Mona's Restaurant, 2364 15th Street, Denver, 303/455-4503. Best Orange Brioche French Toast. Quaint, excellent food. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Check their website for complete menu. www.monasrestaurant.com

Posted By Shirley on November 26, 2007, 12:33 PM

For a nice dinner I would highly recommend Rioja Restaurant located in Laramier Square. It is a favorite local restaurant with a menu that is unbelievable no matter what the season. To make a reservation go to www.opentable.com where you can also see other restaruants available and search by price and location in Denver.

Posted By Samantha Staggs on November 26, 2007, 12:47 PM

Try something different for lunch or dinner. Denver has a thriving Ethiopian community, so check out any of the Ethiopian restaurants along East Colfax (Habesha, Africana, and others) or Arada on Santa Fe.

Posted By Pat Tucci on November 26, 2007, 12:48 PM

There are many cool neighborhoods in Denver...
One people like to go to for dinners, shopping and walking around is Cherry Creek - in between 1st and 3rd Aves & Josephine and Steele.
The new Denver Art Museum post-modern addition is a must-see cultural activity!
If you want more art there is also the new MCA/Denver (Museum Contemporary Art) in LoDo - 15th Ave.
LoDo has lots of dining & coffee spots.
Hopefully you'll have nice weather - you never know!

Posted By Tina on November 26, 2007, 12:48 PM

For Denver breakfast you mustn't miss 'Snooze'! It's in the Ballpark area north of downtown. I was in Denver for a weekend at the end of October and we liked Snooze so much we went back even though it was way out of our way. The owner is delightful and gave us great travel tips. I recommend the corned beef hash. http://www.snoozedenver.com/

Posted By Martha on November 26, 2007, 12:53 PM

Common Grounds is a nice relaxed cafe located in the Highlands neighborhood, it's a good morning stop. Visiting Waterloo, El Noa Noa, or Papau's Pizza for lunch will satisfy your mid-day hunger. Carmines on Penn and Cafe Brazil offer unique dinning and you'll walk out very pleased. Check out the Botanical Garden's Christmas lights while you're in town to.

Posted By Kesha on November 26, 2007, 1:01 PM

I hope you plan to go skiing while you're there! If you don't wan't to drive all the way out I-70 to the big name resorts, Eldora is close to Boulder and Loveland is on the Denver side of the mountains.

Posted By John on November 26, 2007, 1:33 PM

Explore Denver's light rail system. We have used it repeatedly to get downtown from Centennial to that famous bookstore "The Tattered Cover". It is very convenient and easy to use.

Posted By Geoff on November 26, 2007, 1:35 PM

Tattered Cover is one of the country's best independent bookstores and it's downtown on 16th. I was very happy to find them OPEN at 6:30 am on a recent business trip. They have a coffee shop with a great turkey, blue cheese & pear sandwich on cranberry walnut bread.

Posted By Robin on November 26, 2007, 2:01 PM

By all means, make use of the wonderful FREE trolly that runs continuously along the Pedestrian Mall. All cities should have such.

Posted By JoAnn on November 26, 2007, 2:41 PM

Go to the Brown Palace hotel for afternoon tea, and a tour of this amazing historical hotel.
For the best chocolate ever- go to Fifth Avenue Cocolatiere and get a box of the truffles. They literally melt in your mouth!
(220 Steele St. Cherry Creek North)

Posted By Jane Roser on November 26, 2007, 2:53 PM

The 16th St. bus is surprisingly useful for getting around town, use it when possible. It's fast and comes often.

For dinner, I recommend Ocean in Cherry Creek. Not cheap but a great experience, delic. food and top service.

Oceanaire, right in downtown, is also good but this is apparently a national chain.

Try to hit the very new Contemporary Art Museum; the Molly Brown house is skippable.

Posted By Rayna on November 26, 2007, 2:55 PM

I'm not sure what part of Denver you'll be in but here are a few favorites from a native:

1. Beautiful atmosphere and delicious tidbits await you at http://www.the9thdoor.com/ a tapas restaurant in Lower Downtown (aka LoDo). CubaCuba has an excellent reputation and is a fun restaurant to try out.

2. I will second the recommendation for Mona's (near 15th and Platte downtown). Just around the corner from there on Platte is a great little spice store, a lovely little gift store and a great wine store (north of 15th) and a fantastic REI flagship store (south of 15th). There's a Proto's pizza in the same block north of 15th that I like a lot.

