I also live in Denver. Lots to do downtown. The most popular bar/drinking scene is centered around LoDo. Tons of people and bars there like Brothers, Viewhouse, the Tavern, etc. All of them are pretty much the same. Also downtown is 16th Street Mall, Larimer Square, Union Station (pretty cool hotel inside with a cool restaurant/bar in the lobby now too). There are also a lot of world class breweries located downtown, some have tours, some just have tap houses, but most of them are excellent. River North is probably my favorite downtown, but there is also Breckenridge Brewery, Wynkoop, Great Divide, etc. Those are just some of the ones you can walk to from anywhere downtown, then there are hundreds within a short driving distance. As others mentioned, Boulder is a short drive or bus stop away. Great eating, great nightlife, great views, great outdoors stuff, pretty much everything. Skiing is always an option, you can get there in 1 1/2 hours if you wake up early enough. I lived in Avon for a year as well. Beautiful area, easy public transportation to everywhere you'd wanna go in Eagle County too
I'm a newbie to CO compared to rhino17. He's the best source on the board. I don't know Denver very well. My only comment to the above is Boulder's restaurant scene is nothing compared to Denver, much less Houston. Very overrated. But do Boulder for a day if you can. The distance is like staying in Houston and taking a daytrip to The Woodlands...but, instead of the Woodlands, imagine Austin thrown up against the Rocky Mountains. That's Boulder. Boulder is right at the base of the foothills. Also, if you like music, Denver is a mecca for music. Every tour loves to stop in the mountains/Denver. Check out Westword's website for the week you plan to be here. http://www.westword.com/ The reason I asked what weekend you will be here is because the ski resorts have events all the time. Aspen is having the X-games right now, for instance. You should check schedules at the resorts, even if you don't ski. Going to Breck is a fun day trip regardless if you ski or not. And the drive on I-70 from Denver to Breck is stunningly beautiful.
