Trip To Denver, Colorado- Stay, Food, Activities

Hi! Welcome to my blog! If you’re looking to plan a trip to Denver, you’re in the right place! I am going to go over where we stayed, what we ate, and what we did during our trip in November 2021. The weather was perfect when we went and no snow yet but I’m sure summer is great there too! Definitely go in winter if you like to do snow activities like skiing or snowboarding!

Where We Stayed:

We stayed at Hilton Denver City Center. Side note, join the rewards program if you ever stay with Hilton! More often then not they have upgraded our rooms just for being a rewards member!

We loved our stay it was a really nice hotel, they have a Starbucks, restaurant, and little cafe with snacks and drinks. Plus, we thought it was in a good location. It is right in downtown Denver. We walked and scootered a lot because there is so much to do around there! Free wifi is always great, and they are even pet friendly if you want to travel with your furry friend!

P.S. If you are confused what I mean when I mention scootering around in this post, there are scooters such as Lime, Uber, and Lyft all over the city that you can use by downloading their apps!

Where To Eat:

Corner Bakery Cafe:

This is right next to the hotel we stayed at so it’s perfect to grab breakfast or a quick lunch before venturing out to do stuff all day! The food was delicious and they have a bunch of options!

Colorado Campfire:

This place was really nice. The food was amazing. You can sit inside or outside, and they have fireplaces and space heaters out there for for colder days/evenings. My husband got the Mint Lamb Burger and said it was the best meal he had the whole trip! I got the Green Chile Mac & Cheese, it was so much food but so good! Everything on the menu looks good and they have a huge drink selection as well.

Happy Camper:

This is the most unique place! It was so busy (understandably) I think this is probably the go to hangout place for 20 somethings in Denver. It had amazing food and the whole vibe was so much fun. Definitely an Instagram worthy spot if that’s what you’re looking for! It’s hard to explain because the whole place is something i’ve never seen. It has like a greenhouse building structure in the front, meaning its a sheltered area but its all see through plastic/windows. Fireplaces and the coolest seating areas and then goes into the back which is more of a restaurant area but still decorated so well! Seriously worth checking out!

The Woods:

This place is perfect for a nice and relaxed date night. It is actually on the rooftop of The Source Hotel. (Which may I add is a super cool hotel! We would love to stay there next time we go.) The food was AMAZING. I got the Chicken Piccata, which is my favorite food so I had to get it and it did not disappoint! My husband got the Salmon Burger which he said was very different but good! We also got the cheesecake dessert which was to die for. There is indoor and outdoor seating and the view is beautiful! I absolutely loved this place!

Bao Brewhouse:

Denver is full of amazing restaurants, so if you’re a foodie- this is your place! I absolutely love asian cuisine and have been dying to try bao buns from a restaurant! This place has 2 types of experiences. You can eat at the Tap Room which is more of a casual/typical setting and “street food” or you can go upstairs to the Tea Room which is more of a dining experience and have authentic food. We got the Cheese Rangoons, absolutely delicious, could eat so many of them! We also got the In-N-Baout Roujiamos, absolutely you need to try this! It was SO good. Lastly we also got the Garlic Fried Rice because fried rice is always a good option!

Henry’s Tavern:

This place is located in 16th street mall so it’s super convenient if you are spending time there! The restaurant is like your typical tavern vibe. I got the Smoked Turkey BLTA it was so good and refreshing. My husband got the Mac & Cheese Burger which he loved. He upgraded his fries to the Gorgonzola Waffle Fries and we shared them- which you can also get as an appetizer. If you go there for one thing, let it be the Gorgonzola Fries. They were seriously the best fries we’ve ever had. We LOVED them!

In-N-Out:

As midwesterners, we had to. I have had it once or twice before on other trips but if I’m in state that has In-N-Out I will get it. I know it’s controversial- some people love it and others say its overhyped and that’s okay! I will enjoy it regardless, lol. If you haven’t yet, you need to try the animal fries! SO much better then plain fries!

Hive Garden Bistro:

This is located in the Denver Botanical Gardens. It is outdoor seating and it is just a beautiful and relaxing place to grab lunch. Food was really good. We both got burgers with chips, and they have specialty drinks such as different teas and lemonades that I believe are made there.

Things To Do:

Denver Botanical Gardens:

This place is a lot bigger than you would think going in. There is so much to check out and it is beautiful! They have a gift shop and 2 restaurants/cafes so you can grab something while you’re there! Indoor and outdoor things to see.

Cherry Creek Shopping Center:

Super nice mall to check out! They have just about every store you can think of including designer brands! The whole area around here is really nice and worth checking out! We scootered around the area and it’s beautiful and there are SO many stores and restaurants! So much to do in this part of Denver!

Denver Milk Market and Dairy Block:

Definitely worth checking out these! There are so many photo spots and just things to see. Small shops and restaurants and it’s so fun walking through and seeing everything!

Larimer Square:

This area is filled with nice restaurants, shops, nightlife, and more. We went around dinner time and it was pretty busy. We were also there in November and they had just put up Christmas lights and decorations and it was so beautiful! (I believe they always have the lights hanging above the street) It is such a good vibe and I loved this place. I’m sure it’s lovely during the day but I recommend checking it out at night to see it in the lights!

16th Street Mall:

There is so much here! There are all kinds of stores and small shops, vendors are set out in the middle almost like a market, tons of food options, and just fun to walk up and down the street to see everything! (If your like me and love stores like ROSS and TJ Maxx, they have those here too!!) It can get super busy on weekends though! (This is where Henry’s Tavern is located from mentioned above)

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater:

You can’t go to Denver without trekking out (less than 30 minute drive) to Red Rocks Amphitheater. Technically it is not Denver but I feel like everyone who visits Denver comes here! We spent awhile here walking all around checking everything out and sitting in the amphitheater. They have a restaurant there and a gift shop as well. Beautiful area and definitely worth seeing. You could also visit when there is a concert or event and attend that!

Town Center at Aurora:

This isn’t in Denver but it is not far and it is a really nice mall! We had a rainy day and wanted to stay inside but not in the hotel so we decided to check out the mall. Whole bunch of stores, food, and some activities too. Plus, In-N-Out is right across the parking lot too so you can make a pit stop! 😉

That is all I have for you today and I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip to Denver! I would love to hear if you are planning a trip or have already been!

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Thank you so much for reading!

-J