3. Malls: If you are up for some shopping, the Cherry Creek Mall is a nice option close to Downtown with North Cherry Creek being a big zone of boutiques and upscale restaurants nearby. Newer suburban malls are Flatirons (between Denver and Boulder on the NW side of town) and Park Meadows (south, near Denver Tech Center).

4. Depending on when you are coming in January, one of the flagship events that time of year is the National Western Stockshow. If you have any cowgirl tendencies at all, it might be fun to check out. Even if that doesn't hold your interest, we keep our Christmas light display lit for those 2 weeks for visitors to enjoy at the City and County Buildings.

5. The Highlands has been mentioned already and it's a great little restaurant area a short cab ride out of Denver (32nd and Lowell).

Enjoy! If you have time to get up to the mountains but not ski, you might enjoy Georgetown. It's a little Victorian mining town with fun architecture/historical buildings not far up I70.

Posted By Peggy on November 26, 2007, 3:05 PM

Do not miss Rockmount Ranch Wear. It is right down town. You will meet the 106-year-old CEO who is there in the mornings and you will be able to buy from a major western outfitter to the movies, stars and even to the presidents. Even a city slicker like me enjoyed it.

Posted By jee on November 26, 2007, 3:11 PM

Thought of some other things...

5280 Magazine is a wealth of Denver information and they have a really good restaurant search engine:
http://www.5280.com/

One other shopping option since this is for Budget Travel: Colorado Mills is an indoor outlet mall on the west side of town. You could stop on your way to Georgetown. :)

Posted By Peggy on November 26, 2007, 3:36 PM

Downtown does a great job of lighting for the holidays, and the lights stay up through most of January. For that, I recommend Larimer Square, the 16th Street Mall, or Skyline Park on Arapahoe Street from 15th to 18th.

We have lots of interesting neighborhoods: 32nd Avenue at Lowell Street; Tennyson Street from 40th to 45th; South Pearl Street near Platte Park; South Gaylord Street near Washington Park; and Platte Street off of 15th, to name a few.

If you're in South Denver, Kaladi Brothers on East Evans Avenue has great coffee.

If you happen to be traveling somewhere that is near a station, our light rail system is fast, clean, and inexpensive.

Posted By Chris on November 26, 2007, 3:51 PM

For a little excitement for brunch, try the Bump and Grind, (439 E. 17th ave) A rainbowed interior filled with pop art and collectibles, a bar lined with baked goods and barbie dolls. During the week, the Bump and Grind is merely a coffee shop. No stuffed bras or wigs- the staff dresses "regular." But on weekends the kitchen opens up and the waitstaff shuffles about in heels. And the staff entertains...we ordered two Cokes and were promptly served two lines of sweet white stuff (which was remarkable like Sweet n Low) and a Suzanne Summers poetry book to reflect upon.

Posted By Marilyn Cook on November 26, 2007, 4:33 PM

For a great weekend brunch you should definitely head to Bump n' Grind. The servers dress in drag, the food is fantastic and organic and there are fun little toys on the table. It is great fun!

Posted By Jessica on November 26, 2007, 4:35 PM

Take a walk (or drive) passed some of Denver's historic mansions:

• start with the Governor's Mansion at 8th & Pearl (only open for tours in the summer),
• continue around the corner to the Grant-Humphreys Mansion (770 Pennsylvania), and
• then travel east along 7th Avenue Parkway through the 7th Avenue Historic District (Denver's largest historic district), all the way to the Botanic Gardens (10th & Josephine), or Cherry Creek North (mentioned in posts above).

Don't miss the mansions backing to Cheeseman Park along Humboldt St (from 8th Ave to 12th Ave) and Race Street (8th to 9th, part of Morgan's Historical District which continues for 3 blocks between 8th & 9th.)

If that's not enough, drop down to the Country Club Historic Neighborhood which is north of Speer Boulevard and south 4th Ave, east of Downing to west of University. All told, this is one of the most impressive collections of historic homes, from a variety of architecture styles, of anywhere in the country.

Posted By Chan on November 26, 2007, 5:13 PM

If you get a chance to see a concert at the Fillmore Auditorium on Clarkson Street, I highly suggest visiting the bar across the street called, Sancho's Broken Arrow. The neighborhood is a bit sketchy looking, but the bar is full of decades worth of concert mementos from the Grateful Dead, Phish, and the like.

