Since beginning our full-time journey to discover the country, we have found something to appreciate in every city and town we have passed through. We hope you enjoy reading about them as much as we have enjoyed discovering them!
No person, business or attraction has paid us for an endorsement.
Denver Colorado
Population: 715,878
Founded: 1858
Elevation: 5,280 feet above sea level
Average income: $40,997
Average price of housing: $660,000
Median age of the population: 35
https://www.denvergov.org
Geographically, Denver is located along the South Platte River on the western edge of the High Plains and the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. It is somewhat centered in the state north and south. Its nickname is the Mile High City because its elevation is exactly one mile, 5,280 feet above sea level. We also visited Arvada, Breckenridge, Fort Collins, Golden, Littleton and Morrison.
Home Base: The Campground
For us, a campground is not our destination. Our RV is self-contained. Rarely do we use campground services or amenities. We are explorers, not campground reviewers! We stayed on site 140 at Ridgeline Resort. This is actually a centrally located 55+ community housing and RV park in Denver. All except 8 sites are monthly or long-term. The community was clean. Very simple check in. Our full hook up (water-sewer-electric) site was on crushed stone. Each site has a small cement slab for lawn chairs. Sites are narrow and short. 30 and 50 amp service was available. There was good cell phone coverage (Verizon) and a good open southern sky for our satellite. It is very quiet. As previously stated, the campground is never our destination. It was convenient to all the things we wanted to see and experience.
Food and Drink
Rarely have we been in a place with as many good restaurants and food options. The restaurants were consistently amazing.
Arvada: Rheinlander Bakery is a European inspired German bakery in Olde Town Arvada with options including traditional, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and sugar free. We had strudels and cupcakes. Phenomenal!
Breckenridge: Down Stairs at Eric’s is a family friendly sports bar and restaurant. It offers a huge menu with pizza, burgers, salads and more. 30 beers on tap and 50 bottled beers. My pizza was a Greek version. Look for the “Colorado twist” of the crust.
Breckenridge: Mountain Top Cookie Shop is a small bakery offering a variety of filled and single cookies. The cookies are on the thinner, more crispy variety (as opposed to thick and soft!). Standard fare of chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar cookies and many other varieties! Gluten-free options.
Denver: Since 1937 Bastien’s Restaurant has been known for its thick-cut, sugar-rubbed steaks. The idea of sugar-rubbed steaks came from the original owner’s visit to Louisiana. Dave had the dry aged ribeye and I had the salmon. Food was good, service was impeccable. Thanks, Patrick!
Denver: Gaetano’s Restaurant is an old school, authentic Italian restaurant with retro ambience and historic vibes. It is rumored to be headquarters for mobsters! Everything is made to order! It is considered Denver’s BEST Restaurant! If you are lucky, you will have Noah as your server!
Denver: Postino’s Broadway is part of a chain, offering locations in Colorado, Texas, Georgia and Arizona. It feels local! A great variety of offerings for their bruschetta boards: Brie, Apple & Fig Spread, Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil, Prosciutto Di Parma, Warm Artichoke Spread (my favorite), Smoked Salmon & Pesto, Sweet N’ Spicy Pepper Jam & Goat Cheese, Burrata, Bacon, Arugula & Tomato (Dave’s favorite) and many, many more! Good food, relaxed atmosphere.
Denver: Sunnyside Supper Club offers casual dining, with great fresh dough topped with locally sourced ingredients and cooked in a hand-built brick oven. They make everything in house, including their mozzarella! Their menu changes with the growing season. Over 60 taps! Their logo: Pizza. Beer. Love. The pizza was really good!
Fort Collins: Lucile’s Creole Café. We had great warm beignets! Dave had the “Carlin County”, sausage gravy on a buttermilk biscuit, served with red beans and grits! I had peach pancakes made with Palisade peaches, “World-famous Colorado peaches”! Really good food.
Golden: Golden Mill is a unique dining experience! They have the only self-pour tap walls in the area with tons of delicious beverage choices including beer, wine, ciders, sake, and house-made cocktails! Barbeque, Mexican and sushi. Deck dining overlooking the Coors Factory. The Esquites? The best EVER!
Littleton: Palenque Cocina y Agaveria. A family owned Mexican Restaurant with great food. I have never had anything like the Camarones a la diabla. Dave’s dish included cactus, something we had never tried before! The guacamole and salsa were also excellent!
Attractions
There is a lot to see and experience in Denver and the surrounding area.
Breckenridge: At an elevation of 9,600 feet above sea level, Breckenridge is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Ten Mile Range. It’s known for its ski resort, year-round alpine activities and Gold Rush history. The downtown is quaint with a distinct personality of the former Victorian core of this former mining town. Most of Main Street is on the National Historic District, with colorfully painted buildings from the 1880s and ’90s housing shops, galleries and restaurants. Smaller, two-level brick “malls” abound. During the winter you can literally ski into downtown or ski to the many free gondolas to the top of the 12,998 foot mountain.
Golden: Lookout Mountain is the tallest peak in Golden, at 7,377 feet above sea level. You can hike or drive to the peak (we drove!). On the day we were there, there were clear views of the Rocky Mountains, the city of Denver in the distance and beyond. Being able to see beyond the airport, we figured we could see 60-70 miles away! Lookout Mountain is also the burial site of “Buffalo Bill” Cody and home of a Museum about his life. It is well worth the drive! The cover photo was taken from Lookout Mountain.
Morrison: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is located about 10 miles west of Denver and is at 6,450 ft. above sea level. It is an open air amphitheater built into towering red rocks. From the north, you can see the transitional zone where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. It totally deserves its 4.9 rating by 43,982 reviewers! This place was amazing!
Fun Facts
Did you know, population wise, Denver is the smallest city in the country with four major professional sports teams: Denver Broncos (football), Denver Nuggets (basketball), Colorado Rockies (baseball) and Colorado Avalanche (hockey)?
Did you know or ever wonder why people throw coins on “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s grave on the top of Lookout Mountain in Colorado? In 1923 a group of Lakota led by Spotted Weasel, a former performer with Buffalo Bills’ Wild West Show, visited the grave. They put Indian head nickels on Buffalo Bill’s grave to honor him. The tradition of putting coins on the grave has continued ever since.
Summary
We had always heard about the effects of higher altitudes. We did not understand at all! It really does take 3-4 days to acclimate to the higher altitude! We only experienced a fraction of what there was to see and do in this area. There is always next time!
Your partners in travel,
Kathryn, Dave and Lucky
RVing Nomads
It’s a lifestyle
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If you haven’t checked out our Special Places & Recommendations page, please do so. If you are in these areas, you may find these places as enjoyable and rewarding as we did!