Perched atop a hill overlooking the stunning scenery of Estes Park, the Stanley Hotel holds court as one of Colorado’s most notable historic hotels. The sprawling, stately hotel, built in 1909, was the inspiration for Stephen King’s scary book “The Shining.” The author got the idea for his novel while staying in Room 217, where … Read more
Savvy servers are pouring wines and discussing them knowledgeably in wine bars proliferating in Colorado. Order them by the glass, by the bottle or by flight — small pours of several wines, enabling you to compare several vintages from a single vineyard or the same type of wine from different regions or produced in different … Read more
Now that Colorado’s heat wave is in full swing, you’ll encounter a raft of Denver-area restaurants with terrific al fresco dining opportunities. Whether you’re pining for creekside picnic tables or rooftop decks affording sweeping Rocky Mountains views, there’s a smorgasbord of scene-stealing scenery to last all summer long. Bear Creek Tavern Folksy, denim-clad, stubble-chinned revelers … Read more
Sixty-hour work weeks do not promote good health or a balanced lifestyle. My husband and I were mentally weary and physically spent. We knew we needed some “me” and “we” time. Now here is the “kicker.” We only had one night for our quick getaway. How could we possibly feel relaxed and restored in one … Read more
Denver, one of the nation’s capitals for microbrew beers, also has a burgeoning wine industry. Although most of the state’s vineyards are on the Western Slope, more than a dozen wineries operate tasting rooms in the Denver area where visitors can sample award-winning vintages. And note this: You can buy wine from wineries on Sundays, … Read more
It’s mid-morning on a Tuesday when I find myself succumbing to another Lucile’s lure. A buttermilk biscuit, to be precise, coupled with an oversized mug of foamy house made Chai. I’ve been a fixture at the Creole joint for three days running, plunking myself down at the bar and making myself fat on butter, beignets, … Read more
Every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon, beginning in the spring, the Boulder Farmers’ Market transforms 13th Street in downtown Boulder into a vibrant open-air marketplace. The market brings friends and neighbors together to browse through heaping baskets of rainbow chard, mounds of deep red, gold and purple beets, piles of vine-ripened tomatoes, and now, in … Read more
Taylor Hutchison, a tall 22-year-old in blue jeans and a flannel shirt, is reciting one of his original compositions at the microphone on a raised stage in the corner of The Folsom Street Coffee Co. in Boulder. “Maybe if I wrote in bold my ideas would be bigger.” The crowd nods, laughs or applauds as … Read more
Its breathtaking setting certainly deserves the title, but Estes Park is not really a park ? At least not in the typical sense of the word. In geologic lingo, “park” describes a glacially cut, level valley between mountain ranges. And this is exactly where this picturesque hamlet is located. Estes Park, Colorado, is nestled in … Read more
Colorado’s summer heat beats down on wilting trees, and the flowers are in full bloom. What better way to spend an easy afternoon than sitting under a shady tree or umbrella and sipping a cool beverage and munching tasty snacks. Old town Longmont is host to several patios ideal for letting the day go. Here … Read more