Posted By Karla on November 26, 2007, 5:41 PM

Colorado is an absolutely fabulous place to visit and the mountains are a big part of the show! If you have access to a car a short drive from Denver will put you in some of the most scenic areas of the country. The drive to the top of Mt. Evans or over the Trail Ridge Rd. are both gorgeous. Check before you go, they both have times when they are closed in the winter! Bring your camera and enjoy!

Posted By NANCY MEAD on November 26, 2007, 9:07 PM

We went during the summer and decided to try the Rocky Mountain Grill or Diner. We read it had been featured on Rachael Ray. We were not disappointed. It was delicious.

Posted By Casey on November 26, 2007, 9:58 PM

I was in Denver a few months ago, and had the best meal that I'd had in quite a while at Piatti. Not only is the food amazing, but the wine was good, and excellent service. The area that its in is also cute with several other restaurants and higher end shops.

Also..if you like candles, Breaking the Mold Candle Company is based in Colorado..and they make amazing candles in different shapes. check them out online www.breakingthemold.com they have a couple of locations..and they'll ship as well!!

Denver's a great city, have fun!

Posted By Jessica on November 26, 2007, 10:11 PM

One of my favorite restaurants is Steuben's on 17th Ave near Downtown. (http://www.steubens.com) Steuben's serves comfort food at its best (try the gravy fries--pure indulgence!) Delicious ingredients and innovative spins on the classics. Located in a great neighborhood--Uptown--you can take a pleasant walk after your yummy meal. Located near Bump & Grind (mentioned above) and the Tattered Cover and Wax Trax on Colfax. Check out Marczyk's market just down the street too.(www.marczykfinefoods.com)

Posted By Susie Fitzgerald on November 27, 2007, 12:14 PM

Hello!

Glad to hear you're coming to our wonderful city. For some real funkyness, try Paris on the Platte, on 15th and Platte for great coffee, which is very close to LODO. Also for great food, great service, and real Denver charm, don't miss Bastien's on Colfax, home of the sugar steak -my favorite. Also a stroll down Tennyson street, between 38th and 44th shouldn't be missed.
Enjoy!

Posted By Najah Lightfoot Bagley on November 27, 2007, 2:32 PM

To get a real feel of the Rocky Mountain West without leaving Denver, visit historic downtown Golden, home of the 2 Hour Vacation. You'll find independent shops, restaurants, galleries, unusual museums,and the Coors Brewery, all surrounded by the gorgeous foothills. Plenty of outdoor recreation abounds, centered on the Clear Creek which runs right through town. Biking, hiking, kayaking and fishing are all available year round. Located only 20 minutes from downtown Denver, Golden makes you feel like you've had a refreshing vacation, even if it's only 2 hours long. Details at www.2HourVacation.com.

Posted By Deborah on November 27, 2007, 5:23 PM

The Colorado History Museum (13th and Broadway) is a great first stop to get to know Colorado and is right across from the Denver Public Library and Denver Art Museum. Adult admission for the entire museum is only $7. The museum has engaging historical exhibits and there is also a store with Colorado inspired gifts. On Saturdays, they offer a free family program, Let's Make History, plus children 12 and under get free museum admission on Saturdays. Check www.coloradohistory.org for the info.

Posted By Rebecca on November 27, 2007, 5:59 PM

As mentioned above, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA DENVER) has recently opened a new building designed by British architect David Adjaye. This building is on track to be the first museum in the United States to receive gold-level LEED certification. The museum is the city's first institution devoted entirely to contemporary art, and they inaugurated their new environmentally sustainable facility with an Inaugural exhibition entitled STAR POWER: Museum as Body Electric, and four permanent commissions. The opening exhibition, STAR POWER: Museum as Body Electric, curated by Cydney Payton, MCA DENVER's Executive Director and Chief Curator, features nine emerging and established artists from seven countries including: Carlos Amorales (Mexico), David Altmejd (Canada), Candice Breitz (South Africa), Rangi Kipa (New Zealand), Wangechi Mutu (Kenya), Chris Ofili (Trinidad), Collier Schorr (United States) and Tim Noble and Sue Webster (United Kingdom).
MCA DENVER is located at 1485 Delgany on the corner of 15th Street and Delgany, DENVER, CO. Tel. +1-303-298-7554. Museum hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10:00AM to 6:00PM, Friday 10:00AM to 10:00PM and Saturday and Sundays 10:00AM to 6:00PM. The Museum is closed on Mondays. General admission to the Museum is $10.00, senior tickets are $5.00. MCA DENVER offers $1 off admission to visitors who come to the Museum via public transportation. K-12 students and children under the age of 5 are admitted free.

