Gift
Book now
Close
Choose a Category
Denver Lifestyle
Dec 08, 2023 • 5 min read • By: Polly Clover

15+ Hidden Gems in Denver: Top Recommendations From Locals

titleBlockImage

The Best Can’t-Miss Hidden Gems in Denver

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, Denver is more popular than ever. And there’s no shortage of off-the-beaten-path locations to explore. In this article, we’ll share 15+ hidden gems in Denver and nearby. You'll want to check out this list if you're visiting Denver or if you're new in town and want to find all the best places.

With so many hidden things to do in Denver and special gems, it’s easy to get away from the hustle and enjoy unique experiences. From secluded outdoor activities and quaint restaurants to a one-of-a-kind spa and special shopping opportunities, there’s something for everyone. 

What are the best hidden gems in Denver?

The best hidden gems in Denver, Colorado, take you to a lesser-known art district, can't-miss breweries, and a beer spa. 

taproom at Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver
Oakwell Beer Spa, Taproom

Here’s a quick rundown of Denver hidden gems. We’ll share more details below!

  1. Bluff Lake Nature Center
  2. Art District on Santa Fe
  3. I Heart Denver
  4. Fox Run Cafe
  5. Temper Chocolates
  6. Oakwell Beer Spa
  7. Sofia's Roman Pizza
  8. Cerveceria Colorado
  9. Point Easy
  10. Linger
  11. Adams Mystery Playhouse
  12. Millers & Rossi
  13. Room For Milly
  14. La Bouche Wine Bar
  15. So Many Roads

1. Bluff Lake Nature Center

Denver and its surrounding area are known for an incredible outdoor scene. Check out Bluff Lake Nature Center if you want to explore nature in a more secluded location.

This 123-acre wildlife refuge is situated on the outskirts of the city along Sand Creek. The refuge boasts picture-perfect scenery, an abundance of wildlife, and various running and walking paths.

Tip: Visit Bluff Lake Nature Center for an epic sunset over Denver’s skyline.

2. Art District on Santa Fe

Denver’s arts scene is vibrant, and while RiNo (River North Art District) is a popular area, the Art District of Santa Fe is a must-visit.

This colorful stretch of Santa Fe Drive showcases wall art and galleries. The Art District also has spots to enjoy eclectic food and drinks, monthly art walks, and summer outdoor films.

3. I Heart Denver

If you enjoy shopping, I Heart Denver is the place to go! This isn’t your traditional gift shop. There are many unique Denver-themed gifts, art, and apparel.

We love that local makers and designers create the items at I Heart Denver!

4. Fox Run Cafe

Fox Run Cafe is a personal favorite because of its award-winning brunch! It's been voted Best Brunch in Denver, and for great reason. 

This homey cafe serves delicious brunch and drinks. And they've recently extended their hours so you can enjoy their amazing menu in the afternoon and evening too!

5. Temper Chocolates

If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on Temper Chocolates! Tucked in the lively Denver Central Market, Temper Chocolates and Confections is easily one of the best places in Colorado to get gourmet chocolate. 

6. Oakwell Beer Spa

Oakwell Beer Spa is one of the most unique day spas, offering a relaxation experience unlike any other. 

beer bath hydrotherapy at Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver
Oakwell Beer Spa, Beer Bath Hydrotherapy

While traveling around the world looking for epic business ideas, Jessica and Damien, an American-French couple, discovered bathing in beer. This concept inspired them to create a leveled-up spa experience.

Enjoy beer-inspired spa treatments and a cozy taproom oasis that serves locally brewed craft beers and other delicious beverages. It’s the perfect place to get away from the hustle and unwind.

Oakwell Beer Spa might be a secret slice of paradise in Denver, but it has won many awards, including TIME’s World’s Greatest Places.

BOOK A SPA DAY EXPERIENCE

7. Sofia's Roman Pizza

With many Italian options in Denver, it can be challenging to choose which one. We recommend Sofia's Roman Pizza! 

