Girlfriend's Getaway

Get away with the girls! From spas to shopping, from dining to dancing, Denver has everything you need for an unforgettable girlfriend getaway weekend.

WHERE TO STAY

Your grown-up slumber party requires the best accommodations in the heart of it all - Downtown Denver.

For old school style, try the historic hotels, the Oxford Hotel (1600 17th St.) and the Brown Palace (321 17th St.), both built in the late 19th century. Don't miss the Oxford's retro-cool Cruise Room cocktail lounge, or the ultra-classy traditional afternoon tea at the Brown.

The newly opened Four Seasons Denver (1111 14th St.) offers all the world class luxury that the Four Seasons brand is known for - plus a lushly landscaped third-floor rooftop terrace with a heated swimming pool and whirlpool.

The elegant Hotel Teatro (1100 14th St.) boasts exquisite suites, and is located just down the street from the Denver Performing Arts Complex. 

The Hotel Magnolia (818 17th St.) combines old world style with modern glamour - and many suites feature cozy wood-burning fireplaces.

For offbeat, quirky fun, try the Curtis Hotel (1405 Curts St.). Each floor is themed around a different pop culture phenomenon - everything from horror movies to rock ‘n' roll.

The Hotel Monaco (1717 Champa St.) was recently awarded the AAA Four Diamond rating, so you know you'll be treated like royalty. Looking for something a little more intimate?

Before booking, find out-of-this-world savings on Denver hotels.

WHERE TO SHOP

Hope you brought your credit card!

The historic Larimer Square in Lower Downtown (LoDo) on Larimer between 14th and 15th, is a perfect beginning to a Denver shopping spree, with cutting edge boutiques offering trendy clothing, handcrafted jewelry, chic bags and to-die-for shoes.

Hop on the free shuttle and ride up the 16th Street Mall to the Denver Pavilions (500 16th St.) to browse at such big-name stores as Banana Republic, Forever 21 and H&M. 

The Cherry Creek Shopping District is the biggest (and most fun) retail adventure between Chicago and San Francisco. Cherry Creek North's (299 Milwaukee St.) 16-blocks boast the region's largest collection of independently owned shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and spas. Across the street, experience retail bliss at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center (3000 E. First Ave.), home to upscale names like Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren.

Vintage lovers should take a side trip to Antique Row, south of Alameda on Broadway, where you can dig through a whopping 18 blocks of antique shops, art galleries, indie boutiques and much more.

Denver is a city of neighborhoods, each one with its own distinctive flavor. For even more shopping options, head to the Highlands, South Pearl Street or East Colfax.

WHERE TO RELAX

What's a girls' getaway weekend without a trip to the spa? Here are just a handful of options.

The Spa at the Brown Palace welcomes visitors with a soothing waterfall that sets the stage for the spa's signature soaks. These treatments make use of the hotel's exclusive artesian well located 750 feet below the lobby. Standard spa favorites, from massage to body wraps, are all available in these exquisite surroundings.

At the Renaissance Aveda Spa & Salon at the Hotel Monaco, try the "Total Body Elixir," a 60-minute Aruyvedic massage that enlists various essential oils and sea salts for an invigorating scrub.

The Oxford Club at the Oxford Hotel's unique "Herbal Steam" includes a lymphatic dry brushing of the body followed by time spent in the spa's detoxifying steam tent.

At the Four Seasons Denver's spa, distinctive skincare, body wraps and massage treatments take a soothing, nature-inspired approach to rejuvenation. Each treatment room is named after a gemstone, and several treatments on the menu incorporate gemstones, long known for their healing powers.

Head to Serenity on St. Paul in the Cherry Creek Shopping District for a one-hour massage utilizing 58 warm stones, warm lotion and aromatherapy. It is an extremely calming, nurturing, slow and deep therapy.

WHERE TO EXPLORE

Denver's arts and cultural world has exploded in the past decade, with three major art museums, a sprawling performing arts complex (the second largest in the U.S.), and a vibrant gallery scene.

Spend some time marveling at the masterpieces (both classic and contemporary) at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). Don't forget to stop in at the gift store, here many artsy items can be purchased.

Adjacent to the DAM, the new Clyfford Still Museum has international art aficionados talking - much of Still's iconoclastic abstract expressionist art has been locked away from view for decades. Denver's now the only place to see it!

Take in cutting-edge pieces at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and soak in the sunshine on its fabulous rooftop patio afterward.

See what's showing at the Denver Performing Arts Complex where you can catch blockbuster Broadway musicals, stirring classical music, opera, ballet and much more.

And don't miss the city's thriving art districts, where Denver's creative community lives and works.

Take a day trip to the spectacular Rocky Mountain Front Range, including such natural wonders as Rocky Mountain National Park, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and Mount Evans Scenic Byway, the highest paved road in North America. Wherever you go, don't forget the camera - the sights are to die for.

WHERE TO EAT

Denver's always been known for steakhouses, but that's just the beginning of the culinary adventures available in The Mile High City. In the past decade, dozens of diverse, innovative eateries helmed by superstar chefs have made Denver a must-visit for any self-respecting foodie. Here's just a tiny sampling:

ChoLon Bistro showcases a contemporary approach to authentic Asian cuisine. For dessert, don't miss the traditional Malaysian Shaved Ice, served with "mango noodles" and drizzled with palm syrup. Delish!

Denver's landlocked, but it's still got fresh, perfectly prepared seafood. Jax Fish House boasts a stylish atmosphere, a sunny patio and a knowledgeable, friendly staff.

WHERE TO PARTY

Denver's nightlife won't disappoint.

Looking for some laughs? Look no further than Comedy Works, Denver's long-running comedy club in LoDo, where big names try out new material and rising stars hold court.

For a naughty-but-still-nice night out, try Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret located below downtown's iconic Daniels & Fisher Tower. On any given night, enjoy big band jazz, lighthearted burlesque, irreverent magic acts and more.

If you and your girlfriends feel like dancing, head to the South of Colfax Nightlife District. Bordered by Lincoln, Speer and Colfax and comprised of nightlife venues all within walking distance of one another, this is Denver's hottest club district. Pay one entrance fee on a Friday or Saturday night and enjoy all types of dance music at four different clubs. That's the South of Colfax Nightlife District, an experience you don't want to miss!

For a mellow night out, try the Peaks Lounge. Located high atop the downtown Hyatt Regency Denver, it provides a sophisticated backdrop for cocktails and conversation.

The lively Tavern Downtown attracts a young, hip crowd right in the heart of Lower Downtown Denver (LoDo).

For another fun way to spend a few hours, try the Local Table Tour. Offering culinary walking tours in Denver and Boulder, Local Table Tours features dining, cocktail, coffee and pastry, farm-to-table and private dining tours with a unique, behind-the-scenes look into the top restaurants and bars, all in the company of a passionate, expert guide.