30 Before 30: Colorado

My 30 before-30 lineup is coming together nicely. One of my travel goals is trying to travel around the US like they country hop in Europe. So obviously going to more US states has been on my list and because of this, I went to Colorado. But contrary to what people expect when they think about Colorado, more specifically Denver; I am not going to do your traditional "mile-high" blog. Dispensaries, are around every corner if you are looking for that, so I will not be giving you a "How-To Guide" for those. Go to TikTok for more detailed videos.

Disclosure: This is a Guide for your visit like my many other guides. I may or may not travel like you and the things I enjoy may not be enjoyable for you. If this is the case please find your favorite travel blogger and utilize their guides. I can only endorse things I have done and experienced.

Duration- Weekend (Friday - Sunday)

Airline- Frontier

Baggage Fees: NONE I used my Takeoff Luggage and Packing Cubes. (Promo Code- BreeLeaves for 10% off)

Flight Cost- $68 RT

Hotel: Denver Marriott Tech Center

Cost: Subject to Availability. Additional $10 A day for Parking.

Rental Car: $65 (Fox Rental Car)

First things first. Dispensaries are everywhere in Colorado. April was full of sales for 4/20, and free festivals. Some stores even offer a free coupon book, that can be used through the state at various dispensaries. As long as you are 21 and have a valid ID, you can do as you please in the Mile High City.

What To Do & See

However, I wanted to make the best of my time in Colorado and at least see something that I can't see or hadn't seen.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad: Experience The Royal Gorge

Two hours away in Canon City is the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Launched in 1998, the train takes a two-hour ride through The Royal Gorge, a canyon of the Arkansas River located west of Cañon City, Colorado. Complete with views of the Arkansas River, The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers up to four departures daily throughout the year, starting at 9:00 AM, then at 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 6:30 PM. Because we took the morning route we got to experience "Epic views abound aboard the 9 a.m. Breakfast Train."

• Tickets in the Luxury Dome and Deluxe Cars, start at $119 per adult / $114 per child (ages 3-12).

• Your ticket includes the journey. Dining and beverages are additional. No taxes are assessed for tickets or dining aboard the train. A 22% service charge will be added to your dining check during your journey and/or to your pre-ordered meal voucher. No additional gratuity is required.

• *You can preorder your Breakfast Entree with Mimosa for $24. While that is not what we did the Breakfast Sandwich and The French Toast w/ a side of Bacon was DELICIOUS.

• Although it is morning the bar is stocked and open throughout the journey. Grabbing a drink and walking to the open-air cart, is something they encourage you to do. While you can take your drinks outside, food must be consumed in your cabin. The open-air cart is available the entire trip, except for when the train is departing and returning to the station.

Convergence Station | Immersive Art | Meow Wolf Denver

Meow Wolf, I am not sure how to describe it, weird but beautiful. Beautifully Weird. Based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Convergence Station, is Meow Wolf’s largest permanent installation. There is no early entry or re-entry to the exhibition: guests may only enter Convergence Station at their ticketed time. This includes access to restrooms. I really can't explain it, but imagine, The Cheshire Cat and The Teletubbies, became friends and created a world. Bright. colorful, interactive, and you will be left saying "What did I just look at?"

General Admission $40

Child- $35

Military- $35

The Original Chipotle Restaurant

Chipotle is older than I am! Who would have known that it's located in Denver? These lesser-known states in the West know something the rest of us don't. Because I was shocked when I learned Crumbl, was started in Utah. You could only imagine the excitement I had when I learned that the original Chipotle was opened in Denver in July 1993. And although it was once closed it is now reopened and running. I had to go. I was kinda disappointed I thought there was going to be some specialty item. Something that you can only get at the OG Chipotle. So while it tasted like Chipotle, I can't give it the same treatment I will give Popeye's in New Orleans or even KFC in the Caribbean. But it was cool to see the 30-year-old logo; it was just green and said "Chipotle." No pepper, no burgundy. Besides a plaque on the brick wall, there was nothing that made it clear that it was the first Chipotle. This is a testament to how you don't need theatrics when the product is good. Keep it simple.

Food Places I recommend:

Snooze A.M. Eatery: Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant (Multiple places throughout the US)

• The Pancake Flight with the Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Danish, and Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes - 5 Stars

• Abri-ca-lav-ra Mimosa- Apricot in liquor, I need to try more. But I like it.

Ian's Pizza

• Known for affordable, craft-quality pizza by the slice with non-traditional toppings. Right by Coors Field, it seemed like the perfect late-night spot for some food after a night of drinking.

• I had the Alfredo Penne Pizza and the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, and it was so good, in the club I requested we go back for another slice. They also had this Black Cherry Soda. I wish I would have take a photo of the label. Because as a person who doesn't drink soda, I will get that.

Nightlife

• Five Points. One of Denver's oldest and most diverse neighborhoods. Known for having a rich Jazz Culture,

• Nativ Hotel Denver-Adults Only. On the weekends they turn the basement into a nightclub. Playing HipHop & R&B, was cool. The bottles were in abundance, the sections were full. After 12 you knew what to expect.

So if you are looking for a time to go to Colorado, I would say go in April. I would go back and stay in Colorado Springs. Denver left me whelmed, but it was fun. Now that I know there is a Black community, I will find the true spots to be so I can experience Colorado, through the recommendations of locals.

This trip makes the fifth place on my 30 before 30. I now have 309 days, about 10 months, to visit 25 more places. I have no idea where these places will all be, I've changed my list six times so far. So while Bree will be leaving, just don't ask where because I won't know until the week of.

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