Help needed - Denver trip for Den vs SD (1 Viewer)

[Ninersfan]

My 7 1/2 old is a huge Peyton Manning fan and I am trying to plan a trip to Denver to catch a game. I had it narrowed down to the SF or SD games in mid October. For family sanctity the wife vetoed the SF game so it's SD on Thursday, October 23rd. I was thinking of flying in from NC around 1pm on Thursday and leaving on Sunday.

Can any locals give me some ideas about where to stay and things to do? Do we need to rent a car? Good/unique local restaurants to try? Anything else to think about?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bierfiend]

if you stay in lower downtown (lodo) you will not need a car to catch the game, only to see things in other parts of the state. when we would stay down there we liked staying at the Hotel Monaco. many restaurants within walking distance (or the free bus along 16th st. mall)

favorite place to grab a bier for me was falling rock, followed by wynkoop brewery, celtic tavern, fado. rio for strong margaritas. sports bars- sports column, jackson's

restaurants:

rioja

bistro vendome

osteria marco

euclid hall

cru

panzanos

vesta

 

[ffldrew]

Any hotel in downtown is fine. There is a Shuttle down 16th St mall that will get you to the light rail stop for the stadium. Heck if it is nice the walk is great along the river.

 

[ffldrew]

Look at the Magnolia hotel. Or the Embassy suites which is new.

 

[Mile High]

I would rent a car with the Rockies right there to explore. Go up to RMNP to watch and hear the elk if you have never seen them. Otherwise there are the usual kids stuff in Denver. Zoo, museums, theme park, aquarium etc

Edited to add: pack some cold weather clothing you never know that time of the year it could snow. Also it can get chilly at night even if the day is warm

Food isn't the best but kids love this place.

http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2009/01/casa_bonita_a_survivors_guide.php

 

[JHuber77]

Stay away from the 16th st mall and the coors field neighborhood east of the ballpark. Lots of bums and crazy people and not crazy in a fun way. Bat $hIt crazy

 

[ffldrew]

Try La Loma for food - great green chile and kids love the fried ice cream - it is just north of the stadium.

Ace is pretty neat ping pong place on 18th - good Asian food. Next door is Steubens for comfort food

Wazee Supper Club has good pizza downtown - kids may like that

My Brothers Bar and Grill is a good burger place on the way towards the stadium - it's next to the massive REI that has a climbing wall inside

There is a Voodoo donuts on Colfax

There is a Spaghetti factory downtown - kids eat real cheap there.

Little Man Ice Cream is good over on the other side of the river

Pretty sure it will be a blizzard this night - it usually happens on the Nationally televised games in October. Of course it will be 80 the day before and after

I wouldn't worry about the homeless - sure we have a bunch or more than most cities but they are not that bad - on 16th street they are ok. Up around Park Ave West near the shelter by the baseball stadium there are a bunch at night that I would generally steer clear of.

 

[Apple Jack]

Just stay on the 16th Street Mall. It's easy from there. But as others have said, if you have the time for a day trip or two, kinda crazy to go to CO and not go up into the hills. Especially, if you live on the east coast and the boy has never been to the Rockies. Maybe look into renting from near the hotel just for the day, so you can just take it up and be done with it, and not have to deal with paying for parking.

 

[meatwad1]

So you are taking your own child on a weed tourism trip? Shame on you!

 

[Ninersfan]

Just stay on the 16th Street Mall. It's easy from there. But as others have said, if you have the time for a day trip or two, kinda crazy to go to CO and not go up into the hills. Especially, if you live on the east coast and the boy has never been to the Rockies. Maybe look into renting from near the hotel just for the day, so you can just take it up and be done with it, and not have to deal with paying for parking.

I was thinking about something like this. No one in the family has been to CO before and it seems like a great opportunity to sight see assuming I can find a good route to take.

Thanks for the responses

 

[Mile High]

A good route won't be hard to fine. Take I70 west into the Rockies then enjoy the views

 

[rail]

Lots of great options mentioned. Some good choices to do with a 7-year old: 1) Rocky Mountain National Park - especially if Trail Ridge Road is still open. If not, Estes Park is still a fun tourist town. And some easy hikes in the park that would be great for a kid. 2) Several small towns in the mountains have active gold mines that you can do a tour of: Idaho Springs and Cripple Creek come to mind (although Cripple Creek is pretty far South, probably a 2 hour drive one-way). 3) Denver Zoo, right next to 4) Denver Museum of Nature and Science; 5 ) Denver Art Museum is surprisingly entertaining, and is right across from the very good 6) Colorado History Museum.

