A Local’s Guide to Colorado: Where I’d Send Clients After Years of Living in Denver

Stay in Denver before heading to the mountains

I almost always recommend spending a night in Denver before or after mountain travel, especially if arriving late or during winter. Union Station, walkable neighborhoods, Red Rocks, and good restaurants make for a softer landing—and it avoids stressful airport-to-mountain transfers after long flights.

Experience Red Rocks beyond a concert

Red Rocks is worth visiting even without tickets, but concerts here genuinely feel magical. Go early in the morning and you’ll see locals training on the stairs or working out while the sun rises. It’s one of those places that reminds you Colorado residents build their lives around being outside.

Skip the busiest mountain towns and try Devil’s Thumb Ranch

I recommend Devil’s Thumb constantly because it feels distinctly Colorado without requiring Aspen-level budgets or crowds. Guests can cross-country ski, snowshoe, horseback ride, mountain bike, soak in hot tubs, book spa treatments, or simply sit outside watching deer move through the valley.

Hike—but avoid assuming the most famous trails are the best

Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful, but some of my favorite Colorado memories happened elsewhere. Sky Pond remains unforgettable, though I’d also encourage travelers to explore lesser-known hikes, San Juan National Forest, or mountain areas farther from Denver if they want more solitude.

Drive Guanella Pass or the Million Dollar Highway

Colorado is one of the few places where the drive becomes part of the experience. Guanella Pass is accessible from Denver; the Million Dollar Highway in southwest Colorado is dramatic, beautiful, and worth planning around.

Make time for hot springs

Visitors often come only for skiing, but Colorado’s hot springs deserve entire trips. Dunton Hot Springs remains one of the most memorable places I’ve experienced—restorative, quiet, and deeply connected to the landscape.

Visit Crested Butte

I’m almost hesitant to mention Crested Butte because I selfishly don’t want it to lose what makes it special. Historic buildings, wildflowers, hiking, and slower energy make it one of my favorite Colorado mountain towns to simply wander.

Build in one experience that feels unusual

Horseback riding to Tennessee Pass Cookhouse for dinner. Snowmobiling. Riding the Winter Park Ski Train. Ice caves near Rifle Falls. Colorado shines when trips include something beyond standard sightseeing.

• Annette, Aurora/Stanley Marketplace: One of my favorite recommendations near Denver. Thoughtful food without feeling overly formal and consistently worth the drive.

• Tavernetta, Denver: Excellent for visitors wanting a polished dinner before heading into the mountains or after returning. Convenient near Union Station and often a safe recommendation for travelers celebrating something.

• Devil’s Food Bakery, Denver: Feels local. Cozy. The kind of place I’d send someone wanting a slower Denver morning.

• Wolf’s Tailor, Denver: For travelers prioritizing food experiences, tasting menus, and Michelin recognition.

• Campfire dining or ranch meals: Some of my most memorable Colorado meals weren’t in cities. Ranch dinners, outdoor cookhouses, and mountain lodges often feel more distinctly Colorado than upscale restaurants.

• Local breweries after hiking: “Hike then brewery” honestly feels like a Colorado rite of passage. Craft beer culture is everywhere.