Anyone ever been? I am going for the Bengals game in late December and need some tips on where to stay/where to go.

We are going for 4 days. We wanted to stay around the stadium/ downtown for the first couple of days and then spend the last couple of days somewhere up in the mountains.

Any help would be appreciated.

My grandparents lived out there in a community outside Denver in Brighton called Van Aire. Great place, but I haven't been there in 10-15 years, so can't really say anything about restaurants and stuff to do.

But two towns I always recommend are Salida and Colorado Springs. Salida has a cool community feel with lots of small shops, art work, galleries, walking areas. May be further than you're looking to be from Denver. Th other is Colorado Springs, which is more of the resort town people think of usually with a little more privacy, more upscale places to eat. Both are beautiful, but for different reasons.

(06-25-2015, 11:24 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Anyone ever been? I am going for the Bengals game in late December and need some tips on where to stay/where to go.

We are going for 4 days. We wanted to stay around the stadium/ downtown for the first couple of days and then spend the last couple of days somewhere up in the mountains.

Any help would be appreciated.

I've been; however, it was in the Boomer/Elway days. So I can be of little help. Just let me know if the fan that wears the barrel is still there.

I will say if you are looking for some things to do not too far away. I recommend Cripple Creek (old mining town in the mountains that has small time casinos) and as Benton mentioned Colorado Springs has some attractions: Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, Barr Trail (walk up Pikes Peak), Broadmoor Hotel...just to name a few.

I lived in Denver , but it has been over 20 years since I have been there.

The first thing I recommend is finding an authentic Mexican restaurant. When I lived there the Commerce City area was mostly Mexican and there were a handful of good family owned restaurants. But that may have changed by now.

ElDorado Canyon, just south of Boulder about 20 minutes from Denver, was one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the country. When my parents came out to visit me I took them there even though I was never much into rock climbing. They were shocked to see people with no safety ropes hanging by their fingertips on a sheer rock face hundreds of feet in the air.

If you go to Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park) the Stanley hotel (from "The Shining") is only a few miles away. Nothing special to do there, but if you are in the area you might as well check it out.

(06-25-2015, 11:20 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I lived in Denver , but it has been over 20 years since I have been there.

The first thing I recommend is finding an authentic Mexican restaurant.  When I live there the Commerce city area was mostly Mexican and there were a handful of good family owned restaurants.  But that may have changed by now.

ElDorado Canyon, just south of Boulder about 20 minutes from Denver, was one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the country.  When my parents came out to visit me I took them there even  though I was never much into rock climbing.  they were shocked to see people with no safety ropes hanging by their fingertips on a sheer rock face hundreds of feet in the air.

If you go to Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park) the Stanley hotel (from "The Shining") is only a few miles away.  Nothing special to do there, but if you are in the area you might as well check it out.

We try to take the kids on one big vacation somewhere new every year. My wife and the kids have never seen the Rockies or really anything west of Missouri, so I'm planning on flying out to Denver, staying at the Stanley, and then take a road trip from there to San Francisco.

Completely off topic, but the Stanley reminded me of that.

Funny enough I'm in Denver right now. Just so you know this place is fantastic. The women are hot, the scenery is great, and everyone is pretty nice although the drivers are a bit rough.

Take a trip to Boulder, that place is absolutely fantastic.
If you get the chance, go to a Sensory Deprivation tank.
There's a restaurant called Snarf's that is the best sub place I've ever been to.
If oyu have time go to Hesse Trail past Nederland. The view is fantastic. But everywhere around here has a fantastic view.

(06-27-2015, 04:14 PM)eoxyod Wrote: Funny enough I'm in Denver right now. Just so you know this place is fantastic. The women are hot, the scenery is great, and everyone is pretty nice although the drivers are a bit rough.

Take a trip to Boulder, that place is absolutely fantastic.
If you get the chance, go to a Sensory Deprivation tank.
There's a restaurant called Snarf's that is the best sub place I've ever been to.
If oyu have time go to Hesse Trail past Nederland. The view is fantastic. But everywhere around here has a fantastic view.

