Food destinations within easy reach of Denver, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Denver. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for: Frasca Food and Wine, Pizzeria Locale, the Pearl Street pedestrian mall and Boulder Farmers Market on Saturday
Boulder is the day-trip food destination 28 miles northwest of Denver, with Frasca, Pizzeria Locale, Salt and the Pearl Street pedestrian mall plus a Saturday farmers market.
Famous for: Odell, New Belgium, Horse and Dragon and Snowbank breweries plus a downtown food scene
Fort Collins is the craft beer day trip 65 miles north of Denver, with Odell, New Belgium and Horse and Dragon breweries plus a Colorado State University food crowd.
Famous for: Palisade peach orchards in August and Colorado Wine Country tastings year-round
Palisade is the Grand Valley fruit and wine destination 245 miles west of Denver, with peach orchards in August and 20 wineries on the Colorado Wine Country trail.
Famous for: Pueblo Mirasol green chile farms in August-October, the Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival in September
Pueblo is the green chile country day trip 112 miles south of Denver, with Mirasol chile farms harvesting late August through October and an annual September festival.
Famous for: Matsuhisa Aspen, Element 47, Hooch and the Food and Wine Classic each June
Aspen is the fine-dining ski-town day trip 165 miles west of Denver, with Matsuhisa Aspen, Element 47, Hooch and the Food and Wine Classic each June.
Famous for: The Stagecoach Inn, Adam's Mountain Cafe and the Pikes Peak tourism corridor
Manitou Springs is the Colorado Springs gateway day trip 75 miles south of Denver, with The Stagecoach Inn, Adam's Mountain Cafe and the Pikes Peak Highway gateway.
Peak food season in Denver is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Denver rewards trust.