Lodging and Food in the Front Range
We know there are lot of options for amazing places to stay and eat in the Front Range, but here is a list of tried and true places our guides and clients love to go to after a long day in the mountains. We also threw in some rest day activities just for fun. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Picture: City Park, Denver at sunset
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Boulder
Our namesake and Jesse’s hometown. A college town and tech mecca at the base of the foothills, Boulder is ringed by the Boulder Open Space and mega classic crags like Eldorado Canyon and Boulder Canyon. Bikeable, walkable and more expensive to stay at than Denver.
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Denver/Golden
The sprawling capital city that is the gateway to major ski resorts and the Western Slope. Home to a thriving music, art and food scene. From Downtown Denver, Boulder is only 40 min away and the crags of Clear Creek Canyon in Golden are 20 min away.
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Longmont
Longmont is a good choice if you’re looking for Boulder vibes without the college feel and a less expensive option. For climbers, it’s only a short drive to the climbing in Boulder, Lyons. and Estes Park. There is a nice main street with shops and restaurants. Lodging is more limited here.
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Lyons/Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park)
Boulder Mountain Guiding’s home base, Lyons is located just 16 miles from Boulder and 26 miles from Estes Park, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Lyons has a small mainstreet, but is a great stopping point prior to getting to Estes Park, which is best described as a tourist town.
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Vail/Avon
The mecca of ice climbing in the front range with pretty good skiing on the side. Located 90 mins from Denver, Vail is a great home base for a multi-day ice climbing adventure with BMG, although lodging can be expensive.
Boulder
For climbing in the Boulder area (Eldorado Canyon and Boulder Canyon), Boulder Mountain Guiding will typically meet at Spruce Confections at 767 Pearl Street in Downtown Boulder
Lodging
We recommend staying close to Pearl Street, a walkable outside mall that forms the heart of Boulder. Pearl Street is also close to the entrance of Boulder Canyon and has a lot of great food options.
Hotel Boulderado is a historic hotel right inside the walkable outside mall of Pearl Street.
Hotel Julien is a luxury hotel also right next to Pearl Street. The spa is supposed to be amazing, and there’s a parking garage below. 5-star hotel
Bradley Boulder Inn is a classic Bed and Breakfast located right near Pearl Street. There is complementary parking.
A-lodge Boulder -located just a few miles near downtown at Four Mile Creek has campsites and van-camping. The A-lodge also Boulder’s only hostel, as well as hotel rooms and cabins. If you’re a client with Boulder Mountain Guiding, we have a 20% discount on stays for 2 nights or greater (please talk to Jesse).
Food and Coffee
Boulder has a number of renown fine dining restaurants, such as Frasca, a Michelin Star restaurant. But here are our local favorites after a big day:
Southern Sun is the classic climber’s brewpub. Located right next to Neptune Mountaineering in the table mesa area this is where all the Eldorado canyon climbers go to celebrate after a day of crushing. Cash only, but there’s an ATM.
Osaka’s is a personal favorite. The only place in Front range (and probably Colorado) you can get authentic okonomiyaki, this Japanese owned restaurant is packed every day it’s open. Their sushi is fresh and we love their Unajyu (eel on rice).
The Jungle has a great Happy Hour between 4-6pm with an $8 cheeseburger and tiki drinks.
Rest day activities
Liberty puzzles factory tour - Liberty puzzles is a local company that makes traditional wooden puzzles with special “whimseys”. These puzzles make a great gift, although they do run in the ~$80-150 range depending on the size. While they
Dushanbe Teahouse is a Boulder institution. Created by Boulder’s sister city in Tajikistan, it’s a work of art that’s worth visiting for the afternoon tea and snacks.
Rent an e-bike from University Bicycles on Pearl Street and bike along the Boulder Creek Bike Path. Or rent a mountain bike and head to Betasso Preserve to drop some singletrack.
Drive up Flagstaff Mountain to Panorama Point for a view of Boulder Valley, and then go for a hike at Realization Point. On the way up, if you have a bouldering pad, you can check out one of the 400 boulder problems alongside the road (no approach!)
Denver
The sprawling capital city that is the gateway to major ski resorts and the Western Slope, Denver is a great home base for a multi-sport week.
While Denver is generally a safe place, there are some places you don’t want to wander into. Here are our recommendations for the best neighborhoods to explore with quick access to the major highways and the airport going from East to West.
Central Park (prev. Stapleton) /Park Hill
Located in NE Denver, Central Park/ Park Hill has some of the cheaper lodging due to its closer proximity to the airport. Surburban feels.
Stanley Marketplace - a converted airport factory, this market hall is the center of the Central Park community. We love the Traveling Mercies for drinks, Annette for happy hour (2019 James Beard Award winner), Marie Empanada, Rosenberg’s bagels (NY style) and Miette en Chocolate for dessert.
