Once upon a time, Denver was the spot where cattle drives ended, and the local ranchers are still supplying the area with high-end cuts of beef nearly year-round, so the steak options are endless and magnificent. Head to ELWAY’S Downtown at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver for 100 percent USDA prime steaks, hand-cut on the premises, and an award-winning wine selection. Other establishments making excellent use of the local beef include Guard and Grace, where Chef Tony Guard opened up his own take on the haute steakhouse to rave reviews, as well as the buzzy 5280 Burger Bar, which also offers miniature slider versions of its big, meaty burgers.  

A two-hour drive south of Denver, Pike’s Peak is the highest summit in the southern range of the Colorado Rockies and an unbelievable sight no matter how you tackle it. Pike’s Peak can be hiked (though it’s a grueling 26 miles round trip), driven to on the Pike’s Peak highway or seen by railway via the Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway that transports you to the 14,115-foot summit. Summit County, a 1.5 hour’s drive from Denver, offers year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. In winter, take a few turns at Arapahoe Basin, a local gem of a ski resort that offers steep runs and easy greens; in summer, go for the adventurous road biking on paths that circle Dillon Reservoir or take you from Copper Mountain down to the charming city of Frisco.  

Arts and culture are inherent to the soul of Denver. The city of artists and innovators is constantly dreaming up new creative expressions to see and experience. The Denver Art Museum, one of the largest cultural institutions between the West Coast and Chicago, features an incredible collection of American Indian art. The Denver Museum of Natural History and Science has ongoing programs about the natural history of Colorado and the universe at large.   

From the chic lounges of Larimer Square and LoDo to the dance-floor scene in the South of Colfax Nightlife District, Denver is the place to visit when you are really ready to unwind. Start on the patio of ELWAY’S Downtown, where a lively happy hour kicks off at 4 p.m., then check out Hi-Dive on South Broadway, where local bands love to take the stage thanks to the fantastic acoustics. Before last call, head to Church Nightclub to catch local DJs and acts from around the world, or enjoy a nightcap at Lost Lake Lounge, a retro cocktail spot on historic East Colfax that showcases both up-and-coming and established musicians.