Cart-Driver

One of Denver’s most historic hotels, The Crawford is located within Union Station (built 1881), aesthetically an impressive combination of opulent luxury and old-world charm. From ornately carved wood furnishings to plush, luxe linens, the accommodations here are top of the line, and from here you’ve got direct access to several highly recommended eateries, cafés, and bars—try the coffee at Pigtrain in the morning, and pop into their bar, The Cooper Lounge, for a proper cocktail. Guests have access to their fitness center, spa, and salon, the Oxford Club, for indulgent massages, decadent body treatments, and a full-blown cut-and-color by their in-house experts. Aside from its status as a historical landmark, its central location—and the main hall’s popularity as “Denver’s living room”—makes this glorious institution a must-see, even if you aren’t staying as a guest (and if you come into town via The Train to the Plane, you’ll likely pass it by on your way in and out of town).

Opened in 2010, the Four Seasons is one of downtown Denver's tallest buildings, with 24 floors of hotel space at the base and several floors of condos at the top—it's important to ask for a West-facing room here, because you'll be all but guaranteed gorgeous views of the mountains in the distance (and an excellent show if you happen to be around at sunset). The luxe accommodations offer everything you'd expect from any Four Seasons, but what really sets this location apart is the spa, decorated with stones and sleek wood and inarguably one of Denver's best places for treatments. There's also a fully outfitted gym that overlooks a rooftop pool—and since Denver gets 300 days of sun a year, you'll be able to use it more often than you'd imagine.

Hotel Teatro, so-named for its location around the corner from the Buell Theatre (Denver's major performance venue), is located in one of LoDo's oldest buildings. Key architectural details from the building's original construction as a mansion for the Evans family, like pink and green marble flooring and marble wainscoting, are fully intact. Though the original upgrade was in 1997, the 110 rooms, plus the lobby and bar, enjoyed an update a few years ago, and though the rooms run a bit on the small side—we recommend Teatro for couples and singles more than families—they're well turned out with marble bathrooms, leather headboards, and crisp white linens. The downstairs restaurant, the Nickel, is a great place to grab a drink before seeing a show.

This Limelight Hotel was created by Denverites who recognized the city's lack of hotels that offered good design. With mountain-inspired interiors that aren't at all kitschy—think plaid throw pillows; mid-century furniture and light fixtures; and custom millwork for the walls and beds—Limelight Hotel is a pretty elegant solution. The hotel itself is a block from the restaurants and buzz of Union Station and the city's recently opened fast-track rail line to the airport, and in the halls, you'll find artwork from local Denver artists curated by Adam Lerner, the director of nearby MCA Denver. While the hotel is a major win for out-of-towners, locals are most excited about Ajax Downtown, the first-floor restaurant.

Incredibly well-situated with views of downtown Boulder and the mountains, St Julien is the best of both worlds one typically comes to Denver for: the great outdoors and luxuriously cozy accommodations. On offer are both outdoor adventure packages and ski escapes (thanks to a partnership with Eldora Mountain), full-service on-site spa, and afternoon tea in The Onyx Room—a stunningly gorgeous, private dining room—of the hotel’s modern, organic-and-sustainable-centric restaurant and bistro, Jill’s. In addition to the spa, a lap pool, whirlpool, and fitness center are available to guests; and (if you feel compelled to leave this has-it-all haven) it’s just a five-minute walk to the Pearl Street Mall.

Basta's location is admittedly random (it's off Arapahoe in an otherwise unassuming apartment complex with an open patio that's very much secluded from the street), but that's part of what makes it so great. The elegant yet casual restaurant, which specializes in pizza baked on-site in an extremely hot oven, is helmed by chef Kelly Whitaker, also of Cart-Driver and one of the area's most promising up-and-comers. Though the pizza is year-round, Whitaker's ingredients are constantly changing to accommodate Boulder farmers and whatever they have in stock—expect great contorni, a few good salads, and piada bread—a puffed-up bread Whitaker bakes on-site and tops with burrata. The wine program, which is run by Frasca alum Alan Henkin, is more than worthy of a menu this good.

Chef Hosea Rosenberg (Top Chef season five champ) debuted Blackbelly first as a catering company, with a focus on local, organic ingredients. Since the 2011 launch, Rosenberg's larger vision for Blackbelly has been realized with the addition of a restaurant, butcher shop, and market. The restaurant serves dinner daily; the menu highlights the fresh butcher offerings and their impressive charcuterie spread. Blackbelly's happy hour, 4-6pm every day—oysters included—is noteworthy. Next to the restaurant, the expert, whole-animal butcher counter is open every day except for Sunday, and also serves breakfast and lunch on the weekdays—from egg-and-tater-tot burritos to bone broth and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.