This fast-casual concept focuses on Roman-style pizza and salads, and they’re delicious. There’s also a full bar with Italian-inspired cocktails, beer, and wine.

8. Millers & Rossi

There aren’t many better places to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and snacks in an upscale atmosphere than Millers & Rossi. 

This hip, dim-lit lounge is hidden behind an art gallery in the popular RiNo neighborhood and offers the perfect atmosphere for drinks on a night out.

9. Point Easy

When you’re hoping for a cozy neighborhood spot for tasty food and incredible hospitality, look further than Point Easy. 

This relaxed but modern restaurant is tucked away in the historic Whittier neighborhood and is one of our Denver go-tos. The menu focuses on local, seasonal fare to keep things fresh!

10. Linger

If you want to change things up and do something different at one of the most unique hidden gems of Denver, check out Linger in the Lower Highland neighborhood.

Once an old mortuary, Linger is now a lively restaurant with a rooftop lounge and global small plates created in a repurposed food truck that’s now a kitchen!

11. Adams Mystery Playhouse

Dinner with cocktails meets murder mystery meets at Adams Mystery Playhouse.

As Denver’s best and only full-time Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, Adams Mystery Playhouse is the place to go when you want to do something unusual and fun. Enjoy a delicious meal with drinks, then laugh the night away as professional actors create an interactive, clever story.

12. Cerveceria Colorado

Cerveceria Colorado in Denver
Cerveceria Colorado

Denver’s beer scene is unmatched! And one of our favorite hidden gems in Denver for local beer is Cerveceria Colorado.

This unique and colorful brewery celebrates Mexican culture and uses traditional ingredients, flavors, and processes to make innovative brews. 

13. Room For Milly

Enjoy drinks inspired by travel in a modern and unique space at Room for Milly. This adorable cocktail bar also serves bites and plates and offers ample indoor and outdoor seating. The charming terrace is the perfect photo op too!

14. La Bouche Wine Bar

Another local favorite is La Bouche Wine Bar, a French-American wine bar owned by husband and wife team Alexandra & Alexis Tréton. 

The couple moved here from France to pursue their dream of opening up a wine bar, and La Bouche is top-notch. The outdoor patio or cozy indoor area has ample seating to enjoy your experience.

15. So Many Roads

Get playful while enjoying drinks and music at So Many Roads. This funky bohemian brewhouse has live music, arcade games, and music memorabilia. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed environment while having fun!

Hidden Gems Near Denver

Be sure to check out some of the best off-the-beaten-path spots near Denver too.

  • New Image Brewing: a casual, industrial-inspired brewery with an eclectic menu (Arvada, CO)
  • High Hops Brewery: a brewery surrounded by a hops field with an indoor beer garden and outdoor patio (Windsor, CO)
  • Cherry Creek State Park: a large state park with a natural prairie, wetland environment, and unique activities, including model airplane flying, horseback riding, and more (Aurora, CO)
  • Mount Falcon Park: a scenic public park off the beaten path with trails, overlooks, and historical sites (Morrison, CO)
  • Downtown Littleton: a charming downtown area with restaurants, cafes, shops, and a small park (Main Street, Littleton, CO

Hidden Gems in Denver: FAQ

To help you make the most of Denver hidden gems, we’ll answer a few common questions below.

Denver city views

Why do people like Denver so much?

People love Denver because of its vibrant culture and ideal mix of city and nature. It’s filled with iconic activities and attractions, but there are also so many unique things to do in Denver off the beaten path.

What is cool about Denver?

There are many cool things about Denver, with some of the best things being a one-of-a-kind beer spa, countless microbreweries, and outdoor adventures.

What is the hippest neighborhood in Denver?

River North Arts District (RiNo) is considered Denver's most hip neighborhood. Its tagline, "Where Art is Made," fits the bill. RiNo boasts art galleries, trendy event venues, and colorful murals.

Enjoy Hidden Gems in Denver!

