Win my Denver guidebook at the Denver Cupcake Truck

Facebook users: Join the Denver Cupcake Truck page today and win a copy of my Moon Denver Guidebook by answering a trivia question! You can find out where the truck will be next-maybe your neighborhood or near your office or campus, then grab some friends and make your sweet tooth happy.

The Denver Cupcake Truck shop is actually in Denver's Park Hill neighborhood:
Cake Crumbs Bakery
2216 Kearney St.
303-861-4912

For those who miss the truck or want to set up with their free Wi-Fi, it's a charming little neighborhood block to hang out and enjoy some delicious treats.

Denver's Darlington Electric Fountain

About the time my Moon Denver guidebook was wrapping up, the city of Denver was showing off the newly rebuilt Darlington Electric Fountain. There will be a special night of celebration from 6-8 p.m. in City Park on Memorial Day to turn the fountain and lights on for the season during a jazz concert. I think this is so cool. Back in the early 1900s a few of these prismatic fountains were built around the country--try to imagine that time before Vegas and Disney fountains galore--including this one is City Park's Ferril Lake. At the time it was a huge draw to the park and people loved to come out on a warm night and watch the water and lights blink on and off during a concert. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair for many years to the point where it had to be rebuilt and not just renovated. Equipped with more colors and LED lights, the Darlington Electric Fountain is once again bringing people to City Park in the summer months.

Radio show link

Here's the link to my Internet radio show interview talking about my Moon Denver guidebook:

http://webtalkradio.net/?s=mindy+sink&task=search

All about budget ways to enjoy Denver anytime!

No more Films on Fillmore

On page 101 of my Moon Denver guidebook I included a fun summer event, Films on Fillmore, which I just learned is no longer happening. There are still many outdoor summer movie events, and you can find some at www.denver.org. Many of these happen in Denver parks, up in Boulder and I know the schedule for summer movies at Red Rocks Amphitheater was recently posted.

Denver Life Magazine article

This month I have an article in Denver Life Magazine about 50 Things for Families to Do in and around Denver this summer. The article is not on their website, www.denverlifemagazine.com, but can be seen in the print edition on stands May and June. I included a lot of places that are also featured in my Moon Denver guidebook, plus more that are a bit beyond the scope of the book.

Denver's 10 Things To Do Before You Die

I saw this article in the Denver Post:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5054084

Top 10 Things to Do in Colorado Before You Die and it got me thinking that Denver should have such a list. Or I should write one, since only two of the things on their list would be covered in my Moon Denver guidebook. Here goes (in no particular order):

1. Climb up to the Capitol Dome and take in the view
2. Spend a night in the Brown Palace Hotel (or just take a tour)
3. Visit Confluence Park (and read about the history of founding Denver on the spot)
4. Drive, walk, horseback or bicycle through Garden of the Gods
5. Run the Bolder Boulder
6. See a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater (or just take a hike there)
7. Listen to the elk in Rocky Mountain National Park
8. Check out the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya
9. Take in a Rockies game at Coors Field (or take a tour and be sure to enjoy the view from the Mile High seats)
10. Visit the Denver Art Museum and don't miss the Western art

Agree? Disagree?

UPDATE: Thanks to Elizabeth's funny comments to this post, I feel the need to clarify--although the clarifications are also in my book. Of course I meant climbing the stairs to the inside of the Capitol building dome. They were closed for a few years, but I believe remain open these days for those not afraid of heights or a bit of steep exercise:)

Denver's Olivea restaurant

Last Friday I had the pleasure of dining out at Olivea on 17th St. This restaurant opened after my Moon Denver guidebook came out in spring 2009, but I am certainly going to include this place in my next edition. Overall I say it was pretty fantastic. Simple and sophisticated i decor, food and staff. Really enjoyed the fava bean crostini--one of many small plates that can be had for only $5 at the bar--and the ravioli was scrumptious, followed by a tasty panna cotta with berries. I went with a girlfriend and now hope to go back for a date night with hubby.

Westin Westminster goes SOLAR

I was invited to a cocktail reception at the Westin Westminster earlier this month. I included this hotel in my Moon Denver guidebook as the perfect halfway place for an overnight stay because it is between Denver and Boulder. Such stunning views--even from the patio--and delicious food, but the big news of the evening was the hotel's new plans to add solar panels making more than 5 percent of their 369 guest rooms solar powered.

Go to www.westindenverboulder.com to find out about upcoming deals and nearby attractions.

Free Denver Parks & Recreation AGAIN

In my Moon Denver guidebook I mentioned that Denver teamed up with Kaiser to provide FREE access to Denver Parks and Recreation facilities--especially those with swimming pools--during summer for youth under 17. It's happening again and with this being the 3rd year in a row, seems to be a regular thing. Go to www.denvergov.org/parksandrecreation to find a location.

Denver Cupcake Truck

When writing my Moon Denver guidebook I had a special box in the "Restaurants" chapter devoted solely to cupcake shops. During the editing this got pulled out and the various cupcake shops were mixed in with the neighborhood restaurants. I still stand by my first call to highlight cupcakes because this town loves 'em! There is now a Denver Cupcake Truck, and if you go on Facebook and join their page you can find out where it will be on any given day. It's cute--like an ice cream truck with no worries about melting.

Denver bicycle program

Earth Day in Denver kicked off the Mile High City's new bicycle rental program. The rainy weather wasn't much help, but it's just a beginning. The cute red bikes with handy baskets on front are awaiting riders at stations all over town--my daughter keeps pointing them out, "More bikes, Mama!" Go to www.denver.bcycle.com. The next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook will be sure to have additional details on the rent-a-bike locations and progress.