Posted By Daniele Robson on November 27, 2007, 6:51 PM

I wouldn't recommend it for the food, but Casa Bonita is unlike any restaurant you'll ever see. It's an absolute don't miss for kids, especially. There are cliff divers and fire jugglers and much much more! Stop in for a margarita and/or dessert.

Posted By Janet on November 27, 2007, 7:50 PM

There's a great new cafe called Generous Servings opening next week at 3801 West 32nd Avenue in the West Highlands neighborhood. Homemade pastries and coffee in a fun neighborhood. For an added treat Happy Cakes Cupcake Bakeshop is right next door. You can wander down 32nd St. and browse at all the fun shops. It's just a short drive from downtown and a world away. Definitely more fun than a cookie cutter chain.

Posted By Sheila on November 28, 2007, 9:53 AM

If you would like to explore a little further north of Denver the Radisson Graystone Castle is a renown and unique location. It truly looks like a Castle and features beautifully decorated sleeping rooms with all of the amenities. Karaoke on Thursdays in Jester's is a blast with Happy Hour specials. Dining in Jester's Restaurant on a Friday night is a must for Seafood lovers. The Seafood Buffet is out of this world with all you can eat crab legs, peel and eat shrimp, oysters and mussels on the half shell, prime rib and much, much more! The Champagne Brunch on Sundays is a favorite for locals and features made to order omelets, waffles, pancakes, egg dishes, assorted breakfast meats, prime rib, crab legs, shrimp and much too much to mention here. Call 800-422-7699 for reservations for rooms or restaurant. The Radisson Graystone Castle also provides a daily complimentary breakfast buffet for every registered guest and free airport shuttle service, 7am-10pm, based upon availability. You can't go wrong with a vacation at the "Castle".

Posted By Janice Leger on November 28, 2007, 12:23 PM

I live in Denver and a total budget traveler who likes to know the local affordable spots.

Authentic near-downtown tacqueria: El Taco de Mexico, 7th & Santa Fe, the real deal...

Great green chile: La Mexicana, 2538 W. 32nd, come on -- you're in the southwest...

Best vegetarian restaurant: Watercourse Foods, 17th & Emerson, try the seitan french dip and a thick soy ice cream shake...

For a quick lunch bite: Takis japanese, East Colfax & Logan, full plate of Yakisoba & Tofu is just over $5, compliment with a $2 bowl of miso ginger soup...

Local winter hiking: Roxborough State Park, 25 minutes southwest of Denver, very similar to the famous Red Rocks park but with no roads; go on a sunny blue sky day and hike the main loop and you'll have sun, sky, red rock and fresh snow...

Downtown walk: on a sunny day find yourself down by confluence park (merging of Cherry Creek & Platte River where the Arapaho and Cheyenne made seasonal camps) or walk the nice stretch of the bike/walk path just south of the horrid cherry creek mall

Don'ts: Please avoid Casa Bonita at all costs; lots of folks recommend the Highland neighborhood but don't mention the corporatization and homogenization of the area and how it used to be an Italian neighborhood, then Chicano but developers have come in and displaced much of that real culture; if you like high prices and expensive on-street parking by all means go to Cherry Creek...

Posted By Mark on November 28, 2007, 1:55 PM

For years, I got the best and cheapest French meals at Le Central, near 9th and Lincoln. Menu is written on the blackboard and all of it is very inexpensive. Try the escargot in wine-cheese sauce cooked in puff pastry. Reasonable portions with good veggies, great sauces on the meats and fish and leave room for desert. Good wine selection as well.

Posted By Malcolm on November 28, 2007, 2:20 PM

If you are a sushi lover, don't leave without trying Sushi Sasa and tell the owner, Wayne, that Dyan sent you. It is simply the best, the freshest, and the prettiest. There's a few different things to try too but skip the lichee martini :)

Also Dim Sum is great at a place over on Federal & Alameda, next to the Asian supermarket. It kind on sits in the middle of the parking lot and look divey but is really good on Sundays. Darn, I can't remember the name though...

