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Chimney Park
Windsor, Colorado
Placed next to one of the prettiest lakes and neighborhoods in Windsor, Colorado, you will find Chimney Park. It's glossed windows make it a mysterious small looking restaurant. When inside, you are absolutely going to blown away! This restaurant will satisfy your craving for deliciousness, high end dining experiences, your need for excellent service, knowledge, and creativity.
I have to recommend the Chef's Tasting Menu. It may be different now than what it was before covid but before, when ordered, they simply ask you what you do not like or can not have. Then you are off for the coolest dining experience I have had to date.
When I would go, and do the tasting menu, it was different every time. They surprise their guests with a vast array of incredible dishes. Five courses with an amuse bouche to start. I have had so many dishes from this place that I can't even begin to start describing and listing. The chef's give you the most beautiful plates of food with perfect textures and flavors. I have yet to have one complaint and I have eaten over 100 meals at this restaurant.
Post covid, the chef's menu is a little more select but I am almost positive if you tell them Megan sent you the chef will oblige a surprise menu uniquely made for you. Owner Jason Shaeffer, who has won countless awards and trained under Thomas Keller, holds his staff to the highest expectations and professionalism. His wine experts are trained experts indeed and Jason makes it a point, when he isn't running his great pizza place across the street, to come say hello to every table.
I can say with full confidence that Chimney Park is one of, if not the best, restaurant for foodie's in Colorado. Though it is about fifty minutes north of Denver and DIA, Windsor is a great and charming town to visit. It is a short jaunt to Loveland and Fort Collins if you are looking to explore Northern Colorado. Also Estes Park, a popular mountain destination is only forty minutes up the mountain. Make a day of it and end with this meal. You will not regret it and as always, tell them Megan sent you.
Colorado Travel - DIA TRAIN and BUSTANG
Denver International Airport to the Rockies, Colorado
DIA is an absolute BEAST. The airport is rumored to be haunted, to be designed after "fallic" symbols, and a bunk to secret underground government operations. Honestly, right now which is January 2023, it is just a confusing and chaotic mess. Not to mention, I would say it isn't actually located in "Denver". It is thirty to forty minutes from Denver, one hour and ten minutes from Colorado Springs, two plus hours from the mountains and ski resorts, one hour from Boulder, two hours from Fort Collins, and six hours from Grand Junction. It is in the plains of Colorado with nothing surrounding it. So how do we get anywhere in Colorado without spending hundreds on transportation, ubers, hotels, and where in the hell do we even find any of these resources in such a giant beast of an airport? Let me save you some money and give you a few suggestions.
I want to preface all this advice by saying HOLIDAYS AND HOLIDAYS WEEKENDS SUCK for these suggestions. Unless you are flexible and traveling alone, I would suggest spending the money for other arrangements.
Short from renting a car (which is highly expensive these days) the next best transportation options are the some what newer public transportation options Denver has added in the last ten years. Because it can seem intimidating, many people avoid it so I am going to try to break it down for you.
Parking for Locals Departing Denver: 61st and Pena
For those who have not discovered this gem, you are welcome. DIA and most airports are notorious for their insane daily parking rates. I always left DIA parking eighty dollars at the least, less in my pocket. Of course you can use the USA parking or the shuttle systems but honestly, it's cold, it's bumpy, and it's time consuming when all you want to do after your flight is get in your car and go the fuck home and not way for old Bob and Sue to find their keys and try to see their car while you all wait in the crowded shuttle.
On the south side of the airport there is a train that goes all the way to Union Station. The first stop on the way out of the airport is 61st and Pena. With the lowest parking rates you will find and covered parking spots, it is a breeze to cruise in, pay for parking, mark where you parked so you can extend you parking online in an emergency, and hop on the train that arrives every 15 minutes. This train brings you directly to the airport. No fuss, no issues. Now most of the time for such a short ride you won't be asked for a ticket but. . . I always have one on hand just in case (to avoid a fine). On the DTS app you can purchase an airport ticket which is $10.50 and if asked for it, show it. If they ask you to activate it, tell them it's your fist time, oops, then press activate. If they don't, save it for your trip home.
This whole thing will literally save you hundreds and keeps you moving.
Getting To Downtown Denver for $10.50
Skip the Ubers, skip the expensive shuttles. There is a train that will take you directy to Union Station in the middle of downtown denver. When you get your bags, go to the south side of the big tented main area of DIA. The trick is there is a East Terminal and a West Terminal. They are both connected in the middle but can help you figure out directional wise, where you are. Go south, and you will see an exit that leads to a big beautiful hotel. Before the hotel, there is an outdoor escalator that takes you down to the train. Buy a ticket using either the DTS app or the kiosks. The train leaves every 15 minutes and goes to Union Station. Union Station is the last stop for this train. It is about a 30 minute ride which honestly can be the same if not faster as driving. Once at Union Station, access to the better parts of Colorado is at your finger tips.
