Many of us at Havenly have fled bigger cities to come to Denver for a backdrop with mountains, 300 days of sunshine and an exciting, growing tech scene. Denver happens to be one of those cities that is best enjoyed with a little guidance. You need to know where to seek those hidden gems, or exactly how to spend your time, otherwise you may miss out on the best of the best. That’s why we put together this list–so you can enjoy our town as much as we do!
Where to stay
The Maven – Absolutely the coolest, new hotel in Denver. I’d describe the aesthetic as “Don Draper goes West.” Be sure to get the prickly pear margarita at their restaurant, Kachina (only available at happy hour). While there last week, I spotted
Father John Misty, which is how you
know it’s cool.
image via the maven
The Crawford – With historical relevance and located within Denver’s Union Station which was built in 1881, this is a charming and convenient hotel. The lobby is also the main hall of the train station, with shops, coffee, restaurants and bars.
photo via priceline.com
Halycon – A new hotel with a great art collection, a delicious restaurant with an airplane theme (like, you’re inside a retro airplane), a speak easy and stunning roof top pool with mountain views.
image courtesy of halycon hotel
Where to eat
Stowaway – Owned by an adorable husband and wife duo (bringing their Australian and Japanese roots together through their menu), eat breakfast or lunch here. Get the Colorful Colorado. Don’t bring your laptop as you won’t find outlets or wifi here–just good food, coffee and cute people.
photo courtesy of stowaway.com
Cart Driver – Wood-fired pizza, oysters and champagne on tap. A quick dinner spot, with an incredible short, cheap menu after 10pm.
photo via denverpost.com
Il Posto – Stunning architecture, creative Italian cuisine and an extensive wine list. It’s a pricey dinner spot but during lunch, wine is half off. Don’t forget to order the burrata.
photo via zagat.com
Where to caffinate
Portside – Delicious coffee and a simple, healthy menu, you’ll end up starting each day off here.
photo via eater
Crema – A Denver staple, this coffee place is really the only coffee spot you need to know about. Many don’t know about the back patio, so be sure to snag a spot there on a nice day.
image via marathon mouth
Where to drink
Fort Greene – It’s a little off the beaten path, but this place has some serious historic charm. You can tell that not much has changed since it was the local watering hole decades ago.
photo via fort greene
Bar Fausto – Delicious, extensive, classic and creative cocktail menu. Small bites (don’t go too hungry). Great authentic, vintage photo booth. Don’t miss out on the bathroom wall paper. It’s very Instagram-worthy.
via cyties
Bread Bar – You’ll need a car for this [very worth it] afternoon trip. Driving West on I-70, head to Silver Plume, which is an old mining town. It feels like nothing has changed since it was an active mining town. “Town” feels like an exaggeration for this small gem. Bread Bar, taken over by Denver business owners, serves craft cocktails in an idyllic setting. Come on a weekend, and there is usually a fire outside with live music and BBQ.
via bread bar
Where to shop
Sub Rosa – It’s all the little objects you’d want to bring home from Colorado but wouldn’t know where to find. Candles, jewelry, art and relics.
photo via sub rosa
Goldyn – The best jewelry store in town, Goldyn also sells beautiful clothing from designers like Apiece Apart, Helmut Lang and Rachel Comey, among hand-picked vintage items.
photo via westword
Queen City General Store – Curated vintage, locally crafted jewelry, organic beauty products, plants and crystals, this is a really nice shopping experience that will leave you needing to buy at least
something.
photo via confluence denver
Sacred Thistle – A very special flower and gift shop with a wabi-sabi vibe. Jewelry, tinctures, and special knick knacks, this is a great spot to treat yourself.
photo courtesy of sacred thistle
Topo Designs – A Denver company that makes stylish outdoor gear that is fit for any city.
image via topo designs
What to See
MCA – A uniquely curated contemporary art collection. Can’t recommend this spot enough. Be sure to make it up to the rooftop cafe to enjoy lunch among a modern rooftop succulent garden.
photo courtesy of mca.org
DAM – The Denver Art Museum is one of the biggest museums between Chicago and the West Coast and we’re lucky that we often get to pick up exceptional traveling exhibits before they hit any other museum on the West Coast (first museum to feature the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective!)
image courtesy of sheraton denver
Clyfford Still Museum – A minimal museum that holds the Clyfford Still archives–the largest Clyfford Still collection in the world. Also, a beautifully designed building to boot.
photo via allied works
Denver Botanic Gardens – Attached to Cheesman Park, once you walk into the botanic gardens, you’re transported into a serene, peaceful establishment that covers off on more botanic territory than you’d expect from Colorado. Be sure to check out the Japanese Garden and, if you’re here in the summer, they have an incredible summer concert series. Pro tip: You can BYOB and picnic anytime!
photo courtesy of utrip.com
Red Rocks – Known nationally as one of the most beautiful amphitheaters in the country, you don’t need to be attending a concert (although you should if there is one!) to see this breath-taking venue. Head there for a hike and take in the view.
photo courtesy of uber.com
