Denver accommodations?

[Tuckervill]

This is cross posted from the Places folder, since I don't think it was seen.

My boy and I are passing through Denver in April. We already have our Rockies tickets!

We'll need a place to stay. We'll have the whole day of the game to play around in Denver, so we'll need something to do, too.

We need a mid-priced hotel, preferably in a suburban area, on the northerly side somewhere, because we'll be leaving for SLC in the early morning after the game. I don't really care for interstate hotel clusters--I never feel safe. Is there a safe-at-night business area, that has hotels, but that might be off the beaten path? A La Quinta or a Sleep Inn or Hampton Inn or something?

Any areas to definitely stay away from? Any suggestions for a museum or other must-see? I'm really interested in the Molly Brown house. Is it worth the trip?

Thanks in advance!
Karen

[IFjane]

Karen - I saw this in the other forum, but since I don't live in Denver I thought someone else should answer. For what it's worth I'll throw in my 1/2 cents' worth.

I don't know much about the outlying areas (except that I take I-70 west into the mountains when I'm there), but what I do know is that the business area of the city is right downtown and is a great place to stay. I have stayed in two hotels there in the past year. Neither are inexpensive, but the location is hard to beat. Downtown has a "small town" feel to me compared to other cities I have been in. Tons of restaurants of all kinds are within walking distance (so is a Title 9 ) - the Rio has killer margaritas!

You didn't say how old your son is but there is the Downtown Aquarium just off I-25 at 23rd st. It is conveniently located (ahem) near REI

[Tuckervill]

Thanks!

I did see some nice hotels in the downtown area. One has to be careful with downtowns in some cities. My son is 13, and we did live in downtown Memphis for a year, so we have "urban skills". (He used to say, "The city just *invigorates* me!" He was 7. )

I'll take your downtown recommendation into consideration.

Karen

[Kathi]

My impression of downtown Denver is that it is pretty safe. However, I live southwest of Denver and don't know much about downtown lodging or anything north of Denver.

What route are you taking to SLC? Are you going north into Wyoming or west on I-70?

[IFjane]

Thanks!

My son is 13, and we did live in downtown Memphis for a year, so we have "urban skills". (He used to say, "The city just *invigorates* me!" He was 7. )


Karen

I love it! If the city invigorated him at 7, just think what it'll do at 13!

[Tuckervill]

He's a cutie pie, for sure. Today he said he can't WAIT to be 14 so he can get a job and start earning money. (Ah sheesh, kid, don't grow up so fast!)

Kathi, all the travel websites, and my TripTik from AAA, send me up through Wyoming to get to SLC. Our ultimate destination is Corvallis, OR, so that's probably why.

After lots of research, I ended up making a reservation at a Best Western in Lakewood. It just kept turning up everywhere I looked, and it had awesome reviews, so...what the heck.

Thanks, y'all!

Karen

[Kathi]

From the information on the Best Western website it's looks like the motel is near Hampden and Wadsworth. That's very close to where I live.

Are you bringing bikes? You will be very close to some nice bike trails. Also, Red Rocks is nearby, a very nice ride from my house.

When we went to Washington we routed up through Wyoming too.

What are the dates of your trip?

[Tuckervill]

We're leaving on the 15th of April and due home somewhere around the 30th. I'm still trying to decide whether to bring the bikes, because there's so much driving. I'm not sure we'll have big blocks of time, except for that one day in Denver.

We're going to a conference in Corvallis, so that weekend is booked up. Someone who will be at the conference was telling me that I'd regret not having them in Oregon....it was spoken like a true cyclist. But I'm worried about feeling like I'm cramming it in

I'd be happy to hear about trails by the hotel in Lakewood, though!

Thanks,
karen

[IFjane]

From the information on the Best Western website it's looks like the motel is near Hampden and Wadsworth. That's very close to where I live.

Are you bringing bikes? You will be very close to some nice bike trails. Also, Red Rocks is nearby, a very nice ride from my house.

When we went to Washington we routed up through Wyoming too.

What are the dates of your trip?

Kathi - I will be out there in July for about 2 weeks. The following is a quote from an email from my son & I'm wondering if you have done this ride, and if so, what's it like (besides LOTS of climbing!): "We can ride from here to the top of Juniper & back one day if you want - much longer & better climb!

Out to Golden, up lookout, across to Evergreen, up Juniper, back down to Evergreen, down Bear Creek to Morrison, then home."

