Cubs/Rockies August 7-10

[kroth1342]

I'm thinking about heading out to this series as part of a vacation. Can any NSBBers out in Denver provide some tips on places to stay/eat/drink? Are Rockies games big on tailgating or is it more of a bar scene? Of course any recommendations on other things to do in Denver are appreciated. Thanks.

[OleMissCub]

There is no tailgating at Coors. But there are plenty of sports-type bars right outside the park. Coors is a really nice place to watch a game and there are always plenty of Cubs fans there when they come into town. Denver is a great town. You'll enjoy it.

[JockJones]

Coors is a great place to watch a game. One of my favorite things about the stadium is all the people who stand outside it and sell you really cheap food (peanuts, drinks, candy). They let you bring it into the stadium with you and you save a lot on the concessions.

[Twiggy]

Lower Downtown is pretty cool. In the past the Cubs have stayed at the Westin Tabor Center which is along the 16th St. Mall and and attached to the ESPN Zone. Not sure if they still stay there since the Ritz is up and running now however.

 

I usually make the drive over but not sure if I will this year. If you enjoy Blue Moon beer, they have a special blue blue bar/brewery out along right field.

[hardcorecubfan]

If I can get rid of my mother in law early on the 7th I may be there.. (note: not a death threat she is flying home)

[mlarner]

Check out the Wynkoop just a mile away from the stadium for fun atmosphere and very good eats/drinks. Coors is a nice place to catch a game and Denver is a great downtown. If you can you should extend your stay and head out to Boulder and the Flatirons just a little to the West (or if you can extend it a lot head out to Rocky Mountain National Park and do some hiking and camping!) ;)

[NCCubFan]

Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods in the Colorado Springs area are also worthwhile side trips. Garden of the Gods is free.

[WreckingMachine]

First, get the ribs from Dave's BBQ stand. They're not expensive, and very good ribs.

 

And if you make another trip during the game for food, stop by Rocky Mtn Oysters.

 

The series should be close to selling out.... We've had a lot of fans there lately.

[Bergy92]

looks like I am heading out there for Friday & Saturday games, taking my boys for their first Cubs games (7 & 9 years old). Just went to KC game against the Rays last week, their first real game, sad it was a Royals game, but at least Grienke pitched. They are so pumped about getting autographs and stuff...

[mjohnson71]

Denver is a great city but their downtown is lacking on the number of hotel choices for a good-sized city. I've stayed at the Marriott TownePlace Suites which is on the other side of downtown Denver on Speer Ave. Good rates, free parking and a couple of dining options close by.

 

Coors Field is pretty nice though the bars are a few blocks away. The stadium is mostly surrounded by parking lots and major roads. Bars I've got listed in my city trip file:

-Giggling Grizzly

-My Brothers Bar

-Gabors

-Three Kings

-Govn'rs Place

-Scruffy Murphys

-Larmier Lounge

-Tryst

-Earls

-Paramount Lounge

 

Eat at Jack-n-Grill and try Denver area Tex-Mex food. Get a bowl of the green chile.

Late-night food: Pete's Kitchen

 

Other 1 day each side trips (some mentioned before):

-Collorado Springs with Pikes Peak, The Broadmoor and Garden of the Gods

-Boulder

-Rocky Mountain National Park

-Idaho Falls: do a quick 3 to 4 hour white water rafting trip.

 

Other things:

-watch the one way streets. Denver has a lot of them.

-give yourself a day to acclimate to the altitude. Drink tons of water and don't drink alcohol the first day there.

-the homeless situation is really bad out there. They'll be stationed every block on both sides of the street. And when the bars close they'll gather right in front of the door asking for handouts.

[Gingerballs Lives]

I'm actually moving out to Denver that weekend.

 

Maybe I'll go see our beloved Cobs in enemy territory.

[Bergy92]

So, just got tickets for Friday & Saturday games...quick question, My son (9 yrs old) is so excited about getting autographs, where is the best place to go, where to stand for him to get the best chance for auto's?

