48 Hours in Boulder & Denver

Colorado has something spectacular to offer visitors of all types. The sprawling parks, cycling trails and majestic Rocky Mountains provide beautiful backdrops for active adventures in the great outdoors. But beyond the region’s fresh air and picturesque environs, there is a booming cultural scene focused on local art, culinary delights and, of course, craft beer.

Omni Interlocken Hotel, situated in Broomfield, Colorado, is the perfect base for a mountain escape, providing the best of both worlds with its proximity to outdoorsy Boulder and urban Denver. Split your time between the two to make the most of your vacation.

Day One

Morning

Spend your first Colorado morning in downtown Boulder, where retro diner Snooze an A.M. Eatery offers an energetic atmosphere in which to enjoy an innovative menu. While guests can dine on scrambles, potpies and breakfast tacos, the pancake flight is a favorite. Choose from flavors like pineapple upside down, sweet potato, blueberry Danish, peanut butter cup and more.

Another breakfast option, Foolish Craig's Café, sits only one door away. This quirky morning spot specializes in savory crepes, like the Breast O' Pesto and the The Homer (D'oh!), as well as three-egg omelets and different versions of eggs Benedict with a velvety hollandaise sauce.

While in the area, check out Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian space that has historically served as the city’s main street but was converted into a center for shopping and dining in the 1970s. Now, you’ll find everything from jewelry and chocolate shops to blow dry bars and bookstores.

Afternoon

Head to the popular Larkburger for lunch. This burger joint uses fresh, natural ingredients full of flavor to make its patties—which can be angus beef, chicken breast, seasoned turkey, grilled ahi tuna or even roasted portabella mushroom.

Or try another Boulder eatery known for its high-quality ingredients, Zolo Grill, serves up Southwest-inspired dishes like duck tacos, spring tamales, tortilla soup, smoked pork ribs and queso fundido. The grill also has a tequila bar so pair your meal with tequila, mezcal or a signature margarita.

The afternoon is the perfect time to get some cycling in with Boulder Bike Tours. The company’s Boulder City Tour allows participants to cruise through the city’s historic neighborhoods, along the Pearl Street Mall, past the University of Colorado and to the local farmers market while learning about Boulder’s past.

If you didn’t get enough of the outdoors on your bicycle tour, head a couple miles south to Chautauqua Park, where you can explore paths that lead into the Flatirons, including the 7-mile Mesa trail, the 1-mile Royal Arch trail or the Woods Quarry trail, which ends in an abandoned stone pit.

Evening

Some of the best restaurants in Colorado can be found in Boulder. One to try is the acclaimed OAK at Fourteenth. Utilizing wood-fired cooking and seasonal ingredients from local farms, the kitchen puts out inspired dishes like braised Colorado lamb ravioli and crispy pork shoulder with pineapple fried rice.

Spend the rest of the evening enjoying the full-dome films and musical liquid sky shows at the Fiske Planetarium. This innovative theater presents educational info on astronomy as well as unique visual displays set to music from bands like David Bowie, Pretty Lights and more.

Another option is to head back to Broomfield for the evening to enjoy an elegant, multi-course meal at Omni’s Meritage Restaurant. The views of the Flatirons pair well with the bacon-wrapped shrimp, chili-rubbed bison tenderloin, hand-cut salmon, jumbo scallop stew, filet mignon and shaved chicken salad that grace the menu.

Afterward, end your night at The Tap Room and Terrace Restaurant and Bar, also located on the property. Enjoy one of 26 different Colorado-based craft brews while enjoying complimentary games of billiards and foosball until midnight.

Day Two

Morning

When you wake up in the morning, stick around Broomfield for breakfast at the on-site Fairways Restaurant. Overlooking the golf course, this eatery is the perfect spot for a light breakfast of a smoked salmon bagel, a plate of fruit, a breakfast sandwich or a yogurt parfait.

Before heading out to Denver, enjoy the many relaxation activities available at Omni Interlocken Hotel. With 27 holes on the golf courses, whole body treatments and salon services at the Mokara Spa, heated swimming pools and seasonal bike rentals, there is plenty to keep you busy throughout the morning.

If you choose to head to Denver in the early morning, start your day at Denver’s Downtown Aquarium. From exhibits centering on deserts, coral reefs, the rainforest, the beach and more, there are more than 500 species of animals to see. They also host underwater mermaid shows as well as programs like the Shark Cage Experience, where participants can swim with five types of sharks.

Afternoon

Make your way to the vibrant LoDo—Lower Downtown— neighborhood for lunch. Sandwich lovers will be in heaven at ACME Delicatessen, whose artisanal deli meats are used to craft items like the Italian Bistro with prosciutto and salami, and the Railroad Reuben with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss and Sriracha island dressing.

Another lunch option, Mercantile Dining & Provision, is inside Union Station. This bustling farm-to-table restaurant and market serves up European-inspired dishes of pickled veggies, seafood, meats and family-style entrees. Additionally, many of the products used to make the dishes on the menu can be found in their market, such as the charcuterie, cheeses, spices, and jams.

While in the area, stick around Union Station to explore the retail shops that are housed within the historic 100-year-old building. These include the Tattered Cover bookstore, which offers a curated selection of books and periodicals, as well as home décor and flower shop BLOOM.

Continue to the other end of LoDo to Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies major league baseball team. The renovated upper right-field seating area called The Rooftop is the ideal spot to watch a game, but if there aren’t any matchups taking place, enjoy a public tour of the facility instead.

Evening

Once the sun sets, head for the Mediterranean tapas bar, El Five. Dine on an inventive menu of traditional, “new school,” and Middle Eastern-inspired tapas or one of the five paella choices all while enjoying spectacular, unobstructed views of the downtown Denver skyline.

After dinner, check out The Grizzly Rose. This lively saloon and honky tonk features live music six nights a week and showcases some of the most well-known country acts in the nation.

To experience outdoor nightlife Coloradan style, visit Viewhouse Eatery, Bar & Rooftop across from Coors Field. This local favorite features multiple patios and decks offering unique experiences for bar lovers, sports enthusiasts and backyard game junkies (bocce ball anyone?).

If you have more time...

Located not far from Boulder, the Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to spend some extra time. Pack a picnic for lunch and then get a workout in on one of the many hiking trails or sandstone boulders that are waiting to be climbed.

Another place that you won’t want to miss is the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Located in nearby Morrison, this open-air concert venue is a geological phenomenon in and of itself, with the rocks forming a naturally occurring acoustic setting that has been utilized by performers like The Beatles and U2.

Head north to the town of Estes Park for an even more in-depth exploration of Colorado’s natural environments. Known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, this charming village serves as the base for adventure in to the one of the most popular national parks in the country.

The Omni Interlocken Hotel concierge team contributed to this article.