Wandering Bel — Tips and Tricks

I really love exploring outside of Denver, but if you are looking for things to do in Denver, you should check out the 9 places I usually go! They are always worth visiting.

1. REI

As I mentioned in 10 unique Places to eat and drink in Denver, Colorado, I love going to their REI! The one in Denver is a flagship store, and it's the best REI I have ever seen. The store itself is stunning, with exposed brick and industrial pipes. In the middle of the store, there is a rock-climbing wall. I love going here because they have so many things that my REI back home doesn't have. Next door is a Starbucks, and it’s a 3-minute walk to Carbon if you are hungry.

I love to sit by the river and watch the dogs play in the summertime. It’s a great place to hang out, and you have free 90-minute parking!

2. Wilderness Exchange Unlimited

If REI isn't your jam, but you need some gear, the Wilderness Exchange is across the street—on the same street as Carbon and Denver Brewing Co. Sometimes, you can find a cheaper deal on equipment here than at REI. I love checking out gear stores to see what they have compared to what is back home.

3. Yoga Box

If you are more of a yoga person, check out Yoga Box. They have an excellent deal that lets you try three classes for free. They blend Vinyasa, Yoga Sculpting, and Recovery Restorative Yoga in a heated setting between 96-98 degrees. I did their power flow vinyasa, which was awesome because I missed my usual yoga mat practice. They have two locations: Capitol Hill and Highland Park.

4. Urban Putt

I went here last February when two random guys I met at Jagged Mountain invited me to hang out with them. It's a quick walk from Jagged Mountain. I don't seek to play putt-putt when traveling, but I would come back here again! They have a full-service bar with very skilled bartenders, and once you leave it, you can play some wild putt-putt and feel like you are in a different world. This was an unexpectedly fun night! It’s child-friendly too! The perfect activity when it's super cold and snowy in Denver!

5. Hammond's Candies Tour

If you love candy and learning how it's made or need a kid-friendly place, this tour is perfect! It's free to take the tour. It starts with a 10-minute video covering its history, then they take you to watch how the candy is made. Afterward, they give you an "Opps candy," which is a candy that is not perfect because it was broken, and then you get a chance to shop for candy and chocolates in their gift store. The whole tour takes about 30 mins.

After this tour, I went to the Source for Lunch.

Outdoor Spots

But Bel, those are all indoor locations! Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Now that we’ve seen a few exciting indoor places to visit, no list of places to check out would be complete without a few outdoor things to do!

6. Wandering the Streets of Denver

I love just wandering the streets of a new place, and this is how I found a couple of coffee shops and stores. Fair warning, you must be careful when walking certain streets, especially at night. Watch your surroundings, and listen to your gut if something doesn't feel right.

I recommend going to Lameriar Street, a pedestrian-friendly gathering place. Here you can check out little boutiques like Garage Sale Vintage, a curated vintage fashion boutique with dive bar magic. A really cool place if you are interested in vintage! You can also check out some restaurants and dine outside on a nice day.
Another place I recommend is the Denver Central Market in RiNO. It’s an awesome place to gather with friends to eat good food and buy local souvenirs!

I love walking around Confluence Park, which is where REI is located. There is a path that is called Cherry Creek, where you can walk along the river. All the parks in Denver are fun to hang out in and explore, such as City Park!

7. Red Rocks!

This is a must-see-and-do in Denver, and it’s only 25 minutes away from Denver! I first went here in July 2020 to hike around the area since concerts were not a thing during that time. You can do outdoor yoga here, which is one thing I still need to do. In July of 2022, I saw my first concert here: Halsey. Best show I have ever seen! I have seen her perform live before, but a concert here was the best experience. There is something to be said about an outdoor show with a view of the mountains and the city.

I recommend seeing the Red Rocks after it snows! It's honestly like a dream seeing the crispy white snow draped over the red rocks.

8. Rocky Mountain National Park

I decided to take a day trip in February of 2022 since it's only about an hour and a half from Denver. I aim to hit all the National Parks one day, so why not snowshoe here? I went to four frozen-over lakes; the main attraction was Dream Lake. I recommend going here in the winter. There is something magical about seeing RMNP covered in snow.

There is something you need to keep in mind when going here; Trail Ridge Road is closed in the winter since it isn't designed as an all-season road. About 11 miles of it is above 11,500 feet, with very few guardrails or shoulders. You might have to take a longer route, depending on your origin. Trail Ridge Road usually opens the last week in May, weather permitting.

9. Front Range

The best place to go in Denver . . . is to leave Denver and check out the mountains on the Front Range! You can take many day trips from Denver to places like Breckinridge, Leadville, Buena Visita, Glenwood Springs Hanging Lake, and more! In a later post, I will go into detail about more of these places.

I hope these suggestions are helpful while you are in Denver! Be sure to share your experience in the comments!