Other than RMNP, what can u do in Denver area?

[sillyme]

My hubby John and I (I use a scooter to get around most of the time as I can’t walk long distances anymore due to various medical reasons) are coming to CO for 2 weeks starting 6/29/19. We’ll be renting a 30’ Class C and right after that we’ll need to have some camping facilities booked somewhere. The only thing my husband has said that he wants to do so far is; rent a car so that we can go into Denver proper to visit the State Mint, visit some type of Mexican town that he recalls from his childhood, visit the RMNP, he wants to do some hiking, mountain biking and who knows what else. We might meet up with one or 2 of his nephews for a few days of camping but that’s about it. My dilemma is that I always do the itinerary but for some reason, I don’t have a clue as to where to start etc... what I know for sure is that I have to return the RV the morning of July 13th. I also know that we’re coming at the worse time of the year to visit the Park and that if I had it my way, I would have gone in September but .... we’ve already been to Colorado Springs and its surroundings as well as Pikes Mountain and the train and also to the Royal Gorge then the Great Sand Dune Nat’l Park, Durango then Mesa Verde Nat’l Park. And Just last Spring we went from Denver s/b on 25 all the way through NM to I-10 W/B to Nogales ( slight detour) then N/B and N/W through Tucson, Phoenix, and so on. All that to say we’ve seen some of Colorado but there’s still a lot to see I know. We even went to Dr.Jeff, Rocky Mountain Vet’s Clinic but he wasn’t there... So where should we go during those 2 weeks other than where I said? Don’t worry about making sure that both of us can or want to do what you are suggesting as I usually need to sleep in the afternoon... I’m eager to read what you have to say.

[Thom02099]

sillyme wrote:
Thank you so much for all these suggestions. They surely would keep one busy for a long time! But I’d like to pick your brain some more if I could or anyone’s brain for suggestions as to where we could spend another week west or north of the city. I’m sure there must be an area or one or 2 National or Private Parks where we could relax for a few days before turning back around.
We have made the decision to visit the RMNP during our second week so we can avoid the insanity of the 4th of July! I hope I’m not asking too much but I thank anyone who can help me with this last request.

The 180 day booking window is now open for mid-week the week of July 7th if you want to consider booking a site inside RMNP, either at Glacier Basin or Moraine Park.

H E R E - Roosevelt National Forest USFS CG are some of the USF campgrounds in the region. Camp Dick, Peaceful Valley, Olive Ridge are all USFS CG that are located south of Estes Park along the Peak to Peak highway and are 3 of my go to locations for the season. There are 3 campgrounds in the Red Feather Lakes area, all are very popular, but if you are there during the week, it should be far less crowded. and the ones showing for Rustic are in the Poudre Canyon (CO 14) northwest of Fort Collins. The further up the canyon you go, the less crowded it will be.

And on the west side of Cameron Pass, there's T H I S - CO State Forest SP where I would suggest Ranger Lakes as a place to stay for some solitude. I use it frequently for a base to explore Jackson County/North Park area.

There are also commercial CG in the Estes Park area, but they are way over priced, IMHO.

[sillyme]

Thank you so much for all these suggestions. They surely would keep one busy for a long time! But I’d like to pick your brain some more if I could or anyone’s brain for suggestions as to where we could spend another week west or north of the city. I’m sure there must be an area or one or 2 National or Private Parks where we could relax for a few days before turning back around.
We have made the decision to visit the RMNP during our second week so we can avoid the insanity of the 4th of July! I hope I’m not asking too much but I thank anyone who can help me with this last request.

[F1bNorm]

The Hammond Candy factory tour was fun. https://hammondscandies.com/products/hammonds-factory-tour

Favorite of my wife, https://www.rmqm.org/Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in nearby Golden, CO.

