Mile-HighFeast for the Senses.

If you’d asked me before this trip what Denver was all about, I’d have said the mountains. As it turns out, I’d have been only half right.

Denver surprised me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Yes, the landscapes were spectacular, but what I hadn’t anticipated was the incredible diversity of experiences, from heartwarming wildlife encounters and gardens bursting with spring blooms to a culinary scene so creative and delicious that I’m still thinking about it long after returning home.

Fresh off the plane, my mom and I made a beeline for the Wild Animal Sanctuary. We’re both animal lovers, but we much prefer seeing animals in sanctuaries rather than traditional zoos, especially places dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals that have endured difficult circumstances.

What a heartwarming experience this was! The sanctuary provides rescued animals with expansive habitats where they can roam, rest, and simply be animals. Watching a magnificent tiger stretch out leisurely in the grass, seemingly without a care in the world, was a beautiful sight. There was something deeply moving about seeing these creatures living peacefully, with the space and dignity they deserve. It genuinely made my heart happy knowing there are people and organizations so committed to giving them a better life.

Denver is a city of wonderful contrasts, and nowhere was that more apparent than in its landscapes.

At the Denver Botanic Gardens, spring was putting on quite the show. Tulips and daffodils filled the garden beds with vibrant colors, and every winding pathway seemed to reveal another beautiful corner. One of my favorite sights was an elegant iron archway surrounded by blooms, looking as though it belonged in a romantic garden from another century. I could have happily meandered here for hours.

Then there was Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, an entirely different kind of spectacular. Here, towering red sandstone formations rise dramatically from the earth, their rusty hues contrasting beautifully against Colorado’s brilliant blue skies. The famous amphitheatre is nestled right into this extraordinary natural landscape, and even without a concert taking place, it’s a sight worth experiencing. Nature really outdid herself here!

We also explored Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, another reminder that Denver’s natural beauty extends well beyond its famous mountain backdrop. Between the wildlife, open spaces, colorful gardens, and dramatic rock formations, there was certainly no shortage of things to admire.

But as wonderful as all these experiences were, the biggest surprise of our Denver trip wasn’t the scenery.

It was the FOOD!

Good heavens, why isn’t anyone talking about this incredible culinary scene?!

I consider myself a fairly adventurous eater, but I was genuinely blown away by the variety, creativity, and sheer deliciousness of the food we discovered here.

First up was Bacon Social House, a restaurant that takes its bacon very seriously, as it should! We ordered the bacon sampler, because how could we possibly resist a tasting flight dedicated entirely to bacon? And then came the fried chicken and waffles, accompanied by a side of sausage gravy. Drool. This might have been the single best plate of food we ate in Denver. Crispy, savory, sweet, indulgent, and utterly delicious. We loved it so much that we returned for a second visit during our short stay. That should tell you everything!

We stayed in Denver’s West Highlands neighborhood, which turned out to be a fantastic base for food lovers. Within walking distance were all sorts of wonderful culinary discoveries, each seemingly more interesting than the last.

One of my absolute favorites was Tocabe, an American Indian eatery. I’d never had the opportunity to explore Indigenous American cuisine before, so this was an especially memorable discovery. I loved experiencing something entirely new to me, and Tocabe introduced me to flavors and dishes I hadn’t encountered elsewhere. It’s precisely these kinds of unexpected culinary experiences that make traveling so rewarding.

Happy hour at Wild Tacos brought another delicious surprise: Korean-inspired tacos filled with bulgogi beef and kimchi. Korean flavors tucked into a taco? Absolutely brilliant! It was a wonderful example of the creative fusion cooking that made Denver’s food scene so exciting.

And then there was Bánh & Butter Bakery Cafe in Aurora. I stumbled upon this little gem quite by accident while browsing Google Maps during my first solo trip to Denver the year before. Specializing in French-inspired Vietnamese cuisine, this place serves up some seriously incredible bánh mì, pastries, desserts, and coffee. And let me tell you, everything is off the charts! Living in a city with a thriving Vietnamese community, I’m certainly no stranger to authentic Vietnamese food, and I’ve had my fair share of excellent bánh mì over the years. But Bánh & Butter? This place well and truly blew my socks off! Naturally, I had to return on this trip and introduce my mom to my discovery. We made the drive out to Aurora specifically for their bánh mì, and goodness, was it worth it! Some places are so good that you find yourself planning a return visit before you’ve even finished eating. This is absolutely one of them.

What struck me most about Denver’s culinary scene was its diversity. We went from indulgent American comfort food to Indigenous cuisine, Korean-Mexican fusion, and Vietnamese sandwiches, all within a matter of days. Every meal felt like another discovery, and we barely scratched the surface of what the city had to offer.

I came to Denver expecting beautiful scenery and mountain views. I left with wonderful memories of wildlife encounters, spring gardens, striking landscapes, and an entirely unexpected love affair with its food.

Since returning home, I’ve found myself talking about Denver’s restaurants far more often than its mountains. And that’s saying something!

Denver, you deliciously surprised me. Spoiler alert! I’ve already been back for seconds!