Phoenician Kabob - locally owned. Try the beef shawarma pita with the garlic sauce and the hummus
Four Friends Kitchen - local popular brunch place. They don’t take reservations but if you go to the website you can join the waitlist remotely.
Cattivella - Italian restaurant with a great happy hour.
Cherry Creek
Home to some of the most expensive luxury shopping in Denver, the Cherry Creek shopping area has great walkability to every amenity from malls, restaurants, spas and a Whole Foods. Hotels in this area are in the more expensive range.
Cherry Cricket - this local favorite burger joint burned down a few years ago but was quickly rebuilt to its former glory.
Flower Child - it’s a chain but it’s good, simple affordable healthy food.
Curtis Park Delicatessen - local deli, great for a brown bag lunch on your way to the mountains.
RiNo (River North)
One of the trendiest places in Denver, RiNo has an industrial feel that might appeal to those looking for a more urban vibe. RiNo has great walkability—fantastic restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
The Source Hotel - Scandinavian-Japanese inspired rooms, this hotel sits above a market hall that has Safta (mediterrean) and Temaki Den (sushi), two restaurants we love
Stowaway Kitchen - unique brunch options, one of our favorites
Uchi Denver - it’s a chain but it has one of the best sushi happy hours in town.
Cart-Driver RiNo- Wood fired pizza and oysters
Denver Central Market - upscale food court
Xiquita Restaurante y Bar - Uptown, Denver, CO - not quite RiNo but we had to put it somewhere. Oaxacan Mexican food at its finest
Pig and Tiger - Taiwanese food in Downtown. We love the cold sesame noodles and the deconstructed pork buns. It’s on the same block as Woods Boss Brewing, Escapology Escape Rooms and the Denver Underground Comedy Club.
LoHi/LoDo/Highlands
Home to a flagship REI, Confluence Park, the Denver Aquarium and Commons Park, this area is also one of Denver’s trendiest neighborhoods. Easy walkability and a short walk to downtown across the Highland bridge. While we’ve never stayed in the hotels there, a few of them as “self-check in hotels” without staff (Gravity haus and Kasa)
Kawa Ni -a nontraditional Japanese izakaya. Try the addictive cabbage and the Scallop Temaki, it’s worth it
Root Down and Linger - Root Down is New American food, Linger is international. Fun fact: Linger is located in the old Olinger mortuary (hence the name).
Uncle - we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Jesse’s favorite ramen place in all of the front range
Avanti Food & Beverage - the original Denver food hall
Golden
In the last 15 years, Golden has surged in popularity due to its host of outdoor activities and location at the base of the foothills. Golden is home to Coors brewing, the Colorado School of Mines and the American Alpine Club. It has a charming but short western style main street, and on hot summer days you can go tubing right past downtown Golden.
The Eddy Taproom and Hotel - a brand new hotel located in an ideal location right in downtown Golden. You can walk to climbing from here.
New Terrain Brewing - this sprawling beer garden sits right next to a dog park, hiking trails and mountain biking. There’s live music Thursday evenings.
Sherpa House - Nepalese and Tibetan restaurant that has been a staple of the area since 2009. Decorated as a traditional Sherpa Home in the Solu Khumbu district of Nepal. Definitely worth a visit!
Rest day activities
Red Rocks Amphitheater is, in our opinion, the most unique amphitheater in the world, and seeing a show or movie there should be on every visitor’s bucket list. Check out the event calendar. Or go for a hike in the nearby Matthews Winter hiking trails to check it out from a different viewpoint.
Meow Wolf Denver is a giant art exhibit/experience worth visiting, although be prepared for a LOT of color and strangeness. Great family friendly activity for all ages.
Train to Winter Park - This train takes you straight to the base of Winter Park resort in the winter. You can leave your belongings on board for the day, and then after you’re done with your apres ski at 4:30pm, it takes you back to Downtown Denver.
Longmont
A small town with a quintessential Colorado main street and a chill vibe, Longmont is a cheaper option for those looking to climb in Rocky Mountain and Boulder. Here you’ll find your standard chain hotels and big box stores, as well as some great restaurants and unique shopping.
Lodging
Here are a few hotels our clients have stayed at:
Food and Coffee
Longmont has a surprising number of great restaurants, most of them locally owned.
Juniper Goods is definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for a coffee, pastries, gelato, gifts and a quiet place to work or read. A community anchor, Juniper Goods also has Jazz events and tastings on the weekends. We’re huge fans!
Rosario’s Peruvian Restaurant - locally owned authentic Peruvian food. Jesse loves the Tour #1 for a taste of
99 saloon — best hamburgers in town.
The Roost - locally sourced food and drink, the Roost has something for everyone. A great place for groups since everyone will leave happy. Entrees are ~ $15-25
Lucile’s Creole Cafe - there are a lot of Lucile’s on the front range, but we think the ones in Longmont and Boulder are the best. Jesse loves the Eggs Pontchartrain with the beignets.
