and while you're here for Rendezvous ...

[Blushing]

Faire is enough to fill the weekend, but why not explore a bit while you're here?  There's TONS to do in Colorado, and plenty of things just a bit of a drive from faire.  And for the record .... we have had skiing into June and July, it's just lousy conditions.

This is by no means an exhaustrive list, just a bunch of ideas.

Questions, comments?  Jump right in ... (And huzzah to Lady de Laney for the list, comments are my own)


Denver ...  (north of faire)

Colorado Rockies Baseball – home games June 28th – July 3rd http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=col

Denver Museum of Nature and Science http://www.dmns.org/
I don't know if it will still be here, but in March a pirates exhibit opens, complete with loads of artifacts from the Whydah - the only truly authenticated pirate ship.  I'll update when I know if it will still be here.

Denver Art Museum (as much history as art) http://www.denverartmuseum.org/home

Molly Brown House http://www.mollybrown.org/
Yes, THAT Molly Brown!  Reservations required for tours.

Denver Zoo http://www.denverzoo.org/

Denver Aquarium http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/default.asp

Elitch Gardens (Six flags) http://www.elitchgardens.com/

Water World http://www.waterworldcolorado.com/
One of the largest water parks in the country.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary http://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/
It's about 30 miles northeast of Denver.



North of faire .... few hours ...

Butterfly Pavilion – Broomfield http://www.butterflies.org/

Redstone Meadery – Boulder http://www.redstonemeadery.com/
Tastings and a short tour.  It's a tiny place.

Celestial Seasonings - Boulder http://www.celestialseasonings.com/visit-us/index.html
Tours (the mint room alone is worth the trek) and the shop stocks every single Celestial Seasonings available.

Estes Park http://www.estesnet.com/

Haunted and Historic Stanley Hotel – Estes Park http://www.stanleyhotel.com/

Rocky Mountain National Park http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

Blackhawk/Central City http://www.blackhawkcolorado.com/
Gambling in a mountain town.

Coors Brewery - Golden http://www.coors.com/

Colorado train Museum – Golden http://www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org/

Buffalo Bill Gravesite Golden and Lookout Mountain Golden http://www.buffalobill.org/ and http://jeffco.us/openspace/openspace_T56_R14.htm

New Belgium Brewery – Fort Collins http://www.newbelgium.com/LegalPurchasingAge.aspx?ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.newbelgium.com%2fhome.aspx
Rated top 5 breweries in the country, free tours must schedule in advance.

Raft the Poudre River – Fort Collins http://www.awanderlustadventure.com/poudre-river-rafting.htm



Colorado Springs ... (south of faire, less than half an hour from Castle Rock)

Garden of the Gods – Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs http://www.gardenofgods.com/home/index.cfm?flash=1
It's a city park like no other ... tons of hiking and walking trails, but you can also drive through it.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo http://www.cmzoo.org/Feed the giraffes, and the budgies.  It's one of the only zoos in the country that has a moose.  It's also on the side of a mountain, and small enough to see in a few hours.



Near-ish to Colorado Springs ...
Manitou Springs www.manitousprings.org/
It's a small town practically inside Colorado Springs on the west side. Lots of tourist shops and some other neat places (including a shop/tasting room that sells nothing but premium olive oil and balsalmic vinegars).  There are also natural springs you can taste.

Cave of the Winds - Manitou Springs http://www.caveofthewinds.com/

Manitou Cliff Dwellings - Manitou Springs http://www.cliffdwellingsmuseum.com/
They're imported, but still fun to check out.

Pikes Peak http://www.cograilway.com/AboutPikesPeak.htm or http://www.pikes-peak.com/page/122.aspx
You can hike, drive or take the train to the top of Pikes Peak.  Amazing views, and fantastic donuts at the top.

Raft the Arkansas River http://www.arkansasrivertours.com/
There's many rafting companies to choose from.  And the water WILL be cold - it's snow melt after all!

Cripple Creek – Gambling http://www.cripple-creek.co.us/
Victor  just down the road - is a goldmine of mininig history, literally.


Elsewhere in Colorado ...Bishops Castle (southewest of Pueblo near Rye) http://webshells.com/cstlbldr/bishop_castle_main_index.htm

Mesa Verde (southwest Colorado) http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Dinosaur National Monument (North west Colorado/Utah) http://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Meadery of the Rockies Palisades/Grand Junction http://www.meaderyoftherockies.com/

Durango Silverton train ride (old) http://www.durangotrain.com/

Georgetown loop train ride (old) http://www.georgetownlooprr.com/

Royal Gorge Train ride out of Canyon City (modern) http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/

Glenwood Springs hot springs baths http://www.spaoftherockies.com/

Mount Princeton hot springs http://www.mtprinceton.com/

Great Sand Dunes National Park http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm

Bents Fort http://www.nps.gov/beol/index.htm


And if you're up for a drive up to Wyoming ...
Fort Laramie http://www.nps.gov/fola/index.htm

[Francisco Paula]

The Pirate thing at the museum of nature and science will be running into August.

