Between its businesses, hotels, restaurants and attractions, Denver is one of America’s most dynamic cities. Worth is breaking down all the places you need to see, eat at or invest in when you visit.
Businesses
Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership is the connective tissue between development, tourism and business entities in the core of the city. It’s a great source of information for entrepreneurs and investors. 1515 Arapahoe St., Tower 3, Suite 100, 303.534.6161, [email protected], downtowndenver.com
Investment Community of the Rockies (ICOR)
Real estate along Colorado’s Front Range, facing the southern Rockies, is a hot commodity, but there are still significant new projects in which to invest. ICOR connects developers, investors and property managers to help get deals done. 7120 E. Orchard Rd., #400, 970.682.4267, icorockies.com
Startup Colorado
Denver’s infrastructure boom has been paralleled by an expansion of its tech industry, with its attendant ecosystem of startups and venture capital firms. Backed by Silicon Valley Bank and the Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association, Startup Colorado connects investors and entrepreneurs in the region. builtincolorado.com
READ MORE: How to be a Business Leader and Remain Human
Hotels
The Crawford Hotel
The only hotel set in Union Station, this independent boutique property features rooms overlooking a grand atrium and amenities including a Tesla car service and craft beer tastings. From Denver International Airport, take the University of Colorado A Line to Union Station. The check-in desk is tucked off the station’s main lobby. 1701 Wynkoop St., 844.432.9374, thecrawfordhotel.com
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
Just steps away from Boulder’s Pearl Street, where unique boutiques, dynamic restaurants and street musicians converge, St. Julien is a luxe oasis of pampering and beauty. There are mountain views from most rooms, plush beds, excellent spa offerings and first-class service. The University of Colorado Boulder is within walking distance with its beautiful campus, terrific art museum and exciting Fiske Planetarium. 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720.406.9696, stjulien.com
The Ramble Hotel
A new 50-room boutique hotel in the RiNo neighborhood combines an industrial American feel with old-world European charm and beauty. Legendary New York cocktail purveyor Death & Co. runs the lobby bar as well as a breakfast and lunch café. 1280 25th St., 720.996.6300, theramblehotel.com
Four Seasons Hotel Denver
This downtown high-rise features a gorgeous rooftop pool, spa and exceptional fine dining at Edge restaurant. The hotel also offers a complimentary after-hours tour of the historic Molly Brown House Museum. 1111 14th St., 303.389.3000, fourseasons.com/denver
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
The grande dame of Denver hotels, this 127-year-old property has hosted VIPs ranging from the Beatles to all but two sitting presidents since Teddy Roosevelt. Look for the antique water fountains in the lobby with water from the hotel’s own artesian well. 321 17th St., 303.297.3111, brownpalace.com
The Oxford Hotel
In the heart of LoDo, the Oxford offers access to Coors Field and the redeveloped Union Station. The neighborhood abounds with restaurants and craft breweries, and nearby Confluence Park is a great starting point for activities along the South Platte River. 1600 17th St., 303.628.5400, theoxfordhotel.com
READ MORE: How Billionaires like Dan Gilbert Are Transforming American Downtowns
Restaurants
Call
The 900-square-foot café in RiNo has been recognized as one of the best restaurants in the U.S. for its snacking menu and ambiance. The aebleskivers, a Danish pancake puff served with ricotta and preserves, are not to be missed. 2845 Larimer St., 303.954.0230, call-denver.com
Denver Milk Market
The city’s newest food court offers a terrific mix of take-away and dine-in restaurants, bars and artisanal food options. There are 16 venues, from a salumeria to a bao station to a crepe maker. 1800 Wazee St., 303.792.8242, denvermilkmarket.com
The Family Jones
A stylish bar that distills its own spirits and offers small plates of yummy fare, from eggplant caponata toast to Berkshire pork tenderloin with pickled peach butter and bourbon-peach vin. There are guided tours of the distillery every Saturday. 3245 Osage St., 303.481.8185, thefamilyjones.co
Hearth & Dram
Set in the heart of Denver’s Union Station neighborhood, Hearth & Dram evokes the city’s Gold Rush past with a rustic but modern feel. There’s a seven-foot wood-fired grill churning out everything from ribeye minute steaks to “whole beast feasts,” a long marble-topped bar offering 450 varieties of whisky and a wall of windows to take it all in. 1801 Wewatta St., 303.623.0979, hearthanddram.com
The Infinite Monkey Theorem
An urban winery and wine bar, Infinite Monkey is a pioneer in Colorado winemaking with delicious offerings, a cool vibe in the heart of the hot RiNo district and a formidable operation on premises. 3200 Larimer St., 303.736.8376, theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com
The Nickel
A great spot to stop for a seasonal, locally sourced bite in the theater district. Housed in the former Denver Tramway Building, part of the city’s tramway network in the early 20th century, the café features the original vault that once collected the nickel fare from streetcar passengers. 1100 14th St., 720.889.2128, thenickeldenver.com
Mercantile Dining & Provision
Grab still-warm baked pastries for breakfast from this nouveau American spot inside Union Station. Or join local entrepreneurs for charcuterie-based lunches. After 5 p.m., a dinner menu features farm-fresh fare like fried local chicken and pan-roasted broccoli. 1701 Wynkoop St., 720.460.3733, mercantiledenver.com
Stoic & Genuine
Also set in Union Station, Stoic & Genuine boasts Denver’s freshest seafood, flown in daily. Belly up to the oyster bar or enjoy a fresh lobster roll on the patio overlooking the plaza. Not in the mood for seafood? The steaks here don’t disappoint. 1701 Wynkoop St., 303.640.3474, stoicandgenuine.com
Cholon Modern Asian
Formerly of New York hot spot Buddakan, chef Lon Symensma offers modern Asian flavors in downtown Denver. The restaurant’s casual-chic atmosphere complements its delectable small plates. The soup dumplings are outstanding. 1555 Blake St., Suite 101, 303.353.5223, cholon.com/denver
Acorn
With its contemporary American small-plate menu, Acorn has been a favorite among locals since opening in 2013. 3350 Brighton Blvd., 720.542.3721, denveracorn.com
Frasca Food & Wine
Make reservations early for this James Beard Award–winning Italian restaurant from master sommelier Bobby Stuckey and chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson. 1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.442.6966, frascafoodandwine.com
The Kitchen
Kimbal Musk’s farm-to-table neighborhood bistro serves up familiar favorites, like pasta bolognese and pork chops, in a relaxed setting. 1560 Wazee St., 303.623.3127, thekitchenbistros.com/location/the-kitchen-denver
Experiences
Colorado Rockies Baseball
Coors Field, home of the Rockies, opened in 1995 and helped kick off the development boom that has transformed downtown. Catch a game, and see where it all started. The private suites offer fantastic views, catering and free tickets to future games. 2001 Blake St., 303.292.0200, mlb.com/rockies
Denver Art Museum
A cultural anchor of downtown Denver, the art museum has one of the nation’s best collections of Native American art and western American art. 100 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy, 720.865.5000, denverartmuseum.org
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
One of the world’s finest outdoor concert venues—its acoustics are astounding—Red Rocks hosts the biggest bands on tour. 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, 720.865.2494, redrocksonline.com