We hope this article inspired you to explore hidden things to do in Denver. We love the many secret places and activities the Mile High City offers and want you to enjoy them too.

Book your Oakwell Beer Spa experience to enjoy the most unique spa day in Colorado.

Related read:
Denver Lifestyle

Beer Bath in Denver at Oakwell Beer Spa

Read more
titleBlockImage
Denver Lifestyle

Denver Fall Activities & Events: A 2025 Guide

Read more
titleBlockImage
Denver Lifestyle

Special Denver Beer Gifts for Any Occasion

Read more
titleBlockImage

Other articles

brewery of the month

July Tap Takeover at Oakwell Beer Spa: New Image Brewing

New Image Brewing at Oakwell Beer Spa: July 2023 Denver in July is the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing spa day with a cold craft beer or a few. And this is exactly what you can do at Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, CO! In this article, we’ll discuss Oakwell Beer Spa experience and […]

Read more
titleBlockImage
Denver Lifestyle

Denver in the Summer: Fun Activities and Events for 2025

Denver in the summer offers many fun activities and events, including getting outdoors, relaxing at a beer spa, and attending festivals.

Read more
titleBlockImage
Denver Lifestyle

The Best Denver Spa Day Experience for Relaxation

Enjoy a Denver spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa, an award-winning day spa. Read to learn the different treatments and what you can expect.Ready to relax differently with a unique and rejuvenating Denver spa day experience? In this article, we’ll discuss Denver’s award-winning day spa, Oakwell Beer Spa. Learn what a beer-inspired spa really is, which spa treatments you can enjoy at Oakwell, and what the experience is like. Why You Deserve a Denver Spa Day Everyone deserves time to unwind, and what better way to do it than at a spa? Not only is a spa day fun and relaxing, but spa treatments also have many wellness benefits, including stress and pain relief, better sleep, and reduced signs of aging. A spa is also the ideal place to unwind with friends or have a romantic date with your significant other. The Best Day Spa in Denver: Oakwell Beer Spa Oakwell Beer Spa is Denver, Colorado’s most unique day spa. It has taken traditional spas up a notch by creating a luxurious yet laid-back space where guests can enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments and local craft beer. Oakwell Beer Spa has been named one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places and has become so popular that it’s expanding to new locations. What to Expect from a Spa Day at Oakwell Beer Spa A Denver spa day at Oakwell means refreshing beverages in a self-serve taproom, a private Beer Therapy Room for the ultimate relaxation, and a Relaxation Lounge with Zero Gravity Massage Chairs. Self-Serve Cozy Taproom Oakwell Beer Spa’s taproom is a modern space with cozy vibes. Guests can hang out in the taproom before or after their appointment to enjoy drinks and relax. The taproom is also open for visitors who don’t have an appointment for spa services, so you can stop in to check out the space and enjoy a drink (or a few) if you’d like. Each month, Oakwell Beer Spa works with a Colorado-based brewery and shares five of their best beers on tap. If you’re not into beer, you can enjoy wine, cider, kombucha, or tea. The best part? You can self-serve your drinks at your leisure! When you arrive at Oakwell, you’ll receive a double-insulated stainless steel tumbler and a card you can use to scan the drinks you want to try. Pour as much or as little as you’d like. When you’re finished, you can take your card to the front desk to pay for the ounces you poured. Beer Therapy Room The Beer Therapy Room is Oakwell Beer Spa’s signature service. The room is private for up to two guests and has a beer bath, infrared sauna, relaxation deck, and rain shower. You can also book multiple rooms if you’re enjoying a Denver spa day with a larger group. This is ideal for bachelor or bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, and company get-togethers. The Beer Therapy Room session lasts for 90 minutes with the following: Sweat and detox in the sauna for 20 minutes Take a cold shower to rinse off and get your blood flowing for a few seconds Soak in a bubbly beer bath with your cold beverage in hand for about 40 minutes Shower and check out the Beer Therapy Cosmetic Minibar and beer-infused shower products Relaxation