"here" & "home" meaning Denver. He lives downtown near Coors Stadium.

Your thoughts?

[Kathi]

Kathi - I will be out there in July for about 2 weeks. The following is a quote from an email from my son & I'm wondering if you have done this ride, and if so, what's it like (besides LOTS of climbing!): "We can ride from here to the top of Juniper & back one day if you want - much longer & better climb!

Out to Golden, up lookout, across to Evergreen, up Juniper, back down to Evergreen, down Bear Creek to Morrison, then home."

"here" & "home" meaning Denver. He lives downtown near Coors Stadium.

Your thoughts?

Believe it or not I have not ridden Lookout Mtn of Juniper Pass but I can help with some of the ride. From downtown I expect that he will take Clear Creek trail to Golden, it's flat so that won't be a big deal, Lookout Mtn is 4.5 miles of climbing with a 3 mile downhill. We drove up to Echo Lake (Juniper Pass) a few weeks ago and it didn't seem to bad, just long. Once you turn around it's pretty much all downhill and flat, except for Mt. Carbon in the Bear Creek park. There's 2 ways to come up Mt. Carbon, the left side is easier. Once you get over Mt. Carbon the ride is flat down the Bear Creek Trail and along the Platte River trail back to Denver.

How many miles did he say it is? I can ride from my house to Golden, down the Clear Creek trail to the Platte River trail to the Bear Creek trail to home and it is 54 miles. I live 1.2 miles from the Bear Creek.

I'm planning on doing these passes as training for RTR (if we get accepted)and if I do I'll let you know how they are.

[Kathi]

We're leaving on the 15th of April and due home somewhere around the 30th. I'm still trying to decide whether to bring the bikes, because there's so much driving. I'm not sure we'll have big blocks of time, except for that one day in Denver.

We're going to a conference in Corvallis, so that weekend is booked up. Someone who will be at the conference was telling me that I'd regret not having them in Oregon....it was spoken like a true cyclist. But I'm worried about feeling like I'm cramming it in

I'd be happy to hear about trails by the hotel in Lakewood, though!

Thanks,
karen

Does you son like Prairie Dogs? There's a Prairie Dog Village along the Bear Creek Trail that is easily accessible from the parking lot.

[IFjane]

How many miles did he say it is? I can ride from my house to Golden, down the Clear Creek trail to the Platte River trail to the Bear Creek trail to home and it is 54 miles. I live 1.2 miles from the Bear Creek.

I'm planning on doing these passes as training for RTR (if we get accepted)and if I do I'll let you know how they are.

He didn't say how far it is, but knowing him it's long. I imagine about 60-70 miles but I don't really know. I'll be out there for the Triple Bypass & the first climb is up Juniper so I'm anxious to get out there ahead of time and see what it's like.

I'll be looking forward to hearing from you once you try the climbs. Thanks!

[Brandi]

Denver is pretty safe. I have worked there a lot and let me tell there are waaaaaay worst place then down town Denver.
First you must visit the cheesecake factory it is so yummy! Gotta do that if you are a fan. it has a full menu but save room for desert! I also like the Imax theater there and your son will like it. Unless you have already done the imax thing. But it is really neat!
You can do an orbitz search for a place to stay as well. They rate the hotels I think.

[Tuckervill]

Does you son like Prairie Dogs? There's a Prairie Dog Village along the Bear Creek Trail that is easily accessible from the parking lot.
__________________

We'd love to see that anyway, if you've got directions!

We have one near our house, and we saw one in New Mexico on our bikes last year. Will be a nice tie-in to home and our other trips.

Thanks,
Karen

[Tuckervill]

First you must visit the cheesecake factory it is so yummy! Gotta do that if you are a fan.

Are you kidding? On a trip to Vermont we made a point of stopping in Cleveland just so he could eat at the Cheesecake Factory. He'd only heard/seen it on commercials on Nick because we don't have one here. The advertising just drew him right in! lol. It also helped that his favorite baseball team, the Yankees, were playing the Indians that night, too. (I love pointing out that the Indians beat the Yankees at Yankee Stadium 11 to nothing the very next week!)

Since then he's eaten at CFs in Baltimore, Chicago, and Kansas City. I don't know how I'll be able to avoid it if he finds out there's one in Denver. lol.

Thanks,
Karen