A relative newcomer to Denver’s taco scene, Dos Santos is among the best: Whether you choose their grilled steak, slow-roasted pork, or chicken tinga tacos, you won’t be disappointed. Our favorite is the O.M.F.G., a bib lettuce-wrapped offering filled with raw tuna, lime cilantro aioli, pickled onion, avocado, and cabbage. (Their guacamole is just as inspired: If you’re so inclined, you can try it with fresh fruit and bacon, or with pumpkin seed, nopal, and roasted tomatillos.) Cement floors, exposed brick, and colorful chairs add to the taqueria’s charm—as does a nice selection of local and Mexican beers, plus amazing margaritas.

This bistro has been in the neighborhood for a decade, making it a LoHi mainstay. Over the years, the upscale (but relaxed) restaurant has maintained more than 40 local partners, who make their farm-to-table commitment possible—and ensure their seasonal menu continues to impress with selections that range from crispy cauliflower with stewed red lentils to country ham carpaccio to “chicken & waffles” (chicken liver mousse on a brown butter waffle with date chutney and pickled shallot). Note: The small space is reliably packed, so it’s good to make a reservation.

Founded by French Laundry alums Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson (chef) and Bobby Stuckey (MS), Frasca has been Boulder’s culinary gem for 20 years. It’s no secret, either: Frasca has been lauded since its opening and has collected three James Beard Awards (for its chef, hospitality, and wine program) and a Michelin star. We recommend the seven-course tasting menu, which showcases the Friulian cuisine they’re known for. Stuckey's wine list, which includes more than 200 varieties, is a major part of the appeal here.

Named after chef Troy Guard (and his daughter, Grace), this 9,000-square-foot space tucked into the street level of the fifty-six-floor CenturyLink Tower is home to the best steaks in the city. Bright, airy, and sleek, with just enough touches of warmth to keep it from being too corporate, Guard & Grace offers everything we’d want from a modern steakhouse: elevated, fresh seafood (plus a raw bar), amazing charcuterie, perfect martinis, and of course, local grass-fed cuts of beef offered in 4 to 22 oz. portions. There’s no official dress code, but it is definitely dressed-up for Denver.

Most people choose not to dwell on the fact that the building Linger occupies was a former mortuary called Olinger's—the "O" on the neon sign had long been busted, and the restaurateurs chose the name of their "eatuary" accordingly. Right in the middle of all the action of LoHi's busiest street, the restaurant has two levels: a dining room downstairs, and a more casual rooftop patio upstairs. The street-food-inspired menu highlights a few different cuisines, with dishes like a falafel lettuce wrap alongside Vietnamese surf 'n turf and a masala dosa. For a casual vibe fitting of the food (or a great happy hour), we actually prefer the second floor, which features a bar housed in a refurbished VW bus and beautiful views of downtown Denver.

This spot, on the eastern edge of the newly renovated Union Station building downtown, is part white-tablecloth restaurant and part takeaway market. The sit-down portion serves a roughly Italian menu (caramelized potato gnocchi, parsnip tortellini, burrata with beets and citrus confit) with a few American menu items thrown in (broccoli cheddar soup, crispy chicken with vegetable pot pie) in a dining room that features Union Station's signature high ceilings and tall windows that look out onto the plaza. In the takeaway section, you'll find a deli counter with imported cheeses and sliced-to-order prosciutto, plus pastries, a coffee bar, and office-lunch-style sandwiches and salads—including an Italian sandwich that's in the running for Denver's best.

In a neighborhood that's known for glitzy steakhouses and sometimes overpriced fine dining, this straightforward Italian spot is a welcome respite (and makes for an excellent lunch pit stop when you're in the area for a day of shopping). The interior is clean and warm, with exposed brick and fresh flowers in the entry, and the service is always excellent. The menu is inspired by Northern Italy, with great pizzas and pastas that they make in-house, plus some solidly filling salad options like a Tuscan kale with grapes and apples, and a seasonal vegetable chop with butternut squash and brussels sprouts.

Like many of the breakout chefs and sommeliers in the area, Steven Redzikowski (chef) and Bryan Dayton (somm) came up under Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson at Frasca Food & Wine before breaking out on their own, and their mini-empire now includes two restaurants—Oak in Boulder, and Acorn in Denver. The menu at Oak—which is their original spot—is decidedly new American, with sophisticated but accessible dishes like a Boulder-roasted chicken with butternut squash gnocchi, a scallop risotto with satsuma oranges and paprika, and a sweet fennel sausage (served with peppers and arugula) that they make in-house. Oak is right on the corner of 14th and Pearl Street, so it's the perfect place for a restful lunch while you're exploring downtown, though it's plenty dressed up for a date night out, too.

