typical varieties but if you're looking for something delightfully complex go searching for this hidden brewery.
9. Aspen
Aspen is not for everyone and I think they like it that way. It is an escape for millionaires and celebrities where their private jets have an easier time accessing the mountain town than Denverites driving on I70. Aspen is appropriately named as it is nestled in a grove of the trees the city is named for. My only visit came during the fall when the leaves were at peak color. Driving though town and its surrounding areas was like driving through the orange and yellow rows of a 120 box of Crayolas. The Maroon Bells are the main attraction but it if want an original composition you don't have to drive very far. Most of the weekend was spent in nature as we limited our trips into town to save our money. It is worth an experience but the city was not for me.
8. Hanging Lake
Unique to Colorado with its emerald waters, Hanging Lake has managed two photos in my gallery. Maxine and Rosanna were taken on the same day and the only time I've managed to see the waterfalls. The parking lot is small and the hike popular which can cause problems by mid morning for the late risers. It is going to become even tougher as permits are now required to hike the trail and are available in limited quantities. If you find yourself near Glenwood Springs with a morning vacancy I would highly recommend the steep climb to Hanging Lake.
7. Steamboat SpringsThere seems to be a mountain town for everyone. Steamboat Springs is for the laid back type. With plenty of nearby activities of all sorts, Steamboat offers a quiet, slow vibe in a small town that feels distant. Roughly three hours from Denver, Steamboat boasts some of the best skiing in Colorado due to high amounts of annual snowfall. While Sarah and I haven't tried many winter sports yet, our trip revolved around hiking where we struggled to pick a trail out of the bunch. Our trip to Steamboat Springs was a short one but next time we want to get away this is where we will go.
6. Avalanche Ranch
Located in Redstone, Avalanche Ranch is a quaint collection of cabins located in no cell service country. We were forced to enjoy the simple life enjoying our wood burning heater and cozy cabin decor while playing card games and sipping tea. The property also features hot springs with two outdoor pools and an indoor tub. Our Valentines weekend started warm and misty but when we awoke to a winter wonderland on Sunday morning the resort deserved its own Christmas card. Come for the hot springs and solitude, stay for the sheep and crackling fires.
5. RiNoThere are plenty of happening neighborhoods in Denver but my favorite has to be the River North district. Sarah works in RiNo so it is an area we have gotten to know well. It hosts a saturated brewery market where you can easily kill an afternoon walking from bar to bar, I have done this a few times myself. It hosts its own art walk of which I have been a part of. The area used to be full of factories which are now being converted into hipster hot spots. You don't have to wait for first Fridays to see the art in RiNo, there are murals on every piece of brick in the neighborhood. The old rundown industrial sector is not a hopping masterpiece that continues to grow.
4. Home
Sarah and I bought a house last spring in the northeast suburbs of Denver. While we are no longer close to the action, it is so nice to finally have a space of our own. Lambeau has especially been a fan with his new back yard and a much upgraded space from a one bedroom apartment to the three bedroom two story house we now occupy. We have already converted a bedroom into an office space that has really made working more enjoyable. Our neighborhood is quiet and has plenty of green space for Lambeau to chase bunnies and prairie dogs in. Having a house has made Colorado feel more like home.
3. Rocky Mountain National ParkThis one maybe should have been lower as I haven't spent much time in the park since we got Lambeau. The no dogs policy has sent us to dog friendly trails but you can't get past the beauty of this park. It is nearly impossible to make it in and out of the park without seeing wildlife if you don't have to wait for an elk to cross the street in Estes Park before reaching the gates. The Bear Lake Trail is still my go to for first time visitors where the lake views and mountain panoramas are stunning. Definitely a place I would like to explore more but it is so hard to leave Lambeau behind.
2. Crested Butte
This was a tough call between the final two spots. Crested Butte is my favorite mountain town. Offering a little something for everyone, Crested Butte is a hidden gem I hope will stay hidden. The main strip in town offers a large variety of dining options including Niky's Mini Donuts which is our grab and go breakfast of choice. The town is also home to my favorite trails in Colorado. Kebler and Ohio Pass run through the largest aspen grove in Colorado and are loaded with trails for all skill sets. Washington Gulch is another drive for breath taking views that you can see before leaving the city limits. Autumn offers some of the best leaf viewing in the state while spring and summer color the same hills in rainbows during the wildflower bloom. We have yet to visit in winter but those trails we love would make for some great snowshoeing.
1. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Based on other postings did you expect any different? Great Sand Dunes National Park is my favorite place in Colorado. From a photography perspective it was heaven, from an adventure stand point it was wild. Just the fact that dune fields exist is incredible to me and especially one with of this magnitude. What makes it even better is it's only a few hours from Denver. If you've never been pelted in the eyes with sand, consider yourself lucky. All afternoon the wind blasted sand at us and found a way into compartments of my bag I never opened. Even after that trouble I would go back in a heartbeat. It is something pictures cannot do justice and I hope to share more with you as I edit through them. You can bet I will be returning this year again too.
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