Wake up at the Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, an independent hotel in the heart of the Cherry Creek shopping district, open your shades and stare in awe at the sight of the soaring Rocky Mountains. After listening to the Stones on your in-room record player, enjoy grab-and-go pastries, fruit and handmade coffees at the Kitchen Counter, a complimentary benefit for booking this SELECT hotel through our agency.
Enjoy the fresh, clear mountain air with a morning stroll in the Denver Botanic Gardens. As you meander along the gravel and stone paths, you'll pass thousands of plant species from across the globe, from cacti to rainforest orchids, as well as a Japanese garden and a giant orange- and red-glass Chihuly sculpture. Breathe deeply along the way, acclimating your lungs to the local oxygen level and to appreciate the scents of the vibrant botanicals around you.
In the late afternoon light, you may not fully appreciate the famous twinkling lights of Larimer Square, the city's first historic district, but you will definitely love the quaint 19th-century ambiance, boutique shops, Prohibition-era speakeasy and restaurant patios packed with friendly faces. Spend the next hour leisurely browsing eclectic shops: we recommend checking out the fedoras and cadet hats at the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop, as well as the vintage rings at Victoriana Antique & Fine Jewelry.
Now it's time to enjoy one of Denver's most entertaining culinary trends: the food hall. Walk a few blocks over to the Denver Milk Market, a spacious food hall featuring 13 restaurants, three bars and an artisan food market - all wrapped up in a festive, communal atmosphere. While some of the businesses rotate, you can't go wrong with the fish and chips at Albina by the Sea, the Mother Cluckers chicken tenders at Lou's Hot & Naked or the Superfood Specialty Salad at the Green Huntsman.
With your appetite for cuisine fully satiated, next it's time to slake your thirst for art. On to the Denver Art Museum (DAM), a staggering architectural monument to design and creativity at the center of the Golden Triangle Creative District. Home to a massive collection of Native and Western American art, the DAM also houses numerous masterpieces, including Claude Monet's Waterlilies and Winslow Homer's Two Figures by the Sea.
It's now time to have some fun, so venture over to Punch Bowl Social, a growing national chain that first set roots here in Denver in 2012. Think of this as an energy boost, for the funky, fun vibe here will definitely raise both your adrenaline levels and the corners of your mouth. Between rounds of local brews and handcrafted cocktails - typically served by tattooed barkeeps - you can choose your own adventure: will it be bowling, shuffleboard, bocce, ping-pong, karaoke or old school arcade games?
You can't leave the Denver area without visiting Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Hopefully there's a film, event or concert on the night you visit - the iconic venue has hosted everyone from The Beatles and The Grateful Dead to Radiohead and Daft Punk - for there is no better place to soak in the mountain scene while enjoying high-quality entertainment. The 868-acre park is open to the public one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset every day of the year, so find yourself a comfortable rock to sit on and enjoy a sunset you'll never forget.
End the night back at the Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, where you can take advantage of the 50 USD credit to the hotel's underground cocktail club that you received for booking this SELECT hotel through our agency. This grown-up speakeasy is hidden from the public by an unmarked door with a single light above it, but we know how to get you a reservation. The talented bartenders inside will create a unique drink based on your preference.