An offshoot of Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson's beloved Frasca (in fact, it's right next door), Pizzeria Alberico brings the founders' skills to the humble pizza—and to great acclaim. Here, pies come out of the super-hot oven in the back at warp speed, and prosciutto is sliced-to-order behind the bar on a gleaming red machine that looks more like it belongs in a Ferrari dealership than behind a deli counter. While you won't get out of here without a pizza (they do a great gluten-free version, but we wouldn't recommend skimping on the real stuff to anyone but the truly allergic), the antipasti dishes, like a ridiculous fennel salad and perfectly crispy arancini, make worthy openers. P.S. They deliver.

Located north of Park Hill in a neighborhood where there aren't many other restaurants, the Plimoth feels a little off the beaten path, and since the interior is cozy and dimly lit, that has the effect of making it feel a little romantic, too. The menu (which changes frequently depending on what's available) is a French/Italian hybrid that makes great use of adventurous vegetables in dishes like a cracklin' chicken with red corn polenta, apple, mushroom, rutabaga, celeriac, and butternut squash; a pork loin with clams, broccolini, and yellow-eye beans; and pavlova made with preserved Colorado cherries.

Root Down is a neighborhood joint dedicated to providing ethically sourced and properly prepared health food. Brunch is pretty hard to beat on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and they also have a great raw food night on the first Tuesday of each month—a four-course raw, vegan, gluten-free dinner, crafted by raw-food-certified chef Daniel Asher. Any other day, there is ample gluten and dairy on the menu, though things stay relatively vegetable-centric. We love the baby beet salad, burger sliders with jalapeño jam, and the rack of lamb (sourced from just a few miles away). Pro tip: There’s a second location in Concourse C at the airport with a solid takeaway fridge.

This Denver institution is known primarily for brunch, in part because of their signature bacon Bloody Marys (served with bacon-infused vodka), and their big, open patio, which always seems to be buzzing and full. That said, their comfort-food menu, which is subtly southern, is great all day long, as the breakfast dishes bleed into dinner: We recommend the traffic jam, an egg dish that comes with green chili cheese fries, sausage gravy, and bacon (and removes all traces of any hangover); the chicken and waffles; and the nightly blue-plate specials. Make sure to get an order of the sinfully good Steubie snacks, their special version of puppy chow (for the uninitiated: Chex Mix coated in peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar).

Filled with houseplants, open-air in the summer, and entirely whitewashed save for warm wood stools, chairs, and benches, Stowaway is easily one of the most pleasant dining spaces in Denver. The best part: The food doesn't disappoint. Everything's healthy-ish, with vegetable-focused dishes like the kale, squash, and farro salad, and a butternut squash and spinach sandwich with hard-boiled egg and pickled beetroot, plus the cheekily named killer whale granola and a warming chai-spiced porridge. There's a great coffee bar where locals pick up takeaway meals (you can order online so they're ready when you arrive), and they're closed Tuesdays—adorably, for adventure.

Given the sleek decór and considering how difficult it (still) is to get a reservation, it's hard to imagine that Sushi Den first opened its doors back in 1985. The interior is dark and moody, with a miles-long menu of fresh fish flown in from the Tokyo markets, plus warm Japanese dishes like udon noodles, hot pots, and dumplings. Chef/owner Toshi has now built a mini-empire on the residential street corner, with an izakaya spot and a more casual raw bar that are both equally great.

This quiet sushi destination right off downtown discreetly serves some of the freshest fish in town. The interior is sleek and calming, and the vibe is unpretentious—it works for date night, as well as a quick lunch during the work week. There's an intimate bar space with a TV downstairs that gets lively at happy hour.

Tommy Lee's noodle shop in LoHi has been packed since it opened, and for good reason: The small restaurant’s take on traditional Japanese ramen is top-notch, prepared with long-simmered broths, custom-made noodles, and responsibly raised meat and fish. The menu is small but varied—in addition to the ramen, you’ll find offerings like their Brussels sprout salad with coconut, orange, lemongrass, and spicy cashew, plus their buns selection, which includes pork belly with hoisin, cucumber, scallion, and fried green tomato variations. (There are vegetarian options, too.) If you can't brave the crowds for a table, keep in mind that they also do takeout.

The Verde kitchen got its start in 2010 on wheels, when some friends from Arizona wanted to bring the Sonoran-style Mexican food they missed to Boulder in the form of a food truck. (Around this time, they adopted the motto “Work Hard. Be Nice. Eat Burritos.”) After years of success, they finally expanded to a brick and mortar location, which sells the same great tacos and burritos, plus chile rellenos, fajitas, and best of all, a menu of margaritas.

Truly a neighborhood bar, West End Tavern has been around for decades—though you wouldn't know it from the updated décor. Everything about the place is as inviting and warm as you might hope: The menu is full of genuinely delicious comfort food, from sautéed greens and deviled eggs to burgers to roast-pork sandwiches and shrimp po’ boys, plus some seriously good barbecue. Of course, the bar has craft cocktails, more than seventy-five bourbons to choose from, and a draft and bottled beer line-up that really showcases Colorado’s craft beer culture. There’s indoor and outdoor rooftop seating with some of the best views in the area, and this is also a great place to watch a Buffs game.

