Krystal Baugher gives us a tour of the coolest first date spots in Denver and the surrounding areas. Take a drink, a puff or a hike using these date ideas.

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With 300 days of sunshine and some of the fittest, smartest people in the country, no wonder singles are flocking to the Denver area! Though it’s a smaller city with only around 600,000 residents, finding something to do is never much of a struggle. There really is something for everyone. Here are some fabulous Colorado inspired date ideas.

The Outdoorsy Theme

Take a Hike at St. Mary’s Glacier

A scenic one-hour drive from Denver, this trail is short but demanding. It’s almost as if you’re walking up a 90-degree angle. A half a mile at that angle can be rough, but after it flattens out, it’s both gorgeous and worth it no matter the season. If the time is right jump in the chilly water or take a sled for a quick cruise down to the bottom.

Get Calorific at Beau Jo’s

The two of you just had a pretty okay workout. Alright, it wasn’t too intense, but beer would definitely make the trip complete. Pizza would make it heaven. Good thing this bad ass spot is on your way back. They serve what’s considered “Colorado” style pizza (aka mountain pies with a dip-able crust), served with honey giving you a main course and a dessert all in one. Enjoy the food-coma enriched drive back to the city.

Night Cap It, With a View

If you head back into Denver stop by The Historians for a quick drink at their rooftop. They have fireplaces making it cozy and romantic no matter the season. The overlooking scenery isn’t too bad, but the people may be just as interesting to observe.

 

The “Artsy Fartsy”Theme

DIY-FF (Do It Yourself, First Friday)

Obviously going to First Friday is perfectly acceptable, but it is only one night out of the month. What if you miss it want to get your art on before the next one? The Denver Art Museum (DAM) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) have regularly scheduled hours (they even offer fancy drink & mingle nights depending on the season). Another option would be to find a couple of galleries near each other and check them out all at once. It’s like a First Friday but better because there won’t be a bunch of drunk assholes preventing you from actually looking at the work. Try the Rino (Rivernorth) District. Some sweet galleries include The Redline, the Dry Ice Factory, Ice Cube Gallery and Plus Gallery, which are all relatively close to each other.

An Apple A Day

Sure, Colorado is known for its plethora of beer breweries (over 200 in the state), but sometimes it’s nice to change it up. What better way than with America’s favorite fruit? Taste dry, hard apple ciders at Stem Ciders, also located in the Rino district.

Paper, Rock, Scissors

A date is much more memorable when a tangible object is attached to it, regardless of how small. While the two of you are sipping cider or hanging out at the galleries why not whip out a notebook and each write a haiku or draw portraits of each other? It’s easy and cheaply entertaining.

 

The New Agey Theme

Explore Your Future

Get tarot readings at Herbs & Art. Perhaps it will reveal all you need to know about your relationship. Maybe it will just be entertaining! Try to schedule a reading in advance. Peruse the store while you’re there. It’s full of all sorts of mystical, magical stuff that could definitely spark an intriguing conversation and maybe change your course of action for the day (or perhaps even for life).

Peruse Legalized Weed

We live in Colorado and thus we have the rare opportunity to go into a store and purchase something that is illegal nearly everywhere else. It’s fun to go and at least just take a gander at what exists these days. There happens to be some really weird stuff out there. Maybe partake in a little nibble of candy. Or don’t, it’s your date.

Peace Out

After doing all that hippie stuff why not finish the date off with the hippest of hippie locations like Sancho’s Broken Arrow: A Thinking Place. It’s also known as a Grateful Dead bar. Have a few bucks on you in case there’s a small cover, but get ready for one great night of people watching (be a little easy on the people-smelling or it might make you queasy).

[image via Geoff Livingston on flickr]