[Skyballer]

Bergy, Kroth, I'll be at at least one of the games and ive gone every year since Ive lived in CO. First of all, like others said there's bar all around the park but of course I couldn't tell you about em. Coors is a real nice place to watch a game though, if you hadn't already had your tickets id recommend the pavilion (outfield). Its fairly cheap and provides a good view and that's where the homeruns are obviously hit. I really don't know where to get autographs, I've tried and I'm always unsuccessful. Lastly, I would take a trip to Red Rocks if you're going to be there any extra time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So, just got tickets for Friday & Saturday games...quick question, My son (9 yrs old) is so excited about getting autographs, where is the best place to go, where to stand for him to get the best chance for auto's?

 

I've never been to Coors, but in my experience, if you can find where the players enter the park before the game, you'll get more autographs than you will in batting practice.

[Bergy92]

So, just got tickets for Friday & Saturday games...quick question, My son (9 yrs old) is so excited about getting autographs, where is the best place to go, where to stand for him to get the best chance for auto's?

 

I've never been to Coors, but in my experience, if you can find where the players enter the park before the game, you'll get more autographs than you will in batting practice.

 

thanks Vance, I know your the expert...I will try to find that spot, my son would be pumped. How early would they get to the park for a 7:00 game? At an away game, would they be in a bus together?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So, just got tickets for Friday & Saturday games...quick question, My son (9 yrs old) is so excited about getting autographs, where is the best place to go, where to stand for him to get the best chance for auto's?

 

I've never been to Coors, but in my experience, if you can find where the players enter the park before the game, you'll get more autographs than you will in batting practice.

 

thanks Vance, I know your the expert...I will try to find that spot, my son would be pumped. How early would they get to the park for a 7:00 game? At an away game, would they be in a bus together?

 

Most won't take the bus. Those that do, you probably won't see.

 

For a 7:00 game, most will arrive between 2-4, with the majority between 2:30-3:30. The coaches and some of those who like to get there early may get there as early as 12:30-1:00. I don't know how the park is situated. Some places, it is easy to access them (Houston, for example)...others like St. Louis, there's a gated lot they let the cabs enter and it's a lot harder. I've never been to Colorado, so I can't tell you anything about it. You might try posting on a Rockies message board and find out if anyone knows where the visiting team get out of cabs to enter the park.

[TBone]

Coors field is a nice place to catch a game. There will be plenty of Cubs fans there.

 

Go to the Sports Column in the LoDo area before the game for Chicago Style hotdogs and cheap Old Styles. (think they're $1--I'll be there Monday) Hang on the deck upstairs.

 

Know what a rocky mountain oyster is before you try them. They're good, just know what to expect. ;)

 

My Brothers Bar (warning--there's no sign, just listen for the classical music blaring out the speakers in the front) is one of the best burger joints (Cherry Cricket being the other) with good beers on tap. If you haven't had enough girl scout cookies, you can also get them year round as they stock up and sell them to customers throughout the year. Get the Ralphie (buffalo) burger w/ cheese and the onion rings. Stop by REI nearby for outdoor gear if that's your thing, or watch the kayaker's just outside REI to see some people drinking some really unclean water when they barrel roll. If you like sushi, Sushi Sa Sa kitty corner from My Brothers Bar is the best in town IMO. (Chef Morimoto from Food Network trained the chef of Sushi Sa Sa) Earl's is cool if for no other reason than the talent serving your drinks and food, otherwise it's expensive and hip.

 

Check out the Paramount and get a seat outside to people watch all the freaks on 16th street mall. Espn Zone just closed. Giggling Grizzly is a bunch of underage kids, but decent after the game. The Mexican joint next door (El Chapultapec) has horrible food, but the best jazz in town. Just take cash as they don't take checks or credit cards. The Celtic bar in LoDo is a good Irish pub that gets pretty crowded. (there's a Fado's just across from Coors Field, but it sucks in comparison) The Cruise Room is the best martini joint in town. It's in the Oxford Hotel I believe. Very old-school feel to it, but can get crowded on weekends. Wynkoop is nice...try the elk if you're there--great home-brewed beers too. Fontano's chicago subs downtown has some really good sandwiches as well as a nice Italian Beef sandwich. Larimer Square has some nice restaurants and bars as well. Pete's Kitchen on Colfax or Denver Diner on Speer are the "after the bar has closed" eating establishments. The Rio has fantasticly strong margaritas, but don't eat there...eat at Yahoo's Fish Tacos next door for cheaper, better food. This is a great happy hour joint, but they limit you to three margs and close at 10.