Work & Class is named to represent its simple ethos, which is their goal to provide a “square meal, stiff drink, and fair price.” And really, that kind of undersells it—the Southern–Latin American menu from chef Dana Rodriguez is full of inventive small plates from bacon-wrapped jalapeños, shrimp and grits, and chickpea croquettes to salads like their “massive attack” (tempura broccoli, asparagus, avocado, spinach, cucumbers, parmesan) to substantial meat and fish offerings like whole fried Idaho trout and cochinita pibil. Designed inside some re-purposed shipping containers, the restaurant is small, always packed, and pretty loud and lively.

Think of Avanti as a grown-up mess hall: seven distinct dining options are packed into one large, industrial, split-level space, which range from a shawarma joint to a spot where you can pick up a pan-fried trout sandwich and grits to a pizzeria with surprising variety. But this is really more of a watering hole first, where you can choose from one of twenty draft beers or opt for a cocktail, and choose a spot in their lounge, indoor dining area, or spacious rooftop deck. Because of its views, Avanti really shines when it’s warm and you can take advantage of the outdoor stadium-style seating.

Jonathan Power (The Populist; Crema Coffee House) and Koan Goedman (Huckleberry Roasters) teamed up to open Bar Fausto, a cocktail/charcuterie spot in Denver's River North Art District (RiNo) in 2015. Now Gold Point, the open 2,000-square foot bar is a fun take on an industrial space—a white cinder block wall is painted with strips of vibrant colors; the blue host stand looks like it was lifted out of a hip lobby hotel. The focus here, the large, modern bar, serves an expanding list of specialty cocktails—which are known by numbers (#42, #43, and so on) as opposed to name. There's also a tight selection of beer and wine to choose from. While Gold Point is more bar than restaurant, on the food side, there's antipasti items, cheese and salami, salads, crudo, bruschetta, plus a couple of more substantial plates if you come hungrier.

The Bitter Bar is laid-back Boulder's slightly dressed-up version of the cocktail lounge—although it's by no means formal. The bartenders are fun and inviting, and they serve some of the best drinks in town. They've got a few a mainstay cocktails on tap, a signature list, and some really quality brews that you're not likely to see elsewhere.

True to form, this new clandestine Cherry Creek speakeasy isn’t easy to spot from the street—you have to walk down an alley between Second and Third Avenue before you find a nondescript sign that just reads “Stair 3.” There’s a gold Art Deco doorbell that gives a better indication of what greets you in the basement beneath: a sophisticated cocktail menu from Brendon Wise, the beverage director of Sage Hospitality (the group that owns the adjacent hotel B&GC, The Halcyon); a dark space (but well-lit bar), cognac leather booths, and more gold Art Deco flourishes. Drinks like Aviatrix (Plymouth gin, sparkling rose, plus other good stuff), New Money (Bourbon, smoked vermouth, amaro, house bitters), and tight-lipped bartenders await. It's also worth noting that the stylish Halcyon Hotel is a decent (new) option if you have business or friends in Cherry Creek—there aren’t too many options nearby.

A Union Station highlight, the sophisticated Cooper Lounge is located on the mezzanine level of the renovated transit hub. Its balcony set-up is good for people watching into Union Station's Great Hall, and on the opposite side, you can look out onto Downtown Denver beyond Cooper's stunning arched windows. The upscale cocktail list and throwback-glam space feels celebratory in nature.

With more microbreweries per capita than anywhere else in the country, it's no surprise that Denver's bar scene is dominated by beer gardens. Conveniently located on Platte Street (to get there from Downtown you'll cross over the lovely Confluence Park), Denver Beer Company has a big open patio that's lively without being rowdy, particularly on sunny weekend afternoons. Dogs are allowed, and they usually have a food truck pulled up in case you'd like to snack while you drink. The menu usually has a mix of old standards and seasonals, but we're partial to their signature Graham Cracker Porter, which is available year-round.

Tommy Lee from Denver's popular noodle bar, Uncle, named his second spot in honor of Denver's original Chinatown—Hop Alley's small, creative food menu takes cues from a range of Taiwanese, Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hunan flavors. We like to come for drinks most, though—the cocktails are likewise inventive: In addition to their original concoctions, Hop Alley puts their own spin on classics—like an old fashioned served with amaro, madeira wine, and smoked tea. The eclectic beer/wine list matches suit.

