Denver In December: How To Plan A Hallmark Movie Winter Vacation
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Last December, my husband Charlie and I went on our first winter vacation together and absolutely had the best time. Having postponed several trips due to Covid-19, we scoured the internet for months to find fun activities that we could participate in on our winter vacation. Having had a great five day vacation in Denver and the greater Colorado area, I wanted to share an itinerary we created that truly gave us a Hallmark movie winter vacation experience by allowing us to enjoy both the city and the Colorado mountains.
You might wonder though, why I am now writing this post in July. And to that I would say a few things: first, now is always the best time to plan a winter vacation; second, hopefully you have just come off that fabulous beach trip or summer adventure and planning that next relaxing retreat will give you so much to look forward to; and lastly, but certainly not least, it is very warm in South Carolina in July, and sometimes I need a reminder that there are other temperatures in the world other than 95 degrees.
Day 1:
As we planned our vacation from a Wednesday to a Sunday, we wanted to maximize our time in Colorado. Considering this, we took an early flight into Denver before picking up our rental car and setting out to explore the city.
Check Out the Christkindl Market
One of our first stops, which soon became a favorite, was the Christkindl Market. Free to enter, the Christkindl Market in Denver is a German Christmas Market that sells a mix of authentic German cuisine and handmade goods. Open from lunch through the evening, the market was frequently packed with both locals and tourists eating delicious Currey Wurst or buying an ornament. We bought several handmade ornaments as Christmas presents, as well as local bourbon and peach brandy barrel aged maple syrups that were absolutely fabulous.
Stay In Hotel Teatro
Following our visit to the Christkindl Market, we checked into Hotel Teatro, located right in the heart of downtown. When beginning our vacation planning, we first looked into staying at a quaint ski lodge, but instead decided to stay right in downtown Denver. By staying in downtown, we were less than 45 minutes from the airport, while also being less than an hour and a half from Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park and Winter Park.
After a little research about great hotels in Denver, I stumbled upon the boutique hotel called Hotel Teatro and immediately fell in love. Hotel Teatro had everything that we could want: beautiful design, wonderful service and even a great box breakfast (a twist from their usual fare thanks to Covid-19).
In the heart of downtown, Hotel Teatro is easily walkable to many of the great spots you will want to visit during your trip.
Visit Larimar Square
For dinner, we decided to venture into Larimer Square which was only a short 4 minute walk from our hotel. I will say that I have never quite experienced the excitement I had walking into that square, as it seemed I had walked straight into a Hallmark movie. All decorated for Christmas, the street was entirely covered in Christmas lights and Christmas trees, with people huddling around firepits and dining in the street. If you are able to visit Denver in December, I would highly recommend visiting this area shortly before dinner to capitalize on the beautiful shops and fabulous restaurants. One particular restaurant that we tried was Tamayo. With a menu full of modern Mexican plates, Tamayo provides delicious food in addition to a heated patio that allows you to overlook the square and take in the gorgeous view.
Find Christmas Lights Downtown
To top off your first day in Denver, you should walk over to visit the Christmas light show on the Denver City Council Building. Originally deciding to walk back to the Christkindl Market in Civic Center Park for dessert, we stumbled upon a Christmas light show on the Denver City Council building that was entirely synchronized with music. Due to long lines at the market, we didn’t make it in before it closed, but the City Council building lit up so spectacularly in such a long light show that we were still glad that we had made the trip over to the park, even if we hadn’t gotten a warm German pretzel.
Day Two:
Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
Another perk for staying in Denver, is that you are only about an hour and a half from Rocky Mountain National Park. Full of hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely gorgeous in December, with enough snow to cover the peaks, but not so much that driving becomes treacherous (although a four-wheel drive rental car is highly recommended).
Once on the trails, the hikes to Bear Lake, Dream Lake and Emerald Lake are all truly spectacular and give several overlook views along the way. One purchase I would recommend that was extremely beneficial to hiking these trails in December were the crampons that we rented when passing through Estes Park at the Estes Park Mountain Shop. These crampons slide over your hiking boots to provide extra traction when hiking the trails, as patches of ice are quite common. Similarly, be sure to dress in layers as you will frequently warm up hiking the trails. Being able to unzip an outer layer will help you momentarily cool down while preventing your body from sweating. Unfortunately, if you start sweating, it is more likely to freeze and make it very hard to warm up again, so anything you can do to maintain a consistent body temperature without sweating is definitely worth it.
Another trick we learned in preparation for hiking these trails (and operating in Denver in general) was to drink a large amount of water to prevent altitude sickness. By increasing our daily intake of water about two weeks before our trip, we were able to start the trip properly hydrated. Frequently, people experience worse altitude sickness because their bodies are already dehydrated, so the change in oxygen levels will cause their symptoms to become more severe. Denver itself is known as the “Mile High City” as its elevation begins at 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level, so as you progress into the national park, your elevation only increases. While being hydrated may not prevent all altitude sickness, it can certainly help to prevent compounding symptoms (headaches especially). If you find that your body still is not responding well to the change in altitude however, many of the shops around the Rocky Mountain National Park (including the Estes Park Mountain Shop) offer small tanks of oxygen that hikers can take along that will give an additional boost.
Lastly, when driving or hiking through the national park and Estes Park, keep your eyes open to wildlife, as we saw deer and elk several times throughout the both the park and town.