Tons of great breweries, a lot of which are essentially restaurants that you won't feel weird to bring a kid to - Breckenridge Brewery near the ballpark, or the Wynkoop (which is right across from the newly opened Union Station) for example. For a unique eating experience, try the Buckhorn Exchange and sample some exotic meats, like ostrich. It is right next to a light rail station at 10th and Osage, so very easy transportation.

I love having breakfast at Snooze, a local breakfast joint with lots of different types of pancakes which are to die for. Go to the new location at Union Station as opposed to the one at Park Ave and Larimer - if you're nervous about the homeless types (which I find harmless as long as you're not down there at 2 a.m.)

Hope you have a great time.

 

[Kanil]

If you're looking for interesting places to stay while you're here:

In Denver you could stay at the Brown Palace. Every US President since Theodore Roosevelt has stayed there (except that b-hole Coolidge). Same short light rail hop to Mile High.

If you want to stay one night up in the mountains you could head to Estes Park and stay at the Stanley Hotel. It's the hotel used for the outdoor shots in The Shining. Also, if you're into this kind of thing, it's supposedly haunted and they have ghost tours. They have a ton of Elk that migrate through the town there although they might be gone by the end of October. Side note - the Stanley is where Mrs. Kanil became Mrs. Kanil so you'll have that going for you.

I'm going to echo rail's advice for food: Buckhorn Exchange is one of the coolest restaurants in town. Check THIS review from the Man vs. Food guy.

I'll also second rail's activity advice. Denver Zoo is well above average and my son loves the Nature and Science museum. It looks like the museum will be having a big whale exhibit while you're in town.

 

[Kev4029]

Try La Loma for food - great green chile and kids love the fried ice cream - it is just north of the stadium.

I suggest this place to anybody I know that is visiting Denver. Best green chili and chile rellenos I've ever had.

 

[Kev4029]

Stay away from the 16th st mall and the coors field neighborhood east of the ballpark. Lots of bums and crazy people and not crazy in a fun way. Bat #### crazy

Says the guy that lives in Aurora.

 

[Kanil]

Stay away from the 16th st mall and the coors field neighborhood east of the ballpark. Lots of bums and crazy people and not crazy in a fun way. Bat #### crazy

Says the guy that lives in Aurora.

Yeah. 16th street mall is fine but I agree, stay away from the east side of Coors field.

*edit* - also stay away from Aurora.

 

[Niles Standish]

If you're staying near 16th street you won't need a car unless you plan on going to the mountains. There are also a ton of those rent cars by the hour things around and the red bikes for rent for daytrips. Although the cars are uncommon enough that you'd want to find websites so you know where to look.

There are a ton of great brewpubs near the city. Personally I'd rather get something brewed on sight, but everywhere is going to have good local stuff.

For places that brew their own stuff downtown Wynkoop is fun with lots of pool tables upstairs. Breckenridge is where I always go before a Rockies game. Great Divide is cool, but not kid friendly since it's just a brewery no food (plus weird hours).

Bull & Bush is probably my favorite with underrated beer and pretty good food, but it's not downtown so you'd need a car for that.

Sports column is a lot of fun to watch NFL games. They're not a brewery but they have a ton of tvs.

 

[Buckfast 1]

Stay away from the 16th st mall and the coors field neighborhood east of the ballpark. Lots of bums and crazy people and not crazy in a fun way. Bat #### crazy

Says the guy that lives in Aurora.

Yeah. 16th street mall is fine but I agree, stay away from the east side of Coors field.

*edit* - also stay away from Aurora.

Bunch of scared old white dudes in here. I work on "the east side of Coors field," and I don't think there is anything to be particularly concerned about. Sure, there are a few homeless shelters in that area -- which obviously attract some less than fully reputable vagrants -- but there is also a lot of great stuff in that area as well. River North, Great Divide, and Jagged Mountain are all great breweries in that area. The neighborhood around Coors has really turned around over the past decade. I was just hanging out on Larimer St. (which is just east of Coors) on Monday night, and it is amazing how many new trendy restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries have opened up along that street, which was previously known to be one of the worst areas of Denver. I just don't think there is any reason to be scared of downtown Denver these days.

