Articles posted in Denver

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The Best Ice Cream in Town

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: State Library of Victoria, via Flickr

July is National Ice Cream Month, which gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite frozen treat. If you’re one of our guests, check out this list to find the best ice cream in town:

Boston:

Picco: The Pizza and Ice Cream Company (Picco for short) is a popular Boston restaurant that delivers the dream combination of delicious pizza and homemade ice cream. A little bit lighter than the typically dense New England offering, Picco’s ice cream explodes with sophisticated flavors.

Denver

Little Man Ice Cream: Denverites love their ice cream, and Little Man serves up the best in town. Easy to find, just look for the 28-foot tall milk can with a line of people queued up to get their sweet fix. They rotate a great mix of classic ice cream flavors, as well as few you wouldn’t expect, like salted Oreo. They even have vegan ice cream.

Memphis:

Jerry’s Sno-Cones: Kids and adult alike seem to flock to this local favorite when the weather turns warm. Although snow cones made with homemade syrup are this shop’s specialty, they also offer soft serve ice cream, either on its own or combined with a snow cone (order it “supreme”).

Nashville

Pied Piper Creamery: Across the river in East Nashville you will find this funky ice cream shop located in a vintage house. The ice cream is delicious and features wacky pun-filled titles like Minty Python, Oreo Speedwagon, and Handlebar Pistachio.

New Orleans:

Angelo Brocato’s: No dessert shop in New Orleans is as beloved as Angelo Brocato’s. Established in 1905, this gelateria and pasticceria is steeped in Italian tradition and offers authentic gelato you have to taste to believe. And if your love of cold sweets extends beyond ice cream, this joint is also known for its delectable granitas: fresh Italian fruit ice.

Philadelphia:

The Franklin Fountain: This old-timey ice cream parlor dishes up some of the best and most authentically Philly-style ice cream in town. The old school soda fountain theme, from bow tied servers to the antique cash register, adds to the charm, but it’s the achingly delicious handmade flavors, like Teaberry gum, that will keep you coming back.

Portland:

Cool Moon Ice Cream: Sure, you could go to Salt & Straw like everyone else. Or you could skip waiting in a forty-minute line for overhyped “artisanal” ice cream and just head into Cool Moon. Much more family friendly and still offering intriguing flavors made with local natural ingredients, Cool Moon will satisfy your cravings while the rest of those people are still waiting.

San Antonio:

Justin’s Ice Cream: Hometown boy Justin Arecchi’s ice cream has been called a national treasure by President Clinton. After a four-year absence, his new family-run ice cream shop has reopened right on the River Walk, making it a breeze to sample the same cool treats that have been enjoyed by kings and dignitaries.

Seattle

Molly Moon’s: The ever-popular chain of modern-rustic ice cream shops are frequently wrapped with lines of people, and for very good reason. Molly Moon starts with a base of Snoqualmie ice cream and mixes in a wide variety of locally-sourced ingredients to create unique flavors like honey lavender and balsamic strawberry. You can also find many vegan-friendly sorbets and coconut milk-based treats.

 

Are you planning a trip? Click Here to view all of our downtown vacation rentals

Father’s Day Fun

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Source: Flickr user slgckgc

Father’s Day is coming up quick! Are you looking for something fun to do with the old man that you’ll both enjoy? Does he like beer and baseball? There’s a fairly good chance that he does, so how about taking Dad out for a great beer, followed by America’s favorite pastime: a professional baseball game. Sounds like the perfect Father’s Day plan to us! If you happen to find yourself in one of these three cities this Sunday, you’re in luck: Stay Alfred knows the best places for the ultimate Father’s Day adventure:

Beer

Seattle: Head to Redmond’s Marymoor Park for the Washington Brewers Fest, featuring 105 Washington breweries as well as food vendors and entertainment. $25 gets you a souvenir glass taster and 10 tasting tokens, each good for a 3oz sample.

