CO, United States

outdoors

Gold Camp Road

One of my all time favorite places to hike! Trails for bikers and walkers, not much for rock climbers but a great time for anyone. Beautiful sight seeing of lush mountains, Colorado Springs, and manitou Springs. Breathtaking views that make a great outdoor experience.

Colorado Springs, CO

outdoors

Garden of the Gods Road

One of the most popular spots for tourists and locals alike to hike trails, see some wildlife, and rock climb! These massive red rocks are beautiful and there seems to be an endless amount of designated trails to take. Perfect for all ages. But be warned, it is a pretty poppin’ tourist spot so you may have to find the right time to go.

Colorado Springs, CO

restaurants

Coquette's Bistro & Bakery

Great gluten free bistro/bakery even if you’re not celiac! The food is actually some of the best food I’ve ever had and I was skeptical because of it all being gluten free. Make sure you grab a baked good on your way out! Their most popular cupcake is called Lemon Raspberry cupcake and it’s filled with a lemon custard ! Soooooo freaking good !

Denver, CO

bar • restaurants

Highland Tap and Burger

Great variety of food here. We ordered chips & guac and nachos for the table, which were really yummy. I ordered a spicy turkey burger that had pepper jack cheese, guac, and jalapeños! Very very good. Their house cut fries were super good too! Definitely a tasty little joint if you’re around the Highlands.

Denver, CO

restaurants

Uncle

Our team was super stoked to try some local food joints in Denver when we first arrived for our team trip. Uncle was the first place we wanted to try out and we’re pretty hyped up about it because it looked like it would be really good. When we got there, it was PACKED (on a Monday) and the wait was going to be really long. We didn’t want to wait in the cold for long so we decided to hit up a nearby bar and order take out from Uncle instead since the wait for takeout (yes a wait for takeout) was shorter anyways. Brought the food home, and was very pleased with how good the ramen was! The long line makes sense now. I had the spicy chicken ramen and it was so freaking good. I could have just drank the broth by itself. Very yummy and worth the wait!

Denver, CO

bar • restaurants

Linger

Known for their really cool rooftop that has a food truck and a ginormous neon sign that says “Linger”, this spot was a must stop on our team trip. Wait staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about menu items. We started off with their “Devil’s on Horseback” which is basically medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon... OMG AMAZING! My main entree was the Bento Lunch Box with Siracha Teriyaki Chicken. The box included a Power Grain Salad, Crunchy Thai Slaw & Sesame Peanut Dressing, Gochujang Edamame (spicy), and a Coconut Macaroon 😍 Lots of flavors going on. Great food and experience!

Denver, CO

bar • restaurants

Señor Bear

Ended up coming to this restaurant/bar by accident. Was waiting for takeout at another restaurant and decided to stop by somewhere to get drinks. What a great accident! Firstly, the interior of this place is super cute! The greenery hanging over the bar held up by wooden fixture added a nice touch. Overall, loved the atmosphere. The cocktail list is impressive and quite unique. The bartenders are truly artists in their craft and seeing them design drinks up close was pretty cool. I had 2 of their top shelf margaritas and they were very very good! Definitely a cool experience and great place to get a craft cocktail.

Golden, CO

bar

Golden Moon Speak

Awesome speakeasy in Golden, Colorado. For someone who’s very very new to drinking craft cocktails, I am always hesitant about trying something new because I’m a little bitch when it comes to the taste of liquor lol. But we picked the perfect place for me to be adventurous with it. I was suggested to try the “Radio Maxwell” as my first drink- which I believe was Viollette, Picon, and cherry shrub (absolutely no idea what they are lol). SO good. SO thankful it didn’t suck lol. I hate sending a drink back because I don’t personally like it so I usually worry about that when trying out a new craft cocktail. Great experience for me here though. Wish we didn’t come so late or I would have ordered another!

Golden, CO

restaurants

Sherpa House Restaurant and Culture Center

Himalayan cuisine in a cozy restaurant covered in authentic Nepal souvenirs and decor. Started with the garlic Naan which was super yummy. I couldn’t decide what to try so I opted for the Appetizer Platter to get a little bit of this and that. Included: Vegetable Samosa, Paneer Pakora, Salmon Pakora, plain naan and 2 chicken momo. Cool experience and authentic taste. Photo Cred: @midwest.munchies (IG)

Denver, CO

restaurants

Little Man Ice Cream

I’ve heard this popular place is basically world famous for their Icecream. Locals have even said there is usually a line wrapping around the nearby restaurants and buildings of people waiting to get their hands on their dessert. Thankfully, there were no lines when we came ( late afternoon on a Tuesday)! The workers are friendly and let you try samples out. Not a huge list of flavors, but the ones they do have are FIRE. Horchata, Cookie Monster red velvet ice cream sandwich- the works. I chose the Salted Oreo flavor and it was sooooooo good! Pretty surprised at how strong the salty flavor was but it was perfect with the chunks of Oreos. Big fan.

Denver, CO

restaurants

Safta Restaurant

Where to begin?? Safta is one of the 3 (?) other restaurants located in the marketplace/hall “The Source”. We started off with pita bread and hummus and HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE BEST PITA BREAD EVER! Our entire team couldn’t stop eating it and agreeing that it was the best pita bread ever. Seriously, it was a convo throughout the night lol. The kitchen is very open and exposed which is nice to see how they prepare everything. We had 3 courses which included the pita and mushroom hummus, falafels, lamb meatballs, crispy eggplant, a dish I can’t remember but was super good (a tomato base sauce with spinach and medium egg), and finished off with a giant lamb shank (pictured above). So tasty. It’s very clear that every detail was well thought out with every ingredient and dish. Our team had a wonderful time here that was the perfect way to end our trip. If you check out their own recs, you’ll probably see the same.

