Life in Denver is nothing short of amazing. This beautiful city has so much to offer with some of the best indoor and outdoor attractions including miles of bike paths, acres of green parks, endless hiking, music, unique coffee shops and breweries, and a wide array of restaurants. It is also difficult to talk about Denver without mentioning the short commute to the mountains, with endless options to choose from, including Breckenridge, Estes Park, Beaver Creek, Vail, Steamboat and Aspen.
On the days I’m not studying, I’m either networking with DU alumni, improving my CrossFit game at Project Rise Fitness, detoxing at Core Power Yoga, visiting my favorite local coffee shop, Steam Espresso Bar, or I’m in the mountains hiking or snowboarding and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.
Fall is one of the prettiest seasons in the city. When it arrives, I love to venture to Kenosha Pass around the first ten days of October to see the bright pigments of yellow, orange, and red peak from the aspen leaves. The air is crisp and apple picking is next in line if you visit one of the apple orchard farms. Ya Ya Farm and Orchard is one of my favorites as they use organic practices to grow a variety of their signature heirloom apples.
Winter comes with awesome temps and lots of snow, allowing locals to spend the weekend in the mountains snowboarding, skiing, or snowshoeing. The drive from Denver is a little over an hour and I try to travel with friends so that we can explore all of the mountain towns. My favorite mountain to snowboard is Vail. Packing a backpack lunch and exploring the back bowl to find heaps of powder and short lines is a successful day in my book!
As spring and summer arrive in Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheater, a rock structure and awe-inspiring outdoor concert venue, is a must-see. Aside from outdoor concert activity in the evenings, I love spending my days at Washington Park, running to train for a half marathon or watching the sunset while bike riding through the city. I also love sitting at the pool, canoeing, hiking to explore a new mountain view or conquering a “fourteener” (a mountain that is at least 14,000 feet above sea level). There are more than 58 fourteeners in Colorado, leaving plenty to keep me busy and pushing for more adventure. I try to do a couple every summer to see more of the beautiful state of Colorado.
Nonetheless, the city offers plenty of adventure with the friendliest people. I’ve found Denver residents to be down-to-earth, friendly, warm and active. I love this city and the 300+ days of sun it comes with. The lifestyle it offers is full of city fun and outdoor experience. What more could one ask for?