There are many reasons to love Denver, with access to the outdoors being one of the biggest! Hiking, skiing, and alll the outdoorsy vibes are abound in this city. It’s a popular choice for wellness-focused travelers or those that would rather spend a weekend in the mountains as opposed to the club.
Your Denver Wellness Insiders:
Below we go on a tour of the city with our wellness insiders, getting some wonderful tips and recommendations for your upcoming trip. Ready to get right into the recommendations? Skip below!
Chelsea S.
Chelsea has been in fitness for 12 years and has an absolute passion for empowering people to be their best selves. Chelsea was a high level athlete who battled an injury to come back stronger and more athletic to connect with others on how they to can overcome all of life setbacks. @chelsea.ann.stewart
Bailey is a recycled media artist and tarot practitioner. She uses art and tarot to heal herself, and the land, and to build safe spaces. @baileyconstas
Rachel is a yoga teacher whose dream is to transform the world by holding space for people to first transform themselves. She has been in the tradition of yoga for over 6 years now and it reveals something new to her each day. She has gained a deep respect and appreciation for her body and everything it can do. Her style is grounded and powerful and inspires an easeful relationship with your breath. @rachelmschmeling
Jennifer C.
Jennifer is a nationally certified Pilates Instructor. She has been practicing Pilates exercises for 23 years and has been teaching Pilates professionally for 7 years. She received her formal education and certification at The Pilates Center in Boulder Colorado, completing the 950-hour Advanced Teacher Training Program.
Jennifer believes that Pilates exercises are for everyone and for everybody and looks forward to meeting and working with you! @thepilatesnut
Heather Alexandar is the Founder of Cosmic Soulchemy and has been teaching yoga since 2018. She is also a professional astrologer, Crystal Reiki Master Teacher, Cosmic Wellness Luminary, & host of the Heather Namaste Podcast. When Heather isn’t teaching yoga or leading community events, she enjoys paddle boarding, hiking with her pup Marley, being in nature, & studying the stars. @cosmicsoulchemy
Denver Travel Recommendations:
If it was someone’s FIRST time to Denver - what are your top 3 ‘must-see’ things?
Chelsea’s top 3
“Go on a hike - full stop. You NEED to. Make a quick trip to Boulder or Golden and experience Colorado for what it is - BEAUTIFUL! The sunrise, the sunset, the views, the fresh air, all of it is so healing and WELL worth the experience. My favorite hikes? Boulder - Mt. Sanitas, Flatirons, or Chitauqua. Golden - Mount Galbraith Loop, Chimney Gulch, or Lookout Mountain.”
“Union Station. Denver renovated Union Station just a few years ago and it has been a hit! It is packed with cute bars, restaurants, and shops (and has STELLAR people watching.) During the day, it is lively and full of professionals with people out and about. At night, it is lit up and vibrant.”
“Cherry Creek North. This is a great little pocket of Denver with LOADS to do. There are so many great restaurants, TONS of super cute shops from retail to home decor to nick-nacks, AND you can even squeeze in a workout at one of the SEVERAL studios - Barry's, SoulCycle, PureBarre, AKT - the list is long!”
Bailey’s Top 3
“Meow Wolf Convergence Station: an interactive psychedelic experience that will transport you to another world with compassion and creativity.”
“Red Rocks Amphitheater: It's not far from the city, but if you can catch a concert at the world's best outdoor music venue, you won't regret it.”
“Denver Botanic Gardens: In any season, you'll be able to find something beautiful here. In the summer, they have intimate concerts on the lawn”
Favorite restaurants?
Chelsea gave us her top 3 recs which are:
”Safta - AMAZING! If you like Mediterranean food, you will LOVE Safta. The pita alone is worth the visit. Located in the RiNo district in the Soure Hotel, this is a DEFINITE crowd pleaser. But be sure to make a reservation as they fill up...FAST!
Temaki Den - Another AMAZING restaurant in The Source Hotel in the RiNo District. All I have to say is GO THERE! The sushi is melt-in-your-mouth amazing. You can get hand rolls, classic rolls, sashimi, nigiri; you name it! And it is all SO fresh and beautifully done.
Ay Papi - just for the vibe and the drinks! It is in Cherry Creek North and has the best atmosphere, people-watching, and DELISH drinks.”
“My favorite restaurants in the city are Potager, Safta, Barcelona Wine Bar. And for breakfast, you HAVE to check out Lucille’s Creole Cafe or one of the Snooze locations. Denver is doing brunch RIGHT.” ~Rachel
”Steuben's for chicken and waffles and Chile Rellenos at La Loma” ~Jennifer
”As a Latina, traditional cuisine is top of my list. If you're like me, then Lucina Eatery and Bar in Parkhill had better be on the top of your list too. Part Latin American and Caribbean, part Spanish, all corazón y alma (heart and soul). Destination dining in the comfiest of neighborhood spaces!” ~Heather
Where do you when you want the best juice?
