COME TO LIFE / Denver A 5-STAR DAY IN DENVER MORNING It’s a short jaunt from Den-ver (about 30 minutes), but The Ridge at Castle Pines North (1) is worth the drive. Be transported to a world carved out of a forest with sightlines to Pikes Peak and Mount Evans to accompany you. Another popular course is the prehistoric marvel of Fossil Trace , west of Denver in Golden . Golf Digest notes its “unusual hazards” ensure “it’s never boring.” Three Denver chefs were nominated for James Beard awards in recent years (find them at Annette , Work & Class and Fruition ); and the food-hall trend is making for plentiful culinary hubs like The Source , Denver Central Market (in LoDo and at DIA), Avanti Food and Beverage , Stanley Marketplace, Zeppelin Station, Finn’s Manor, Union Station, Broadway Market and Milk Market (4) , the latest concept from chef Frank Bonanno. 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) , The Greedy Hamster, Asbury Provisions and Ophelia’s Electric Soap-box for a start. Finish the day with a blockbuster touring Broadway musical or a stirring performance by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra , Opera Colora-do or Colorado Ballet (3) at the Denver Performing Arts Complex , the largest performing arts complex under one roof. COLORADO DENVER & CITIES OF THE ROCKIES 2 1 AFTERNOON Treat yourself to a relaxing spa experience designed for Colorado’s climate and lifestyle, like the Ritz-Carlton Spa’s Colo-rado River Stone Couples Experience, the Moor Mud Bath at the Oxford Hotel or the Four-Handed Massage at The Woodhouse Day Spa . Finish the afternoon with a classic Denver treat: afternoon tea at the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa (2) with scones, pastries and dainty tea sandwiches, and the delightful melody of a harpist or pianist. 3 4 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: THE RIDGE AT CASTLE PINES NORTH, CHIP KALBACK; COLORADO BALLET, CHAD CHISHOLM; DENVER MILK MARKET; STEUBEN’S FOOD SERVICE; BROWN PALACE HOTEL & SPA. EVENING Denver’s cuisine scene receives national raves thanks to innovative use of local ingredients. 5 STAY & PLAY OPTIONS Aurora (page 192), Arvada , Brighton (page 193), Castle Rock (page 194), Centennial , Commerce City , Denver (page 195), Englewood (page 197), Evergreen (page 198), Federal Heights (page 198), Glendale , Golden (page 199), Greenwood Village (page 200), Highlands Ranch (page 200), Lakewood (page 201), Littleton , Morrison (page 202), Parker , Roxborough , Sedalia (page 203), Thornton (page 204), Wheat Ridge QUICK TIP 108 / Urban wineries like Bigsby’s Folly, the Infinite Monkey Theorem and Deep Roots Winery give oenophiles an alternative to the city’s beer and bar scenes. 1-800-COLORADO
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2020: Page 108
