Any suggestions for areas to visit in Denver, Colorado?
Jun 5, 2012 10:45:25 #
We are going to Denver for vacation and we have never been there before, so I would love some suggestions about places to photograph. Also.....any suggestions on places that are a must to have lunch/dinner???
Jun 5, 2012 10:59:16 #
Welcome to Colorado! The Denver Botanic Garden is really nice. The Butterfly Pavillion has a lot of great photo ops - sometimes photographers can get in an hour early when the butterflies are more still in the morning and you can use a tripod. Red Rocks where they hold concerts outside is great. The Spaghetti Factory is downtown at the 16th Street Mall and had the best Brown Butter Spaghetti. Enjoy your stay!
Jun 5, 2012 11:48:45 #
A couple of more suggestions for you. If you have the time, drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Also visit Boulder and tour the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory, it is very interesting to see how teas are blended and packaged. If you still have time, head west on I-70 to Georgetown and perhaps the road to Mt. Evans. Lots of good photo ops in these areas. Enjoy the trip.
Jun 5, 2012 14:02:17 #
Doe wrote:
We are going to Denver for vacation and we have never been there before, so I would love some suggestions about places to photograph. Also.....any suggestions on places that are a must to have lunch/dinner???
I've been to Denver only a couple of times.
Once on a cross country motorcycle trip back in the day. And then a couple of years ago to visit a friend.
IF you have time, he has a really cool bar with GREAT food, and ample photo ops...in and around the bar.
It's a little drive...about an hour from Denver.
Some of you locals might be able to help with the directions, but I've included a link to the map.
Called "Roy's Last Shot" Roy collects shot glasses)
It's on Hwy 119 between Blackhawk and Nederlands. Absolutely beautiful area.
Bring your pets. He has "Patio Pooch" Dining with a menu for your four legged friends!
Tell Roy that Joe sent ya! And get the pizza.....it's the BEST!
http://royslastshot.wordpress.com/696-2/
17268 Highway 119
Black Hawk, CO 80422
303-642-7870
I am not trying to advertize for him....everyone that I have sent has thanked me!
Jun 5, 2012 15:59:55 #
http://www.denverzoo.org/
They have timed entry to the new Toyota Elephant Passage so make your reservations early.
I haven't seen it because I didn't make reservations early, bought a travel trailer instead.
http://parks.state.co.us/parks/castlewoodcanyon
has some photo ops also.
They have timed entry to the new Toyota Elephant Passage so make your reservations early.
I haven't seen it because I didn't make reservations early, bought a travel trailer instead.
http://parks.state.co.us/parks/castlewoodcanyon
has some photo ops also.
Jun 5, 2012 17:31:44 #
If you have the time, Colorado Springs is a must. There you can drive up Pikes Peak, see Garden Of The Gods, Cave Of The Winds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and of course The Air Force Academy.....Be sure to bring your camera, you will not regret the trip
Jun 5, 2012 17:58:01 #
tlbuljac wrote:
Garden of the Gods is a must, but you cannot see everything in one day. If you can stay overnight in Colorado Springs, the Air Force Academy is quite interesting, as is Cave of the Winds.If you have the time, Colorado Springs is a must. There you can drive up Pikes Peak, see Garden Of The Gods, Cave Of The Winds, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and of course The Air Force Academy.....Be sure to bring your camera, you will not regret the trip
If you are a John Denver fan, a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre (near Denver) is like a pilgrimage to Mecca:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rocks_Amphitheatre
http://redrocksonline.com
Jun 5, 2012 18:13:10 #
Jun 5, 2012 18:50:40 #
We were there last fall and highly recommend the trip to Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak. We drove up and got some great views, friends took the Cog Railway and enjoyed that.
There's a beautiful reservoir half way up the Pikes Peak drive (The peak you see is Pikes and you can drive right to the top along that ridge you see - about a 19 mile drive)
There's a beautiful reservoir half way up the Pikes Peak drive (The peak you see is Pikes and you can drive right to the top along that ridge you see - about a 19 mile drive)
Reservoir on Pikes Peak drive
Jun 5, 2012 19:42:34 #
clixpix wrote:
A couple of more suggestions for you. If you have the time, drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Also visit Boulder and tour the Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory, it is very interesting to see how teas are blended and packaged. If you still have time, head west on I-70 to Georgetown and perhaps the road to Mt. Evans. Lots of good photo ops in these areas. Enjoy the trip.
What, and miss the Coors brewery in Golden?
Also a visit to one of the restored old mining towns with gambling can be fun and provide many photo ops on the streets.