Posted By Dyan on November 29, 2007, 4:34 PM

If you are in South Denver in the University of Denver neighborhood Kaladi Coffee is great. If you've never had Chipotle this is the city it was born. About one block from Kaladi's on East Evans is the original Chipotle. City Grill on Colfax makes great burgers. Duo Restaurant is nice for dinners, it's located on W 32nd Ave. Trinity Grill near the Brown Palace is a nice lunch spot and has equally good dinner. Il Posto is a nice Italian dinner.

For fun treats for pet's check out the Three Dog Bakery, they have two locations, one in Cherry Creek and one in the Tech Ctr off Belleview.

Posted By Andrea on November 30, 2007, 3:49 PM

I'd like to "me too" the recommendations for breakfast at Bump & Grind - excellent, and very amusing on the weekends.

For lunch or dinner, if you enjoy good scotch, you MUST go to Pint's Pub at 13th and Bannock. They claim to have the world's largest selection of scotch outside of Scotland, and it is truly an impressive selection. Plus, their food is quite good.

If you happen to be here on the first Friday of the month, check out Denver's First Friday events, where many of the art galleries (very high concentration on Santa Fe) stay open until 10:00 and have openings as well as snacks. It's a pretty big event in Denver.

Posted By Kim on December 3, 2007, 1:10 PM

Things about Denver that stand out as great experiences. . .

1) Cherry Creek Farmers� Market
There are probably places in Denver more picturesque than the parking lot of Bed, Bath & Beyond. All the same, the corner of 1st and University comes to life April to November each Saturday morning with unique energy and great offerings, ranging from the freshest of produce to near-restaurant stalls of gourmet aspiration. I have so often enjoyed the 45 minute walk along the bike path from my home, to stroll with a cup of Starbucks accompanying my sampling�both in fact and in observation�of the morning market. There are better peaches and corn than Colorado�s fields create, but I have not discovered them, and would imagine that few have.

2) Glendale�s Fireworks
I was taking a pre-Wrangler nap one Saturday evening when I heard the world explode outside my apartment. Little had I known that my balcony would provide such a close up view of this town-within-Denver�s pyrotechnics whenever Glendale chose to celebrate. Later, as the tower across the street blocked some of the rockets� red glare, the north end of my property still framed a town square�s vista of the bursts�and I need only drag a pool chair into the parking lot to experience an update of a Norman Rockwell moment. Still not quite sure why Glendale exists, but its fireworks colorfully underscore its insular autonomy.

3) Sunday Beer Bust at The Wrangler
A decade later, each weekend draws hundreds in what might be the best assemblage of gay men on a Sunday anywhere in the country. Denver�s weather cooperates to create a weekly outside cocktail party of sorts, with this charity event drenched in four hours of volunteer-poured beer. Seldom has generosity been so social or beer soaked. Of special note is a bar that has managed in its 11th year to be one of the country�s most enduring gay gathering spots, with two of Denver�s most intriguing bathrooms within its walls. And of course, Chris Dawkins, its owner, deserves special thanks for keeping the bar fresh, and fostering noteworthy generosity to numerous community causes his efforts subsidize.

4) 17th Avenue, between Race and Vine
This is my favorite block in Denver, on a street that just gets better and better. This particular block, with its Thai and Italian restaurants, The Thin Man bar, and St. Mark�s coffeehouse, spills out onto the sidewalk in Denver�s fine weather, and provides a launch for a great progressive dinner date: A cocktail at The Thin Man, Tom Kha Gai soup at the Thai bistro, pasta and a bottle of wine at Il Posto, and after dinner coffee at St. Mark�s. We did such an evening in August, only to have a midnight bike ride provide a glorious end to a memorable crawl�hundreds of cyclists whirring past, flashlights strapped to handlebars to light the way ahead.

5) A Massage with Christopher Latham
I�ve enjoyed massages on four continents, but Christopher still ranks among the best anywhere. While it seems a shame to keep your eyes closed during the experience�Chris resembles a well-built Viking�he manages to unkink my knots with remarkable capability. A massage this week reminds me that I need to practice this kind of preventative maintenance with greater regularity, wherever I am, but I will miss the quality of Christopher�s consummately professional skill in having me feel kneaded.