Eat At Claire’s Restaurant and Bar
Once in Estes Park, you should definitely add eating at Claire’s Restaurant and Bar to your list. While we did decide to pack a lunch and eat on the trails during the day, for dinner, we drove back through Estes Park and decided to stop at Claire’s Restaurant and Bar following touring the shops around Main Street. Despite being extremely cold and having to eat outside due to Covid restrictions, Claire’s food and service were phenomenal. If you want a restaurant with local Colorado flair, then Claire’s restaurant is the place for you. Both their wild game meatloaf and tiramisu are specialties that you don’t want to miss.
Day Three:
Snowmobile At Winter Park Mountain Lodge
Another great activity to add to your vacation in the greater Denver area is snowmobiling. Having never snowmobiled before, Charlie and I were so excited to try our hand at exploring the trails leading to the Continental Divide. Being the novices that we were, we decided to join a small, guided tour hosted by Grand Adventures at Winter Park Mountain Lodge. The guides with Grand Adventures are extremely considerate and let everyone in the pack go at their own pace (as long as you didn’t stray too far behind!). With additional gear available to rent (coats, gloves, goggles, snow pants etc), they did provide DOT approved helmets and waterproof snow boots to help keep you both protected and not quite as wet. Likewise, drivers of each snowmobile get the added perk of heated handlebars.
With several trails available, we chose the two-hour Continental Divide tour that took us on trails to overlook the Fraser Valley and follow the historic “Moffat” railroad. Due to it snowing during our snowmobile tour, we did not have the same visibility on the trail and overlooks that many guests do, however the gentle tumble of snow creating a winter wonderland was an absolutely magical experience.
Take A Sleigh Ride Through The Snow At Sombrero Stables
If snowmobiling through a snowy forest wasn’t magical enough, you have got to sign up for the sleigh rides offered at Sombrero Stables. Located on the largest YMCA property in the USA, Sombrero Stables at Snow Mountain Ranch offers several sleigh rides throughout the day that take you through the snowy woods. Recommended by the stables, we chose the dusk sleigh ride time slot to see the most wildlife. Despite only seeing a red fox, we did have a Hallmark-esque experience complete with a crackling bonfire, hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows before heading back to the stables. While they do provide blankets, I would highly recommend bringing an extra layer of clothing to fend off the cold that will definitely seep in on your ride through the woods.
Day Four:
Check Out Golden Gate Canyon State Park
On your fourth day in Denver, you should check out Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Only about 30 miles from Hotel Teatro, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is another beautiful hiking spot nestled in the Rocky Mountains. While not as busy as Rocky Mountain National Park, this state park is also teaming with wildlife. Having arrived fairly soon after the park opened, Charlie and I set off to hike a couple of their trails. As it had snowed the night before, all the trails were blanketed in fresh snow allowing us to see the traces of the wildlife that had recently been on the trail before us (rabbit, elk, moose, bear, mountain lion etc). While the trails were so beautiful and tucked in ravines between the mountains… full disclosure… we did not make it all of the way. One part of me loved being able to see all the evidence of the wildlife around me…. And another part really didn’t want to go missing and end up on the news. With no cellphone service and only a couple of other cars in the whole park at the time, we chickened out and decided to tour Golden Gate State Park through our car and at the trailheads. Even so, it was still a gorgeous park and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you can bring a large group or some sort of weapon for personal protection.
Explore Union Station
If you have had enough of the chilly outdoors (or maybe aren’t an outdoor loving person in general), I would recommend exploring Denver’s Union Station and the shops around back in the heart of downtown. Still a functioning train station, the Union Station hosts a hotel, several restaurants, shops and other neat places to enjoy. The actual architecture of the space is gorgeous and with-it being December, everything is beautifully decorated for Christmas. Also, if you are so fortunate, you might even be able to get to experience a group of carolers as you leave.
Take A Hammond’s Candies Factory Tour
Following a strong coffee from Union Station, hop in your car and ride just a few minutes down the road for a sweet treat. Famous for their handmade candies, Hammond’s Candies provides free factory tours which allow you to watch each step of their process in creating their famed products and learn about the history behind this family company. As if the sights and smells of the tour are not enough of a gift, you will also be treated with one of their sweets at the end of your tour and will be given priority access to their shop that holds every variety of products they offer (which make great stocking stuffers!). Regardless of age, the delights at Hammond’s Candies will make everyone feel as if they are a kid in a candy store.
Walk the Trail of Lights At Chatfield Farms With Denver Botanical Gardens
Lastly, but certainly not least, top off your Hallmark movie winter vacation with a walk through the Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms. A part of the Denver Botanical Gardens, Chatfield Farms boasts of 700 acres of plant refuge and working farm. Towards Christmas, they create an amazing trail of lights through part of their property. With giant displays of lights, hot chocolate and fresh popcorn, the Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms is a great activity to bring the whole family together. Since it is at night (and was snowing during our visit), be sure to dress extremely warmly as the temperatures in Colorado in Denver are not for the faint of heart.
Day Five:
Debrief and Head Home
On your last day of your winter vacation, take some time to debrief about all you have seen, what you have enjoyed most, and which pictures taken on the trip are your favorite. As you head off to wherever you call home, make it a priority to dwell on the special moments you have shared with your loved ones. These are the memories that will stick with you a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
While full of fiction and perhaps overly dramatized love scenes, the excitement and activities of a Hallmark movie do not have to be limited to just a screen at Christmas. Grab your loved ones, book a trip, and start creating a Hallmark movie of your own. I promise, it will be the best one you have ever watched.
Happy memory making!!
