Carrie's Guidebook
Sightseeing
One of our favorite places to send guest. Truly remarkable scenery. 30-40 min drive
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdOne of our favorite places to send guest. Truly remarkable scenery. 30-40 min drive
Castlewood Canyon State Park
2989 CO-83Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo RdWe think it’s even better than the Denver zoo!
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado BlvdAlways a family favorite.
Manitou Cliff Dwellings
10 Cliff RdFascinating cliff dwelling example just 30 minutes away.
The Incline
The InclineA terrific workout right in Manitou Springs. Bring lots of water.
Parker (ranked one of the best places to live in the US) is a quaint “cowboy” town located 30 minutes south of Denver. It still offers all of the charm of the old west along with great restaurants and shopping. Check it out!
20 locals recommend
Parker
Parker (ranked one of the best places to live in the US) is a quaint “cowboy” town located 30 minutes south of Denver. It still offers all of the charm of the old west along with great restaurants and shopping. Check it out!
Pretty much the most amazing venue for outdoor concerts in the world. 40 mins away.
1973 locals recommend
Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda ParkwayPretty much the most amazing venue for outdoor concerts in the world. 40 mins away.
While we’re not “in” the mountains, as a family we’re up skiing all the time in Keystone and Breckinridge and the carriage house can totally be a ski trip launch pad (particularly if you want to do it as a day trip). The trick is to be up and on the go EARLY (530AM) which gets you ahead of the traffic and puts you on the slopes right around 8:30AM when the lift lines usually open. We usually wrap up our day around 2PM and hit the road back to beat the traffic (which can be brutal on weekends).
272 locals recommend
Keystone Resort
100 Dercum SquareWhile we’re not “in” the mountains, as a family we’re up skiing all the time in Keystone and Breckinridge and the carriage house can totally be a ski trip launch pad (particularly if you want to do it as a day trip). The trick is to be up and on the go EARLY (530AM) which gets you ahead of the traffic and puts you on the slopes right around 8:30AM when the lift lines usually open. We usually wrap up our day around 2PM and hit the road back to beat the traffic (which can be brutal on weekends).
If you want world class white water rafting, you’ve come to the right state. We love the rafting on the Arkansas River - about 2 hours away in Canon City, CO. We’ve used River Runners and their guided trips down the Royal Gorge are awesome.
12 locals recommend
River Runners at the Royal Gorge
44641 US-50If you want world class white water rafting, you’ve come to the right state. We love the rafting on the Arkansas River - about 2 hours away in Canon City, CO. We’ve used River Runners and their guided trips down the Royal Gorge are awesome.
An incredible day trip about 3 hours away. Sand Dunes is like being transported to another world. Be sure to check out the sled rentals nearby.
265 locals recommend
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
An incredible day trip about 3 hours away. Sand Dunes is like being transported to another world. Be sure to check out the sled rentals nearby.
Great for kids and families - particularly if they’re into fossils and dinosaurs. You can prospect for your own fossil specimens. We’ve gone a couple of times and the kids love it! Cash only for the admittance fee (and bring water).
7 locals recommend
Florissant Fossil Quarry
18117 Teller County Rd 1Great for kids and families - particularly if they’re into fossils and dinosaurs. You can prospect for your own fossil specimens. We’ve gone a couple of times and the kids love it! Cash only for the admittance fee (and bring water).
Neighborhoods
This is our neighborhood. We’re nestled at a nice elevation amongst the pines. You have amazing views of the mountain and abundant wildlife. We love it here.
The Pinery
This is our neighborhood. We’re nestled at a nice elevation amongst the pines. You have amazing views of the mountain and abundant wildlife. We love it here.
Our other “home town”. Castle Rock is spectacular, from the amazing landscapes (more like AZ) to the bustling food and shopping scene, you can’t beat this little town.
39 locals recommend
Castle Rock
Our other “home town”. Castle Rock is spectacular, from the amazing landscapes (more like AZ) to the bustling food and shopping scene, you can’t beat this little town.
Food scene
Trestles Coastal Cuisine
880 West Happy Canyon RoadAmazing seafood and our go-to date place.
La Loma Castle Rock
6361 Promenade ParkwayAmazing Mexican food.
Quintessential dive bar with an eclectic mix of locals from bikers, to cowboys (and cowgirls) to suburbanites - great place for a beer and their wings are great!
6 locals recommend
Stagecoach
2077 CO-83Quintessential dive bar with an eclectic mix of locals from bikers, to cowboys (and cowgirls) to suburbanites - great place for a beer and their wings are great!
Tailgate Tavern & Grill
19552 MainstreetGreat local sports bar and live music venue.
Fika Coffee House
19559 MainstreetGreat little local coffee place in downtown Parker.
Another location for our favorite local coffee place - fantastic views of the mountains.
21 locals recommend
Fika Coffee House
19559 MainstreetAnother location for our favorite local coffee place - fantastic views of the mountains.
Closer to downtown Denver but one of our favorites. It’s like a indoor food-truck scene with a great bar overlooking the city.
651 locals recommend
Avanti Food and Beverage
3200 North Pecos StreetCloser to downtown Denver but one of our favorites. It’s like a indoor food-truck scene with a great bar overlooking the city.
Best sushi in Denver! Definitely call ahead for reservations. The whole Pearl Street food and bar scene is a ton of fun.
328 locals recommend
Sushi Den
1487 S Pearl StBest sushi in Denver! Definitely call ahead for reservations. The whole Pearl Street food and bar scene is a ton of fun.
The Egg & I Restaurants
18901 MainstreetOur “go to” breakfast/brunch place.
Denver Central Market
8500 Peña BlvdA downtown Denver favorite. Lots to choose from!
Amazing hibachi. Our kids love it when they cook the food right there in front of you. It’s quite a show!
Mt Fuji Hibachi & Sushi
18260 Lincoln AveAmazing hibachi. Our kids love it when they cook the food right there in front of you. It’s quite a show!
Truly classic old hotel in downtown Denver. We love the old school bar (and their manhattans are awesome).
70 locals recommend
Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th StTruly classic old hotel in downtown Denver. We love the old school bar (and their manhattans are awesome).
Great area in downtown Denver with good concentration of restaurants and bars.
287 locals recommend
Larimer Square
1430 Larimer StGreat area in downtown Denver with good concentration of restaurants and bars.
Sierra
10680 Cabela DrGreat wood-fired grill inspired menu and terrific views. It never disappoints.
Fantastic Mexican food close by. Everything is homemade. Try their green chili!
6 locals recommend
Adriana's Mexican Restaurant
7272 CO-86Fantastic Mexican food close by. Everything is homemade. Try their green chili!
Shopping!
Some of our favorites for retail therapy.
Chic Couture
7600 Park Meadows DrOne of my favorite boutiques. Awesome collection of designer clothes.
A truly eclectic shopping experience in Castle Rock.
34 locals recommend
The Barn Antiques and Specialty Shops
400 Third StA truly eclectic shopping experience in Castle Rock.
The Emporium
200 Perry StAnother great place to shop in Castle Rock.
Outlets at Castle Rock
5050 Factory Shops BlvdFantastic outlet shopping near our home.