Day 3

Denver sightseeing + shopping + Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre + Broadmoor Hotel/Colorado Springs

7:30 am buffet party breakfast The Corner Office Restaurant Curtis Hotel
Today is “Disco Day.” Staff and patrons are costumed. There’s a rack of authentic 60’s Disco Party clothes at the entry. Customers select and don what they like to join in the fun. Menu has the party theme printed on 78 style record. Hard to read but fun. Great way to start our day.

8:45 am check out, load luggage on personal tour bus, drive 5 minutes to Union Station for area walking tour
Recently completed restoration/re-development makes this an exciting place in the heart of downtown. The 1881 Beaux Arts station is now a hub for transportation, dining, shopping, entertainment. There are 112 hotel rooms, 4 new Colorado chef-owned restaurants, 2 quick service restaurants, local one-of-a-kind shops, a Colorado beer hall. Much of the historical interior has been saved but converted to new uses. The massive 2 story main room is filled with light and very dramatic. Furniture arrangement on the floor is a mix – some for groups to engage, other pieces for solitary relaxation. Nice to meet a friend here for a drink or a bite. Behind the station rail service connecting to Denver Airport is being developed.

Strolling slowly, we notice the aged buildings of red brick look fresh and strong. The Rockmount building is a historic landmark built in 1909 and the Rockmount Ranch Wear store, a true Western icon, is worth our visit. They introduced western shirts with “snaps” and helped popularize Western wear as legitimate American fashion throughout the U.S. and abroad. Great collection of hats, shirts, boots, belts. We pick up 6 silver button covers. We peek briefly into Tattered Cover at the end of 16th St. This historic bookstore in LoDo (Lower Downtown) is a reader’s paradise. Two stories of books; you curl up by the fire in comfortable antique furnishings, bathed in lamplight. The scene of many readings, autographings, literary events. Stop by the Big Blue Bear now a Mile High City icon, for a don’t miss photo-op. Since 2005, Lawrence Argent’s delightful 40-foot sculpture, “I See What You Mean”, has been creating a sense of fun and playfulness by curiously peering into the Colorado Convention Center.

10 am shopping stop Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Short drive from downtown with full views of snow covered mountain-tops to gaze at during the ride. We pick up our Passport to Shopping discount booklets and go – we have only one hour! Shoppers dream – over 160 name brand stores including: Tiffany & Co, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, and favorites like Macy’s, Gap, Banana Republic. Great tots play area. Many smiling folks with full shopping bags. Get a map, you’ll need one to find your way around. Luxe shops on 2nd level have gracious helpful staff who seat you, take time with you, serve you a beverage. How special this feels.

noon lunch Kona Grill at Cherry Creek Shopping Center
The diverse menu, a wide variety of mainstream American dishes, also offers internationally-influenced entrées and appetizers. Freshly prepared food, personalized service, warm contemporary ambiance = an exceptional, affordable dining experience. Nice respite from shopping.

1:30 pm arrive and tour Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Just 15 miles west of Denver, this naturally formed, world-famous outdoor venue is the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world. Visitor Center features interactive educational displays, short film documentary on the geologic and musical history and Performer’s Hall of Fame. Red Rocks is recognized for its star-studded concert roster, natural acoustics and ambience, as well as its awe inspiring hiking and biking trails. 3:30 pm Reluctantly depart Red Rocks to drive to Colorado Springs and Broadmoor Resort.

4:15 pm arrive Colorado Springs
At 6,035 feet, Colorado Springs stands over one mile above sea level, though some areas of the city are significantly higher and lower. It is situated near the base of one of the most famous American mountains, Pikes Peak, rising over 8,000 feet above the city on the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains. The Olympic Training Center, University of Colorado, Colorado College, and US Air Force Academy are located here.

4:30 pm check in Broadmoor Hotel
A long green oval approach lined with plants, trees and blooms signals what is coming. Elegant buildings, luxuriously appointed lobbies, beautiful grounds, a wide choice of activities, many restaurants from which to choose. Crossing the path over the lake to the west shore we meet our luggage in our room. All hotel rooms are large but varied – some have balconies, preferred views and more square footage than ours. The luxurious bathroom is all marble – floors, shower, bathtub, counters. New innovation – a TV screen in our bathroom mirror! Love it, use it! Unpack and check out the possibilities for dinner. Tonight we choose the Raw Bar + Seafood Classic at La Taverna. Attention to detail is remarkable – as expected of a 5 Star hotel.

overnight Broadmoor Hotel
Our room looks out on the lake. At dusk lighted buildings across the lake cast light reflections on the water. The setting sun has put lots of color in the sky. Glorious picture! We tuck in – tomorrow is an early day.

Photos
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