Denver: Breckenridge Brewery, one of the standard-bearers of Denver’s beer culture, is having the Grand Opening of their brand-new brewery in Littleton, 12 miles south of downtown on Father’s Day weekend. Make a reservation on their website and for $3 you can enjoy a guided tour of the 12-acre facility that includes a generous sampling of Beck Brews.

Philadelphia: Dad’s love to get stuff for free, and Philly is offering plenty of opportunities to do just that. Get a free 14oz ribeye steak at Bistro St. Tropez when you buy another entree; enjoy a free mojito at Cuba Libre with an entree purchase; Brauhaus Schmitz is offering dads their first beer for free with a reservation; at The Fat Ham, every father gets a free Wurzburger pilsner with their meal and a shot of Bulleit Rye Whiskey afterward.

Baseball

Seattle: The Mariners take on the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. As part of the Father’s Day celebrations, the first 10,000 dads through the gates get a free Mike Zunino BBQ apron.

Denver: The Rockies battle the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. The first 10,000 fans get a free Father’s Day baseball cap.

Philadelphia: The Phillies face off against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Both teams will be wearing retro 1960s-era uniforms and all guys over the age of 15 get a free red Phillies cap sporting the 1960s “P” logo.

 

Are you planning a trip? Click Here to view all of our great downtown vacation rentals

Stay Alfred Opens 5 New Locations

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Stay Alfred Vacation Rentals — No Comments ↓

Once again Stay Alfred is expanding its ever-growing inventory of fantastic vacation rentals. Just in time for summer, we are moving into new buildings in Denver, Seattle, Nashville and Boston, as well as opening our first building in a brand-new city: Philadelphia. We are very excited about these new downtown vacation rentals, and without trying to toot our own horn too much, we think these may be some of best properties we’ve offered so far! Let’s take a look at our new rentals:

The Garrison, downtown Boston

Garrison Square, Boston: After opening our wildly successful properties in the Kensington, we couldn’t wait to offer another downtown Boston vacation rental. The Garrison Square is an elegant nineteenth century-style oasis in the fashionable Back Bay neighborhood, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and galleries. Our guests will enjoy relaxing in the private garden courtyard or one of the several rooftop terraces.

 

 

 

The Douglas, downtown Denver

Douglas, Denver: Enjoy Denver’s trendiest urban living in the incredible Douglas building located in the historic Ballpark neighborhood. You will be just steps away from the exciting LoDo nightlife and the popular Larimer Street eateries and boutiques. Relax poolside or watch the sun set among the majestic Rocky Mountains from the great rooftop deck, complete with oversize lounge chairs and a beautiful brick fireplace

 

 

 

Printers Alley, downtown Nashville

Banner Lofts, Nashville: If you plan on spending your time in Nashville honky-tonkin’ the night away, you couldn’t find a better place to lay your head than the Banner Lofts. This hip converted newspaper building on Printers Alley features tall ceilings, exposed original brick, hardwood floors, and the best location possible for experiencing the fabulous nightlife that made Nashville famous!

 

 

 

The Commonwealth, downtown Philadelphia

Commonwealth, Philadelphia: We couldn’t be more excited to be opening our first downtown Philadelphia vacation rentals in the historic Commonwealth building! Located in the “Midtown Village” section of Philly’s City Center, this amazing building combines vintage Art Deco charm with the perfect locale for exploring everything that Philadelphia has to offer. Reading Terminal Market is right at your doorstep and you’ll be easy walking distance to some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

 

 

Via6 Tower, Downtown Seattle

Via6 Towers, Seattle: Located where Downtown, Belltown, and South Lake Union meet, the Via6 is a newly-constructed vertical community featuring amazing high-rise views of Seattle and some of the best building amenities around. The ground floor in anchored by Tom Douglas’ Assembly Hall complex, which includes TanakaSan American Asian restaurant, Assembly Hall Juice and Coffee, and Home Remedy Urban Market.

Planning a trip? Click here to view all of our great downtown vacation rentals.