Denver, CO

bar

The Cruise Room

Located in The Oxford Hotel (Denver’s oldest), this swanky Bar was opened ONE DAY after the repeal of prohibition in 1933. I actually checked it out during a “haunted” bar crawl in Denver and this was one of my fave stops! Very jazzy and upscale feel with vintage Art Deco design. Fun fact: The actual bar room itself is designed in the shape of a wine bottle! Look up and you’ll be able to trace it with your eyes. Bartenders are friendly and helpful with whatever taste you’re into.

Manitou Springs, CO

restaurants

Crystal Park Cantina

Best Mexican food and margaritas! Located in Manitou Springs in a hidden spot so you’ll need directions for sure. I tried several Mexican places there but this one surpasses them alllll. Has that authentic flare you need and want!

Colorado Springs, CO

restaurants

Phantom Canyon Brewing Company

Such a cool place for beer, food, darts, pool, and socializing in general! Great selection of craft and local brews. Definitely recommend getting a beer flight to try different ones out. I had a burger and their sweet potato tater tots and it was delicious! :)

Denver, CO

restaurants

Snooze an A.M. Eatery

Best breakfast place everrrrrr! I always make it a goal of mine to eat here at least once any time I’m in Denver- and you should too! Definitely one of the most popular breakfast places but actually worth the wait. Mid century modern decor with delicious food selection. They rotate their seasonal pancakes but if you’re there and see the cinnamon roll pancake, don’t even think about it, just order it! You’ll thank me later. I still dream about it to this day.

Denver, CO

restaurants

Jelly Cafe

Retro breakfast spot with vintage cereal boxes as decor! Fun little place with great food. Make sure you try the specialty donut holes!

Denver, CO

bar

Denver Union Station

Not only useful for transportation, this train station comes alive at night! Great place to socialize and lounge with some craft cocktails and even play some games with coworkers after work, friends, etc. Perfect for some classy hangs at a really cool and iconic spot.

Denver, CO

bar • experience

Punch Bowl Social Denver

OK this is a literal adult playground! Bowling, Darts, kareoke, games, food, and cocktails! Great for groups and socializing and letting your inner child out to play (but this time with booze!). They actually serve literal punch bowls for groups to share boozy bevies while enjoying all of the various types of entertainment. The decor is super unique and eclectic. Definitely a good time when you’re looking for a fun night out without the hectic and messy bar hopping.

Denver, CO

bar • restaurants

D Bar Denver

“D” stands for “Dessert” in D Bar. This is my kind of place! They serve lunch and dinner as well but that’s besides the point. The real reason to come here is their gourmet selection of desserts and pairing with cocktails! This place is a sweets-lover’s dream 😍 No shame in my dessert game! 📸 (IG): @denverfoodqueens

Denver, CO

experience

River North Art District

Miles of beautiful artwork to admire alongside buildings in RiNo art district. You can even find some of the more hidden ones in between alleyways (not as scary sounding as it sounds lol). Could literally walk around for hours! Perfect for that insta-worthy photo . See if you can find the Stranger Things Murals!

Denver, CO

restaurants

Lime Pavilions

Awesome American cantina with delicious margaritas and endless choices of tequila. Homemade chips and salsa is amazing and even their frozen margs are strong! Delicious food, great decor, and cool atmosphere with garage windows that open up so you can have your dinner overlooking the hustle and bustle of 16th Street below. Also, they give complimentary tequila shots in lime halves after your meal! One of my faves when coming to Denver. Photo cred: @5280scene (IG)

Colorado Springs, CO

cafe

Amy's Donuts

Literally the best donut shop EVER. HUGE variety and selection of unique and funky flavors. Pretty much any topping combination you can imagine lol (cheap too!) You will not be disappointed! Photo Cred: @mollygoare (IG)

Colorado Springs, CO

restaurants

The Skirted Heifer

The name makes you giggle,but the food is bomb! This small burger joint has been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives! Their speciality is a skirted heifer burger (obvi), which is a unique way they make a cheeseburger. It’s pretty much melted/fried cheese around the patty- hence the “skirted” part. Very unique and tasty! Local and farm raised beef as well as the rest of their ingredients. They also have yummy frozen custard which seems to be a popular thing in Colorado.

Colorado Springs, CO

restaurants

The Rabbit Hole

One of the most unique dining experiences and atmospheres- even by the way of getting to the restaurant itself! The entrance is one of the coolest I’ve ever seen. Walk downtown CoSprings and you’ll see what looks like a classic red telephone booth that has a neon sign reading “The Rabbit Hole”. Once you enter, you are directed down stairs almost like an NYC subway station. This leads you to the entrance of the underground, Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant/bar! Definitely an upscale spot, but super creative and unique experience. The drink menus say “drink me” and has AIW themed drinks like “the white rabbit” and “The Mad Hatter” , etc etc.

Colorado Springs, CO

restaurants

Shuga's

My fave little hip/trendy, eclectic and artsy, bistro. A hot spot for locals and a must see for visitors. Unique drink and food menu. Their jalapeño mac n cheese is fireeeeee. My fave drink was Adult Juice box 😋 Photo Cred: @acouplewithmunchies (IG)