How sweet it is
Miss the days of pop rocks and penny candy? Head to Lola’s Sugar Rush for a nostalgic candy lover’s dream. Their assortment of handmade desserts includes buttery rum cakes and Fudgnies (a fudge-brownie hybrid). 2490 West Main Street, Littleton, CO 80120,
www.lolassugarrush.com
Rock On
You haven’t seen a concert until you’ve seen one in Red Rocks amphitheatre. Literally situated between massive red rocks, the views are dramatic and breathtaking. No time for a show? Just go to explore the scenery on foot or on bike.
www.redrocksonline.com
Cozy Cocktails
For the best specialty cocktails in a super-cool atmosphere, hit up Green Russell Cocktails, where all the fresh herbs used in their concoctions are grown on site. Sip on a L’Orange Spice, with Cardamom Cello, spiced rum, chamomile honey and orange flower water, while digging into a Gruyere Fondue with toasted bread. Yum! Open Thursday through Sunday from 6 p.m to 2 a.m. 1422 Larimer St. www.FrankBonnano.com
To a Tea
Warm up with a spot of tea at the ever-funky The Shoppe. Add a slice of homemade pie, and you’ve got a little slice of heaven. 3103 E. Colfax Ave. www.theshoppedenver.com
Putting on the Ritz
After all that sight-seeing, rest your weary head in luxury at the Ritz-Carlton. Order up the Great Elevations Package and you’ll get a two-for-one deal that includes a stay at the Ritz in Beaver Creek and fine dining at Elway’s Steakhouse and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Just say aaaaah.
www.ritz-carlton.com/denver
Ice Queen
The seasonal ice rink in Market Square is great, but nothing beats the experience of skating on a real frozen lake. Just 30 minutes outside of Denver, visit Evergreen Lake and practice your figure eights in the fresh mountain air. www.evergreenrecreation.com
On Tap
You can’t go to Denver without visiting at least one of their amazing microbreweries. We suggest the Great Divide Tap Room, and intimate patio, innovative brews and if you’re lucky—a food truck on the curb right outside. Try the Belgica, a pilsner malt with big notes of citrus and spice. 2201 Arapahoe Street, www.greatdivide.com
Laugh Factory
Yuk it up at one of the Top 5 comedy clubs in the country, as recognized by USA Today. Craig Ferguson and Lewis Black are just a few of the big names appearing there in March and April. www.comedyworks.com
Taste of the South
If you’re in Denver and getting homesick, just head over to Moe’s BBQ & Bowl, for some real southern BBQ, made by Alabamans Mike Fernandez, Ben Gilbert and Jeff Kennedy. Eat good ribs, listen to live music and bowl a couple of games—does it get any better than that? 3295 S. Broadway,
www.moesdenver.com
Putting on the Ritz
After all that sight-seeing, rest your weary head in luxury at the Ritz-Carlton. Order up the Great Elevations Package and you’ll get a two-for-one deal that includes a stay at the Ritz in Beaver Creek and fine dining at Elway’s Steakhouse and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. Just say aaaaah.
www.ritz-carlton.com/denver
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Book It
To discover all of Denver’s amazing works of art, check out City by Design Denver before your trip. This coffee-table book showcases the city’s most spectacular architecture (famous and lesser known) like The Denver Performing Arts Complex, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and Juan Diego Apartments. $40, www.panache.com/CBD/cbd_denver.html
How to get there
Catch a flight to Denver on United, Delta, US Airways or Continental for about $250 one-way.
