City Guide - DENVER
EXPERIENCE MILE HIGH MAGIC
It’s always fun to talk to someone after their first visit to Denver. How was Denver? “Uh, I think I want to move there…”. Of course you do. You like sunshine, nice people, and fun. If you like sports you’re in luck as well as Denver boasts a full lineup including the three-time Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and the greatest mascot in all of college football, Ralphie.
Teams and venues in play
NFL - Denver Broncos, Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO
NBA - Denver Nuggets, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
MLB - Colorado Rockies, Coors Field, Denver, CO
NHL - Colorado Avalanche, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
MLS - Colorado Rapids, Dick’s Sporting Goods Field, Commerce City, CO
NCAA FB - Air Force Falcons, Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO | Colorado Buffaloes, Folsom Field, Boulder, CO | Colorado State Rams, Evans Field, Ft. Collins, CO | Wyoming Cowboys, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, WY
NCAA MBB – Air Force Falcons, Clune Arena, Colorado Springs, CO | Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado Events Center, Boulder, CO | Colorado State Rams, Hughes Events Center, Ft. Collins, CO | Wyoming Cowboys, Arena Auditorium, Laramie, WY
What’s possible
The best trip is probably built around the Broncos sometime in early September. If you can land a Rockies game and go out in LoDo on Friday, then have your choice of college football venues on Saturday (I am partial to a Buffs game in Boulder but make no mistake about it, they party hard in Ft. Collins), then on to see one of the truly great franchises in all of professional sports in the Denver Broncos on Sunday, you will have done well for yourself.
If something in the winter is more to your liking the fact that the Nuggets are good now helps a lot. Nuggets, Avalanche and one of the college basketball teams (again, probably Colorado) could work. If you want to be aggressive you can ski in the morning, then head to the arena in the evening.
Unexpected Gems
Air Force Falcons college football – a great atmosphere in a breathtaking place. Bonus if you can catch Air Force vs. either Army or Navy (but in-state rival CSU is fun too).
Other attractions
Red Rocks (Summer) – Iconic rock venue south of Denver. Mixes well with Rockies games. Get to the parking lot early for a truly transformative experience. Some tickets are available through the Red Rocks ticket office but try StubHub if a show is sold out.
Dispensaries (Year Round) – In Colorado it is legal for those over the age of 21 to possess (and use) up to an ounce of weed. Do with that information what you will.
Skiing! Riding! (Winter and Spring) – Watch an Avalanche game Friday night, be in an avalanche Saturday! (or not). Seriously if you’re coming from out of town from January to April it’s hard not to find some time to sneak off to the mountains. The folks at Liftopia can set you up with discount passes.
National Western Stock Show (January) – If you can sneak in a rodeo during your Super Sports Weekend, why wouldn’t you?
Bourbon Whiskey made from pristine mountain snowmelt (always) - Breckenridge Distillery is about an hour and a half from Denver. Tours, tastings and a good restaurant are worth working in to any itinerary.
Getting there
Denver International Airport has direct flights from most cities in the US. You will land it what looks to be western Kansas. Don’t be alarmed. Denver (and the mountains) are a short drive west.
Hotels/Accommodations
Stay in Downtown Denver for easy access to all Denver teams and plenty of restaurants and nightlife. If you’re building a weekend around the college teams, hop from town to town (as in stay the night, you won’t want to drive).
Your ideas
Have thoughts on how to Super Sports Weekend in Denver? Email me.