This is the oldest still-operating bar in Denver, and it's famously the place where Jack Kerouac used to hang out here when he lived in Denver (an experience he wrote about extensively in On the Road). Basically, it's been in this location since long before LoHi became a trendy area to live and work. The inside is dark and cozy, and especially comforting on wintry nights. The menu's nothing special (this place is really about the ambiance), but we recommend snacking on popcorn from the popcorn machine in the back corner (an affordable 50 cents for a basket) and ordering a hot dog, which comes with a full bar cart with all the fixings you could want. Photos: pjroldan

It's easy for speakeasy's to feel gimmicky, but not so at Williams & Graham, where you'll walk through an old bookcase to get to the intimate bar. The cocktails here are delicate and thoughtful, and while that's definitely what they're best known for (bartender Sean Kenyon has been internationally recognized for his program), the food holds up—particularly the burger, which comes topped with port salut and caramelized onions.

It will surprise nobody that Boulder's farmers' market is excellent—and the real-life experience completely delivers on what you'd imagine, as you'll find everyone from moms serving gluten-free granola to people selling vegetables to an old-school beekeeper who's been selling honey sticks to generations of Boulder kids. In the fall, you'll also find gorgeous peaches from Western Colorado. For travelers who aren't interested in a full haul of produce, check out the prepared foods area, where there's live music on Saturday mornings, and a beer garden on Wednesdays (the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is right here, too, for a cultural diversion). Favorite vendors include The Orange Tent (order the eggs benedict over rice and the iced chai), Amazing Corn Tamales, and Tres Pupusas.

This cool coffee shop was an early comer to RiNo, and it's still a reliable neighborhood caffeine-pump all week long—you'll always find people typing away on laptops, or local artists and business owners getting together for meetings (particularly in the summer, when you can sit on a lovely outdoor patio). They're known for great coffee, but it's a mistake to skip the food here, particularly the brunch—we love the sweet potato waffles, the pork belly banh mi sandwich, and the everything cookie, which is packed with Oreos and pretzels.

This local coffee roaster began without a brick and mortar shop open to the public, but soon expanded into this flagship space thanks in part to a successful Kickstarter campaign. True to their creed, you’ll find some seriously good coffee inside, as well as a comfortable, bright space with colorful accents and outdoor seating. If you’re interested, you can also sign up to take one of their coffee workshops, which are designed to teach everything from brew methods and extraction basics to milk steaming to sensory evaluation.

It's nearly impossible to miss Little Man, not only because of the line that snakes around the block, but because it's housed in a two-story silver milk carton. The mix of flavors here is delightfully all over the board, with nostalgia-inducing fluffernutter and whopper malt alongside strawberry balsamic and Earl Grey—though, in our not-so-unbiased opinion, you're doing it wrong if you don't get the famous salted Oreo. Regulars know that when the lines get unbearably long in the summer, you can fast-track by ordering from one of two small stands that they set up on the sidewalk, which offer a smaller selection of flavors (almost always including salted Oreo).

Pete Marczyk is something of a hero to Denver foodies. His tiny, long-standing, homegrown grocery store stocks locally grown produce, imports the very best cheeses (plus a selection of great local options), and bakes their own breads, but Marczyk is probably best known for being one of the area's finest butchers, as he does everything in-house and flies in gorgeous cuts of fish. The deli section has excellent sandwiches and delicious pre-made foods, and on weeknights in the summer (check the calendar) they grill hamburgers on the sidewalk outside. There's a second location up the street, too.

This cute little coffee shop first opened on Navajo in the center of a residential neighborhood, offering table space for workers, a small-but-perfect menu of snacks like yogurt and granola or pastries, and tons of natural light streaming in through wide windows in the front. Expect perfectly roasted Boxcar espresso in the hands of expert baristas.

Culinarily—and culturally—speaking, The Source is probably one of the most important developments Denver's seen in the past few years. Occupying a spacious former brick foundry, it's packed with some of the best restaurants and food vendors in town, and topped off with a few office spaces (Slow Food makes their Denver headquarters here), so depending on when you arrive, you'll see people going out for drinks or dinner, doing their daily shopping, or heading to work. Right when you walk in, you'll find Comida, a Mexican spot with a great happy hour and tacos, and Acorn, the Denver restaurant from Oak owner/chef Steven Redzikowski that's easily one of Denver's top fine dining establishments. There, ask for a seat in the mezzanine, which has beautiful views of the mountains during the day. People drive from across town for the baguettes and ciabatta at Babette's bakery, and you can see cuts of meat hanging through the plexiglass from her next-door neighbor, Western Daughters Butcher. Across the way, there's a small-but-mighty art gallery, Svper Ordinary, and Mondo Market, where you can pick up spices, oils, vinegars, and other pantry items. Meanwhile, in the back, Crooked Stave Brewery pours drafts of their unique sour Belgian beers. Other notables include Boxcar coffee roasters in the center of the space, Beet & Yarrow (for stunning flower arrangements), and Proper Pour (for locally made wine and spirits).

