Denver's Touristy Things
That Locals Must Do Once
Sometimes it feels like the only way to do things that are stereotypically Coloradan is to go in disguise, so as to not betray that you are, in fact, a local. Crammed between visitors from Louisiana and a young couple busy keeping their own pack of children in line, it's easy to feel like an outsider in your own city. But these experiences are worth it, and once you get over the initial shame of being a local, they're truly a blast.
1. Eat at The Buckhorn Exchange
Get a taste of something ultra-local or ultra-strange at The Buckhorn Exchange in Lincoln Park, an 1893 steakhouse that is as much about atmosphere and tradition as it is about the meal. From Rocky Mountain oysters to buffalo steaks, and from rattlesnake to elk, the restaurant has dishes both strange and delicious. Live Western music at the upstairs lounge and bar along with stuffed native animals covering walls and surfaces serves to create an enticing and uniquely Coloradan dining and entertainment experience – just like on television.
Menu2. Explore the First Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe Drive
Sun, rain or snow, First Friday Art Walk is held in the ArtDistrict on Santa Fe Drive. Large crowds serve as a reminder that people do still care about artistic expression, and the art walk is an ideal way to see local artists' works. Santa Fe Drive obviously wasn't meant to hold the sheer quantity of people that sometimes attend, forcing you to park blocks away and progress through the area at no more than a crawl. Still, once you get into any of the galleries, the squeeze lessens and you get the chance to see art in a huge variety of styles and sizes. Add to that experience live music, small snacks, glasses of wine and a truly diverse audience, and the event is truly memorable.
3. Catch a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field
There's no bigger rush than being wrapped up in a baseball game and seeing a pop fly headed right for your seat. Since the Rockies started playing in 1993, and especially once they started really winning in 2007, baseball has become our new hot sport to watch. Straddling the line between respectable LoDo and up-and-coming Five Points, Coors Field is a fantastic baseball park in its own right, with a purple row of seats denoting exactly a mile of height above sea level and a stellar covered concourse filled with shops and dining options.
Event Listings4. Visit Casa Bonita
It might be a place designed for kids, but Casa Bonita truly separates the true locals from the outsiders. If you've never had the chance to watch the cliff divers or see Black Bart topple 10 feet down the waterfall, now is the time to make up for it. Buy your plate of beef or chicken enchiladas (they make vegetarian ones too, you just have to ask the cashier) and hope for a table where you can watch the cliffside action while you dine. Eat as much as you want, but leave room for sopapillas. After you're stuffed, wander through the massive restaurant and tour Black Bart's Cave or play arcade games. For the least chaotic experience, try visiting during the weekday when the restaurant is far less busy.
5. Visit the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder
More than a shopping area or an outdoor hangout, Pearl Street Mall in Boulder has been a local phenomenon for over a quarter of a century. The stores and people you see are exactly what you think of when someone says, "That is so Boulder." From talented buskers playing instruments or juggling objects for loose change to the many weekend art booth events that sweep the pedestrian mall, Pearl Street always offers something a bit unusual. Independent shops sell unique clothing and local artisans' wares, restaurants and street vendors peddle virtually any cuisine that could be wished for, and children romp among the animal sculptures and water fountain jets. All in all, Pearl Street is exactly what it should be, a shopping and entertainment area with an entirely unique character.