Top 5 Denver Activities

Posted on February 18, 2015 by admin — No Comments ↓

Coors Field, source: Flickr user Geoff Livingston

Whether you enjoy urban adventures or exploring nature, Denver has plenty of exciting activities for the whole family. Take some time during your stay to get out there and experience everything that the Mile High City has to offer! Here are five of our favorite things to do when we are in town:

  1. Shopping at 16th Street Mall: At 1.7 miles long, the 16th Street Mall is the longest outdoor mall in the U.S. Considered a pedestrian area, but if you don’t feel like walking you can hop on and off the free shuttle that runs the entire length of the mall. The heart of the mall is the Denver Pavilions, a collection of over 40 shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues including a bowling alley and movie theater
  2. Rent a B-Cycle: Denver boasts more than 850 miles of paved, off-road trails that connect to hundreds of additional miles of dirt trails, as well as dozens of notable attractions. You can rent a bike using the Denver B-Cycle, an automated bicycle sharing system with 700 bikes and 82 stations throughout the city. Some of the most popular rides are the Cherry Creek path and Washington Park. See why the Mile High City is a paradise for cyclists!
  3. Brewery Tour: More than 200 distinct beers are crafted in Denver daily and there are more than 50 brewpubs and breweries in the area, so exploring local pubs and tasting rooms is a great way to sample the true flavor of the city. Try a guided tour to get a true behind-the-scenes experience, complete with plenty of beer samples. The most popular are the Brews Cruise and Banjo Billy’s Brewery Tour, they’ll even drive you and your friends from stop to stop.
  4. Visit Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: Located just 10 miles west of Denver, Red Rocks is widely considered to be the best outdoor music venue in the world. The amphitheatre is nestled among the giant red sandstone outcroppings where the scenery is breathtaking and the acoustics are superb. Besides music, the venue also hosts yoga classes, a summer film series, and even Easter sunrise service. Definitely worth a visit even if you don’t get a chance to see a concert.
  5. Catch a game: Denver is a big-time sports town, in fact it’s one of only 12 cities to have teams in four major sports (5 if you count the MLS, which plenty of Rapids fans do). Any time of the year you can find an exciting game to watch and thousands of cheering fans to watch it with. You’ve got the Broncos at Sports Authority Field (locals still call it Mile High Stadium), the Rockies at Coors Field, and the Avalanche and Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

Are you planning a trip to Denver? Click here to check out all of our great vacation rentals.

5 Places to Eat in Downtown Denver

Posted on January 8, 2015 by admin — 2 Comments ↓

Are you looking for some good grub in the Mile High City? From classic steakhouses to ultra-modern gastropubs, the food scene in Denver has every taste covered. Here are five of our personal favorites. Of course, we’re always on the lookout for great eats, so if you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them.

  • Breakfast Mac at Sassafras. Yes, please.

    Sassafras, 2637 W 26th Ave: Classic comfort food with a Southern influence in a laid-back atmosphere. A popular destination for breakfast and lunch (they don’t have dinner service). A wide variety of unique menu items you can’t find anywhere else, like breakfast mac and cheese. Must Try: chicken fried eggs with smoked buffalo hash.

  • Marco’s Coal Fired Pizzeria, 2129 Larimer St: The only VPN-certified pizzeria in the state of Colorado, Marco’s serves authentic Neapolitan-style pies, with delicious thin crust and a combination of local and imported gourmet toppings. Their gluten-free pizza is the best around and cooked in a separate oven. Must Try: Lemoncello Chicken Wings

  • The British Bulldog, 2052 Stout St: As genuine as you’ll find on this side of the pond, this pub has a great beer selection and top-notch British and Pakistani grub on the menu. If you’re a soccer fan, this is your spot. They open as early as 5am for Premier League matches. It’s also the local headquarters for the American Outlaws supporters’ group. Must Try: Chicken Masala

  • Snooze, 2262 Larimer St: Do one thing and do it well, which in this case is brunch. Snooze has several locations in Denver serving up their unique take on breakfast staples. The lines are typically long but efficiently managed; enjoy the free coffee and juice while you wait. Must Try: Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes

  • Guard and Grace, 1801 California St: Chef Troy Guard’s elegantly modern steakhouse boasts an extensive wine list and a great selection of Colorado-raised beef. Steak is the star, but the menu also showcases an impressive variety of dishes ranging from caviar to handmade gnocchi. Some of the finest dining in Denver. Must Try: Prosciutto Tasting Flight

Still planning your trip? Click here to check out all of our great Denver vacation rentals.

