Denver weekend: yoga and shopping

This weekend I lucked out into a little "me" time and took full advantage of it! First, I went to Kriya Yoga (see page 121 of my Moon Denver guidebook) in the Highlands for some much needed breathing and stretching in a Hatha style class. From there, I checked out a new shop called Uncommon Threads--a denim store in the heart of Highlands Square. The salesclerk was very attentive and nice, even when I didn't find the perfect pair of jeans for me. David Khan mean anything to people out there? Never heard of that designer but liked those the most. Lots to choose from for men and women. I'll be adding Uncommon Threads to the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook.

Denver's BEST new restaurant

The Squeaky Bean restaurant did not open until 2009 so it obviously was not included in the pages of my Moon Denver guidebook. However, that is the purpose of this blog and I am thrilled to share the news! I must confess that I walk and drive by this place almost daily and it took me months to go in. I hope others won't also be deterred by mistakenly thinking it's a coffee shop. It used to be a coffee shop--two different ones, in fact--but now it is a fabulous, smart restaurant with a seasonal menu. Last night I ate--or gobbled:)--the freshest rice/squash/pine nut//too many other tasty things salad for dinner, along with a scrumptious beet salad. I asked my husband how his shrimp BLT was, but he couldn't answer in the midst of chewing, licking his fingers, etc. The owner--an experienced Denver restauranteur--has leased land out back and is growing much of the produce himself in tidy large raised garden beds--arugula, tomatoes, herbs.

See the latest menu at www.squeakybean.net or just go to 33rd & Tejon because they have a breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner menu as well as a fully stocked bar.

Denver's art museum powwow

I thought I knew about all of the local powwows, but I left this out of my Moon Denver guidebook. Don't you miss it too:

On Saturday, September 12, Acoma Plaza will be alive with the music and color of the 20th Annual Denver Art Museum Friendship Powwow & American Indian Cultural Celebration. The free event will begin at 10 a.m. with Gourd Dancing, followed by the grand entry at noon. Dance contests include categories ranging from tiny tot to adult. Artmaking on the plaza will include clay activities, animal painting and photo memories. Experience the sights and sounds of living traditions, connect with working artists and artisans, shop vendors for American Indian jewelry and other great items and enjoy your first (or 101st) piece of fry bread! Powwow activities and Museum admission are free.

Denver's got the best trails parks

I wrote a lot about Denver's fabulous parks and trails in my Moon Denver guidebook and now they've been recognized as the best in the country:

The July 2009 edition of Parks and Recreation, the official publication of the National Recreation and Parks Association, has named Denver as Best Trail Parks in the United States. The honor comes during National Parks and Recreation month.

“If a city is a great tourist destination, you want its parks to be a part of that,” says Peter Harnik, director of the Trust for Public Land’s Center for City Park Excellence in the article. “Parks have so many components, and people love parks for so many different reasons. From natural ambiance to recreational opportunities to the unexpected things that just happen there when strangers interact.”

Denver has one of the biggest biking, hiking and jogging trail systems in the nation, a network of 100 miles of paved, off-road trails that cross the City. The paved bike trails connect to hundreds of additional miles of dirt trails, many of which head up into the mountains and offer mountain biking adventures and scenic views. (from www.denvergov.org)

Denver's Hotel Monaco "Urban Fix" package

I wrote about the Hotel Monaco in my Moon Denver guidebook, and they are now offering a deal through the end of 2009:


The "Get Your Urban Fix" package at Kimpton's Hotel Monaco Denver starts at $179 and includes:
. Beautifully appointed deluxe accommodations
. Continental breakfast for two each morning in Panzano Restaurant OR in-room dining
. Overnight valet parking for one car
. One $50 gas card
. Morning coffee and tea service in living room
. Hosted evening wine reception in the hotel's living room
. Standard high speed wired and wireless internet access

You tell me about Denver's no TV bars

I posted this earlier this month:

I was chatting with Matt of the Wynkoop Brewing Company about which bars in town do not have TVs. Fantastic idea for a "call-out" in my next edition! We came up with My Brother's Bar, the Cruise Room... (Swimclub 32, alas RIP) and now I need to work on that list. Of course Wynkoop has TVs aplenty, but Matt guessed there are a mere 4 TV-less bars in the Mile High City and I think there must be more.

Click on the comments box below and I'll post all of the answers as a separate post soon!