This quirky spot on South Broadway makes their own ice cream on site (using local Colorado dairy, no less), and they're known for great, quirky flavors like Stranahan's whiskey brickle, Vietnamese coffee, and champagne and strawberries. They've been on South Broadway for years, and though they don't have another location, you can find their ice cream in many of the smaller groceries around town. Their vegan ice cream is excellent, also.

Everything in this family-run, neighborhood LoHi café is amazing, from their breakfast pastries (prepared fresh on-site each morning, they typically sell out quickly) to their coffee, to their flour-less apricot oatmeal bars. Their egg sandwich, served on toasted brioche—which you can customize with add-ons like bacon, Swiss, or arugula—gets a special shout-out. The space itself is as charming as you would expect, and the absence of WiFi fosters a community vibe you didn’t realize you were craving.

Bloom has a backstory as fascinating as its unique selection of flowers, jewelry, and gifts. Originally from a small town in Germany, Anuschka Pashel traveled the world as a fashion model before landing in Denver in 1998, where she worked out of a studio and in the local markets until she opened this boutique in 2011. With a subtly eclectic combination of modern and Victorian-inspired furnishings, shopping at Bloom feels like perusing a beautifully appointed living room—and the best part is, the home accessories are shoppable, from blankets, pillows, mirrors, and light fixtures to small accessories like candles and vintage-chic wall art. For Anouschka, floral arrangements are a fine art, so come here when you need a gorgeous, original floral arrangement, plus Rifle Paper Co. gift cards and ornate pots and planters to gift them with.

Cedar & Hyde is a one-stop shop for modern-mountain-chic giftables for everyone on your list—from minimalist jewelry, clean perfume oil, and aromatic candles for her, to denim, henleys, leather accessories, and grooming provisions for him. Sisters Christie and Poss Lambert own and curate this charming his-and-hers lifestyle shop, keeping it stocked with a dreamy array of small/indie/artisanal designers like Lauren Manoogian, Amo Denim, Baserange, Hope, Jessie Kamm, and Hansel from Basel; plus, hand-picked home goods, of-the-moment cookbooks, quarterlies, and magazines (i.e. Gather Journal); hand-made wooden and ceramic plates, bowls, and pottery, hand-woven turkish towels; and even camping gear. Good luck leaving here without a few gifts for yourself on top of a slew of souvenirs for your loved ones.

Max Martinez and his eponymous stores (there are also locations in Boulder and Aspen) are really the cream of the Colorado fashion crop. An early buyer of now-household names like Isabel Marant, the boutiques (a partnership between Martinez and owner Scott Seale) always carry a mix of name-brand classics and little-known newcomers. It’s probably the most luxurious of the area’s boutiques, so go for investment pieces like Nili Lotan sweaters, Céline bags, and Pierre Hardy boots. If you can, try to stop in when Max is in the store—in addition to being the warmest host imaginable, he has an amazing eye for pieces that flatter.

This cool little space is filled with all kinds of collected treasures, from crystals and Tarot cards, to succulents and houseplants, to an apothecary section with fragrances, salts, and bitters. They also stock a selection of (primarily Western-inspired) vintage clothing items like shearling-lined denim jackets, fringed leather pieces, and embroidered peasant tops, as well as turquoise jewelry and a lovely table stacked with lacy lingerie from small, indie lines. It's a great spot to pick up a souvenir.

Located in a massive, lofty old warehouse building, REI's flagship store is nestled up against the Platte River, and it's not uncommon to see people swimming and kayaking, or dogs fetching sticks right outside the store in the summer months (since it's also next to the Cherry Creek bike path, the built-in Starbucks is also a common pit stop for cyclists). There's a great little kid-friendly bike park out front, and the interior famously houses a multi-story rock wall that kids go crazy for. As for the merchandise, you'll find two full floors of the finest outdoor gear the industry has to offer, from tents and kayaks to fly-fishing equipment and skis.

This longstanding Wazee Street establishment was founded by Jack Weil, who later became a Denver celebrity, not just for his amazing ranch shirts (he's the original inventor of snap-close cowboy shirts), but because he continued to work in the store every day until his death at the age of 107. Rockmount is now run by Weil's son and grandson, and it's still the best place in Denver to buy old-school cowboy shirts, and the store also has a great selection of boots, hats, and belts, plus some really great bolo ties for sartorially brave Westerners.

Sacred Thistle is a joint venture of mother/daughter duo Sydney and Cornelia Peterson; Sydney was a visual manager at Nieman Marcus for years, so putting her creative skills to use arranging flowers was a natural transition (this is a creative family—Dad/husband Richard, a talented photographer, is a fixture in the local arts scene). Arrangements here take inspiration from the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which emphasizes that beauty is found in quirks and imperfections, which means each piece is wholly unique. If you're not in the market for flowers, the shop also carries some selected odds and ends, like jewelry, Pendleton blankets, sage, incense, candles, and more.

