Best Way To Spend A Staycation In The LoDo District

Photos courtesy of Kevin Austin

Welcome back my fellow foodies. With the seasons changing, it was time for one last Summer staycation in Denver. I wanted to explore a part of Denver that I had not been to much, LoDo, nicknamed for Lower Downtown. LoDo is in the heart of Denver, and the city’s oldest neighborhood. It is the perfect combination of old and new. With over 100 restaurants, art galleries and shops, this seemed like the perfect overnight for a mountain girl. I booked a night at The Crawford Hotel in Union Station to get the full experience. I’m packed and ready, so off I pop!

The Crawford Hotel is stunning and blends historic and modern architecture. The hotel is located on the upper floors of Union Station and celebrates over 100 years of history. There has been a huge renovation to Union Station and the hotel has remodeled all the rooms. The rooms are large, with floor to ceiling windows, and probably one of the comfiest beds I have ever slept in. Total bonus is that you can walk downstairs and explore all the restaurants and shops in Union Station without going far.

I was hungry for lunch, so I decided to dine at Ultreia. With many accolades, this tapas bar from James Beard award winner Jennifer Jasinski is top notch. Small plates and gin are the stars here, and you simply must try the Gambas De Ajillo, marinated shrimp with cider beurre blanc, and don’t forget to add some bread to go along with it because you will want to sop up every bit of that sauce. Open for Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, and Happy Hour, Ultreia is a must when coming to Union Station.

I was full and needed a walk, so off to shop. Nothing is far in LoDo. McGregor Square is right around the corner and so is the Dairy Block. My first stop was at The Vintage Label. Owner Carolyn Carrington has a mix of vintage Couture dresses from the 1950’s – the 90’s, including numbered and rare pieces. With a range of price points, The Vintage Label has both vintage and non-vintage merchandise including tees, and jeans.  This store had my name written all over it. Carolyn also carries vintage glassware, and I had to buy a set of beautiful highball glasses for my next soiree. 

Next, I wandered over to the Flowers on The Vine, an adorable flower shop that also carries an assortment of gifts. Make sure to purchase one of their locally made candles before you leave. Next up on my shopping adventure was Blue Ruby Boutique, and this store was everything. Tees, men’s clothing, jeans, sweaters and a fabulous juice bar inside. They have an event space for parties which is adorable. My final stop was in the Free Market at Sistain. Sistain stands for Sisters in Sustainability. They curate non-toxic sustainable, ethically sourced home goods, and they are beautiful. Nothing better than caring for the environment! 

I was ready for a glass of wine, so I hit Blanchard Family Wines in The Dairy Block for a glass of wine and one of their famous charcuterie boards. Family owned and operated, their wines stem from a variety of California and Colorado grapes.  I have written about them before because their wine is delicious. Try the Russian River Pinot Noir, it’s my favorite. 

It was time for dinner, so I headed to Caldero with some friends. Caldero is brought to you by the owners of Sierra, and La Loma. Caldero shines with American and Southwestern Cuisine. Handmade and locally sourced dishes included Chile Rellenos, steaks, and seafood. There is truly something for everyone here, and it’s a great place to go to before or after a Rockies Game. Don’t forget to order the Green Chile. It is truly life changing. Lots of margaritas to choose from here as well to wash it all down.

It was time for a nightcap, so we all headed to the famous Cooper Lounge in Union Station. If you can get a reservation at this bar, you must go. Located on the 3rd floor of Union Station, this fun bar serves up some of the best cocktails in Denver and is worth a stop at for sure.

I cuddled up in my bed at The Crawford and was already planning my day at LoDo tomorrow. I had heard wonderful things about The Oxford Spa, and I needed a massage. The spa was gorgeous, and a short walk from The Crawford Hotel and they were even open on Sunday. I wanted to stay there all day, and I easily could have, but I was hungry for brunch and Rioja was calling my name. If you haven’t been to Rioja, you need to go for so many reasons. Their brunch is legendary, and I started with the Rioja Benedict. The eggs are served on top of a favorite Colorado bite of mine, their Rosemary Goat Cheese Biscuits. If you come for those alone, it’s worth it. I took some home with me because I knew I would be missing them. They have plenty of brunchy drinks, and a doughnut of the day, which happened to be a ricotta doughnut when I was there, and it was perfect. 

My staycation was over, so it was time for me to head back “up the hill” to the mountains. I was relaxed, refreshed and looking forward to going back to LoDo again soon. What an incredible area of Denver to visit. I am thankful I got the chance to check it all out. Until next time my fellow foodies, eat well, drink well and be well.