303 Suns - a local brewery famous for the best spicy chicken sandwich in the front range
Swaylo’s Tiki Restaurant and Bar - a little weird? yes. Worth a visit? Absolutely! Owned by the same owners as the Roost and 99 saloon, Swaylo stands for “Southwest Longmont” and features Hawaiian-Asian food served up in a pirate-ship themed atmosphere. Nuff said.
Babbette’s Bakery - AMAZING pastries. There’s usually a line out the front for this hidden gem.
Rest day activities
Bike the St. Vrain Greenway Trail
Visit the Longmont Museum for some local history
Lyons/Estes Park
These towns are the gateways to Rocky Mountain National Park. Located just outside of Boulder, Lyons is home to Wildcat Mountaineering and the office of Boulder Mountain Guiding, and will be one of your meeting points for our trips to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lodging
In Lyons and Estes Park, lodging ranges from ramshackle to luxurious and anything in between. Expect historic hotels and “historic” motels.
A-lodge in Lyons - located off of Main street in Lyons, the A-lodge in Lyons is located within walking distance of Wildcat Mountaineering and Oskar Blues brewery. Just like the Boulder location, if you’re a client with Boulder Mountain Guiding, we have a 20% discount on stays for 2 nights or greater (please talk to Jesse).
The Stanley - a luxury hotel that was the inspiration to the Stephen King Novel “The Shining”.
YMCA of the Rockies - Rooms in the lodges as well rustic affordable cabins that are great for groups. There are two locations in Estes Park and Granby, so make sure you’re at the Estes Park Center
Riversong Inn Retreat - charming AirBNB in Estes located on 26 acres.
LaVern M. Johnson Park - offers 16 RV hookups and 20 tent sites and access to showers (for a fee). You can reserve online on www.reserveamerica.com
Food and Coffee
We love our community in Lyons and would love it if you could support local. We’ve also included a few places in Estes Park for those who are starving after a long day climbing in the Park.
The Wayback - our favorite happy hour place in Lyons, especially since it’s located in the back of our office and Wildcat Mountaineering! Good vibes and board games.
St. Vrain Market - our favorite place for a brown bag lunch or a pastry, located across the street from Wildcat Mountaineering.
Indian Bites - located next door to Wildcat Mountaineering in Lyons, this is a family owed restaurant serving Himalayan style Indian Food.
Moxie Bread Company - coffee and pastries and BREAD. Located in Lyons. On Sundays through the summer and early fall there is a small farmer’s market with bluegrass music.
Marigold - Lyons has fancy food too! James Beard semifinalist and a top 25 restaurant in Denver in 5280. Open for dinner and totally worth it.
Fresh Burger Stop - a local hidden gem in Estes, this burger place is located at a Sinclair Gas Station in Estes. A guide favorite.
Ed’s cantina & Grill - another climber favorite, Ed’s is where you can find massive nachos and margs. Check out the walls for some cool posters from local and visiting climbing superstars.
Rest day activities
Stanley Hotel - even if you don’t stay at the Stanley hotel, it’s worth a visit. You can do a “Shining Tour” and visit the Shining Suite (the hotel inspired the movie) or do a Night tour. The Stanley also has a reknown whiskey bar with Colorado’s largest selection of whiskeys and scotches.
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - take a drive from Estes park to Central city and visit a few of Colorado’s smaller towns and ghost towns. This scenic drive spits you out in Central City, where you can get onto I-70. . You can ride the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, nose around Caribou (an old silver mine) check out the casinos in Central city and enjoy the fall leaves.
MacGregor Ranch Museum - Established in the late 1800’s, MacGregor Ranch is still a working cattle ranch and homestead. In the summer, you can visit a museum and tour its historic buildings.
LaVern Johnson Park - even if you don’t camp here, this is a great place to visit, especially if you have kids! There’s tubing, playgrounds and a splash pad. There’s also an ice rink in the winter. You can reserve a picnic table on ReserveAmerica.
Vail/Avon
An upscale resort town, Vail is known for its luxurious accommodations, shopping and restaurants. While staying in Vail proper is an option, you may also consider staying in some of the surrounding towns such as Avon, Edwards, Minturn and Frisco.
Food and Coffee
Vail has a few hidden gems that can be found among the Michelin star restaurants. Here are a few of Jesse’s favorites:
Taqueria No SE Hagan Bolas- authentic hole in the wall in Avon. Try the al pastor tacos and burritos. Cheap good food.
Sabor Mazatlan - Great beer and the carne asada plate is cooked to perfection
Rest day activities
Go skiing or snowboarding at any of the surrounding resorts. Or you can check out the Vail Nordic Center for some casual cross country skiing
Go on a sleigh ride at night - we haven’t done this yet but we want to!