Denver has one of the cleanest, safest downtown's in the US. Everything is accessible on foot and there are literally dozens of great bars, restaurants and coffee shops near the Pepsi Center or on the 16th Street Mall, which is a short cab ride, light rail or brisk walk from downtown hotels.Hotel: The first order of business is selecting a hotel. I'd stay downtown and use Hotwire.com or any other internet website. Hotels are much cheaper out in the 'burbs but the distance is a deal breaker. For those on a budget the Comfort Inn is where Air Force stayed during the 2007 Regionals. Expect to spend well over $100 per night near downtown. If you find anything less than 100 bucks, don't bring any valuables. :-)
Transportation: To rent or not to rent that is the question. Taxis are expensive and the airport is a million miles outside of town, so if you have two or more people, a rental car will save you money in the long run, but remember that if you stay downtown its going to cost up to $20 per night. Renting a car comes down whether or not you are going to hit the mountains for a side trip (recommended).
The light rail to the University of Denver is an inexpensive fun way to get to DU. It drops you off within a couple of hundred yards of Magness Arena. Pregame at Spanky's on University Blvd. and post-game at Jordan's or the Border Restaurants.
Pepsi Center: The Pepsi Center is a first-class modern NHL Arena with all the high priced goodies you'd expect: $5 sodas, good quality grub at a hefty price and souvenirs. Bring your wallet.
Within walking or Light Rail distance from the Arena, you have the access to Downtown Denver, with shopping, particularly in LoDo (Lower Downtown which includes the Coors Field area) and the 16th Street Mall. The best bars are probably closer to Coors Field (18th-20th and Wynkoop-Blake). Some of the favorites are Sing-Sing's (a dueling piano bar right near Coors Field), Sports Column (20th and Blake) and the Falling Rock Tap House, which has an obscene amount of beers and is across the street from Sports Column. The Wynkoop Brewing Company is a microbrewery with pool tables upstairs.
Nightlife: There's no shortage of clubs & hotspots, but westword.com, which is Denver's alternative newspaper, offers unbiased recommendations to restaurants, bars & nightlife.
The two sports bars that are going to see the heaviest usage by the college hockey faithful this weekend are going to be Brooklyn's, which is right across the street from the Pepsi Center at 901 Auraria Parkway. (Note: Don't confuse this Brooklyn's at the Pepsi Center with the Original Brooklyn's which is close to the Bronco's Invesco Field).
The other major sports bar is ESPN Zone in downtown Denver on the 16th Street pedestrian mall. During the Regionals last season "The Zone" was jammed packed with hockey fans & at Brooklyns after each game..
Side Trips: If you have a rental car, a great side trip is to Red Rocks for some hiking to to see the location for the U2 concert videos in the '80s. The hikes are easy, fun and spectacular. Bring a jacket, camera, pack a picnic and bring a bottle of water. Its less than 20 minutes from downtown.If you're like the Minnesota-Duluth fans, you'll want to start your day with a trip to the Coors Brewery. Drive straight up Colfax (or 6th Avenue, or I-70 to either of those streets) to Golden and the Coors Brewery Tour.
If you have more time, a side trip to Breckenridge (1-2 hours) or Vail (2 hours) is always a great idea for a Sunday brunch or a quick ski trip. If you are a skier, there is great skiing this time of year - check coloradoski.com for details on all the ski areas.
You only live once, so wake up early on Sunday morning, hit the mountains & if you don't crash your car, you'll be back in plenty of time for the 4 pm faceoff. If its snowing in the mountains, do not attempt this trip unless you live dangerously and you have the rental car insurance waiver.
Conclusion: Have fun & enjoy Denver. If you have thoughts, ideas, questions or suggestions drop us a line below in the comments section.
Contributors: DG Goddard, Theresa Spisak & Tom Douglis
15 comments:
A word to the wise--stay away from Colfax Ave as it heads East(away from the mountains)from the State Capitol. If you're into drugs, hookers or queers, then East Colfax is the place for you.
ted haggard's old stomping grounds?