Getting to most Popular Ski Resorts for less then $50.00!
Denver offers a bussing system that again was introduced in the last ten years. There are express busses, charter busses, and different private companies that offer you rides to the mountains and then there is Bustang AKA Snowstang.
I must warn you, there is no guaranteed seating on the Bustang options. If you want guaranteed, you will need to fork out the cash but as long as it is not a busy holiday or popular time, the Bustang is perfect. There is an an underground bust station at Union Station. So after you ride the train ask or look for the bus hub. There are stations for each bus company and Bustang has their own platforms.
Download the Bustang app, which allows you to look at the schedules, purchase tickets, and get alerts for full busses or weather delays. The least busy days of course are weekdays. There are usually four different departure times a day and the West Line literally drives all the way to Grand Junction. All stops along the way are near popular ski resorts and towns. There is no better price. Not to mention, the bus has bathrooms, tray tables, and wifi which is very useful in the mountains.
There are also Bustang options that go south to Colorado Springs and North to Fort Collins.
All these transportation options are an amazing addition to Colorado's tourism but can be very intimidating. If you choose any of these and have issues feel free to email, or message me on social media and I will assist you the best I can.
Safe Travels and Good Luck!
Outer Range Brewery/Bird Craft
Frisco, Colorado
I have spent a greater portion of my life in the mountains of Colorado. Holidays, family meet-ups, even my own wedding. My grandparents owned land in Keystone over thirty years ago. Keystone then decided to build a Gondola on the ski resort and while building, accidentally caused a landslide that took out my grandparents land. In a settlement, Keystone gave my grandparents land within walking distance of the original property and enough money to build a home. So I was fortunate enough to have so many amazing memories in a mountain house in Keystone.
I spent a lot of time alone in Keystone as well. I never had the opportunity to reflect on the entertainment and food options in the area. I recently visited Keystone for the holidays and went to several places I was familiar and not familiar with. It is difficult for people traveling to know how to navigate these areas especially when they come from completely different environments. So allow me to help.
I will start first with Outer Range Brewery. My parents had expressed that this was there favorite brewery up in the area. Frisco, Dillon, and Keystone are very close to each other and the one transit station is located in Frisco. If you are bussing in to this area, this transit station in Frisco is literally right next to Outer Range. This makes it a great option to relax while waiting for your ride or a great meet up when you arrive.
You are greeted with a pungent hops smell and magnificent mountain views when you enter the brewery which I enjoyed immensely. There is a heated patio, a bar, two food options, a side patio, and an upstairs area with a balcony. Of course, the patio and balcony are closed during the cold season but there is ample space for patrons in the winter. The beer line goes quick. The staff was attentive and friendly. In fact, they didn't kick us out even after close. They let us relax and enjoy the rest of our drinks. I am always a sucker for that kind of service. The beer list has a lot of variety and I am no beer connoisseur but I did enjoy all four of the ones I tried. I don't think you can go wrong with your beer selections at Outer Range especially if you know what you like.
The second part of this place that makes it great was Bird Craft; the in house food window that serves, surprisingly enough, Thai food. Before I moved to Los Angeels I would not be able to tell you what Thai food is or what traditional Thai dishes look and taste like. Colorado is not known for the Thai scene. In Los Angeles, I have been exposed to many different culteres and their food. That being said, I was super surprised by the authentic and delicious flavors Bird Craft had to offer. They have a Tom Kha Gai soup that has the sour and salty delicious broth I have tasted in Los Angeles. Their pork belly fried rice (though I could have used more pork belly on both orders) was spicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. They are known for their chicken of course hence the name. They have quarter, half, and whole chicken options with your choice of spice level sauces on the side. Underneath the chicken they serve white rice and homemade pickles the employees swear by. They also have a chicken sandwich that is impossible to eat without mouth-watering juices pouring out the back end as you take a bite. I have never had Thai food in Colorado let alone good Thai food. Mind you, you will not see other traditional Thai dishes on their menu like curry, Pad Thai, Pad See Ew etc. because it is again, a small mountain town window restaurant located in the brewery but, the food none-the-less was impressive as well as the speed of service.
If you are in the town of Frisco, Dillon, or Keystone, I highly recommend this brewery. I have spent time and other breweries in the area and this one impressed me more than any others. I hope you enjoy and tell them Megan sent you!
