Beyond the Rockies: My Denver Adventures!

Denver is an outdoor lover’s dream city 🏔️—just a short drive west, and you’re surrounded by parks, hiking trails, and ski resorts. Here’s where I went besides Rocky Mountain NP! 📍 Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre 🎸 → 30 mins from downtown, this natural concert venue has insane acoustics (thanks to the red sandstone!). → Hiked the Trading Post Trail (1.6 miles) ☀️—easy but stunning (giant red rocks everywhere!). → Fun fact: The Chainsmokers played here the night before! 🍦 Little Man Ice Cream → Must-try post-hike treat! 🍨 🔥 Top flavors: Purple Cow (blueberry + vanilla) Maple Pecan (sweet & nutty) Mexican Chocolate (spicy kick after caramel notes!) 🏙️ Downtown Denver Highlights 🐻 Big Blue Bear at Colorado Convention Center – "I See What You Mean" is iconic! 📸 Art Museum District – Great for photos & urban exploring. 🌼 Pearl Street (Boulder) + CU Campus → Near University of Colorado, this street is colorful, artsy, and flower-filled 🌸. → Mountain views + chill student vibes—Boulder is so livable! 🍖 BBQ Showdown! 1️⃣ Brothers BBQ – Local-approved! 🏆 Perfect sauce (not too sweet) + great prices. 2️⃣ Smokin’ Dave’s (Estes Park) – Tourist-famous but pricier. Tried Bison ribs (unique but sauce = extra sugary). → Verdict: Brothers wins! 😋 Why Denver Rules ✅ Nature + city balance (hike & eat ice cream in the same day!). ✅ Red Rocks = Bucket-list venue. ✅ Boulder’s Pearl Street = Hidden gem. #DenverTravel #RedRocks #ColoradoBBQ #Boulder #HikeAndEat