We stayed at/liked the Cherry Creek Campground

Norm

[JAC1982]

I agree w/ catching a game at Coors Field, even if you aren't a big baseball fan, and everything in Thom02099's list (except for maybe Casa Bonita, as the food there is just atrocious). There is also a new outlet mall in Thornton that just opened a few months ago, off I-25 and 136th, if outlet shopping is your thing.

I will also add the Celestial Seasonings tea factory in Boulder. It is really interesting, and if I recall, would be very easy to do the tour w/ someone on wheels. Also Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife habitat out near the airport is very cool, with herds of buffalo etc., and you can do the hour drive loop through it in the car.

And, well, if you all like beer, there's no shortage of great breweries to visit.

[Heisenberg]

Rockies! Park around back buy tickets go to the wheelchair entry and they help you to the mezzanine!

[Thom02099]

Some suggestions:

** As mentioned, the Denver Museum of Science and Nature
** The Denver Zoo
** 16th Street Mall
** Denver Botanical Gardens
** Water World (in Federal Heights)
** The Butterfly Pavilion (in Westminster)
** Catch a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
** Cherry Creek State Park
** Chatfield State Park
** As previously mentioned, Red Rocks (it's not just for concerts)
** As previously mentioned, Coors Brewery (in Golden)
** The Railroad Musuem (also in Golden)
** Tiny Town (near Morrison off US 285)
** Pearl Street Mall (in Boulder)
** Casa Bonita Restaurant (in Lakewood - has cliff divers while you eat!)
** Park Meadows Mall and FlatIrons Crossing Mall are in Highlands Ranch/Centennial and Broomfield, respectively. May be one of those were the malls mentioned to you. Or possibly Cherry Creek Mall in south Denver.

Just some of the things to do besides RMNP.

And speaking of RMNP, if you want to camp INSIDE the park you must make reservations on 01.04.19 for the 4th of July weekend; get up early to do so, as the campgrounds will book very fast. Any date prior to July 4th is likely already booked, including during the week.

There are commercial campgrounds/RV Parks in Estes Park, but again you'll need to book early as these will also fill rapidly.

You'll run into the same problem if you want to camp in Cherry Creek or Chatfield State Parks. Same booking window for those as well.

Trail Ridge Road in RMNP will most likely be open during the time you're visiting. I would encourage you to be there EARLY (as in 8am or before) in order to beat the crowds...and there will be crowds, even during the week. Use the rental car, don't even consider driving your Class C rental on Trail Ridge, as there won't be many places to park it. Old Fall River Road likely won't even be open at all, based on current snowpack reports for our mountains (considerably above average snowpack for this time of year - and snow season is just getting started).

A caveat - there WILL be folks who will try to convince you to bypass Denver and RMNP and go other places. But there's a lot to see and do in Denver, and my suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg.

[ronfisherman]

Moved from Class C.

[dieseltruckdriv]

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is always one of our favorite spots. The Denver Aquarium is kind of fun too.

[Bionic_Man]

Check out a concert at Red Rocks while you are here.

One of the best venues anywhere to see/hear a show.

[Chum_lee]

The Coors Brewery in Golden (close to Denver) is interesting and was free when we visited 3 years ago. Free parking, but, some walking required. I believe it is handicap accessible.

Chum lee

[Mile-High-Endur]

Lots to do in Denver.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33388-Activities-Denver_Colorado.html

Or google things to do in Denver.

Jeff

[Dick_B]

Do a Google search for `Denver tourism' and read what the specialists recommend.

[Hank85713]

There is a museum of some sort my son keeps talking about up in denver. Also a large mall of some sort but I am not sure where. Guess you need to search the denver tourist site and see what they have to say. Even in july it possible to see snow in the mtn park. Seems to me you have done all the drive thru tours and now are looking to stay someplace for a week to 10 days. Anyhow the tourist site will be your biggest place to check out. I think there is a hot spring in the area or I may be thinking of colo sprgs cant remember which: Just looked at Rad Trippers for ya. Good place to start

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/?lng=-105.04564239591059&lat=39.74574959055997&z=11.003608478187164