Stay Alfred Opens Hot New Denver Vacation Rentals

Posted on December 31, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Stay Alfred opens new Denver vacation rentals

DENVER, COLORADO - The nationwide vacation rental and corporate housing firm headquartered in Spokane, Wash., Stay Alfred, has opened several new Denver vacation rentals in the hot Lower Downtown (LoDo) district.

The vacation rentals in The Mile High City boast all the amenities Stay Alfred guests have come to expect, including modern furnishings, equipped kitchens, wi-fi, cable, DVD players, linens, laundry and ironing facilities, air conditioning, secure parking, balconies, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests also benefit from the industry-leading customer service for which Stay Alfred has been honored with the “Top Rental Manager” award by Travel + Leisure’s Top Vacation Rental Site, FlipKey.

These units are located at the beautifully appointed AMLI Riverfront Park building overlooking the South Platte River, which boasts a lounge and club room with pool table, a business center cyber cafe, and rooftop deck with outdoor fireplace and grill.

These Denver vacation rentals are a half-mile from Coors Field and the Museum of Contemporary Art, one mile from the 16th Street Mall, and under two miles from the University of Colorado, the Children’s Museum of Denver:, the Colorado Convention Center, and Mile High Stadium

Stay Alfred manages vacation rentals and corporate housing in Bellevue, Wash., Denver, Colo., Nashville, Tenn., New Orleans, La., Portland, Ore., San Antonio, Tex., and Seattle, Wash.

The vacation rentals can be viewed online and even booked with Stay Alfred’s convenient, industry-leading one-click booking feature at StayAlfred.com. Stay alfred is offering a 4th-night-free promotion to launch this property. Reservationists can be reached 24 hours a day at 866-232-3864.

Celebrate Halloween Like a Local in 6 Stay Alfred Cities

Posted on October 31, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Halloween with Stay Alfred

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s that time of year again: Jack-o-lanterns, fake spiderwebs, plastic bats hanging from the trees (along with the occasional roll of toilet paper). We’re all familiar with the trappings of Halloween but if you happen to be from out of town, it can be confusing when you want to party like a local. Luckily, we have the inside scoop when it comes to best celebrations and events, no matter which city you’re going to be in on All Hallow’s Eve!

New Orleans
There is no city that celebrates Halloween as enthusiastically as New Orleans. With its famous cemeteries, voodoo rituals, and long history of ghosts and spirits, the city practically oozes scary. It should be no surprise that its residents embrace New Orleans’ intrinsic spookiness and party with a gusto usually reserved for their other favorite holiday: Mardi Gras. Crowds will flock to Bourbon and Frenchmen for street parties and parades, so don your best costume and join in the festivities. Cate Root from The Times-Picayune has a great breakdown of all the major happenings.

Nashville
Nashville loves to party no matter what the occasion and Halloween is no exception. Any club you hit is almost guaranteed to be having a costume party or themed event of some kind. To see the cream of the crop, head to Play Nashville for their Freak Show contest with $5000 in prizes. Next door, Tribe Nashville is having a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock that’s sure to be a scream. Looking for some real excitement? You will definitely want to try the Demons on Demonbreun Hill, a combination pub crawl and zombie paintball shoot.

Boston
Costume contests, pub crawls, haunted mansions, and graveyard tours are just a few of the exciting Halloween events you can find in Boston. Before you head out for the night’s festivities be sure to stop at Dorothy’s Boutique in Back Bay, the biggest adult costume shop in Boston, to pick up some cool accessories. If you happen to have a bike (and more importantly a costume you can ride in), the Halloween Bike Ride draws hundreds of participants for a casual 10-12 mile ride through the city, starting at Copley Square.

