Heading to Denver in the am

I've been out to Colorado a few times backpacking, and a couple layovers at the airport but never for visiting. My wife and I are meeting with family and I took a few extra days for just my wife and I to explore and take it all in.
Looking for some cool places to visit and a brewery (or 2) to stop at. Anyone got any suggestions?

We are staying in Morrison

Thanks

 

I'll give you a list tonight after I get home. Weather's gonna be pretty good for the weekend.

 

I was thinking the same thing.
We need to know you're having fun.....

 

Driving to 8000 feet and then "beer tasting" is a fun time. It really stretches a dollar.

 

Safe and enjoyable trip.....................Don't forget the camera................

 

S000.... what do you want to do, and how far are you wanting to drive?
Running up to Mt. Evans is kinda cool, plus it's close to Morrison. If you want to head further west, two routes as follows-
285 W. to Fairplay, then North to Breckenridge. From Breck you can cut across Swan Mtn. Rd. to Keystone, then Loveland Pass to I-70 and back to Morrison. I can give you the short cuts through some of this.
Or, start with I-70 W. and and drive the corridor to Summit Co.
Winter Park area is also nice and much tamer usually. Cut off of I-70 @ Empire Junction on US 40, go over Berthoud Pass and you drop into Winter Park.
Breweries-
Idaho Springs- Tommyknockers
Silverthorne- Bakers Brewery
Dillon- Pug Ryans
Dillon- The Dam Brewery
Frisco- Back Country Brewery
Breckenridge- Breck Brewery
and for something harder- Breck Distillery.

Still lots of traffic on Friday afternoons and Sat. mornings heading west from the front range. Sunday afternoons are jammed up heading east. Plan accordingly.

edit- wife just informed me there's a new Brewery @ El Rancho. Can't vouche for it, but your relatives will know where it's at. It's your first stop up the I-70 corridor now.
Feel free to PM me, this is my backyard. JB

 

Appreciate the huge tips on driving and sights JB. I'll have more time to check in at the airport tomorrow and do a little research. Got any tips on places to visit in downtown Denver?

 

OK, don't eat at DIA unless you need to for medical reasons, especially Lefty's. You'll just end up with more issues. What time are you arriving?
I know a great place for breakfast/lunch on W. Colfax. Lunch/ dinner I have another, more easily accessible on your drive.
Sorry to say, downtown Denver isn't a place to be if you're not a local. Especially on a week end.

 

Let us know your schedule, we'll go from there. JB

 

I was at the Breckenridge Brewery several years ago. I wanted to take a tour of the Coors factory but couldn't fit it in, fishing for mountain trout took up too much time lol!

 

A novelty restaurant in Denver would be Casa Bonita known not for its food, but rather its atmosphere. Its fun.
Casa Bonita — Denver Mexican Restaurant | Taste the Magic of Mexico!

Try White Fence Farms...Good food
White Fence Farm - Family Style Restaurant - The Best Chicken Dinners, Family Entertainment and Unique Gifts & Shopping, Denver, Colorado

 

Ok, made it to the union station and sat for lunch at 'next door' at the station.

I can't believe the beer prices out this way compared to back east. $5.50 for a pint of craft beer compared to $3.75 for 25 oz. Right now I'm having an Averys 'white rascal' and next will be Locavore 'loggerhead'.

 

Casa Bonita is fun. The kids loved it, and I'd go again. We had a long wait to get a table though.

Maybe it's beyond what your time schedule allows but a trip to Colorado Springs to Pikes Peak is worth it.

 

Saw this gem at a antiques store just outside of Denver.

 

So where did you end up?