The 10 Best Places in Denver Native Coloradans Know
Non-Touristy Spots to Visit in Colorado
1. Rock Park, Castle Rock, Colorado
35 miles south of Denver is Castle Rock, Colorado, where in the middle of the town sits a giant butte in the shape of a castle, hence the name. The Castle Rock is in a city park called Rock Park and has a short but steep hike up to the base of the rock for 1.4 miles. You can get there by driving south on I-25 from Denver and exit Founder's Pkwy east. Turn south on Front Street until you reach Rock Park on the left.
Admission: free
Hours: dawn to dusk
2. Celestial Seasonings Plant, Boulder, CO
Celestial Seasonings, the tea and tisane maker hosts free tours. Check out their factory and how tea is made in their state-of-the-art facility. Purchase factory fresh teas from their gift shop, too. Call them for reservations for groups of eight or more (303-581-1202).
Celestial Seasonings
4600 Sleepytime Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
303-530-5300
Admission: free
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
3. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado
Nestled in the foothills right behind the hogback is Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. Not only is it a fascinating natural amphitheatre with a host of top shows, but it also has trails and a park associated with it. It's an easy drive from Denver: take I-70 west to exit 259, turn left at the Morrison exit ramp. It is 1.5 miles to the Red Rocks Park entrance.
Admission: free (except during concerts)
Hours:
May - September: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
October - April: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Visitor Center
18300 W. Alameda Parkway
Morrison, CO 80465
303-697-4939
720-865-2494 (for closure times)
www.redrocksonline.com
Map:
http://www.redrocksonline.com/pages/questions/RR_Map.pdf
4. 16th Street Mall
The 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver offers a myriad of opportunities to shop, people watch and eat at fine restaurants. The MallRide is free which goes from Broadway to Wynkoop.
Admission: free
Hours: N/A
511 16th Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-534-6161
www.downtowndenver.com
5. The Denver Zoo
Talking to the animals has never been easier. The Denver Zoo offers a surprising array of animals including grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, wolves and mountain lions. Their environment is truly amazing with the very first realistic bear habitat called "bear mountain" in the United States. They also have many endangered species including snow leopards, Siberian tigers and polar bears.
Admission:
March 1 - November 1:Ages 12-64 $12.00; Ages 65+ $9.00; Ages 3-11 $7.00; 2 and under Free
November 2 - February 28:Ages 12-64 $9.00; Ages 65+ $7.00; Ages 3-11 $5.00; 2 and under Free
Hours:
Summer Hours (March 1 - November 1) Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Winter Hours (November 2 - February 28) Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele Street
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 376-4800
www.denverzoo.org
Map:
http://www.denverzoo.org/visitors/directions.asp
6. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
One of the most fascinating museums with a revamped interactive dinosaur display that is truly world class called Prehistoric Journey. They have an IMAX and a planetarium as well. Other great exhibits include Egyptian Mummies, North American Indian Cultures, Space Odyssey, Expedition Health, Gem Exhibits and Wildlife Exhibits. They receive Amazing temporary exhibits all the time.
Hours:
9:00 am to 5 pm year round. Closed on December 25th only.
Admission:
Adult: $11/IMAX: $8/Museum+planetarium or IMAX $16/ Museum+ IMAX+Planetarium $21
Junior/Senior:$6/IMAX: $6/Museum+planetarium or IMAX $10/ Museum+ IMAX+Planetarium $14
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, Colorado 80205
303-370-6000
www.dmns.org
Map:
http://www.dmns.org/plan-your-visit/directions
7. Beau Jo's Pizza
An institution in Colorado, some of the very best pizza is served at several Beau Jo's Restaurants. Try pizza, Colorado style with barbecue, Alfredo, ranch or garlic sauces. Although there is one in Denver, you should check out the Idaho Spring's restaurant where the first Beau Jo's still resides.
Idaho Springs Beau Jo's
1517 Miner Street
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
303-567-4376
www.beaujos.com
8. Tiny Town, Colorado
Just outside of Denver in the foothills is Tiny Town, Colorado. Built in 1915 by George Turner for his daughter, Tiny Town is a kid's dream of the world, with kid's size houses and a railroad. Built on a stage stop, this place has a lot of history. In 1988, people from across the state refurbished and rebuilt Tiny Town to its former greatness.
Hours:
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Daily 10am - 5pm
May and September: Weekends Only 10am - 5pm
Admission:
Adults $5.00
Children 2-12 $3.00
Under 2 Free
TRAIN FARE $1.00
Tiny Town
6249 S. Turkey Creek Road
Tiny Town, Colorado 80465
www.tinytownrailroad.com
9. University of Denver
The University of Denver has a lovely campus worth visiting and checking out. Old and new architecture abounds here. Visit Evans Chapel and stroll around the grounds. Enjoy a coffee in the Student Union and check out the merchandise in the school bookstore.
University of Denver
2199 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208
303-871-2000
www.du.edu
10. The Tattered Cover
Arguably the best bookstore in the United States is The Tattered Cover in Denver, Colorado. Visit their downtown or Colfax store and browse their shelves for some of the best selection in books anywhere.
Tattered Cover Book Store
2526 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80206
303-322-7727
www.tatteredcover.com
References
Published by MH Bonham - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
MH Bonham is a multiple award-winning author and world-renown pet expert who has more than 30 books and hundreds of articles published. She is a Science Fiction and Fantasy and Pet author. She is an expert... View profile
Celestial Seasonings: The Company Behind the TeaCelestial Seasonings, a company known for excellent herbal teas, is a company built on hard work, an appreciation for nature's bounty, and an environmentally responsible philoso...- Review for Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice TeaThis review is for Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea.
The History of Red Rocks AmphitheaterWe all know the glory and majesty of Red Rocks. But do you know how it all got started?
Castle Rock Gave Big Welcome to New Fitness StudioCastle Rock Nia Fitness Studio attracts a lot of women who had never tried Nia before. - Annual Book and DVD Exchange in The Meadows, Castle Rock, ColoradoInformation on this annual free book and DVD exchange in Castle Rock.
- Hotel Guide: Denver, Colorado
- Teen Clothing Stores in Denver, Colorado
- A Review of Hard Rock Park at Myrtle Beach
- Review: Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Celestial Seasonings Teas
- Product Review: Celestial Seasonings Madagascar Vanilla Red: A Rooibos Tea
- Product Review: Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea and Sleepytime Extra Tea