 

[Buckfast 1]

I will give you some more tips about Denver when I get a chance.

Generally, I think there has been a lot of good advice in the thread so far. I would definitely make an effort to go up to the mountains if you are coming out to Colorado. I think that would be a really memorable experience for your kid.

 

[johnnycakes]

Stay away from the 16th st mall and the coors field neighborhood east of the ballpark. Lots of bums and crazy people and not crazy in a fun way. Bat #### crazy

Says the guy that lives in Aurora.

Yeah. 16th street mall is fine but I agree, stay away from the east side of Coors field.

*edit* - also stay away from Aurora.

Bunch of scared old white dudes in here. I work on "the east side of Coors field," and I don't think there is anything to be particularly concerned about. Sure, there are a few homeless shelters in that area -- which obviously attract some less than fully reputable vagrants -- but there is also a lot of great stuff in that area as well. River North, Great Divide, and Jagged Mountain are all great breweries in that area. The neighborhood around Coors has really turned around over the past decade. I was just hanging out on Larimer St. (which is just east of Coors) on Monday night, and it is amazing how many new trendy restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries have opened up along that street, which was previously known to be one of the worst areas of Denver. I just don't think there is any reason to be scared of downtown Denver these days.

just don't try sitting on the flower pots along the 16th street mall while the missus goes clothes shopping in a nearby store. Police will promptly inform you that sitting on the edge of those planters is not allowed according to city bylaws or some such nonsense.

 

[Kanil]

Stay away from the 16th st mall and the coors field neighborhood east of the ballpark. Lots of bums and crazy people and not crazy in a fun way. Bat #### crazy

Says the guy that lives in Aurora.

Yeah. 16th street mall is fine but I agree, stay away from the east side of Coors field.

*edit* - also stay away from Aurora.

Bunch of scared old white dudes in here. I work on "the east side of Coors field," and I don't think there is anything to be particularly concerned about. Sure, there are a few homeless shelters in that area -- which obviously attract some less than fully reputable vagrants -- but there is also a lot of great stuff in that area as well. River North, Great Divide, and Jagged Mountain are all great breweries in that area. The neighborhood around Coors has really turned around over the past decade. I was just hanging out on Larimer St. (which is just east of Coors) on Monday night, and it is amazing how many new trendy restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries have opened up along that street, which was previously known to be one of the worst areas of Denver. I just don't think there is any reason to be scared of downtown Denver these days.

I'll admit, I have not been east of Coors field in quite a while (lived at 33rd and Curtis in the late 90s, early 2000s) and it has changed quite a bit. Still, if I was driving I may not worry about going east but walking with a 7 year old, probably not going to do it.

 

[FigJam]

For an unusual dining experience menu wise hit The Fort. Get there before the sun sets in the evening and you will be amazed. It isn't cheap, but its one of the places (along with the Brewery Bar) the wife and I return to every time we visit our friends in Denver.

My short list:

• The Fort (Wish they still had their Rattlesnake Cocktail... mmmm)
• Brewery Bar (We actually hit Brewery Bar 2, but the food is the same at all locations)
• M & D's BBQ (closed a few years back, but had to mention it)

 

[moleculo]

If you are coming in with a kid and want to check out the area, I'd fly in Thursday, check into a cheap hotel in Denver, see the game, and spend Friday & Saturday in the mountains. There are typically cheap, nice hotel deals in the Tech Center area, I'd do that and look into the light rail to get into/out of the stadium vs dealing with parking. Either way, go to the 16th street mall between checking into the hotel and kick-off - plenty to see and do. Tons of decent restaurants, maybe the Mint could be a cool thing to take a 7 year old.

Friday and Saturday, there is no reason not to go to the mountains. Estes Park is my go-to touristy place, love going into Rocky mountain National Park. Honestly, I'd spend Friday and Saturday there and head back to DIA Sunday. If not Estes, there are plenty of other small mountain towns an easy 2 hour drive from Denver.

Denver is great and all, but in terms of entertaining a 7 year old, nothing beats the mountains.

 

[Slider6]

Pearl Jam is playing the night before. Edit your itinerary.