Travel

Words cannot express how excited we are to have friends and family celebrate our special day in Colorado. It was hard to choose a location for this special day, given the situation of where both of us are from, and where we currently live. We could have continued to have our wedding in any of these three locations, but opted to a place we felt special to the two of us.

We wished to get the save the dates out as far out as possible, to let people know the date we decided is on the weekend of a Fourth of July. While our wedding is on July 2nd, most do have July 3rd off, due to Independence Day landing on a Saturday in 2026.

Colorado is a beautiful state, and the venue is right in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas in America. We hope everyone will not just view this as a weekend for us, but also as a time to take a vacation. Below is a list of things we believe cater to everyone we love dearest to us. We hope you make a trip to relax, and enjoy yourself as well.

We've made a list of things for you to plan an awesome trip around, that we believe would cater to a very large group of people.

Hotel Blocks

We have reserved a block of rooms for everyone at the following locations:

The Holiday Inn Express - 17140 W Colfax Ave Golden, CO 80401, United States

Hampton Inn and Suites - 17150 W Colfax Ave, Golden, CO 80401

Both hotels are right by each other and are a 25-minute drive from the venue in Idaho Springs, CO. The hotels are close to many restaurants and shops.

Near the Venue – Golden, Colorado

Outdoor Activities

• Clear Creek Trail
  Scenic creekside walking and biking path — great for tubing or a casual stroll.
• North Table Mountain
  A moderate-to-challenging hike with sweeping views and local wildlife.
• Mount Galbraith Park
  Rugged loop hiking trails with panoramic overlooks of Golden and Denver.
• Golden Gate Canyon State Park (~20 min drive)
  Ideal for a peaceful hike, picnic, or scenic nature walk with mountain views.

History & Culture

• Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum
  Free museum featuring gems, fossils, and even a moon rock.
• Golden History Museum & Park
  Outdoor pioneer village with historic buildings and museum exhibits.
• Coors Brewery Tour (Check current availability)
  Tour one of the world’s largest breweries with a tasting at the end.

Downtown Golden (Washington Avenue)

• Charming main street with restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and art galleries.
• Don’t miss Foothills Art Center for local exhibitions.

Inside and Near Downtown Denver

Attractions & Activities

• Union Station
  Historic train station turned boutique food & shopping hub.
• Denver Art Museum
  Impressive Native American and contemporary collections.
• 16th Street Mall
  Pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment strip.
• Coors Field
  Home of the Colorado Rockies — catch a game or tour the stadium.
• Denver Botanic Gardens
  Beautiful themed gardens, perfect for a quiet afternoon.
• Meow Wolf Denver – Convergence Station
  Immersive art experience with interactive, surreal rooms.
• Colorado State Capitol
  Take a free tour and stand one mile above sea level.

Near Francesca’s Hometown – Colorado Springs, CO

• Garden of the Gods
  Iconic red rock formations with easy walking paths and stunning views. A must-see and meaningful memory spot for Francesca and Gerry.
• Pike’s Peak
  Drive the scenic highway or ride the cog railway to the summit of this 14,000-ft peak — inspiration for “America the Beautiful.”
• Red Rock Canyon Open Space
  A quieter alternative to Garden of the Gods with hiking and biking trails through red rock canyons.
• Seven Falls
  A series of seven cascading waterfalls in a beautiful box canyon — ride the elevator or climb the 224 steps for epic views.
• The Broadmoor Grounds & Lake (even without staying there)
  Walk around the lake, enjoy the luxurious surroundings, or grab a drink on the patio.

Cultural & Family-Friendly Activities

• U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
  Interactive, inspiring museum showcasing Olympic athletes and sports tech.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
  One of the highest-elevation zoos in the U.S. — feed giraffes, ride the ski lift, and explore exhibits with mountain views.
• Old Colorado City
  Historic downtown area with charming shops, restaurants, and galleries. Great for a stroll and lunch.
• Manitou Springs (just west of Colorado Springs)
  Quirky mountain town with unique shops, mineral springs, and access to the Manitou Incline (a steep challenge for hikers!).