Favorite Places
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Rockrimmon Branch Library
- 832 Village Center Drive (map)
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Central
593-8000
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Rick's Garden Center
- 1827 W. Uintah St. (map)
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West side
632-8491
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Rick's Nursery & Landscaping
- 600 N. 18th St. (map)
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West side
636-3085
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Renaissance Fairgrounds
- 650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur (map)
- Out-of-Town
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Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison (map)
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Out-of-Town
720/865-2494
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Red Rock Canyon Open Space
- 3615 W. High St. (map)
- West side
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Pueblo's Riverwalk
- 101 S. Union St. (map)
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Pueblo
719/595-0242
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Poor Richard's Bookstore
- 320 N. Tejon St. (map)
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Downtown
578-0012
- (based on 1 user review)
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The Polo Club Bar & Grill at the Embassy Suites
- 7290 Commerce Center Drive (map)
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Old North End
599-9100
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Pikes Peak Library, Rockrimmon Branch
- 832 Village Center Dr (map)
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Northwest/Rockrimmon
593-8000
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Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. $$
- 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave. (map)
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Downtown
635-2800
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The Pepper Tree $$$
- 888 W. Moreno Ave. (map)
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West side
471-4888
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Penrose Library
- 20 N. Cascade Ave. (map)
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Downtown
531-6333
- (based on 2 user reviews)
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Papa Murphy's
- multiple locations (map)
- various
- (based on 3 user reviews)
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Palmer Park
- 3650 Maizeland Road (map)
- Academy (North)
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Best Of 2012: Garden Supply/Nursery
They share the title for top garden go-to every year, despite the fact that the two places are disparate businesses, and have been since 1976. In a way it's fitting, since Rick's Garden and Rick's Nursery share a happy, symbiotic relationship. Set back-to-back on the west side, each shop sends customers to its neighbor, calling on complementary expertise. And given the recent boom in urban homesteading, or just growing your own veggies in the backyard, it only makes sense there's double the help on a local level. Because we're all in this together, right? Just see Rick's of 18th Street's "About Us" webpage: "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others," Philippians 2:4. — Edie Adelstein
Best Of 2012: Garden Supply/Nursery
They share the title for top garden go-to every year, despite the fact that the two places are disparate businesses, and have been since 1976. In a way it's fitting, since Rick's Garden and Rick's Nursery share a happy, symbiotic relationship. Set back-to-back on the west side, each shop sends customers to its neighbor, calling on complementary expertise. And given the recent boom in urban homesteading, or just growing your own veggies in the backyard, it only makes sense there's double the help on a local level. Because we're all in this together, right? Just see Rick's of 18th Street's "About Us" webpage: "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others," Philippians 2:4. — Edie Adelstein
Best Hiking Trail
Because its loops hook together for 13 diverse miles, joining up with the Paul Intemann Memorial Trail and Section 16, giving intrepid and intimidated hikers alike plenty of options. Because Manitou's Incline and Barr Trail are crowded and dull next to the comparatively deserted Red Rock Canyon trails that roll through some of the prettiest topography in Colorado. Because, for free, you can picnic comfortably with your family and Fido, then spend the afternoon exploring cliffs and marshes. And because, in addition to the Chaco-wearing dog-walking crowd, runners, rock climbers and equestrians are also welcome. — Deidre Schoolcraft
Best Of 2012: Non-Chain Book Store
Best Of 2012: Used Book Store
Sure, there are reliable favorites: A New York Times bestseller is likely to please, or you could go for the latest in self-help. (Gluten-free, anyone?) But book-buying, like most everything, follows trends. Poor Richard's Bookstore understands this, and is there to help. With more than 120 categories, there is literally something for any reading taste. The "dysfunctional family genre" is popular this year, according to manager Marie Poole, and also, novels by authors like Chuck Palahniuk and Jonathan Franzen, which offer "social commentary in a less offensive form." After all, that's what books are for! — Celine Wright
Best Of 2012: Restaurant for Tourists
Best Of 2012: Place to Shoot Pool
Since it's just a block off the Springs' main strip, lucky tourists often stumble into Phantom Canyon for lunch or dinner. There they find a well-executed seasonal menu, which Phantom's Suzie Nichols says is focused on warmth and comfort food like meat and potatoes in fall and winter, and cool and crisp items like peach- and strawberry-infused plates in spring and summer. But locals flock to Phantom for its brews and 13 pool tables. (OK, maybe for the famous blonde ale and smoked gouda soup, too.) Look for a significant expansion to the brewery soon, which will not only increase brewing capacity, but bring an old-school video-game arcade into the billiard hall — sorry, the foosball tables had to go. — Steve Hitchcock
Bites 2013: Blonde Ale & Smoked Gouda Soup
Like the Iron Throne in Game of Thrones or one of those geek-ass elven blades from The Lord of the Rings, this soup is legend. It's not so much that wars have been fought over it (aside from the personal mental battle of resisting eating it all the time) as the fact that it's pretty much the greatest beer-cheese soup in the known realm. With its Queen's Blonde Ale base and thick cheese, it's so rich it's royal. ($3.25 cup/$5 bowl)
Click here for Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.'s Pork Green Chili
Bites 2012
Serving dinner only with a tremendous view over the city, this is a sister restaurant to Woodland Park's Swiss Chalet. Its "pride and joy" are the pepper steaks: filet cuts with mango chutney, flambéed in brandy ($34.95 to $49.95). All else is equally haute, from Colorado lamb to Maine lobster.
InSider 2010
Sister restaurant to Woodland Park's Swiss Chalet, the Pepper Tree is a perennial contender in our Best Of poll's Fine Dining category. Open for dinner only and boasting a great view of the city skyline, it offers lavish seafood entrées, rich steak courses prepared or finished tableside, and classic flavors like Colorado rack of lamb with a mint rosemary demi-glace. Call this our favorite tree to climb.
Camp Guide 2011
Programs exist for infants to 18-year-olds, including a summer reading game and programming for younger readers, along with workshops and more games. "You Are Here" is the teen Summer Reading Program theme, and there will be summer movie nights at the East Teen Center, a skate night at Skate City and a bowling night at Brunswick Zone.
531-6333 ext. 1403 or 2403, teen programs ext. 1318
Best Of 2012: National Pizza Chain
When I picture the idyllic park, I see rolling grassy knolls, kids swarming around picnics and swing sets, and dogs chasing cats. Palmer Park meets an entirely different expectation, but in a very good way. Perfect for biking or walking, with ample pull-off parking on scenic, windy roads, Palmer Park accommodates virtually all people who enjoy the outdoors. Though it's accessible from several busy roads, it's a fantastic escape from city noise. And Palmer Park's dramatic Grandview Overlook, aptly named, makes for a great lookout, and a great spot for making out.