 

Besides Blue Moon, check out Fat Tire and Breckenridge Brewery beers if you're into beer.

 

Stay anyplace reasonable downtown. (cheap places could be sketchy) you're a short cab ride, walk, or bus ride to any of the places I've mentioned, if you don't take the free bus that goes down 16th St mall. If you give money to everyone who asks you for money on 16th street mall, you'll be very poor very quick.

 

You may be able to tour the US Mint in Denver, but I think you need reservations and they only do it a couple days a week. I always recommend Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for visitors. (you're almost guaranteed to see Elk with a good chance to see big horn sheep, fox, and coyotes) If you go there, be sure to stop by the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. It's the hotel Stephen King based his book "The Shining" on. It's pretty creepy. Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs are nice as well and about the same distance drive. Boulder is a blast, especially if you stop on Pearl Street. Breckenridge is an hour and a half drive if you want an old-time mining / ski resort town, with Vail another 45 minutes if you want to see a ski resort town that tries to look like a European ski resort town. If you've got money and want a very nice dinner, check out Frasca in Boulder--make a reservation if you can get it. (Flagstaff is also quite nice with beautiful views) One of the best restaurants in Colorado. The Fort in Morrison (by Red Rocks if you're planning on visiting there) has some expensive various game dishes, but a great view of the city and all kinds of game. (ostrich, elk, buffalo, rattlesnake, etc.) If you're into trying different game, I prefer the Buckhorn Exchange on 12th and Osage. (short cab ride from downtown) Rocky Mountain Oysters there are great and it's the first liquor license in the state of Colorado. Blackhawk, CO is the nearest gambling mecca (and a 45 minute drive) if you're into that. They just upped the limits from $5 to $100 and now have craps and roulette as well as poker, blackjack, and slots.

 

And whoever recommended getting acclimated to the altitude is very right. Drink plenty of water your first couple of days. If you want a really quick buzz, just start drinking alcohol and expect to be hammered after half of what it would take you in the flatlands.

 

PM me if there's anything else you may want to know or specific food requests...I've lived here since 2000. I'm going to my high school reunion for the weekend on Friday and will be off of email, (or too drunk to respond) but if you catch me before then I'll be able to respond.

 

T

[mjohnson71]

Coors field is a nice place to catch a game. There will be plenty of Cubs fans there.

 

Go to the Sports Column in the LoDo area before the game for Chicago Style hotdogs and cheap Old Styles. (think they're $1--I'll be there Monday) Hang on the deck upstairs.

 

Know what a rocky mountain oyster is before you try them. They're good, just know what to expect. ;)

 

My Brothers Bar (warning--there's no sign, just listen for the classical music blaring out the speakers in the front) is one of the best burger joints (Cherry Cricket being the other) with good beers on tap. If you haven't had enough girl scout cookies, you can also get them year round as they stock up and sell them to customers throughout the year. Get the Ralphie (buffalo) burger w/ cheese and the onion rings. Stop by REI nearby for outdoor gear if that's your thing, or watch the kayaker's just outside REI to see some people drinking some really unclean water when they barrel roll. If you like sushi, Sushi Sa Sa kitty corner from My Brothers Bar is the best in town IMO. (Chef Morimoto from Food Network trained the chef of Sushi Sa Sa) Earl's is cool if for no other reason than the talent serving your drinks and food, otherwise it's expensive and hip.

 

Check out the Paramount and get a seat outside to people watch all the freaks on 16th street mall. Espn Zone just closed. Giggling Grizzly is a bunch of underage kids, but decent after the game. The Mexican joint next door (El Chapultapec) has horrible food, but the best jazz in town. Just take cash as they don't take checks or credit cards. The Celtic bar in LoDo is a good Irish pub that gets pretty crowded. (there's a Fado's just across from Coors Field, but it sucks in comparison) The Cruise Room is the best martini joint in town. It's in the Oxford Hotel I believe. Very old-school feel to it, but can get crowded on weekends. Wynkoop is nice...try the elk if you're there--great home-brewed beers too. Fontano's chicago subs downtown has some really good sandwiches as well as a nice Italian Beef sandwich. Larimer Square has some nice restaurants and bars as well. Pete's Kitchen on Colfax or Denver Diner on Speer are the "after the bar has closed" eating establishments. The Rio has fantasticly strong margaritas, but don't eat there...eat at Yahoo's Fish Tacos next door for cheaper, better food. This is a great happy hour joint, but they limit you to three margs and close at 10.

