With fall weather and routines settling in, the idea of staying close to home sounds like the perfect kind of adventure. But just because you aren’t driving hundreds of miles to your destination doesn’t mean it can’t be exciting. Whether you are looking for a romantic, adventurous or girls-only getaway, there are plenty of options for getting out and enjoying this beautiful time of year and reignite your love for your own city.
To get you started, we have created three unique staycations to help you celebrate fall a little nearer to home.
Romantic Staycation
If you are looking to spark a little romance for your staycation, the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs is the place to be. Their Romantic Rendezvous package offers the perfect start to your stay and includes nightly accommodation with a view, champagne and petit fours upon arrival, and breakfast for two at the Mountain View Restaurant.
After celebrating your arrival with champagne, we suggest stretching your legs hand-in-hand with a walk through Garden of the Gods or the charming town of Manitou Springs where you can enjoy a romantic lunch. Return to the hotel for a couple’s massage at the Alluvia Spa. Whether you choose to stay for several treatments or are simply looking for a relaxing massage, you will leave here rejuvenated and relaxed.
Head to Elevations Lounge for a drink before retiring to your room for a dinner of room service. But at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, room service doesn’t have your average menu. Here you will find tshings like baked brie, elk bolognese and filet mignon. The wine list isn’t too bad either.
In the morning, the Mountain View Restaurant is the perfect spot for a romantic breakfast overlooking the mountains. The Sunday Brunch and the daily breakfast menu are both showstoppers.
Adventurous Staycation
Staycations in Boulder can offer so many unique experiences to suit your needs it can be hard to pick just one. But since you are so close to the foothills, we suggest a good old-fashioned adventure staycation. Conveniently located near the Pearl Street Mall, Hotel Boulderado offers a luxurious stay close to all the action.
After checking into your room, we suggest heading out for a day hike at Brainard Lake Recreational Area. Not only will this allow you to get plenty of jaw-dropping photos, but you will return to your hotel having had a really good workout in the process. A pleasant 45-minute drive into the mountains will lead you to your destination with plenty of trailheads to suit just about every ability.
On your way back to your hotel, take the slightly longer route through Nederland. You can stop here for a little fuel at Wild Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery. Once you have showered and recharged for your evening out, we suggest cycling over to the Rayback Collective. This unique outdoor spot offers access to a number of local food trucks (on rotation), more than 30 local beers, cider, and wine on tap, local live music and yard games to inspire a little competition. Think of it as the ultimate back yard party with dozens of your closest friends.
If you really want to take the adventure up a notch for your stay, there are plenty of options for night hikes (full moon is best), though we suggest imbibing after the night hike if so, just to be safe. Other great spots on Pearl Street Mall include The Med, OAK at Fourteenth, and Shine (they have a great late-night menu!).
Waking up the next morning, your adventure isn’t over! After checking out you can head to the nearby Mount Sanitas trail for a quick cardio blast (with a view!). This short trail leads you up a steep path to a great lookout point over Boulder and beyond. You will definitely need to refuel after this great hike, and we know just the spot. Head over to Centro for a unique brunch menu that offers things like green chile hashbrowns, carnitas benny and loaded bloody marys. If you want to stretch your legs post-brunch the Boulder Creek Trail is just a few blocks away and offers rugged scenery as you wander along the creek into the foothills.
Girl’s Night Out Staycation
Sometimes the best way to explore where you live is to take yourself out of your typical routine. With a staycation you eliminate the pull to do your weekend chores and weekly grocery shopping, instead staying in a local hotel to make you feel like you are far away on vacation. Seeing things through the eyes of a tourist can be the perfect way to shake things up. A girl’s night out in Denver offers plenty of opportunity for adventure, relaxation and good food.
We recommend staying at The Crawford Hotel at Union Station. The hotel is unique, not to mention luxurious, and the setting will really set the tone for your Denver staycation. As a guest of the hotel you can enjoy a free craft beer at Terminal Bar, a free scoop of ice cream from Milkbox Ice Creamery and a free cup of joe from Pigtrain Coffee. And that’s just to get you started. After checking into your room, head across the street to the Oxford Club Salon and Spa for a little pampering. Not only are the services perfectly relaxing and enjoyable, but you can also hang out with your girlfriend and enjoy a glass of champagne and some sweet treats from the candy bar for as long as you’d like before turning in your cozy robe for the clothes you wore to the spa.
Relaxing back at the hotel while you get ready for a night out means a spa-like shower with a rain-shower head (some rooms even have a clawfoot tub!), top-notch beauty products and a comfortable bed for lounging. A reservation at Cooper Lounge is highly recommended, and allows you to look down on the great hall of Union Station from the chilled atmosphere that the cocktail bar provides. Enjoy one of their unique cocktails and a cheese plate before you head out for dinner.
The Crawford Hotel will drive you anywhere within two miles of the hotel for free (first come, first serve), but grabbing an Uber is just as easy if there is quite a wait for the car. While there are certainly plenty of restaurants onsite and within walking distance, we sought out a hot spot a few minutes away and it was well worth it. Potager Restaurant is located in Capitol Hill and offers a cool vibe, complete with dim lighting and a menu that will knock your socks off. The menu changes frequently to accommodate local ingredients and offers things like twice-baked goat cheese souffle, pan-friend haloumi cheese with eggplant caponata and lamb meatballs. Capped off with a superb wine list and a dessert menu that will have you ordering more than one, Potager is a must-visit spot for your Denver staycation.
If you wake up the next morning hungry, you can order room service from Snooze or head next door to Zoe Mama for Chinese street food.