This glorious indie bookshop occupies a large space (which makes for literally countless cozy ready nooks) filled with new and used books of every kind. After over fifty years in business, they're now a Denver mainstay for literary culture, hosting readings from new authors in their cafés. Once you pick something out, grab a latte—or one of their sandwiches—and snuggle up in one of the couches. For non-readers, there's also Wifi. There's a second location on the other side of town.

Topo Designs is a Colorado-based company, and this shop was their first-ever brick-and-mortar (though they now have several locations in Denver and Boulder). The outdoor brand is best known for their brightly colored packs for hiking, backpacking, bike commuting, or just bopping around town (they also make the best, most durable laptop sleeves), and for the fact that all of their products are made in the United States. In the shop, you’ll find a full selection of their offerings, plus favorites from Zeal and Smith Optics, Ursa Major, Wigwam, and Hestra.

Weekends has had a shop on Pearl Street for going on thirty years (though they've upgraded to bigger spaces over time), offering a mix of clothes for men and women, plus a solid selection of shoes, exceptional jewelry case, and a few well-curated home items. You can always count on them for a few great Canada Goose jackets, Rag & Bone denim, delicate cashmere sweaters, and dainty gold jewelry—they now carry Shinola watches, too. An attached, semi-separate denim shop offers a wide range of designer jeans, plus some fashion picks that skew a bit flashier and younger than the rest of the shop.

In addition to hosting the Chautauqua Organization's lectures, films, and musical performances, this little enclave of summer homes (many of which can still be rented) is home-base for some of the best hiking in Boulder. The classic trail here is the Royal Arch, a two-mile out-and-back that climbs several switchbacks to a section of the flatirons that forms a golden, natural arch and offers sweeping views of the plains, with the city of Boulder laid out below you. From this trailhead, you can also link up with the Mesa Trail, a 7-mile stretch that crawls along the base of the mountains and runs the entire length of the city from North to South. Sure, it's a Boulder pilgrimage to complete the entire thing (down-and-back) in one day, but you can also access it in small pieces.

Clyfford Still sold very few of his paintings when he was alive, believing that they were best shown only alongside his other paintings, under very specific conditions. When he passed away in 1980, he left his entire estate (which represented more than 95% of his total output) to whichever city would mount a permanent museum devoted to his work. The city of Denver was selected to receive the collection in 2004, and in 2011 opened a Brad Cloepfil-designed building to house the collection and rotating exhibitions of Still's artwork. Strolling through the rooms filled with Still's toweringly big pieces is unlike anything else—and something you truly can only experience in Denver.

Denver's big encyclopedic museum (which has more than 70,000 works in 10 permanent collections) is one of the biggest museums between Chicago and the West Coast. The museum itself is made up of two architecturally significant buildings: the 1971 Gio Ponti-designed North Building, covered in more than one million shimmering gray tiles and the modernist designer's only completed work in North America, and the dramatic and iconic Daniel Libeskind building, reminiscent of the Rocky Mountains, with sharp angles jutting out from the center in every direction. They always have a few selections on display from the permanent collection, but you can also see major traveling exhibitions here—a few of their recent blockbusters have included an exhibition of Star Wars costumes, a exhaustive collection of vintage Cartier jewelry, and a selection of Van Gogh works in an exhibition titled Passport to Paris.

Located adjacent to (and really a part of) Cheesman Park, the botanic gardens are nestled into one of Denver's nicest and most historic neighborhoods. The gardens themselves are a perfect combination of locally inspired (the Gardens of the West are inspired by Colorado's arid landscape and the hardy plants that evolved to thrive here) and lusher, more ornamental gardens that typify classic gardens anywhere. There are plenty of magical little pockets to explore, and it's particularly beautiful to visit at night. In the summer, they host a live concert series in the round on their largest lawn—arrive a bit early so you can set up a picnic and a lawn chair near the stage.

One of the better nature and science museums we've visited, the scientists at DMNS lead globally significant work, including the excavation of an important archaeological site at nearby Snowmass Village, called the Snowmastadon Project, where they excavated thousands of fossils, including the bones of a Columbian mammoth. In addition to the requisite planetarium, gems and minerals collection, fossils, mummies, and taxidermy, they also have one of the region's only IMAX theatres. In 2014, the museum completed the brand-new Discovery Zone, a totally interactive space for kids ages 3-5, where littles can excavate fossils, play with water features, and create art projects.

Located on the Southern edge of Boulder along the road you'd take if you were going skiing, Eldorado Canyon is one of the most challenging rock climbing destinations in the world. Within the canyon, you'll find a cozy little town with a few small homes cluttered along the creek and a public swimming pool with a slide, diving board, and a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Non-climbers can get in on the action by walking along the hiking trails at the edge of the canyon, where you can catch people hanging from the rocks high above you—we like the Eldorado Canyon trail for beginners. For a hike with more dramatic views, stop at the Doudy Draw trailhead on the way in and do the Spring Brook Loop, which offers sweeping panoramas of the flatirons and the mesas below them (it's particularly perfect around sunset).

