Aug 31 2006
From the Mile High City to Mountain Adventures, Couples Click in ColoradoFor those that travel in pairs, Colorado sets the mood with unparalleled scenery, culture, history and adventure. A trip to Colorado doubles the fun for couples whether they’re cozying up beside a campfire or toasting each other at an outdoor café. Here are some great ideas for couples traveling in Colorado.
Days 1 & 2 – Denver
In the Mile High City, arts, culture and beer go hand-in-hand. Denver’s burgeoning arts scene includes the Denver Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as monthly Denver Art Walks in partnership with galleries in Lower Downtown, North Denver, Olde Town Santa Fe Drive, the Golden Triangle and the Broadway Corridor.
Around town, it’s easy to switch from viewing art exhibits to tasting the art of a microbrew at one of the city’s 90 bars and brew pubs. In Lower Downtown (“LoDo”), the Wynkoop Brewing Company, Colorado’s oldest brewpub founded in 1988, includes classic microbrew drafts and seasonal selections. On Wynkoop’s lower level, The Impulse Theatreis known for its improvisational comedy shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
During the day, paths around town may lead to the nation’s largest park system, one of 90 golf courses or shopping at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Spend a romantic night at The Brown Palace Hotel. Built in 1892, this “Historic Hotel of America” has hosted presidents, kings and rock stars. Today, the 241-room hotel, located in LoDo, features “Top of the Brown” guestrooms located on the eighth and ninth floors and exquisite hospitality throughout the entire hotel. Guided historical tours of the hotel are offered Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Local Spot: Nightlife, restaurants, shopping and history intersect in Larimer Square, a downtown historic district, now considered one of Denver’s most prestigious neighborhoods.
On the Web: For a list of the 2,000 restaurants that have Denver “cookin,” visit www.denver.org.
Day 3 – Golden and Boulder
Mileage: 35 Miles
From Denver, head west to Golden, for the love of adventure. At the Whitewater Park, Rip Board offers rentals and instruction on riverboarding, a new extreme sport similar to a luge but on water, that lets couples get up close and personal with the whitewater in Clear Creek. Kayaking and whitewater rafting also are available along Clear Creek. For more recreation, Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers 12,000 acres for horseback riding and hiking in aspen-filled meadows. Panorama Point is a popular scenic overlook. From the small town charm of Golden, to the urban, scenic atmosphere of Boulder, located at the base of the Flatiron Mountains, the St. Julien Hotel & Spa offers a “Hiker’s Delight” massage among its services. Browse the unique shops and galleries on the Pearl Street Mall. Events are scheduled year-round, and street performers are regular entertainers, in this four-block pedestrian-friendly oasis. One of the city’s top cultural stops is the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, created by more than 40 Tajikistan artisans (including hand-carved and hand-painted ceilings and exterior ceramic panels) to celebrate its sister city ties with Boulder. Along the Boulder Creek Path, it’s not uncommon to see bicycles built for two.
Local Spot: For a taste of Colorado wines, including Colorado Merlot, Colorado Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling, head to the Boulder Creek Winery, where wine tasting and tours of the winery are offered.
On the Web: For more information on Boulder’s Getaway Packages, visit www.bouldercoloradousa.com.
Days 4 & 5 – Carbondale
Mileage: 181 Miles
From Boulder, take I-70 to Carbondale, located in the Roaring Fork Valley, rated as “One of the Top 10 Adventure Towns in the U.S,” by National Geographic Adventure. Here, outdoor enthusiasts can choose from easy access to hiking and biking trails, golf courses, and rivers and streams for kayaking and fly-fishing. With a budding dining scene, restaurants catering to various palettes include local favorite since 1975, The Village Smithyand Six 89 Restaurant. In Carbondale, accommodations include rustic lodges and cabins, campgrounds, a historic inn, quaint bed & breakfasts, and traditional hotels.
Local Spot: Take a walking tour of Main Street where shops, art galleries, restaurants, brew pubs and saloons are located in the original buildings from the 1880s.
On the Web: For images of Carbondale’s scenery, recreation and arts and entertainment, visit www.carbondale.com.
More information on upcoming events in Denver, Golden, Boulder and Carbondale is available on the events page of www.colorado.com.
Colorado vacation information including lodging, transportation, dining, attractions and recreation is available on www.colorado.com, or call 800-COLORADO for a free state vacation guide.
Information courtesy: State of Colorado Tourism.