Denver's Sports Plus

This is one of those tips I'm almost reluctant to share in my next Moon Denver guidebook because I want to keep it for myself! The best deal on quality used (and some new) sports equipment is at Sports Plus on South Gaylord Street in the Washington Park neighborhood. Last winter my husband got skis, helmet, poles and goggles for our toddler for $50 TOTAL. Now we're onto a cute bike with training wheels. It's for all ages and all seasons and the used merchandise that they offer is in good shape. I'm over Craigslist and this is a perfect way to support a local business instead.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts subscriptions

Although I included all of the theaters within the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the Arts & Leisure chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook, I did not tell readers about the subscriptions. Anyone can subscribe to Denver Center Attractions (Broadway shows and musicals) and/or Denver Center Theatre Company (local productions) to get ticket discounts, advance notice, great seats and more! A great way to save yourself a few dollars and still support the arts. And they get some fantastic shows here--I recently saw "August" Osage County" and it was splendid. I had a friend who when she had a really fabulous night out would often say, "I feel like I'm not in Denver in anymore!" as if this were the highest compliment. But I know what she means in that a night of good theatre can transport you from your own reality for a time.

Denver area Bear Creek Lake

In my next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook, I will be sure to include Bear Creek Lake of nearby Lakewood in my Arts & Leisure chapter for swimming, boating, fishing, camping and picnicking. I have driven past this recreation area many times and thought it lacked appeal given its proximity to a highway. However, a friend convinced me to go last week and I really liked how close it was to the city but still felt like a nature experience for the day. Thick old cottonwood groves away from the highway make for shaded picnic areas, a visitor center includes wildlife displays (read: taxidermy) and three lakes/reservoirs offers different amenities which keep swimmers and boaters at a safe distance. It is considerably closer than Chatfield or Barr Lake, which I included in my first edition of my Moon Denver guidebook.

Denver's Colorado History Museum details

This was posted as a comment to my Moon Denver guidebook updates and I felt it should be shared with my readers:

The good news is that the History Colorado Center is being built at 12th and Broadway, just one block south of the current Colorado History Museum. The 2011 date is the expected move in time frame for staff, and then new exhibitions will go under construction. We'll use the interim to take stock of our collections, plan and develop exhibitions, and really examine all the ways to leverage the History Colorado Center into not just an incredible new museum, but a meaningful resource for educators, residents and tourists across the state. A hub for history, so to speak. It should be an exciting process, and I'll keep you updated. The groundbreaking for the new History Colorado Center is August 19th (two weeks!). You and Moon Denver fans are certainly welcome to attend the ceremony!
Best, Rebecca Laurie

Denver airport going solar?

On pages 208-209 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about Denver International Airport--from its design to the airlines that serve it--but I just saw on the Huffington Post an article about the airport's efforts to go solar:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/19/dia-proposes-7-million-do_n_263447.html

Seems like a good idea, especially when you consider the carbon footprint of air travel. I'll keep an eye on this issue and provide the latest details in my next edition as well on this blog.

Denver guidebook in Denver Post

My Moon Denver guidebook got a nice little mention in yesterday's Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/travel/ci_13055111

Of course I do live in Denver and do maintain this blog to keep my book from being outdated from the time it was researched at much as possible. Thrilling to see the lovely cover there on the printed page!

Denver deals and beyond

In my next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook, I will be certain to include this link:

www.hotdealscolorado.com

which I just learned about today. Many places already included in my Denver guidebook can be found here with bargains galore. Whether you are a resident or just visiting, check it out for everything for airfare, hotel and dining deals.

Denver's no TV bars?

Last night at my most wonderful Moon Denver guidebook launch party, I was chatting with Matt of the Wynkoop Brewing Company about which bars in town do not have TVs. Fantastic idea for a "call-out" in my next edition! We came up with My Brother's Bar, the Cruise Room... (Swimclub 32, alas RIP) and now I need to work on that list. Of course Wynkoop has TVs aplenty, but Matt guessed there are a mere 4 TV-less bars in the Mile High City and I think there must be more.

Denver guidebook giveaway

For those of you who are on the Visit Denver mailing list for the monthly travel writer's reception, I look forward to seeing you tonight at the Denver's Ritz-Carlton where I will be giving about 30 copies of my Moon Denver guidebook! I'm excited to share the book and talk about it with fellow travel writers.

Denver's Colorado History Museum changes & FREE

On page 25 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about the Colorado History Museum--its many exhibits and special events. Well, the good news is that admission to the museum is FREE as of Aug. 1, 2009 through spring 2010 (March 28, 2010, I believe) when the current exhibit, Allen True's West ends. The not so good news is that after that date the Colorado History Museum will close completely until they relocate and open in maybe late 2011!! I will stay on top of getting more specific dates and where this new location will be, but for now those are the only details I have. Enjoy the free admission though.