This Art Deco movie theater, which is a short walk (and even shorter Uber) from the shopping and food on South Broadway, first opened in 1930 and is on Denver's list of historic landmarks. They're always screening hard-to-find shows, and the fact that they're one of the few theaters in town with a liquor license also makes it a great place for date night. Check out their schedule during the Denver Film Festival, when the local film society brings in a slew of interesting indie movies you can't find any other time of year. A warning to the long-legged: The vintage rows are pretty close together.

MCA Denver Director Adam Lerner first got the attention of the museum world with his quirky "Mixed Taste" program, which presented talks by lecturers from completely different fields on topics like "Porcini Mushrooms & the American Ideal," "Ukulele & Afrofuturism," or "Tomatoes & Leonardo da Vinci," which had the effect of making contemporary art more accessible by infusing it with laughter and lightheartedness. Since then, the museum (which occupies a gorgeous David Adjaye-designed building and is marked by a giant, blinking, rotating heart sculpture by Tim Noble and Sue Webster) has garnered further attention for some groundbreaking exhibitions, including originating the first Marilyn Minter career retrospective, and an exhibition of Basquiat works from the critical, formative years of 1979 and 1980. Parents of Denver teens should know about Failure Lab, their internship program for a select group of Denver teens who spend the year making artwork, planning programming and drop-in events, and working with professional artists to create new projects. Oh, and if you happen to be in town for one of their openings, locals will tell you they throw the best parties in town.

Mount Sanitas is a classic Boulder hike, in part because it's located walking distance from the center of Pearl Street. The trail itself is a brutal climb, but making it to the top, where you can see the entire town to the east and Long's Peak to the west, is more than worth it. This is a popular route for locals around lunchtime, and don't be surprised if you see people running the entire loop (comfort your wounded pride by reminding yourself that they're likely professionals). Photos: Victoria Garcia, Mario Lurig

This natural amphitheater is surrounded by dramatic red rocks that, in addition to being stunningly beautiful, reflect sound back onto the stage, giving it the best acoustics of any outdoor arena in the states. Red Rocks is famously a bucket list venue for many performers, so the lineup is a little of everything—everyone from The Beatles to Daft Punk to the Grateful Dead—and, for a few nights in the summer, the Colorado Symphony—has played the stage. Arrive early so you can tailgate in the parking lot and admire the sunset, then head into the venue where you'll be able to see every single star above the performers' lights. If you can't catch a concert, it's worth stopping by during the day to admire the rocks—you'll find plenty of locals here around sunrise running the stairs.

Washington Park (known affectionately as Wash Park by Denverites) is one of those places that seems to be busy no matter when you visit. The 155-acre space centers on a lake, complete with a boathouse and swans, and surrounded by well-manicured gardens and plenty of green space where you'll find neighbors throwing the ball for their dogs or picnicking on warm summer nights. The entire park is encircled by a 2.5-mile dirt running path that's always packed with runners, parents with strollers, and power walkers, plus an inner, paved loop that's perfect for roller-bladers and cyclists. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and grills on site.

Aillea is the go-to brick-and-mortar shop for clean beauty in Denver. Owner and self-described lifetime beauty junkie Kathryn Murray Dickinson, formerly a beauty industry executive in New York, stocks a rich variety of non-toxic makeup, skincare, hair care, bath & body, nail care, and fragrance—most of which, at the very least, are wholeheartedly goop-approved.

The Dragontree is a veritable sanctuary centrally located in Boulder, offering transporting, therapeutic massages—perfect for an escape, even if you’re already on vacation here. Their spa services extend to acupuncture, Ayurveda, and cosmetic waxing; they also provide luxurious head-to-toe treatments in the Sangha Room—from foot baths to head/neck/shoulder treatments to combination packages that literally work on you from head to toe—which can be enjoyed by groups at a time. They also have their own inside-and-out body care line, Dragontree Apothecary.

Started by three Boulder natives and childhood friends with a passion for cold-pressed juice and nut milk, it takes just a glance at Wonder Press’s menu to see why we love it: You can get a standard latte with nut milk, or you can get one of their made-to-order “magic” concoctions like cacao, raw coconut sugar and nut milk spiced with cinnamon and cayenne, or a lemon mate tea with maple and cayenne, or a dandelion root and chicory latte. Their juice is the real deal—never pasteurized, never pressure-processed, served in a glass bottle and packed with several pounds of nutritive produce. Even better, they’re committed to producing as little waste as possible, which means they have a bottle exchange program and residual pulp from juices is either donated or used in their house-made muffins. Lots of natural light, abundant pillows (and free wifi) add to Wonder Press’s charm.