Located in Denver’s hip RiNo Art District, this 165-room hotel opened in the summer of 2021 and is every bit a product of its vibrant neighborhood. The rooms have well-stocked kitchens, colorful shared spaces inspiring creativity and connection, and dogs are welcome. Don’t miss the rooftop bar: It takes the Mile High City a little bit higher.

This 172-room, dog-friendly hotel is part of the Dairy Block micro-district, a warren of boutique shops, galleries, and coworking spaces bisected by a picturesque alleyway in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood. Guests can grab a free happy hour drink from the vintage Airstream camper in the lobby or choose from numerous other bars and restaurants without leaving the block.

Tivoli Brewing, Denver’s first brewery, was founded in 1859. Tivoli closed in 1969 but was brought back to life in 2012—albeit after a student union for three local universities had already moved in. Now, study groups and lager lovers mingle in the historic space.

When visiting TRVE Brewing, you’ll be greeted by a blast of heavy metal as you open the door. The interior is lit by electric candles, and the long-haired, tattooed staff is no gimmick: TRVE’s commitment to the bit is clear with its Strange Gateways black lager.

The Source Hotel is a former iron factory turned chic hotel, restaurant, and shopping complex. As an appetizer, peek your head into a few stores. With your souvenir in hand, take a table at Bellota, where Monterrey, Mexico–born Manny Barella earned a 2022 James Beard Award nomination for Emerging Chef. One bite of the esquites appetizer— basically a salad version of Mexican street corn, punched up here with the aromatic herb epazote—and you can see why.

This immersive, interactive installation is the collective work of hundreds of artists who filled four stories and 90,000 square feet with mind-bending rooms and mesmerizing encounters. It’s best experienced by surrendering to your psychedelic surroundings and letting your inner child run free.

Restoration and renovation have only heightened the grandeur of this historic hotel in downtown Boulder. The lobby and hallways are dotted with photographs and artifacts, such as a fountain that pipes some of its water directly from the Arapahoe Glacier. The property added 114 rooms to the original 42 in the 1980s, so be sure to specify a historic room when booking if you’d like.

Head to Chautauqua Park for a hike to see the famous Flatirons up close. There are plenty of hikers, runners, and dog guardians—the official, legal term in Boulder—ascending from the ranger station. The view from the top is worth every labored breath.

Walk over to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse for its afternoon tea service. The doors of the intricately carved and painted building—much of it made in Tajikistan—will open with a whiff of jasmine, beckoning you forth into an even more ornate interior. Sit near a plant-filled fountain and order a rich black tea to accompany a three-tiered tray of goodies.

Eric Skokan, the owner of the restaurant, sources nearly 90 percent of the restaurant’s ingredients from his own Black Cat Farm, and he doesn’t just mean the food: The banquette pillows are filled with wool from his sheep, and a handmade carousel in the bar is made from old farming equipment. Enjoy the butternut squash soup, Tunis lamb, and a bottle of tempranillo for a taste of what makes Boulder such a special place.