Telling Michigan hockey fans to stay away from hookers, drugs & queers is only going to encourage them to take a taxi down to Colfax. If you go there, please wear a condom.
Come on. Colfax is not that bad. If you have ever lived in any downtown area, then it's the same as any bigger city. Get a grip. Go to downtown Honolulu and you'll run into the same or worse.
Queers? It's the 21st century and homophobia should be in your rearview window. I am very proud to say I have gay friends and I am not even gay. They're just people...
Property values are skyrocketing on the 'Fax and investors are snapping up anything available even with the surging prices of real estate on that street.
I believe the Brown Palace is that cheap right now because it's currently being renovated.
Thanks for the update on the Brown Palace. That explains the rate.
Nice job, but Air Force won the Atlantic Hockey Championship. UAH won the CHA.
Stay away from Colfax? I would guess your either from California or Texas. (I'm playing the odds here with that guess) This street is as much a part of Denver as the mountains. I believe it is still the longest continuous road in the nation.
True anon 12:00PM but the fact still remains there is a lot of trouble lurking along the Fax. Every major city has its spot(s) and Colfax is Denver's.
Some recommendations for those who are thirsty for things other than water when they arrive:
Downtown joints: Sports Column, Jackson's, Giggling Grizzly, Wynkoop, Falling Rock Tap House, Fado's, Chop House (good bar area and good steakhouse), The Keg, Celtic, Cheeky Monk (newer bar on Colfax, great draft Belgian beers)
S. Broadway joints (short cab ride from downtown): The Hornet, 3 Kings Tavern, Sobo 151 (great place to watch hockey, owned by Czechs, authentic Czech food and excellent draft Pilsner Urquell)
There is another sports bar/restaurant next to Pepsi Center called Braun's and also an Old Chicago at 14th and Market. There are other restaurants up a Wynkoop street including the Chop House and Rodizio Grill. Lodo's Bar & Grill & the Downtown Tavern at 20th and Market, around the corner from Sports Column are another pair of well attended bars.
I beg to differ with Goddard about the Light Rail, RTD will probably be running extra trains much like they do for regular Avalanche games and you may not need to change trains depending on where you are going.
Parking at the Pepsi Center will range from $10 (geneal lots) to $25 for valet (maybe $30)
If anyone wants to go to DU's bars they are all quite close to the University and are at the convenient University of Denver station on the light Rail (about 10-20 minutes from downtown) they are the Stadium Inn, at Gilpin and Evans, the Boarder, at University and Asbury, Spanky's at Evans and High St., and Jordan's, a new and fairly good pub at Evans' and University. I believe the stadium inn and spanky's will be good for a pre game drink, if you are willing to take the light rail to the pepsi center. You should probably see some hockey fans. I'm partial to the stadium and will be wearing my ugly gold DU jersey. I hear goddard is partial to Spanky's.
I spent my college years listening to Van Morrison on the Stadium Inn jukebox.
Now that I'm older, I support Spanky's because they support DU hockey.
That's not to say that I don't enjoy post game drinks at The Border.
I'm looking forward to checking out Jordan's.
Note to all of the NoDak, Michigan, BC, Notre Dame grads, go check out DU's campus and it will remind you a lot of Bismarck Junior College, Detroit Technical Institute, South Bend Little Sisters Academy, and John Adams home. I'm just kidding. Check out Anthony's Pizza on Evans, near the campus. One of my favorites.
Not to nitpick dg, but any fan that gets up early on Sunday to go to the mountains and then hurries back for the 4pm finals is an for a rude awakening...since the finals are Sat night. There will probably be a few CC fans following this advice, since they will undoubtedly be wandering around Denver all weekend wondering where their team is. Also, no props for the Campus Lounge? Or are we DU faithful keeping that a secret? ...ScottA
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