<p>CF, we ate brunch at this place in Larimer Square and liked it:</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.bistrovendome.com/about.html]About”>http://www.bistrovendome.com/about.html]About</a> Bistro Vend</p>
<p>BunsenBurner, Bistro Vendome does look good! Thanks!</p>
<p>We like this Cuban restaurant in Larimer Square in Denver (near 16th St Mall - bus runs up and down all day).
[Samba</a> Room | Restaurant & Lounge | Orlando Denver](<a href=“http://www.sambaroom.net%5DSamba”>http://www.sambaroom.net)</p>
<p>We’ve enjoyed it for lunch and happy hour. I imagine dinner is good too, but the menu is just too pricey for us when we know we can get lunch for far less.</p>
<p>Well if level bike paths are out, you can hook into the Vail Pass system , unless you want to join the teens at the new mountain bike park ( looks like the summer version of a terrain park for boarders). Whatever you want, just be aware of the altitude. When we lived there we never thought about it and when we revisited to meet friends we ignored it. Big mistake. Deal with it early by hydrating and gradual increasing activity.</p>
<p>The altitude is a big factor. When we came to CO from NY on house hunting trip, we hurried through many houses. Sometimes we would bound up the stairs and then get to the top panting thinking “that was dumb”. </p>
<p>Even after living her for years, the altitude at the top of a ski center or top of Pike Peaks is noticeable. If you go to higher elevations, dress in layers for it. They sell MANY sweatshirts and blanket at the top of the Pike Peak cog real because tourists dress for the warm weather in town not realizing that it is cold (and windy!) up top.</p>
<p>I’m bringing a road bike, so well-maintained dirt or gravel roads are OK, but gnarly singletrack is right out. Thanks for the advice about the altitude! After this fun relaxing vacation with Mr. Fang, Fang Jr. and I head to southwestern Colorado for two weeks of bike camping. That’s when I’ll be glad I’m already acclimated to the elevation.</p>
<p>I don’t doubt that the Samba Room in Denver is good, but even in the restaurant field, which is notorious for bad websites, the Samba Room’s sticks out as terrible:</p>
<p>[Samba</a> Room | Restaurant & Lounge | Orlando Denver](<a href=“Sambaroom - Sambaroom”>http://www.sambaroom.net/)</p>
<p>Why yes, when I try to click on a menu item I do want the lettering to enlarge and run away from my mouse, why do you ask? That reminds me of:
[Never</a> said about restaurant websites](<a href=“neversaidaboutrestaurantwebsites on Tumblr”>neversaidaboutrestaurantwebsites on Tumblr)</p>
<p>CF the altitude is not that bad if you (i) slow down to about 85-90% of your typical pace (I ran 10 miles in Denver @ 9 min pace vs my normal ca 8-8:30 min at my 500 ft above sea level) and (ii) MOST IMPORTANTLY, drink LOTS of water. You should be fine.</p>
<p>Sorry about the awful Samba link. I tried to edit my post and delete it, but later I saw it was still there. Oops. </p>
<p>The tip about drinking lots of water is important, even for visitors not doing a lot of exercise. One of my NY friends was able to avoid her high altitude migraines by drinking lots of extra water starting several days before the trip to CO. </p>
<p>You may be able to find good deals in Summit County renting a condo on Craigslist.</p>
<p>CO Mom, great idea to start hydrating beforehand. My first trip out to Denver a couple months ago, I couldn’t figure out why I had a SPLITTING headache for 3 days. I was drinking lots of water while there but didn’t think to start beforehand. This time, I’ll try it.</p>
<p>If you want a great epicurean experience, the Broadmore there can provide it in CS. I echo what all have been saying. WE’ve done most of these things there. I like downtown CS, just walking and browsing–Poor Richard’s is a great coffee shop/bookstore there. </p>
<p>CS has a nice mixture of unusual little private eateries, the name brand chain eateries that are clean and well maintained, as well as some fine restaurants. One experience I really likes what a German restaurant there, can’t remember the name.</p>