A Holiday Trip: Denver

Denver, the Mile High City, is known for its sweeping views of the Rockies and the broad array of outdoor activities in its backyard. Surprisingly, even though Ivy went to college in Colorado, neither of us had spent really any time in Denver. We decided to book a spontaneous holiday trip to Denver to see what all the hype is about. We can now confirm that this city was built for foodies, beer and wine lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts!

Here are some of the best places we discovered over our quick weekend getaway…

xxx Ivy & Eve

P.S. We want to give a shout out to Hotel Monaco Denver for being such an excellent host!

EAT

Snooze $$ - When Ivy was doing her undergrad in Northern Colorado, the local Snooze quickly became her go-to brunch spot. We highly recommend their Bloody Marys and the pancake flight (3 pancakes), which you can select from an array of sweet and savory pancakes. Although the menu is continuously changing, we suggest ordering the red velvet, sweet potato, or the pineapple upside-down pancake if they are on offer. 

Denver Central Market $-$$ - This is probably our favorite place we discovered on the trip. Denver Central Market is a fantastic food hall with all kinds of great vendors from Curio - bar, Culture - meat & cheese, Tammen's - fish market, and High Point Creamery- ice cream! We noshed on tuna/salmon poke bowl, cheese and charcuterie, and washed it down with some tasty house rosé!

beast + bottle $$$ - This place is big on farm-to-table cuisine. The menu was full of perfectly crafted entrees, small bites, and tasty cocktails. We LOVED the chicharrones served with a yummy creamy red pepper dip!

Marczyk Fine Foods $-$$$ - This grocery store is located just across the street from beast + bottle. They have a wonderful selection of cheeses, meats, and bakery goods. This is the perfect spot to stock up on goodies for your outdoor adventures or even a picnic!

Venice $$$ - If you are looking for an Italian restaurant with an amazing wine list, choose Venice. It is also located across the street from Union Station. 

Mercantile $$ - Located in the Union Station, Mercantile is part coffee shop, part bakery, and part casual restaurant. They serve tasty sandwiches, salads, and delicious Bloody Marys! We recommend getting anything that will include their house-made pickles. SO GOOD!

Buckhorn Exchange $$$ - Our Dad heard about this place and has wanted to go for years, so he sent us on a mission to test it out for him. We are SO GLAD he did! The Buckhorn Exchange is Denver's oldest restaurant and is a registered National Historic Landmark. The walls are covered with taxidermy animals, old photographs, and other "wild west" memorabilia. They are known for their top-notch steaks and a few more unusual dishes. We started out the night with the rattlesnake queso - warm queso dip topped with rattlesnake meat and a 1/2 order of their rocky mountain oysters (deep-fried calf testicles). Growing up in horse country, we have had our fair share of these delicacies, and we can tell you these were some of the best! Finally, we shared the giant buffalo prime rib and washed it all down with some cold Colorado brews! Fantastic!

DRINK

Forest Room 5 $ - This hip but under the radar bar is a great place to start your evening. Grab a beer or cocktail inside and head out to their side yard for fire pits, a little stream, and even a tipi. We loved its laid back feel and the quirky western films playing in the restrooms. 

My Brother’s Bar $ - This is Denver's oldest operating bar, making it a must-visit. Just down the road from Forest Room 5, this almost secret bar is perfect for your late-night hangouts. We ordered a pitcher of beer, fries, and onion rings, but we hear the cottage cheese is worth ordering! 

Terminal Bar $$ - Located in Union Station, during the day, Terminal Bar is packed with people coming and going via bus or train. After hours it turns into a super cool lounge. After all the restaurants and shops close, The Great Hall turns into seating for the bar.  

Ratio Beerworks $$ - Right down the street from Denver Central Market, this brewery is the perfect place to enjoy your delicious lunch. We ordered their carrot beer, and it was seriously good! 

Infinite Monkey Theorem $$$ - This urban winery has a really fun laid back vibe with a variety of wines on tap, in cans, and in traditional bottles. Grab a glass, take a seat, relax, and repeat! 

PLAY

Christmas Market (free) - During the holidays, Denver hosts an adorable traditional German Christmas Market with booths offering everything from German-made ornaments to giant pretzels! Grab a mug full of mulled wine or hot cocoa and peruse the shops at your leisure. 

Parade of Lights (free) - This once a year (two nights in a row) parade is definitely worth watching before you head out to dinner. The parade begins at dusk, and each parade float and entertainer is covered in glowing lights. This is a fun event for all ages. We liked the fire dancers the most! 

STAY

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco $$$ - We called this place home for the weekend and loved it! The hotel lobby and rooms are beautiful. They have a great restaurant and bar attached, extremely attentive staff, and its location is in the center of downtown, within walking distance of everything Denver has to offer. We can't stop saying great things about this hotel. 

We got into Denver at 5am, and were able to check into our room even though check-in is usually 4pm! One of our favorite parts of staying at the Monaco Denver was the daily happy hour in the lobby daily from 5-6pm. At happy hour, they poured two wines and served a rotating beer on tap. Each drink came along with a little snack. One night they served meatballs, which were divine! We loved that the Monaco Denver thinks of the little details like a "hydration station" in the lobby and even complimentary hand warmers for the chilly Denver evenings! We can't wait to go back!

Happy Holidays!