As fall starts to settle in, you may be feeling the end-of-summer blues. Sometimes you just need to get away for awhile, but if you haven’t been saving up those vacation days, you can start to feel stuck. Luckily, there is a wealth of fun activities within a short trip of the Mile High City. Get out and enjoy your days off with these staycation ideas in the Denver area:
This little mountain oasis is only 30 minutes from Denver and offers plenty of fun to fill up your day. Relax at the Indian Hot Springs, try your hand at river rafting or get your adrenaline pumping on the zipline. After you’re done adventuring for the day, explore the picturesque downtown and enjoy a meal at the original BeauJo’s Pizza.
With top-notch Broadway-style entertainment, the Denver Performing Arts Center offers a night on the town that feels more New York than Mile High. Grab a pre-show bite at one of Denver’s best restaurants (like Stout Street Social or the Oceanaire Seafood Room) and settle in for a fantastic night of theater. September’s offerings include viral hit “Frozen” and the Shakespearean classic “Macbeth.”
Indulge in the best of Colorado with a tour of some of Denver’s best craft breweries. You can opt for a do-it-yourself pub crawl from brewery to brewery, or sign up for a guided tour with Denver Microbrewery Tours to get the true vacation experience. The company will be your designated driver as you’re shuttled between breweries to sample the best Colorado has to offer.
When you’re itching to gamble but Vegas is out of reach, Central City and Blackhawk will do the trick. These historic mining towns offer world-class casinos where you can play the machines, enjoy the spa or indulge at the buffet. Plus, this gorgeous mountain scenery is a quick 45 minutes from Denver.
Step out of the city and into the wilderness at the Colorado Wild Animal Sanctuary. The whole family will enjoy visiting the lions, tigers, wolves and bears in the world’s largest carnivore reserve. Walk along the raised pathways to view these majestic creatures from above.
Head to Boulder to tour the facility where the famous Celestial Seasonings tea is made. You’ll learn about the raw ingredients that go into their most popular flavors and get a chance to see the factory line where everything is assembled. Afterwards, be sure to stop by the Tea Shop to pick out your favorite flavor.
When vacation seems far away, these weekend staycations will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated to take on the work week again.