Denver
Besides the typically nightclub craziness, Denver also has a lot of great family-friendly Halloween attractions. The Denver Zoo puts on their annual Boo at the Zoo event with over 25 trick-or-treat stations and other kid-centric activities, all free with normal zoo admission. The Haunted Field of Screams in Thornton is Colorado’s largest Halloween attraction with over 35 acres of “haunted” cornfields. For more grown up activities, ColoWeen at the City Hall Event Center is the most anticipated costume party of the year.

Seattle
Halloween in Seattle usually means one thing: putting on your sexiest costume and dancing until the break of dawn. FreakNight is the main event with big-name DJs, but if you don’t feel like spending a couple hundred dollars for the 2-day pass, there are plenty of other dance parties where you’ll have just as much fun like Pulse at the EMP Museum. Dancing not your thing? Try the Crawl-O-Ween pub crawl and see some of downtown’s hottest bars. Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, Citizen Zero is a zombie-themed urban hide and seek game on a massive scale.

Portland
Nothing cool ever happens in Portland. You might as well just stay inside and hand out candy to the trick-or treaters. Ok just kidding, you can find the usual mix of costume contests, dance parties, pub crawls, and zombie-themed everything. Jamie Hale of the Oregonian has already put together his procrastinator’s guide to Halloween in Portland, so we’ll just skip reinventing the wheel on this one.

Things to Do in Denver, CO > The Elitch Gardens

Posted on December 17, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Elitch Gardens

Whether you’re staying in a Denver vacation rental with family or friends, which do you prefer to visit, water parks, or theme parks? What if there was a place that was both? Enter Elitch Gardens.

History of Elitch Gardens

Since 1890, Elitch Gardens has been America’s only downtown theme and water park. The park is open May through October with 53 rides, live shows, thrilling roller coasters, an entire water park, and Fright Fest in October.

 

See 50 dads play musical chairs at Elitch Gardens on Father’s Day

 

Want to find out more about the park and/or ticket prices? Check out k99 Radio Colorado’s Guide to visiting Elitch Gardens.

 

You can view our Denver units here. We’d love to host your next stay in the Mile High City!

 

Things to Do in Denver > Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Posted on December 16, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science - All the Handy Information You’d Want in One Blog Post.

Overview:
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education.

A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help Museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science inspires curiosity and excites minds of all ages through scientific discovery and the presentation and preservation of the world’s unique treasures.

To create a community of critical thinkers who understand the lessons of the past and act as responsible stewards of the future. (view source)

Top Highlights Expected for 2014:
(view source)

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed

Opens Friday, February 14

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is the largest exhibition about the ancient Maya ever to be displayed in the United States. Through a combination of never-before-seen artifacts, hands-on activities, and immersive environments—including re-creations of an underworld cave, the starry night sky, and a vibrantly colored mural room—visitors will explore the rise and eventual decline of this fascinating culture’s ancient cities.

Whales: Giants of the Deep

Opens Friday, October 10

Whales: Giants of the Deep brings visitors closer than ever to some of the mightiest, most massive, and mysterious mammals on Earth. Featuring life-size models, interactive exhibits, and more than 20 stunning whale skulls and skeletons, the family-friendly exhibition reveals the history of the close relationship between humans and whales, from the traditions of Maori whale riders to the whaling industry to the rise of laws protecting whales from commercial hunters. This exhibition is developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and made possible through the support of the New Zealand Government and the Smithsonian Institution.

Traveling the Silk Road

Opens Friday, November 21

This exhibition is an engaging journey along the greatest trading route in history—the legendary Silk Road. Explore the ancient cities of Asia and the Middle East between AD 600 and 1200, where spectacular sights, exquisite silks, and rousing stories were in abundance. Learn about silk worms spinning cocoons, the raucous night markets, the ancient crafts of paper-making and glassblowing, and the trusty form of transportation along the route, the camel. This exhibition is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), in collaboration with the ArtScience Museum, Singapore; Azienda Speciale Palaexpo, Roma, Italy and Codice. Idee per la cultura srl, Torino, Italy; the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, Australia and Art Exhibitions Australia; and the National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan and United Daily News, Taipei, Taiwan.