Doors Open Denver

I'm baffled that this annual event, Doors Open Denver, is not in the Arts & Leisure chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook. I could have sworn that I included it. Well, I certainly will do so in the next edition. Basically, Doors Open Denver, is a chance for the general public to visit select locations around the city for one weekend--the lineup changes each year too--for guided and self-guided tours. Yesterday my daughter and I waited in a very, very long line in Union Station to see the Platte Valley Model Railroad that is housed in the basement and typically only open at night when she's in bed. A big sign says that it's the oldest of it's kind in the U.S.--since 1933. My daughter was not thrilled that she could not touch the toy trains, but such is the world of model trains. From what I heard from other people in line, the other tour sites--particularly the D & F tower--also had long lines. My tip: go early!!!

Be a Denver insider

I am feeling pretty cool. I have discovered something new in Denver that I don't think many people know about. First, oops! A little oversight in my Moon Denver guidebook "Shops" chapter. I should have certainly included Eron Johnson Antiques on N. Broadway as it is a rather grand antique store with a stellar reputation. The other night though I went to a CD release party, www.davidrynhart.com, at the Eron Johnson Antiques warehouse. The fact that I got completely lost trying to find the warehouse made it seem all that much more special! I went to www.eronjohnsonantiques.com later and scrolled down to "Events" where I learned that they do hose the occasional random event there. These seem to be events that you might only know about if you were invited by the group speaking/performing, but I don't think they are closed to the general public. Worth checking from time to time for an unexpected night out.

Denver souvenir t-shirts

The other day my sister-in-law was in town and wanted to get her kids a souvenir t-shirt from Denver. First stop was Little Man Ice Cream, where of course the kids had eaten within hours of arriving in the Mile High City. Unfortunately, the cute styles and colors only have the business name but do not actually say "Denver, CO" anywhere on them. My sister-in-law's t-shirt criteria is that is have the name of the city, and not just business. This put us on a mission in a very short period of time.

We started with Rockmount Ranch Wear, where I usually suggest people get souvenir tees. But, no! Only some adult men's t-shirts actually say "Denver, CO." Still, I recommend them.
Moving on, we hit a souvenir shop on the 16th Street Mall and left empty-handed because the styles were so dull--not feminine or--can I say this about a souvenir t-shirt?--or sophisticated. Just white and boxy crew neck tees. Next up was the Denver Art Museum, which also was rejected on style.
Success!!! At the Denver Zoo of all places. Very cute. I mean, if they were adult and maybe didn't say Denver Zoo, I would have bought one for me.

I'll be on the hunt for more souvenir t-shirts and maybe it's detail I can include in my next Moon Denver guidebook.

Denver's best lingerie store

I admit to an oversight in the "Shops" chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook. I should have included Le Soutien, www.lesoutien.com, for women in need of quality undergarments and fabulous retail service. Over in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood, I wandered in to Le Soutien recently and within seconds the saleswoman had me literally sized up and, like a NASCAR pit crew, suddenly changed into the bra of my dreams. All I had to do was decide on color. It's like finding the world's best hairdresser, I swear. Count on Le Soutien being not only listed but highlighted in the next edition of Moon Denver.

Award-winning pies at Denver's Bang!

OK, I must be hungry with back-to-back food posts! I've been meaning to share the exciting news that one of my fave Denver restaurants, Bang!, recently won a pie contest! I believe the apple pie came in first and the new black-bottom pie came in second. Either way, you cannot go wrong. I've had both and cannot complain. Check out the latest menu and expanded hours at www.bangdenver.com, or get their address and phone in my handy Moon Denver guidebook--of course!

New: Denver Biscuit Company

If you like Southern food like I do, make a stop at the new Denver Biscuit Company on E. Colfax Ave. One day I was driving down the street when a bus stop ad caught my eye with the word biscuits. Yum! I was there within two weeks or less and loved the not-too-sweet strawberry shortcake. Everything on the menu is under $10 and it's a mix of sweet and savory dishes made with biscuits. I will be adding this restaurant to the next edition of my Moon Denver guidebook, but here is the link to find out the hours and other details: www.denbisco.com.

New name: Denver Chalk Art Festival

Hmmm. I just learned that the annual La Piazza dell'Arte event held in Larimer Sqaure has changed its name to the Denver Chalk Art Festival. I did include La Piazza dell'Arte in the "Arts & Leisure" chapter of my Moon Denver guidebook and I do think it's a very unique event for the Mile High City. I have no idea why the name was changed though. Their talks about the Italian tradition of chalk art...less wine and Italian food at this year's event?

The Eggshell has moved

On page 60 of my Moon Denver guidebook I wrote about a favorite Denver breakfast spot, The Eggshell, in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. They recently moved to 235 Fillmore St., just a few blocks from their previous location. Otherwise, it seems about the same as before with dependably good breakfast and brunch fare.

Bye-bye Stylelicious

I just got an email the other day that the fashionable kids clothing store Stylelicious of Denver's Cherry Creek North neighborhood is closing. I went to their website for details, but they don't mention on there if they are going to just have an online presence or if there is a closing date. I hope to swing by later this week for details. We have bought some really cute clothes there and will miss them. I wrote about Stylelicious in my Moon Denver guidebook "Shops" chapter and I have to say that the Cherry Creek North shopping district seems to be going through a contraction still with so many independent businesses closing. Too bad. I'm curious to see what types of businesses appear next.

UPDATE: We hit the sale yesterday and apparently the owners of Stylelicious are moving to So. Cal. where they may reopen. I think Denver needs more hip children's clothing boutiques than So. Cal., but it's not up to me.