COME TO LIFE / A 5-Star Day in Denver A 5-STAR DAY IN DENVER MORNING It’s a short jaunt from Denver (about 30–45 minutes), but Arrowhead Golf Club (1) is worth the drive. Be transported to another world — one made up of unearthly red sandstone formations — as you play one of America’s Top 75 Public Courses according to Golf Digest . Another popular course is the challenging Ridge at Castle Pines North , south of Denver in Castle Rock, which boasts views of Pikes Peak to the south and Mt. Evans (the state’s highest peak) to the west. COLORADO EVENING Denver’s cuisine scene receives national raves thanks to innovative use of local ingredients. Five Denver chefs were nominated for James Beard awards last year (find them at Rioja , Mizuna , Acorn , Work & Class and Fruition ), and the new-places-to-dine-in-cool-old-buildings trend is making for killer culinary hubs like The Source (3) , Union Station , Avanti Food and Beverage , Central Market and Stanley Marketplace . The gastro-pub is another trend we never want to end, where local atmosphere and creative spins on comfort food make diners feel retro-cool, including Steuben’s Food Service (5) and Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox for a start. Culture vultures can choose from a block-buster touring Broadway musical or a stirring performance by the Colorado Symphony Or-chestra, Opera Colorado or Colorado Ballet at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (4) , the largest performing arts com-plex under one roof. 2 1 AFTERNOON Treat yourself to a relaxing spa experience designed for Colorado’s climate and lifestyle, like the Mile High Malt Scrub & Micro-brew Massage at the Ritz-Carlton Spa , the Moor Mud Relaxation Treatment at the Oxford Hotel , the Four-Handed Massage at The Woodhouse Day Spa or the Mile-High Hydromax Facial at the Four Seasons . Finish the afternoon with a classic Denver treat: afternoon tea at the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa (2) with fresh scones, pastries and dainty tea sandwiches, and the delightful melody of a harpist or pianist. 3 4 5 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Aurora (page 196), Arvada , Brighton (page 198), Castle Rock (page 199), Centennial (page 199), Commerce City , Denver (page 201), Englewood (page 202), Evergreen (page 203), Glendale , Golden (page 205), Greenwood Village (page 206), Highlands Ranch (page 207), Lakewood (page 207), Littleton (page 208), Morrison (page 210), Roxbor-ough (page 211), Sedalia (page 212), Wheat Ridge (page 214) QUICK TIP 106 / Check out eatdrinkdenver.com for fresh dining ideas, events, cooking classes, tours, blogs and more. COLORADO.COM CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: ARROWHEAD GOLF CLUB, VISIT DENVER; THE SOURCE, BETH SCHNEIDER; DENVER PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX, BETH SCHNEIDER; STEUBEN’S FOOD SERVICE; BROWN PALACE HOTEL & SPA.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 106