PHIPPS IMAX THEATER

Jerusalem 3D

Opens Friday, February 14

Filmed for the first time for the giant screen, Jerusalem 3D immerses audiences in one of the world’s most beloved cities. Discover why this tiny piece of land is sacred to three major religions through the stories of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families who call Jerusalem home, and follow the path of archaeologists revealing some of the mysteries of the Old City. Rare and breathtaking footage of the Holy Land make this a stunning cinematic experience.

Journey to the South Pacific 3D

Opens Friday, February 14

Take a breathtaking adventure to the lush tropical islands of remote West Papua, where life flourishes above and below the sea. Follow a young island boy on a journey of discovery where you will encounter an exotic locale with whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and other iconic creatures of the sea. An uplifting story of hope and celebration, Journey to the South Pacific 3D highlights the importance of living in balance with the ocean planet we all call home.

Pandas 3D: A Journey Home

Opens Friday, June 6

Travel to the lush, mystical Wolong National Nature Reserve in China and venture behind closed doors at the Conservation and Research Center for the Wild Panda. The filmmakers’ unprecedented access reveals the secrets of panda breeding and discovers that the Chinese are on the brink of achieving an extraordinary environmental turnaround. You will be unable to resist these endearing animals as they tackle the challenge of being reintroduced to the wild.

SCFD COMMUNITY FREE DAYS

The Museum is offering 12 Community Free Days in 2014, made possible by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. For more information, click here.

  • Monday, January 13
  • Sunday, February 2
  • Sunday, March 2
  • Sunday, April 13
  • Saturday, April 26 (Día de los Niños)
  • Monday, June 2
  • Monday, June 30
  • Sunday, July 20
  • Monday, September 8
  • Sunday, September 28
  • Monday, October 27
  • Monday, December 1

It’s really worth a visit to the museum’s main site, where you can easily plan your visit, view more upcoming exhibitions (as well as a complete list of permanent exhibits) at their website below:

The Denver Museum of Science & Nature

Fun for all ages, this museum is one of many reasons why to visit the Mile High City. We highly recommend a visit, especially if you’re someone who considers themselves (or someone they’re travelling with) to have an “inner nerd” - that inner nerd will be satisfied many times over with just one visit to the Denver Museum of Science & Nature.

Lakeside Amusement Park fun for the whole family!

Posted on August 23, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

This is the largest amusement park in the Rocky Mountain region. Fun for the entire family, including 15 kiddie rides, classic Cyclone Roller Coaster, scenic miniature train, 39 rides plus games and refreshments!

Located in Denver, Colorado, at I-70 and Sheridan, on a picturesque lake (with great mountain views), trains, a merry-go-round, a drop tower, bumper cars, and many spinning rides, Lakeside is the perfect site for family fun and large events. Kiddies’ Playland is filled with rides specifically for young children.

Lakeside is an ideal site to host group outings, including company picnics, birthdays, family reunions, church picnics, and little league awards ceremonies and more. Operating at the same location since 1908, many Coloradans have a lifetime of memories of summer evenings of picnics, laughs, fun foods and games that can be relieved by coming for a visit.

Parking is always FREE and picnics are welcome. Gate Admission is $2.50 per person (with a .50 rebate valid towards the purchase of rides). Rides can be paid for either by purchasing an unlimited ride wrist tag I.D. or by buying individual ride coupons. Gate Admission and Unlimited rides for the 2013 season are Monday-Friday $14.00 and Saturday, Sunday and Holidays $22.00. -lakesideamusementpark.com

For more information please visit http://lakesideamusementpark.com/

Also please be sure to visit us in any of the cities we are in and check out our website at www.StayAlfred.com where you can view all of our properties, rates and make reservations.