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My partner + I just spent three days in Denver, and I thought I'd put a little itinerary here for my future self to refer back to (+ just in case anyone else might benefit in any way). :)
It's always a good idea to think through why we are going + how we want our time to feel before we plan a trip. In our case, we went because it's where + when James + Johnny Marr were playing. We wanted our time to feel relaxed + fun. We wanted to spend time outdoors, to eat good food + to think through our intentions for the year ahead together. We used to live in Denver + have visited plenty since, so we didn't feel the need to see or experience everything the city has to offer.
:: Day 1 ::
We arrived around lunchtime + drove straight to Stowaway Kitchen. After sharing a salmon bowl, we walked around the RiNo Art District + stopped in at Recital + Patagonia. From there, it was a short drive to Confluence Park (we parked at REI) where we walked along the South Platte River. (Next time we'll check out the Arkins Promenade.) We especially loved seeing the community gardens where there was a box of free food hanging on the gate for those who might need it!
For dinner, we stopped at a favorite spot, Vital Root. I cannot get over the flavors of their savory waffle with sungold tomatoes, cherry chutney + roasted corn puree! The entire menu is gluten-free, which is a real treat for me!
It's always a good idea to think through why we are going + how we want our time to feel before we plan a trip. In our case, we went because it's where + when James + Johnny Marr were playing. We wanted our time to feel relaxed + fun. We wanted to spend time outdoors, to eat good food + to think through our intentions for the year ahead together. We used to live in Denver + have visited plenty since, so we didn't feel the need to see or experience everything the city has to offer.
:: Day 1 ::
We arrived around lunchtime + drove straight to Stowaway Kitchen. After sharing a salmon bowl, we walked around the RiNo Art District + stopped in at Recital + Patagonia. From there, it was a short drive to Confluence Park (we parked at REI) where we walked along the South Platte River. (Next time we'll check out the Arkins Promenade.) We especially loved seeing the community gardens where there was a box of free food hanging on the gate for those who might need it!
For dinner, we stopped at a favorite spot, Vital Root. I cannot get over the flavors of their savory waffle with sungold tomatoes, cherry chutney + roasted corn puree! The entire menu is gluten-free, which is a real treat for me!
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:: Day 2 ::
We had an unhurried morning + made our way to Crema for chai/coffee + a gluten-free, sweet potato waffle (one of the only gf options - but very tasty). We brought our journals + spent some time writing + chatting about our intentions for the year to come. It was so nice outside on their little back patio, and we enjoyed this time immensely.
When we felt ready, we walked over to Denver Central Market for lunch. There are a number of vendors there + we chose to split a salad + açai bowl from Green Seed Market. I would love my kitchen to be full of fresh fruits + vegetables (+ not much else) like Green Seed. We sat at the picnic tables out back + enjoyed the shade of the umbrellas + the breeze.
Our plan was to either ride bikeshare bikes or walk around Washington Park, but it started to rain. So we did a little shop hopping to La Lovely Vintage, Homebody, + Yucca (ducking into the bustling Common Threads Consignment when the rain started in earnest). We revisited Vital Root for dinner (sharing a falafel wrap + beet lemonade) + then headed to the concert. We had so much fun singing our hearts out to songs we've been singing our hearts out to for years. And years. :)
We had an unhurried morning + made our way to Crema for chai/coffee + a gluten-free, sweet potato waffle (one of the only gf options - but very tasty). We brought our journals + spent some time writing + chatting about our intentions for the year to come. It was so nice outside on their little back patio, and we enjoyed this time immensely.
When we felt ready, we walked over to Denver Central Market for lunch. There are a number of vendors there + we chose to split a salad + açai bowl from Green Seed Market. I would love my kitchen to be full of fresh fruits + vegetables (+ not much else) like Green Seed. We sat at the picnic tables out back + enjoyed the shade of the umbrellas + the breeze.
Our plan was to either ride bikeshare bikes or walk around Washington Park, but it started to rain. So we did a little shop hopping to La Lovely Vintage, Homebody, + Yucca (ducking into the bustling Common Threads Consignment when the rain started in earnest). We revisited Vital Root for dinner (sharing a falafel wrap + beet lemonade) + then headed to the concert. We had so much fun singing our hearts out to songs we've been singing our hearts out to for years. And years. :)
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:: Day 3 ::
I ended up feeling a bit under the weather overnight + into day 3, so (again, instead of riding bikes) we headed to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. It felt nice by this time to escape the traffic + to see nothing but golden fields stretching to the foothills (at times) on this chemical weapons manufacturing site turned wildlife preserve. Yeah. It is a thought provoking slow ride. We were able to see buffalo, deer, prairie dogs, hawks, starlings and a coyote!
I napped my way back into the city where we shared a salad at Farm + Market. They grow much of what they serve in house...which is pretty amazing to see! The rest of the afternoon was spent at Crema talking through plans for the weeks to come toward some of our intentions.
It was a really good little trip with some good reminders for us. I often feel the urge to make a trip "worth it" by seeing as much as possible. The default for us is usually scenery + shops. When we consciously think about it, however, we recognize our preference for having two or three simple, immersive experiences like lingering over a good meal or walking a (doesn't-have-to-be-too-long) trail.
This time we got it right + just spent a lot of time savoring conversation + connection. And that was truly the point.
Love,
Jane
I ended up feeling a bit under the weather overnight + into day 3, so (again, instead of riding bikes) we headed to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. It felt nice by this time to escape the traffic + to see nothing but golden fields stretching to the foothills (at times) on this chemical weapons manufacturing site turned wildlife preserve. Yeah. It is a thought provoking slow ride. We were able to see buffalo, deer, prairie dogs, hawks, starlings and a coyote!
I napped my way back into the city where we shared a salad at Farm + Market. They grow much of what they serve in house...which is pretty amazing to see! The rest of the afternoon was spent at Crema talking through plans for the weeks to come toward some of our intentions.
It was a really good little trip with some good reminders for us. I often feel the urge to make a trip "worth it" by seeing as much as possible. The default for us is usually scenery + shops. When we consciously think about it, however, we recognize our preference for having two or three simple, immersive experiences like lingering over a good meal or walking a (doesn't-have-to-be-too-long) trail.
This time we got it right + just spent a lot of time savoring conversation + connection. And that was truly the point.
Love,
Jane