Lounge For the best massage in Denver, Colorado, look no further than Oakwell Beer Spa’s Relaxation Lounge. Experience a Zero Gravity Massage in a space-themed room with four chairs separated by privacy curtains. Zero Gravity Massage chairs use the latest robotics technology for a personalized full-body massage. Your massage can be 15 or 30 minutes long. A 15-minute treatment provides deep relaxation with a head-to-toe deep tissue massage, while a 30-minute treatment offers a full-body massage with a stretching massage to re-energize the body. During your massage, your chair adjusts itself for a customized experience as you tilt back into a neutral, zero-gravity position with your legs elevated above your heart for complete relaxation. Benefits include pain relief, improved posture, better circulation, and relief for tired feet. You don’t need an appointment to enjoy the Relaxation Lounge unless you’re adding it to your Beer Therapy Room session. As a walk-in, massages are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. How a Spa Day Works at Oakwell Oakwell Beer Spa is dedicated to helping you have a comfortable and enjoyable spa experience. Whether you’re a new guest or you’ve been many times, the simple steps below make your visit as straightforward and relaxing as possible. Check-in Serve yourself a drink Go into your private Beer Therapy Room Relax in the infrared sauna Soak in a bubbly beer bath Go to the Relaxation Lounge for your Zero Gravity Massage Enjoy a cold beverage in the taproom Denver Spa Day: FAQs Make the most of your spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa with answers to common questions below. What’s a beer bath? At Oakwell Beer Spa, a beer bath is a cedar tub filled with warm water infused with beer’s main ingredients, hops and barley. A seasonal herbal blend is also mixed into the bath. Think of it like a beer bubble bath! These ingredients have nutrients that support healthy skin, hair, and overall well-being. Not only is relaxing in a beer bath a calming experience, but it also provides other advantages. Hops are a natural sedative that offer anti-aging and soothing effects. On the other hand, barley is filled with vitamins and antioxidants that nourish hair, skin, and nails. The herbal bath blend changes monthly and also offers hair, skin, and mind benefits. How do I prepare for an appointment at Oakwell Beer Spa? The most important way to prepare for your spa day is to be ready to relax. Oakwell's laid-back and welcoming environment makes this easy. Here are some other things you can do to prepare for your Denver spa day at Oakwell: Wear what you’re comfortable in - You can wear your swimsuit or your birthday suit in your private Beer Therapy Room – up to you! Drink plenty of water - Spa treatments, like saunas, can dehydrate you, so drinking water is important. You can also hydrate with beverages from the taproom during your appointment. Arrive early - When you get to Oakwell, the receptionist will check you in, show you around, and get you set up. We recommend arriving 30 minutes early to ensure you start your spa treatments on time and fully enjoy the experience. Unlike other spas, there’s no need to shower before arriving at Oakwell. The first treatment is the sauna, where you’ll work up a sweat. Then, you can rinse off in the rain shower in your private Beer Therapy Room before and after your beer bath. Are there gift cards available? Absolutely! A visit to Oakwell Beer Spa is the perfect gift for anyone and allows your gift recipient(s) to enjoy spa treatments, add-on services, beverages from the taproom, and retail products. Gift cards can be purchased for $1 to $2,000 and can be used for one or multiple appointments. Check out our recommendations for the best amount, depending on the experience you want to gift. Enjoy Your Denver Spa Day Experience We hope this article has inspired you to treat yourself to a spa day in Denver. Oakwell Beer Spa offers one of the most unique and relaxing experiences, with local craft beer, other tasty beverages, and rejuvenating spa treatments. You can book your spa day online or call to schedule a spa day party.

Read more
titleBlockImage

Stay Connected

Join our free email newsletter and be the first to know about new offers and the latest information.


    You're in! Thanks for signing up!
    Oh no, your payment failed
    PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION BY ADDING THE CORRECT INFORMATION.