During my first visit to Colorado, I set out to do some outdoor activities while finding some great eats! The catch? I, nor my partner, had a car, so we had this in mind when planning the following itinerary. From Rocky Mountains National Park to Red Rocks and local beer, my brief time in Colorado was wonderful.
The following itinerary was personalized to my interests, which include: hiking, art, nature, and food spots/cafes. In reflecting on this list of things to do, please adjust accordingly and have fun!
Day 1: First Full Day – Red Rocks!
Around 9 AM, I set off for Union Station to meet my tour guide and group with Explorer Tours. Included is a link to some of their tours: https://denver-tour.com/Things-to-do-in-Denver.
Upon arriving at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, we had ample time to wander and grab an iced drink to handle to ~99 F degree temperature of the day. When booking the tour, I noted the price (~$90) as very reasonable for a half-day tour that spanned 4.5 hours and included multiple stops.
On the Denver Foothills tour, I got to see the Amphitheater as well as Evergreen Lake and a Mountain Overlook point near Golden, Colorado.
After the tour concluded, I grabbed a quick lunch near Union Station, Denver’s main train station, and was off to the Denver Botanical Gardens. The indoor areas and the walking paths located outside and beyond the cafes were stunning!
Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park
The second day, I set off on another tour. The Rocky Mountain National Park was a highlight of my time in Denver and its surroundings. I would recommend it to anyone visiting the area.
Although a bit windy at the top, the view of sweeping vistas, wildflowers, and a chance to visit an alpine lake was unforgettable.
Following the Rocky Mountain National Park, I returned to the Lower Downtown area to grab a bite.
Days 3 and 4: Denver and Beyond
For the third day, my partner and I opted to head to Boulder, a smaller charming city outside of Denver by about 45 minutes. Boulder is home to the UC Boulder campus, a cute downtown, plentiful dining options, craft beer choices, views of the Flatirons, and more!
While in Boulder, we explored Chautauqua park, a local park with hiking trails that lead to the Flatirons. The Flatirons are unique rock formations that make for interesting exploration. We hiked along the Chautauqua Trail past the overlook viewpoint.
Another highlight in Boulder is a Central Asian-influenced teahouse. Boulder Danube Teahouse was originally gifted to the city in the 90’s and was constructed awhile later. The menu has strong Asian influences and features interesting European dishes like Austrian crepes.
An additional hidden gem in Boulder was the Eben G. Fine park that features a creek and lots of places to set up a picnic.
Overall, I would highly recommend Boulder and Denver, even without a car, as Uber and Lyft prices within the cities were $10 on average and between the cities were closer to $43-45 on average.
Happy travels!
Stampchaser Photography 