Denver/Boulder - Where to stay/What to do

[ItsOnlyMoney]

The hubs & I are taking his grandmother to Louisville, Colorado this weekend to see her sister. We want to go do something for part of the weekend. Not sure where or what. We are looking for suggestions on where to stay & what to do. There's some sort of festival in Boulder this weekend. The Boulder Creek Festival I think it is. Any suggestions on must-see attractions?

We don't care if we stay in Denver or Boulder. Looked at the Alps Boulder Canyon Inn. Anyone ever stay there? There are plenty of chain hotels in the area, but we were thinking maybe someone would know of something off the beaten path that has some character.

 

[twotonevert]

If you stay in Denver, drop down to Colorado Springs, about and hour, and go see Pikes Peak. Awesome place.

 

[jstaylor62]

Boulder is an old hippie town, so be prepared to fight off panhandlers.
A tour of the Coors brewery is pretty interesting. The Buffalo Bill Museum on Lookout Mountain is pretty cool.
A Rockies game is fun. If you like sushi, try the Sushi Den in Denver.
In Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak at this time of year is pretty nice. COG Railway is a pretty cool ride.

 

[tRidiot]

Wife and I got engaged there... the place is hippie heaven, for sure. Christian Scientology reading rooms, etc. It's very pretty... lots of fun to just wander downtown and take it all in. The beautiful trout streams running through downtown, etc.

Can't remember any specific things to do, but I would not suggest Turley's for dinner, unless you're into buffalo burgers, scrambled tofu and wheatgrass juice. That was the place my wife proposed, and from now on it will always be "our place", but it's more a joke than anything.

 

[Shriner]

Go to Blackhawk
Drive in the mountains
Go to Fairplay to the ghosttown
Go see the Valley of the Gods
See the Mint
See the AF academy

 

[JB Books]

Drive up to Estes Park and see the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley Hotel is there.

As far as Denver goes, lots of nice hotels. The Brown Palace is nice, so is the Ritz Carlton.

 

[John Zane]

I am headed that way and leaving Thursday morning. I will be staying at Ft. Carson with daughter and son-in-law. I was told to see Valley of the Gods. Been to Royal Gourge last trip, never been to pikes peek yet. I will be riding the Vrod. Love the ride.

 

[Cohiba]

When you're in Boulder, drive a few more miles to Golden....and take the tour of the Coors beer company......if they still offer it.

Cohiba

 

[BadgerLB]

Drive up to Estes Park and see the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Stanley Hotel is there.

As far as Denver goes, lots of nice hotels. The Brown Palace is nice, so is the Ritz Carlton.

This... even though JB has a camp there.

 

[sesh]

The Golden Hotel is pretty cool and Golden is a pretty cool place to hang out. Go check out Gunsmoke If you want entertainment on the cheap check out any of the Jefferson County Open Space Parks, my favorite is Mount Falcon park. Go check out the RedRocks amphitheater, really cool, although there are probably some high school graduations being held there this weekend. Rockies games are always fun, I'm taking the fam to the day game on Memorial Day. Denver Zoo is pretty cool and I hear the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is better, haven't checked it out yet. Or go downtown and wander the 16th Street Mall for some interesting people watching and some good restaurants around there.