6) Patsy�s Inn
Recently, readers of Travel+Leisure ranked Denver first for athletically attractive people, and last for ethnic food. Fair enough, but few out-of-towners discover this unassuming place, Denver�s oldest Italian restaurant. If they had, they might conclude that bad food is illegal in this neighborhood off 38th Avenue, and I have never had anything here I didn�t thoroughly enjoy. It�s the kind of restaurant Billy Joel envisioned with its bottle of red and bottle of white, one devoid of any pretense. The homemade Pasta Puttanesca is remarkable, and you�d think the mussels died a glorious death from being drowned in butter.

7) Colorado Public Radio
Yes, the fundraising drives are annoying and all too frequent, but the programming and interesting commentary that accompanies the classical music here really brings the history to life. Rodrigo�s Concerto de Aranjuez is moving, whatever the context, but who can listen to it the same way after discovering that the blind composer wrote its trademark Adagio while his wife recovered from a miscarriage, the memory of their honeymoon in Aranjuez inspiring the soulful texture of what might be the most played classical guitar piece in the world. CPR�s approachable mix of classics, together with nimble insight into what makes it special, distinguishes this station from others.

8) The Burgers at City Grille
No less of a source than USAToday called the hamburgers at this Capitol Hill dive some of the best in the nation. Who am I to argue? My favorite is the City Grille burger, made with Buffalo�perfectly cooked, with pillowy buns from Blue Point Bakery embracing the cheese, bacon, Caesar dressing and pleasantly gamy meat. The fries, particularly good when fresh from the kitchen, are a great accompaniment�cardiologist be damned. I suppose a glass of red wine might help, but a draft beer from an extensive list here is my usual choice. The usually briskly haphazard service will have you appreciate the food all the more. . .

9) The drive down Belleview, facing west
People who�ve never been to Denver before assume that the mountains are closer; the convention and visitors� marketing folks obscure the third of the state that resembles Kansas, and a Denver landscape that is flatter than Manhattan. All the same, exiting I-25 and driving down Belleview to the west on a clear day redeems these fudges�the Rockies spreading to fill the horizon with snow-capped perfection against a typically near-purple western sky. Belleview, indeed.

10) The best weather in the country, that no one knows about.
When I left Chicago for Denver in 2002, people took special care to �warn� me about Denver�s weather. Yes, from Chicago, no less. . .What stays inexplicably a secret about Denver to the rest of the world is how glorious our weather is here�310 sunny days a year, more than Miami or San Diego, and a usual lack of humidity that makes winter afternoons and summer mornings/evenings such a pleasure. Of course, our weather is wonderful except when it is not�witness the six weeks of ice coated streets and tundra that wrapped Denver from late December to early February last year. Still, everywhere has its weather challenges, and on the balance, Denver has it better than most anywhere else.

Honorable mentions here would include numerous other restaurants�from Duo west of downtown to Rioja on Larimer Square�Denver�s increasingly interesting group of art museums, the necklace of parks and paths that connect my neighborhood to Cherry Creek North and Downtown, and of course our quirky mayor, whose enduring popularity is a testament to personality�s role in defying political gravity in the face of uneven performance.

Posted By Dave on December 3, 2007, 11:00 PM

While certain local boosters see the city as a contender for "Paris of the Plains" and cringe at any hint of "cowtown" character, there is no denying Denver's heritage as a major livestock market. That still gives the city a certain Western frontier mystique, epitomized by the National Western Stock Show in January. This is the largest event of its kind in the world. You can meet honest-to-goodness cowboys, attend rodeo events, buy a ten-gallon hat or hand-tooled saddle, and even watch a prize-winning steer be auctioned off in the opulent lobby of the Brown Palace Hotel.

With railroads playing such an important role in Western expansion, the Forney Museum of Transportation is another interesting place to explore. This somewhat eccentric collection features more than 500 exhibits, including actual train engines and cars, model railroads, and historic automobiles.

The Denver Public Library is also worth a stop, with one of the country's largest collection of Western art and photography. The 7th and 5th floor galleries feature rotating exhibits, and visitors can pore over digitized versions of the library's more than 600,000 historic photos, and even order prints to take home.

Denver's dining scene has really come into its own in recent years. A wonderful spot for a casual lunchtime nosh is Parisi's on 44th & Tennsyson, an up-and-coming neighborhood on the city's Northwest side. You can drop in the market for an authentic Florentine snack or meal. If you come back in the evening, the downstairs dining room will allow you to experience a fantastic Tuscan meal in a cozy, romantic setting.