Jun 5, 2012 20:06:16 #
A drive to the top of Mt. Evans to get some photos of the mountain goats. Not the sheep (they are dull) but the white goats. Just don't do it until you have acclimated to Denver at 5000 feet for a few days. Mt Evans is 14,000.
That road is the highest paved road in the US. If you do it, leave EARLY as you want to plan to be off the summit by noon - after that the afternoon thunderstorms can move in and you do NOT want to be above the treelike when that happens.
It is about an hour drive from Denver, so get on the road by 5:30 or 6 at the latest.
On the Mount Evans road there is also the Mt. Goliath Bristlecone Pine area - a chance to see some to see and photograph the toughest trees on Earth.
You got some other good suggestions - Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is spectacular - but you want to be there early or late as mid-day sun won't make for the best images (so what's new).
For a different place to eat, try the Fort: http://www.thefort.com/
Not cheap, but pretty cool.
Or for a different Pizza, dive west up I-70 to Idaho Springs and have a Mountain Pie at BoJo's - really good.
As has been mentioned, Rocky Mountain National Park is worth the drive.
That road is the highest paved road in the US. If you do it, leave EARLY as you want to plan to be off the summit by noon - after that the afternoon thunderstorms can move in and you do NOT want to be above the treelike when that happens.
It is about an hour drive from Denver, so get on the road by 5:30 or 6 at the latest.
On the Mount Evans road there is also the Mt. Goliath Bristlecone Pine area - a chance to see some to see and photograph the toughest trees on Earth.
You got some other good suggestions - Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is spectacular - but you want to be there early or late as mid-day sun won't make for the best images (so what's new).
For a different place to eat, try the Fort: http://www.thefort.com/
Not cheap, but pretty cool.
Or for a different Pizza, dive west up I-70 to Idaho Springs and have a Mountain Pie at BoJo's - really good.
As has been mentioned, Rocky Mountain National Park is worth the drive.
Jun 6, 2012 00:50:06 #
Thanks for all the recommendations! I can't wait to visit many of those places, they sound so interesting!
When going to the top of Pikes Peak or other elevations like that, how do you all prepare? Such as, what to wear and is there anything I need to do to my camera?
When going to the top of Pikes Peak or other elevations like that, how do you all prepare? Such as, what to wear and is there anything I need to do to my camera?
Jun 6, 2012 01:03:24 #
Doe wrote:
Thanks for all the recommendations! I can't wait to visit many of those places, they sound so interesting!
When going to the top of Pikes Peak or other elevations like that, how do you all prepare? Such as, what to wear and is there anything I need to do to my camera?
When going to the top of Pikes Peak or other elevations like that, how do you all prepare? Such as, what to wear and is there anything I need to do to my camera?
Dress in layers as it is about 85 degrees here lately but it will be colder on the peak. There's nothing that you need to do to your camera that I'm aware of. If you need anything while you're in the springs feel free to call me. It would be cool to meet a fellow UHH member in person!
Jun 6, 2012 01:06:37 #
Doe wrote:
Thanks for all the recommendations! I can't wait to visit many of those places, they sound so interesting!
When going to the top of Pikes Peak or other elevations like that, how do you all prepare? Such as, what to wear and is there anything I need to do to my camera?
When going to the top of Pikes Peak or other elevations like that, how do you all prepare? Such as, what to wear and is there anything I need to do to my camera?
Excellent question.
You don't have to worry about your camera, but it can be 90 degrees in town and 50 degrees at the summit and very windy. That 50 degrees can drop to 30 degrees quickly. It is not at all unusual for the tops of the 14ers to get snow in the summer, so you need to carry along clothing with that in mind.
Pikes Peak, if you take the cog railway, is touristy but a pretty cool way to get to the top. Driving - either to Pike or Mt. Evans can be a bit unnerving to flatlanders as the roads have no guardrails and some VERY steep dropoffs. It is safe, but you do want to be awake and sober. The views are worth it!
Jun 6, 2012 01:27:15 #
I truly was sooooooooooooooo disappointed in Denver - the City is Just that - another City - The State and area any direction except East is or can be fantastic visit - well South too for a long ways. I only say this as I am from the 4 corners region by birth, Pagosa Springs, and visited it and most of the rest of the state many times. Red Rock & Coors was like visiting 2 rock quarries.
After seeing all the Coors ads about Mountain streams running through lush forests and the get "THERE' what a disappointment. I sure hope you have a car and time to "Get out of Denver" and visit the Great State of Colorado.
After seeing all the Coors ads about Mountain streams running through lush forests and the get "THERE' what a disappointment. I sure hope you have a car and time to "Get out of Denver" and visit the Great State of Colorado.
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