Denver

Why Everyone’s Moving to Denver

Denver has become increasingly popular over the last few years, the housing market is booming, the city is expanding, and it seems like a really great time to travel out there.  I love anything outdoors, including winter sports – so I absolutely love Denver.  Admittedly, I need a few days to adjust to the altitude difference, but other than that, I always enjoy my time there.

I know the locals are probably rolling their eyes, but the altitude seriously takes some getting used to, especially coming from a city basically at sea level.  Drink a lot of water, more than you think you need, and listen to your body.  Alcohol also hits you much harder here.

I do have to warn you that the airport is far away.  I’m spoiled in DC since DCA is 10-15 minutes away from city center.  BWI is also only 30-45 minutes away, and Dulles is an hour away, but the Denver airport is so far out there.  Luckily the light rail goes to the airport now, so that makes the commute more bearable.  The flight routes are endless out of the Denver airport which is also nice.

Don’t fret, Denver is Fantastic

Now onto the things I love about Denver:

-Outdoor activities.  They’re endless! I expected to feel more landlocked here, but I didn’t at all.  There are beautiful views of the mountains everywhere.  I went on two amazing hikes this past trip and no one I talked to had even heard of them, that’s how many there are.

-Beer.  So many breweries, so little time.  Authentic, delicious, affordable, local beer.  And coors light, so what else do you need?

-Snowboarding! Some of the absolute best mountains in the country are a few hours away from Denver (Also if you like snowboarding, check out why you should head to Utah also!)

-The Food.  It’s almost a given that the food scene in a big city will be amazing, and Denver is no exception,  and also more affordable than other cities in the US.

Things to Do

Hike North Table Mountain and then treat yourself to the Coors Light Brewery across the street.  The Coors Light Brewery has a pretty long line, so get there 15 minutes before it opens.  There’s a really interesting food scene in Denver, I particularly enjoyed dinner at Linger, a fusion restaurant with a few dishes from multiple regions around the world, repurposed in a old mortuary.  They have a few sister restaurants to check out as well.  Definitely check out some breweries – just a few great ones are Epic Brewing and Denver Beer Co.  Try to catch an event at the Red Rocks Amphitheater while you’re there – I went to “Yoga on the Rocks” and it was epic – but very early in the morning!  If you’re visiting in the winter, take a daytrip or a few days out to a ski resort – even if it’s just to take in the ambiance.  The drive out there is spectacular, and the skiing is even better.

Where to Stay, When to Visit, What to Do

I’ve never actually stayed downtown, but the neighborhoods I enjoy exploring are River North (RiNo) Arts District, close to Union Station, and LoDo.

When to Visit: Summer for most people, Winter if you’re into skiing/snowboarding

Famous Attractions Worth Checking Out: Red Rocks Amphitheater, Union Station, Coors Field, Denver Art Museum,