Rocky Mountain high much?

(06-27-2015, 04:37 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Rocky Mountain high much?

I don't smoke thank you very much. (I know you're joking)

(06-27-2015, 04:14 PM)eoxyod Wrote: Funny enough I'm in Denver right now. Just so you know this place is fantastic. The women are hot, the scenery is great, and everyone is pretty nice although the drivers are a bit rough.

Take a trip to Boulder, that place is absolutely fantastic.
If you get the chance, go to a Sensory Deprivation tank.
There's a restaurant called Snarf's that is the best sub place I've ever been to.
If oyu have time go to Hesse Trail past Nederland. The view is fantastic. But everywhere around here has a fantastic view.

Thanks for the tips. One of the big concerns I have though is that we are going in Decemeber, so I know the weather is going to be snowy and cold. Is it still cool to Hike and go see the outdoorsy stuff in these conditions you think? 

I really wish we were going in the summer months. I want to go to a concert at Red Rock so bad. 

(06-29-2015, 04:34 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Thanks for the tips. One of the big concerns I have though is that we are going in Decemeber, so I know the weather is going to be snowy and cold. Is it still cool to Hike and go see the outdoorsy stuff in these conditions you think? 

I really wish we were going in the summer months. I want to go to a concert at Red Rock so bad. 

It can be brutally cold in December.  And a lot more windy than it is around here.  The wind is what can make it feel so cold out there. If you are going up in the mountains in December you will need some good gear to keep warm.  You might get lucky and catch some nice weather, but I would be prepared for the worst.

But if you go in the winter you can ski.

(06-27-2015, 04:14 PM)eoxyod Wrote: Funny enough I'm in Denver right now. 

BTW what are you doing in Denver?

Any hotel downtown is a convenient walk to the stadium. If they are too pricey given the timing, look for one close to a RTD lightrail station on the I25 corridor (south of the city works best). You be able to easily get downtown and to the game that way.

Weather really isnt that bad in the winter. Snow out here is nothing since its so dry, melts within a couple of days. There are still cool things to do in the winter outside of skiing. If you're coming with a lady friend I would highly suggest hitting up one of the many hot springs destinations, specifically an evening foray.

(06-29-2015, 04:57 PM)fredtoast Wrote: BTW what are you doing in Denver?

Visiting my best friend. He moved here to work for his family friend and currently works in a grow op

(06-29-2015, 10:35 PM)eoxyod Wrote: Visiting my best friend. He moved here to work for his family friend and currently works in a grow op

Ya serious? Have him hook me up with a little VIP tour....including samples. 

(06-29-2015, 10:55 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Ya serious? Have him hook me up with a little VIP tour....including samples. 

Unfortunately I can't
He's in a very secluded place

(06-29-2015, 05:11 PM)Vas Deferens Wrote: Weather really isnt that bad in the winter.  Snow out here is nothing since its so dry, melts within a couple of days.

This just is not true.

December is not the worst month, but the weather can be brutal in the winter.

I have tickets to this game as well. Can't wait to watch Dalton v Osweiller.

(06-30-2015, 09:36 AM)Ben Richards Wrote: I have tickets to this game as well.  Can't wait to watch Dalton v Osweiller.  

You mean McCarron v Osweiller.

(06-29-2015, 04:34 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Thanks for the tips. One of the big concerns I have though is that we are going in Decemeber, so I know the weather is going to be snowy and cold. Is it still cool to Hike and go see the outdoorsy stuff in these conditions you think? 

I really wish we were going in the summer months. I want to go to a concert at Red Rock so bad. 

No one was playing when I went there, so I got to get a view from the stage as well as the bowl.  That place is absolutely stunning!

(06-30-2015, 12:28 AM)fredtoast Wrote: This just is not true.

December is not the worst month, but the weather can be brutal in the winter.

what's the worst month then fred?  how brutal can it be?  is it more often brutal than not?  please inform me.