CITY SPOTLIGHT
DENVER
Denver Central Market
The Source
Worth a road trip
Colorado Springs’
Garden of the Gods
34
August/September 2017
It’s hard to imagine visiting Denver and not experiencing the great outdoors.
Two nearby destinations that offer prime back-to-nature exploration are
Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado Springs.
Located 90 minutes northwest of Denver, the park protects thousands of
species of flora and fauna that can be found in its subalpine and alpine eco-
systems. A record 4.5 million visitors enjoyed ranger-led programs, guided
tours, hiking, wildlife and night-sky viewing and more at the park last year.
With Pikes Peak as its calling-card, Colorado Springs blends big-city ame-
nities with the laid-back feel of a quaint mountain town. Must-dos in the
area include checking out Garden of the Gods—first stop is the state-of-the-
art visitors center (gardenofgods.com)—and taking a ride on the Manitou
and Pikes Peak Railway (cograilway.com) to the famous mountain’s 14,115-
foot summit. Contact Floy Kennedy of the Colorado Springs CVB at
[email protected] to learn more.
Avanti F and B
Buck says another tasty way to con-
nect with her city and its foodie
culture is to visit local markets such
as Avanti F and B, Denver Central
Market and The Source.
“Denver’s dining and craft beverage
scene is hot. Our new marketplaces
showcase the creativity and passion
of local restaurateurs, brewers, bakers
and more. They are a one-stop shop
for visitors to taste local flavors.”
Situated in the Highlands neigh-
borhood, Avanti F and B is modern
food hall that draws inspiration
from both Old World markets and
food trucks. Its seven restaurants are
housed in repurposed shipping con-
tainers, and they provide a diverse
set of dining experiences based on
creative and affordable cuisine.
Denver Central Market brings
together an eclectic blend of 11 restau-
rants. During a visit to this RiNo Arts
District hot spot, patrons can enjoy
a cocktail from Curio Bar and choose
from a wide array of options, such
as meals at Silva’s Fish and the Local
Butcher as well as treats from Izzio
Bakery and Temper Chocolate.
Another RiNo staple and top gather-
ing place for the culinarily curious is
The Source. Located in an iconic 1880s
ironworks building, it is a European-
style artisan food market that
includes everything from a butcher
and a produce vendor to a cheese
shop and a taqueria.
Off to market
we go