[Adriana Rose]

Coors Brewery - Golden http://www.coors.com/

They give free beer and Coors product samples at the end of the tour 



A tad west but there is hot springs in Hot Sulpher Springs

[Francisco Paula]

Something Blushing missed that i love is there is a wolf sanctuary just outside divide that is east of colorado springs. http://www.wolfeducation.org/

If you love Wolfs this is a must see.

[angusmacinnes]

Great Information.  Thanks.

[Norfolk]

When we have out-of-town visitors during the summer, we highly recommend the following (other than festival, of course):

1.  Cog train to the top of Pikes Peak.
2.  Garden of the Gods
3.  Royal Gorge Train

Cheers.

[Zoë]

I would highly suggest a drive into Rocky Mountain National Park. It's gorgeous in July, and usually a tad bit cooler than it is down in Denver.

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

New Belgium gives free beer just for coming in. The tour you get 5 samples. Plan the tour ahead of time. And as stated New Belgium is rated one of the top 5 brewery's in the US meaning they Kick Budwiser, Coors and many other butts. Every year their beer wins awards. The Brew Master is from you guessed it Belgium and this is as close to a True European beer as you may find in the US. They will be featured or where featured on one of the National Morning shows.

They also sell beer and some of you you'll not find in your local liquar store or eatery.

And IF you go there you can also go scope out O'Dells not O'Douls, another fine brewey and Coppersmiths which is an eatery to boot. So in the spane of less than 1 miles you have three good brewery's just make New Belgium one especially if you decide to go to Estes and swing back through Loveland, I and Toki would be happy to go with you if we are free.

[Zoë]

And, if you're looking for even MORE brewery goodness, there's on in Greeley (20 mins east of Loveland) called Crabtree. I have no idea if it's sold in other states but it's a damn good brew, and as far as I'm aware they do free tours, but I can look into it if anyone is interested. Really it's about the only thing worth looking into in Greeley (unless you speak Spanish/own a gun/want to come to my house) but it's not too far from the Loveland/Ft Collins area so you could make a day of Brew Pub Crawls if you wanted to.

[iain robb]

And, if you're looking for even MORE brewery goodness, there's on in Greeley (20 mins east of Loveland) called Crabtree. I have no idea if it's sold in other states but it's a damn good brew, and as far as I'm aware they do free tours, but I can look into it if anyone is interested. Really it's about the only thing worth looking into in Greeley (unless you speak Spanish/own a gun/want to come to my house) but it's not too far from the Loveland/Ft Collins area so you could make a day of Brew Pub Crawls if you wanted to.

Yet somehow, I have the feeling that if I said, "I have a gun, I'm gonna drink some beer and come to your house," I wouldn't -- or at least shouldn't -- be welcome. 

[auntiegiggles]

Lee an I went home by way of Wyoming/South Dakota last year....I have to mention that the Oregon Trail is not far from Fort Laramie!  Both sites were fun to be at 

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

I love Fort Laramie. It's a fantastic historical site with a MOST Awesome book store including Many books with Victorian patterns

[Zoë]

And, if you're looking for even MORE brewery goodness, there's on in Greeley (20 mins east of Loveland) called Crabtree. I have no idea if it's sold in other states but it's a damn good brew, and as far as I'm aware they do free tours, but I can look into it if anyone is interested. Really it's about the only thing worth looking into in Greeley (unless you speak Spanish/own a gun/want to come to my house) but it's not too far from the Loveland/Ft Collins area so you could make a day of Brew Pub Crawls if you wanted to.

Yet somehow, I have the feeling that if I said, "I have a gun, I'm gonna drink some beer and come to your house," I wouldn't -- or at least shouldn't -- be welcome.  

Haha - you could always pull up a chair in the backyard if you wanted, as long as you bring me some beer too.

[Francisco Paula]

Local hint.....drink lots of water and as your tour around colorado keep water with you.

If you head up to the top of Pikes Peak just remember its 30 to 40 degrees lower up there so bring a coat.

[Mairte]

Great information! I DO plan on making this and since Colorado is such a beautiful state, I am going to get in as much sight seeing as possible while there.