Mini-Guide to Denver
We decided to host our wedding in Denver because we wanted an open, airy, easy-going vibe to the weekend. 300 days of sunshine! (Plus, we couldn’t imagine our extended families descending upon NYC and having to troubleshoot the subway.)
If you’re making a weekend out of our wedding, we assembled some recommendations in and around Denver. Have fun!
But First: Altitude and the “Mile-High City”
Denver’s official elevation is one mile above sea level (5,280 ft or 1,609m). The air is thinner and dryer (and tastes great!).
You may not even notice the difference. But to avoid a headache or light-headedness, here are some helpful tips from Denver.org:
Drink water - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Watch your physical activity - Kevin’s Colorado runs are notoriously short
Ease into the alcohol - You may feel the effects stronger
Eat foods high in Potassium - ELECTROLYTES 🍌
things to do in denver 🏔
Next to the hotel Yoko and Kevin will be staying at, Union Station is 100-year-old historic landmark in Downtown filled with restaurants, bars, and shops.
River North and Santa Fe arts districts
River North (or RiNo) has a “used to be an industrial hub and now has jazz bars in their warehouses” feel, and Santa Fe Drive is a large strip of local galleries (it’s also where the wedding will be!).
A jungle gym for tigers! One of the largest elephant habitats in North America! Flamingos! Rhinos!
Home of the Colorado Rockies ⚾️
23-acre (93,000sqm) of park with a sunken amphitheater.
Take a free tour of one of the four places in the US where money (specifically, coin) gets made! Tickets are for same-day tours from Monday – Thursday only.
Places to eEEat 🍔
Definitely put Denver Milk Market on there and Union Station to visit. Also, Safta and Rioja. Those are the winners.
Haley Warson
“Ace Eat Serve is pretty good 🏓. Ping pong bar slash Asian fusion restaurant. Linger is also good.”
Sean Stewart
Either The Source or Denver Central Market — both are awesome and have food stalls. They have a similar style so you could pick one. They’re also in RiNo which has tons of stuff, so it’s easy to wander.
And then, Great Divide Brewery — the original one downtown is great but the other taproom is also nice.
Seerat Poonia
Oooo. El Five is great for views and yummy eats. It’s big group friendly and located in the highlands. The view is amazing. And then Hop Alley is my fav in Denver— good for younger ppl and in RiNo so there are lots of fun bars nearby. Expect to wait but hang and walk around RiNo. Reservations likely needed for both.
And one last one, Avanti, is very good for casual groups. Food stands inside and great bar views — also located in the highlands.
Amy Lee (seconded by Allyson Lee)
Growing up, my family would drive an hour from Niwot to Denver on Saturday mornings to get dim sum at The Empress.
Kevin
Yoko, native New Yorker
Places of interest a bit farther out 🚗
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
~30min drive from Denver
A naturally formed, open air amphitheater consisting of two 300ft monoliths serving as a "stage" for musical performances.
Kevin visited Red Rocks with his family in 1992 on their test-drive of Colorado before moving. He also attended an EDM concert here with his brother almost 20 years later.
~30min drive from Denver
Cruise over to Boulder, walk Pearl Street Mall, check out the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, and lose track of an hour at Into The Wind.
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park
~90min drive from Denver
“The wilderness area includes 355 miles of hiking trails, 147 lakes, 77 mountains taller than 12,000 feet, and the opportunity to see elk, bighorn sheep and moose. In 2014, National Geographic named Rocky Mountain National Park as one of its best trips in the world.” — Denver.org
~20min drive from Denver
A lovely little city where Kevin’s parents now reside. Butterfly Pavilion, laser tag + ropes course + go-karts, and dang good phở. If you happen to stay through Memorial Day weekend, you’ll be around for the season opening of Water World!