Colorado day trip: from Denver to Evergreen
If you really want a true Rocky Mountain experience, then you probably shouldn’t spend all your time in Denver, Colorado. You deserve a better taste of the Rockies than a simple swig of an ice cold Coors Light. And that is why my good friend Lindsey took me up to the charming mountain town of Evergreen, which is only 40 minutes to an hour away from Denver’s city center.
The drive from Denver to Evergreen itself is well worth the trip. In other words, keep your camera handy. The somewhat tree-lined highway (I-70 West) passes by open fields where mass loads of buffalo graze like no one is watching. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself pulled over along with other carloads of people, taking post card-like pictures. And even as you continue into the mountains, you’ll be winding your way around gigantic mounds dotted with Evergreen trees.
Because I was only visiting for two days, we headed straight for the most popular spot, the “downtown” area along Main Street (aka Highway 74). Imagine walking into a log cabin. Now picture 20+ log cabins, all connected by covered porches. Essentially, that is what you will find along Highway 47 in the form of jewelers, art galleries, clothing stores, restaurants and cafes, all connected by a rustic, wooden boardwalk. Some of my favorite shops like Unique Boutique–providing quality goods made by local artisans–and The Green Merchant–offering eco-friendly gifts–have yet to develop an online presence. You are sure to find something special that people will only be able to obtain if they make the trip up to the mountains.
Of course, there’s more to Evergreen than shopping and dining. If you want to learn more about the town’s beginnings, take a free tour at the historical Hiwan Homestead Museum. Evergreen Lake offers boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, in addition to fishing all. year. long. Numerous trails are spread all over the town for leisurely walks (around the lake) or rigorous hiking (in the mountains).
- Posted in Past Trips, Recommendations, Travel News, U.S. Midwest, U.S. West on September 2nd, 2009
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 pm
[...] To read the rest click here September 3rd, 2009 SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Colorado day trip”, url: “http://hipcompass.com/2009/09/03/colorado-day-trip/” }); Comment (0) [...]
November 29th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
“If you really want a true Rocky Mountain experience, then you probably shouldn’t spend all your time in Denver, Colorado. You deserve a better taste of the Rockies than a simple swig of an ice cold Coors Light.”
Boo! The mountains are for bears… There is plenty to see in Denver and far more local brews to sample than Coors! Next time have a better look around. Cheers!
November 29th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Believe me, Peter, I’m a big fan of brews, especially local ones! I just meant that it’s worth it to get out of the city for a day, especially if you like to hike or ski. I’ll be back to visit my best friend soon, and I can’t wait to try more brews!
June 13th, 2011 at 4:29 am
hello…
really good article. Ready to hear more next week,my blog http://www.blurty.com/users/talonmpgraham/ Many Thanks….
June 13th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
hello…
really good article. Ready to hear more next week,my blog http://talonmpgraham.xanga.com/749901497/adressing-wedding-invitations-envelopes/ Many Thanks….
June 16th, 2011 at 5:42 am
really good article…
I have spent a bit of time going through your posts, more than I should have but I must say, its worth it! http://rice071.zoomblog.com/ many Thanks….
June 20th, 2011 at 6:17 am
hello…
Hi there just quality post! http://nikita11.blogcu.com/ ,i had a great read.appreciate your article,My problem continues to be resolved….
June 20th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
very helpful…
I preferred to thank you for this good article. http://wxzal.wordpress.com/ I by all odds liked every little bit of it…
June 22nd, 2011 at 7:53 am
Great…
You did a great job! http://demetriusa.blogfreehere.com/couture-must-acquire-seen-not-hear.html...
June 26th, 2011 at 5:28 am
quality post…
I have spent a bit of time going through your posts! http://juningju01.tradea.org/135422/Looking+for+Carmen+Sandiego.html ,i had a good read….
June 27th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Greate…
It’s such a great site! http://tyshawnatmills.tumblr.com Great post, I just bookmarked it on Digg….
July 18th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Great One…
I must say, its worth it! My link!http://lillian071.blogtrue.com/page.view.do?pageID=2700 ,thanks haha…
August 13th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Great One…
I must say, its worth it! My link, http://d.hatena.ne.jp/bonnie11/,thanks haha…