 

Besides Blue Moon, check out Fat Tire and Breckenridge Brewery beers if you're into beer.

 

Stay anyplace reasonable downtown. (cheap places could be sketchy) you're a short cab ride, walk, or bus ride to any of the places I've mentioned, if you don't take the free bus that goes down 16th St mall. If you give money to everyone who asks you for money on 16th street mall, you'll be very poor very quick.

 

You may be able to tour the US Mint in Denver, but I think you need reservations and they only do it a couple days a week. I always recommend Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for visitors. (you're almost guaranteed to see Elk with a good chance to see big horn sheep, fox, and coyotes) If you go there, be sure to stop by the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. It's the hotel Stephen King based his book "The Shining" on. It's pretty creepy. Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs are nice as well and about the same distance drive. Boulder is a blast, especially if you stop on Pearl Street. Breckenridge is an hour and a half drive if you want an old-time mining / ski resort town, with Vail another 45 minutes if you want to see a ski resort town that tries to look like a European ski resort town. If you've got money and want a very nice dinner, check out Frasca in Boulder--make a reservation if you can get it. (Flagstaff is also quite nice with beautiful views) One of the best restaurants in Colorado. The Fort in Morrison (by Red Rocks if you're planning on visiting there) has some expensive various game dishes, but a great view of the city and all kinds of game. (ostrich, elk, buffalo, rattlesnake, etc.) If you're into trying different game, I prefer the Buckhorn Exchange on 12th and Osage. (short cab ride from downtown) Rocky Mountain Oysters there are great and it's the first liquor license in the state of Colorado. Blackhawk, CO is the nearest gambling mecca (and a 45 minute drive) if you're into that. They just upped the limits from $5 to $100 and now have craps and roulette as well as poker, blackjack, and slots.

 

And whoever recommended getting acclimated to the altitude is very right. Drink plenty of water your first couple of days. If you want a really quick buzz, just start drinking alcohol and expect to be hammered after half of what it would take you in the flatlands.

 

PM me if there's anything else you may want to know or specific food requests...I've lived here since 2000. I'm going to my high school reunion for the weekend on Friday and will be off of email, (or too drunk to respond) but if you catch me before then I'll be able to respond.

 

T

 

Great info.

 

Price wise Earls isn't much different than Chicago. And yes, the serving talent is top notch. Our best server was this little doe-eyed brunette from Dallas with a very tight black dress and excellent curves.

 

It was me that talked about the altitude. I learned after my first Denver trip to go to Safeway, buy a case of water and chug like a madman. If you have to drink the first 48 hours, stay with beer and take it easy. A liquor hangover for a flatlander visiting Denver is murder.

[hardcorecubfan]

Got the weekend freed up so I am going!!!! Will get tickets tonight let me know where everybody is sitting?

[Skyballer]

Got the weekend freed up so I am going!!!! Will get tickets tonight let me know where everybody is sitting?

I'll be there on the 7th and in the pavilion (left/center field)

[hardcorecubfan]

Got the weekend freed up so I am going!!!! Will get tickets tonight let me know where everybody is sitting?

I'll be there on the 7th and in the pavilion (left/center field)

 

3rd base side on the 8th

[Bergy92]

Lower Downtown is pretty cool. In the past the Cubs have stayed at the Westin Tabor Center which is along the 16th St. Mall and and attached to the ESPN Zone. Not sure if they still stay there since the Ritz is up and running now however.

 

Anybody have any idea of where the Cubs might be staying in Denver?

[NCCubFan]

Anybody have any idea of where the Cubs might be staying in Denver?

As of 2007 (the last time the Cubs provided road hotel information in the media guide) it was the Westin Tabor Center (303-572-9100). I don't know if the hotel would tell you if the Cubs stay there if you call, but it can't hurt.

[Laura]

I'll be there with friends on the 8th!!

 

But on Friday the 7th, we'll be firing up the

 

http://www.flee.com/ltd/gueststars/78_horny_ltd_wagon.jpg

 

for a CO Springs road trip to take in a Sky Sox game!

[kjfoster 1553]

Denver Art Museum. DO IT!