Best restaurants in town include Fruition, Solera and Table6, which all feature New American cuisine. None of these are open for lunch. Restaurant Aix is a lovely little French Bistro in the Uptown neighborhood that offers an amazing series of small plates for $5 each from 5-7 every night.

For breakfast, Watercourse is a the top of the list. This vegetarian restaurant is popular with everyone from vegans to omnivores for its egg/tofu scrambles and meat-free biscuits and gravy.

Posted By Anya on December 4, 2007, 11:35 AM

I recently compiled a ridiculously long list for wedding guests coming from out of town. It has virtually everything to do (or at least everything I think is WORTH doing). Shopping... dining... fun stuff. Enjoy!

http://www.opieproductions.com/wedding/thingstodoindenver.htm

Posted By Shawn Harris on December 4, 2007, 11:37 AM

No one mentioned Andres so far- a neat little Swiss or Austrian Restaurant that serves an all inclusive lunch, i.e., choice of coffee, cappucino, tea, etc, two choices of swiss or austrian food each day, and many selections of pastries, tarts, cakes, etc., all made on premises. Not far from Cherry Creek Mall. Owner and Chef Bruno

Posted By Sally on December 4, 2007, 12:39 PM

i didn't read thru all the comments above, so if this is repetitive my apologies. i highly recommend Z Cuisine for a relatively inexpensive French bistro dinner. the wines are great, the owner/chef is very personable and also very French, and the food is tasty. it's an intimate haunt, with maybe 7 tables (most of them 2 tops) in a now sleepy, but emerging gem of a neighborhood called LoHi. it's located at 30th + wyandot.

it might also be cool to grab a glass of wine on the rooftop cafe at the newly completed Museum of Contemporary Art | Denver, which was designed by London rising star, David Adjaye. the museum is at 15th + Delgany streets.

Posted By celeste on December 4, 2007, 7:33 PM

Great hike west of Denver, any time of year, is The Apex Trail, behind Heritage Square, a recreated victorian village west of Denver. The hike follows an old Indian footpath and stage trail and is very beautiful. It is a 3 hr. or so "out and back" adventure. Visit downtown Golden afterwards. Have a beer at the Ace High, shop the big drug store there (forgot name and I lived 2 blocks away! argh) and have lunch. Fun stuff!

Posted By Deborah (Mohr) Neely on December 10, 2007, 1:28 PM

A jewel that Denver offers, and I guess most locals take for granted, is the wonderful hiking/bike paths that honeycomb thru out Denver. The paths connect many of the parks and greenbelts that exist in the city. The terrain is mostly flat so one does not have to be in great shape to use it. You can see wildlife and enjoy a tranquil break from a busy city within the city itself. The best source to access this is obtaining the "Bicycling Metro Denver Route Map" either thru one of the local bookstores or thru the Denver Bicycle Touring Club (www.dbtc.org). Enjoy!

Posted By Phil on December 16, 2007, 9:27 AM

If you're going to be in Denver in January it could be snowing or warm enough to play golf, so if you have a nice sunny day get outside because it could drop 40 degrees the next. I agree with visiting Golden as a nice little jaunt outside of town for lunch (and, of course, a Coors Tour if so inclined), but would also recommend Golden Gate Canyon State Park for a little hike or go up to Red Rocks. There is hiking around the amphitheater, a museum and restaurant (don't know about the food since I haven't eaten there), plus a great view of Denver (http://www.redrocksonline.com/index.asp).