“Nurture. This is not only AMAZING for a GREAT juice, but you can do a salt cave or an infrared sauna and follow it up with a nurturing juice or smoothie and relax in their cozy and welcoming space.” ~Chelsea
If you were doing a staycation, where would you stay? (what area, neighborhood, hotel?)
“One of my favorite spots in Denver is the Baker Neighborhood off South Broadway in Denver. The Victorian architecture of the houses in this area alludes to the neighborhood's history and its many different eras, but today it's a very hip strip. I love walking around peeking through vintage stores, flipping through books at Mutiny Information Cafe, snagging some fries at Sputnik, and seeing a show at the Hi-Dive.” ~Bailey
“We're actually planning a hot springs trip to Joyful Journey. We love this place because it's relatively close to Denver, boasts breathtaking views of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range, and does not have a sulfur odor in the water as some other hot springs do. Plus this is a future Cosmic Wellness Retreat location, so we enjoy working with and visiting this amazing spot!” ~Heather
What are your must-stop boutiques or stores?
“Boss Vintage for excellent vintage, Fancy Tiger Crafts Co-Op for adorable fabrics, Regal Vintage for funky brooches and more, Meininger Art Material for the artists out there! 3 floors!, Rockmount Ranchwear for authentic westernwear, The Mayan Theater for an unparalleled cinema experience, The Cruise Room Bar at the Oxford Hotel is modeled after a bar in the Titanic. Extremely beautiful art deco vibes, delicious cocktails, and of course, it's haunted!” ~Bailey
“I love Sterre at The Stanley Marketplace! They are trendy, cute, and have the best service. It's my go-to for sure!” ~Jennifer
Favorite hikes or outdoor experiences?
“A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park is a must. It’s so beautiful, and there are a ton of hikes for all levels. Red Rocks is a must-see; you get a hike and a concert if you buy tickets to see a show, and it’s a truly unparalleled music venue. There are great hikes just 30-60 minutes outside of Denver proper; Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs or the Flatirons in Boulder are great day trips.” ~Rachel
“I love Hessie Trailhead in Nederland!” ~Jennifer
Bailey graced us with tons of great outdoor recs — her recommendations include “Daniels Park is a huge open space area in South Denver that is home to a bison herd. From here, you can see a gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountains, hike around the park, and soak up some of Colorado's unique brand of peace. In high school, I'd go here to heal and connect to myself.
If you're into spooky stuff, Cheeseman Park is your spot. Built over a cemetery in the 1880s, the rumor is those who were responsible for moving the 5,000 bodies didn't actually do their job.... It's also known as an unofficial LGBTQ+ gathering place—Denver's Pride Parade begins here each year.
Paint Mines Interpretive Park: One of the most inspiring places I've been to in Colorado. East of Denver in Calhan, you'll find long windswept prairie fields. Keep walking and you'll find pink, yellow, purple, and orange sandstone hoodoos and spires. It's easy to imagine why Native Americans used this area for pigment and clay.” ~Bailey
Favorite wellness experiences in the city?
“There are two incredible spas that I love in Denver. Eden Spa is this magical, green space in the Golden Triangle neighborhood. You can get facials, body treatments, and massage services there; or, combine all 3 for the most incredible self-care day of your life. Jalan Spa is another fabulous spot for facials. It’s so calming inside, you don’t feel like you’re in the city at all. Plus, you get a free foot soak before your service if you arrive 15-20 minutes early.” ~Rachel
Favorite fitness classes?
“I'm partial to Pilates lessons at Kinesis Pilates, Denver Pilates Movement and PH7 Pilates.” ~Jennifer
Where are some of your favorite wellness hotspots in the city?
“I love Nurture Wellcare Marketplace. There are over 60 wellness providers in-house from acupuncture to naturopathy and everything in between, there's something for everyone. Plus there's an infrared sauna, Himalayan salt room, and the Nest Cafe, Nurture's very own conscious and wholesome cafe, has some of the most high vitality nourishing food around! I also enjoy visiting the Root Collective on the Ogden block which consists of Rooted Heart Yoga and Wellness, a cute yoga studio with additional studio loft space upstairs. The Balanced Root Apothecary is a great place for herbs, plants, and local handmade wellness goods. And lastly, the Corner Beet, which has an eclectic, bohemian vibe with only the purest quality ingredients. Think high-quality vegetarian and vegan cafe!” ~Heather
Photo of Nurture - a wellness space in Denver
Where do you go when you want to be a little witchy?
“As a professional astrologer, I would consider myself a Cosmic Witch, so for me when I wanna get a little witchy, I seek dark sky places so that I may stargaze, study current astronomy, and practice astrophotography. As a member and volunteer of the Denver Astronomical Society, I enjoy visiting the Chamberlin Observatory and its special classes, workshops, and speaking engagements. Learning about astronomical history, lore, and phenomena is what brings some of my best astrology readings to life!” ~Heather