Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
Friends. I know most of you don’t live in Denver. BUT! For the small, small, small portion of you that do (hi, 47 of you last month according to Google Analytics!) - I have a thing I want to see you at! Hooray.
I’m going to be teaching a Smartphone Photography Class at Share Denver next month. To be precise, it’s on Wednesday, Aug. 5th. Share Denver is an amazing organization in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver where makers of all kinds share their skills with others. From knitting to kimchi making, it’s a lot of fun. In my class, you’ll learn lots of things, but we all prefer clarity so:
- You’ll learn how to take pictures that are frame worthy using nothing more than your smartphone and a few simple accessories and a mix of recommended apps.
- You’ll learn the basics of photography composition, exposure and lighting using a Smartphone as your tool.
- You’ll learn how to use some basic and inexpensive tools that you can pick up to improve your photos should you wish to go the next step.
So, make it happen! Join me! I’d obviously love to have you. You can register for the class here.
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of spending the better part of the last year getting to know Denver, Colorado. And while most people’s immediate reaction is: OMG, HOW IS LEGAL WEED!?, I promise you, there are lots of amazing things to do in this great American city that don’t involve getting high. That’s not to say you shouldn’t get high, and we do cover that here, but keep an open mind, because it’s about more than blunts.
Driving through Denver is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, it’s so naturally gorgeous with the Rocky Mountains serving as a near constant reminder of outdoor adventure. While the city itself is modern, buzzing and quickly evolving as more people move in. But there’s also pockets of brilliance where these two things so perfectly collide and one of those things is the Denver Botanic Gardens. The near constant sunshine in Denver means that this gem within the city is absolutely stunning year round, even in the winter. Spend an afternoon walking through the gardens and taking in the sheer brilliance of the design and artistry of the landscapers working there.
While the Denver Public Library on Broadway may not seem like a logical place to send you on your vacation, this library has a particularly impressive set of collaborations going on year round, like Volume Denver, which aims to catalogue the city’s local music scene.
If you’re looking for a day trip to really do the mountain thing, I recommend a drive down I25 to experience Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Pike’s Peak in one swift trip.
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Spend your morning on the old Cog Railway in Manitou Springs. The roundtrip is about 2 hours, but it takes you to the top of Pike’s Peak where you not only will have ample opportunity to cuddle with your friends and family, but you can partake in a wonderful homemade donut and some coffee while looking out on some truly gorgeous views.
Once back down for the mountain tops, swing through the Garden of the Gods to have an Indiana Jones like hike through one of the most stunning public parks in the entire country. The well-maintained trails and picnic areas mean you’ll have a fantastic and healthy afternoon.
When you’re done hiking, spend your evening on South Broadway, taking in the quirky shops. Ironwood is an absolute requirement. It’s mix of natural items like rare stones and plants are the perfect souvenir. They’ve also got an incredible collection of vintage art and objects, but the true magic is in the back, where they house some of the coolest jewelry in all of Colorado.
Down the street, you’ll find Hazel and Dewey, a shop specializing in kitchen, dining and bar accessories, including the most eclectic mix of salts you can find anywhere. Scoop up the Honey Salt for some of the best homemade popcorn. Cross the street and you’ll encounter Fancy Tiger Crafts. Crafty geeks will lose their minds here, because the sheer volume of the available materials is just nuts. Whether you love knitting, crocheting, quilting or even felting - this shop is one of the largest and certainly the most unique in the region.
If you’ve got some time, head to the West side of South Broadway for Antique Alley, which is a few blocks of antique shops that carry everything from art to jewelry to furniture. If you want to get really nerdy, you must hit up 5280s, a vintage store dedicated to all things 80s. Think clothing, toys, kitchen wares and everything in between.
Of course, this guide would not be complete and frankly a total failure if we didn’t mention Mile High Comics, one of the largest comic book shops in the world. If you’ve been on the hunt for a back issue of basically anything ever, you may just be able to find it here. It’s an easy place to loose a few hours, but it’s always worth it.
For your late night enjoyment, hit up 1Up Arcade on Blake. The retro gaming bar has resisted the temptation to appeal to all the people in the world and still caters mostly to geeky sorts. It’s easy to lose lots of hours and lots of quarters in this fantastic little bar.
For a quick bite, it’s hard not to pick Pizzeria Locale. If you love wood-fire pizza, then this is an easy way to go. The Margherita is simple and delicious, but ask for extra basil. The side of meatballs is the perfect appetizer and tastes just like those found in Italian family kitchens. And it’s all topped off by the perfect and delicious Budino, a butterscotch pudding dessert that is far better than it has any right to be.
This may come as a total shock to you, but you need to get sushi in Denver. Izakaya Sushi Den is the best sushi outside of Japan. In fact, you may swear you are in Japan. After you’ve stuffed your face with totally delicious sushi, head down Broadway to Sweet Action. This ice cream shop is a delightful place with new flavors daily. And here’s the thing: the Vegan ice creams are better than most normal ice creams in your grocery’s dairy freezer.
For Colorado specific fare, check out Root Down, which is one of the few farm to table restaurants in the city. The Pistachio Arepa is just beyond wonderful and the drinks have a lot of personality too. For a late night warm up, head to D Bar for the hot chocolate. Despite the fact that they recently discontinued my favorite thing on the menu (the hot chocolate flight… you are missed) the home-made melted marshmallows and chantilly lace whip cream ensure this is the best hot chocolate you’ve had in your life.
Breakfast lovers should hit up Sugar Bake Shop for their homemade Pop Tarts. There is no doubt that you haven’t had a Pop Tart like this one. For a quick cup of coffee, I’m all about Aviano Coffee in Cherry Creek. While the staff are never as friendly as they should be, their coffee and general ambience makes up for it.
Driven by so many people wanting to tour Denver, there are a plethora of new hotels worthy of checking out. The Curtis Hotel might seem corny at first, but as a nerd, you’ll appreciate the thematic take on the design. Deemed a “pop culture” hotel, each floor is themed after a different TV show, movie or part of our popular media. Nearby, the Teatro Hotel feels like a historic Scottish hunting lodge, which is perfect for the anglophile gone west.
Denver is geographically huge and as a result, it has a ton of fun and interesting neighborhoods, but perhaps the most convenient place to rest your head is at the new Crawford Hotel within Union Station. This is partially because the new Union Station is totally gorgeous and amazing. Plus, it has everything for the perfect little romantic weekend.
One such example of the perfect romance creating setting is Bloom, a local flower shop, which has a small stand downstairs with some of the most beautiful and creative arrangements you’ll ever set eyes on. After buying your honey a floral delight, walk across the Station to Terminal Bar, which screams of Denver history. Major history and transportation nerds will love the whole look and feel of this place. The setting is relaxing and comfortable and the menu is straight up fun with plenty of great twists on old school drinks. It’s spendy, but great for a Happy Hour stop when your feet are tired.
There are pot shots everywhere in Denver now and most of them carry the same things and the prices are all very competitive. But, there are a few places that cater to newbies a heck of a lot more than others. If you want a very proper and professional experience, go to The Clinic, which feels… well, a lot like going to the pharmacy. Their staff are knowledgeable and kind and can answer nearly any question. For a more local flavor, try Sacred Seed. When you imagine legal pot shops, this is probably what you’re envisioning. This place is all about enjoying the ride, so don’t be surprised if you just end up wanting to hang out there for the afternoon.
You can find all of Being Geek Chic’s Geek Travel Guide’s Here.