If you are visiting early in January the Denver Zoo (http://www.denverzoo.org)and Denver Botanic Gardens (http://www.botanicgardens.org/pageinpage/blossomsoflight.cfm) will still have their lights up for the holidays. Bundle up and enjoy a visit before dinner in Cherry Creek, downtown or other places in between recommended by others. If you want one of the best burgers in town for lunch then definitely go to the Cherry Cricket in North Cherry Creek (http://www.cherrycricket.com). You can walk it off by strolling around the high-end shopping district or walk a couple of blocks to the indoor Cherry Creek Mall (both mentioned in several postings). I highly recommend an evening at the National Western Stock Show (http://www.nationalwestern.com). If you haven't seen cute cowboys in tight Wranglers trying to stay on the back of a very ticked off bull it is worth the price of admission. Go early so you can walk around the pens where competing livestock are cared for before shows while munching on fair fare. I'm surprised no one mentioned the Denver Mint (http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/mint_facilities/index.cfm?action=DV_facilities). It may not be the most exciting tour, but one of only two mints (Philly being the other) in the country that stamp coins. You'll need a reservation, so get a late tour. The lights of the Capitol and City and County Building should be on when you finish. You can walk across the park, grab the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle at Broadway and enjoy an evening downtown. There are two shopping malls along the way with various restaurants, bars, and shops filling the space in between. Stop and have a happy hour glass of wine at Marlowe's (http://www.marlowesdenver.com), a martini in the haunted Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel (http://www.theoxfordhotel.com/cruise-room.html) or go all the way down to Wynkoop St. and have a beer at the Wynkoop Brewery where our Mayor made his living before politics (http://www.wynkoop.com). After dinner you can hop into a horse drawn carriage and explore LoDo at a slower pace. Breakfast at Snooze, a visit to the Denver museums and Library as recommended by others can round out your downtown day.

Visiting some of the neighborhoods mentioned could fill your day 3, and would add the Sushi Den as a dining option on South Pearl Street. You don't need to leave town for a skiing experience. Ruby Hill (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/14/ruby-hill-park-to-again-get-a-winter-sports) will be open for skiing, riding and sledding and it's free! It's mostly geared toward kids, but can be fun to watch what they can do. I would recommend spending the afternoon in City Park. You can walk around the park, play golf, enjoy the Denver Nature and Science Museum complete with IMAX (http://www.dmns.org/main/en/), or go to the Zoo. From there you can cruise down 6th to the Wings Over the Rockies Museum (http://www.wingsmuseum.org). If you're more into art galleries and an eclectic afternoon I would recommend the Golden Triangle and Lincoln Park areas near downtown. Good places to grab some lunch in these areas. Hope this is informative and you enjoy Denver!

Posted By Michelle on December 17, 2007, 3:00 PM

A couple people have mentioned it, but the Denver Art Museum is a nice way to spend a few hours. The Hamilton Wing was opened in October 2006 and is a Daniel Liebeskind design. DAM is showing "Treasures of the Louvre" until January. Check the museum's website to see if it's still in town while you're here. Otherwise, the museum offers two of the most extensive collections of Latin American and pre-Columbian art anywhere in the world.

For a tasty/casual lunch or dinner, head over to My Brother's Bar at 15th and Little Raven (next door to the REI flagship store). They have some of the best burgers in town.

In the same neighborhood is The Downtown Aquarium. Though it's no longer owned and operated by the city/county of Denver (Landry's Seafood Company Bought it two or three years ago), it's a neat attraction for a land-locked state. It features Sumatran tigers and playful river otters.

East Colfax is undergoing a renaissance of sorts and has become quite the popular hang out spot for throngs of Denver twenty-, thirty-, and forty-somethings. For a coffee break, try Hooked on Colfax, a coffee house/bookstore loved by many locals (between Adams and Steele). On the same block are three popular bars with great food (two of them owned by our beloved mayor): The Atomic Cowboy, Goosetown Tavern and Mezcal (which has any type of tequila you'll ever want to try.). West of here is the flagship Tattered Cover(moved from its original Cherry Creek North location and converted from an old theater last year). You could spend hours browsing. East of Colorado Blvd. at Elm St. is Geez Louise, a quirky coffee shop with a popular mannequin mascot who sports a different look every week (this is the second Louise as the original was kidnapped this summer).

If you're a sports fan, Denver's your town. Catch an Avalanche or Nuggets game at the Pepsi Center. For even more fun, get caught up in the excitement of the Univ. of Denver/Colorado College hockey rivalry. The second series of the season usually takes place in January.

So much to do, so little time! Hope you have fun while you're here.

Posted By Tom on December 17, 2007, 5:39 PM

I have to give another nod to the Highlands neighborhood. It's just moments from downtown. Very trendy with lots of boutique-style shops. Ideal way to spend an afternoon. We stopped into Meade street for lunch then found Happy Cakes Bakeshop, Denver's only cupcake bakery. Being from New York I love cupcakes. The shop was very eligant and cute, the cupcakes were awsome. GREAT FIND!!!!!
Afterwards we went to Golden to tour the Coors Factory.

Posted By Christy on January 19, 2008, 4:44 PM