Itinerary, yes I know, Again

Question

I had looked at planning a trip out that way last year. Things failed miserably with the planning, especially after my wife got sick last year and passed.

I am thinking about putting myself way out of my comfort zone next year and doing a solo trip to the Denver area for about 5 days in May prior to Memorial weekend. I enjoy my craft beer, but I also wanted to spend a day or two taking a look at some of the scenery out west as well.

For my initial plan, I was looking at staying in the RiNo area and spending a day looking at some art and enjoying one or two of the craft breweries- Maybe hitting a museum or a gallery. I also wanted to do some sort of tour or train trip to Pikes Peak and maybe drive out west of Golden (It looks like I could be close to a waterfall in about an hour from Denver) to do some moderate or light hiking. I would maybe like another idea or two.

I'm in my 50s, don't like to be too rushed, fairly sociable, I like being outside, but I'm not looking to do anything extreme. I love small breweries and just want to be able to enjoy myself solo for about 5 days in a somewhat comforting environment without spending my entire time in a car.

As a reference, my wife and I did Asheville a couple of times before all the flooding and loved it. I know y'alls mountains are a whole lot bigger. I also know that I need to pace myself with the altitude as anything + 100 foot sea level is high around here.

Thanks for whatever ideas you could provide.

Answer

First — I’m sorry for your loss. Planning a gentle, thoughtful solo trip is a wonderful way to recharge. Your RiNo base, slow pace, craft-beer focus, and one or two scenic day trips is a perfect plan for a 5-day stay. Below is a relaxed, low-stress itinerary with practical tips (altitude, transport, timing) and concrete recommendations so you can enjoy breweries, art, light hikes, and stunning views without being on the road all day.

Quick context & two practical notes before the day-by-day plan:

Pikes Peak access: The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway offers a classic train ascent to Pikes Peak from Manitou Springs (near Colorado Springs) — it’s a scenic, relaxed way to experience high mountain views without driving the whole way. Check the Cog’s schedule before you book a day trip.
RiNo craft-beer scene: RiNo (River North) is loaded with quality taprooms within walking distance of each other — great for casual brewery hopping without a car. Pick two-three per day and linger. Suggested names to start with include Our Mutual Friend, Ratio Beerworks, River North Brewing, Bierstadt Lagerhaus and a couple of neighborhood taprooms.

Altitude reminder:

Denver is ~5,280 ft — take it easy the first day: hydrate, avoid heavy exertion, and plan lighter activities until you feel acclimated. If you normally drink coffee or alcohol more than usual, consider moderating for the first 24–48 hours while you adjust.

Suggested 5-day itinerary (gentle pace, limited driving):

Day 1 — Arrive & settle in RiNo
- Check into your hotel/airbnb, walk the neighborhood, get your bearings (mural walls, small galleries).
- Easy first evening: one nearby brewery for dinner (RiNo has casual pizza and gastropub options inside taprooms).
Day 2 — RiNo art + brewery crawl
- Morning: RiNo murals walk and stop at a small gallery or two (many studios open daily; the neighborhood has pop-up shows).
- Afternoon: Visit the Clyfford Still Museum or Denver Art Museum for a quieter, contemplative museum experience. The Clyfford Still Museum is focused and not huge — excellent if you like modern art.
- Evening: Brewery hop — pick 2–3 breweries and linger. Try a flight at Ratio or a lager at Bierstadt Lagerhaus.
Day 3 — Pikes Peak day trip (train) or Colorado Springs light day
- Option A — Cog railway to Pikes Peak: take the train from Manitou Springs (about 1h20–1h40 drive from Denver). The ride and summit views are the highlight — it’s a restful, scenic experience rather than a strenuous activity. Book the Cog in advance and dress warmly for the summit.
- Option B — If you’d rather stay closer: drive to Red Rocks Amphitheatre (shorter drive), hike a gentle trail there, and return to Denver for another relaxed brewery or a concert/film if scheduled.
Day 4 — Waterfall or foothills hiking near Golden/Boulder
- Pick a waterfall within ~1 hour of Denver for a short, scenic hike. Good options include Eldorado Cascades (Walker Ranch area), Elk Falls (Staunton State Park), or Castlewood Canyon — all offer manageable trails and good photo ops. Plan for a 2–4 hour outing (including drive), easy on exertion.
- Return to RiNo for a relaxed evening; maybe try a new brewery or a smaller bottle shop for souvenir beers.
Day 5 — Chill morning, a last museum or neighborhood stroll, departure
- Slow morning: coffee, an artsy shop, and a final brewery tasting flight if your travel time allows.
- If you have time before your flight, the Denver Botanic Gardens or a short stroll around Cheesman Park is peaceful and low-key.

Other relaxed activity ideas (pick one or two if you want variety):

Union Station & LoDo: Historic station with coffee shops, small bars, and easy people-watching — great for an indoor/outdoor mix.
Guided brewery tour: If you want company, several companies run small guided brewery tours that handle transport so you can sample safely without worrying about logistics.
Breweries plus a live show: Many RiNo venues and LoDo spots have evening live music — check local listings for mellow acoustic sets if you’d like company without crowds.

Transport & logistics (keep it low stress):

RiNo is highly walkable and bikeable; rideshares are easy if you want to go further (e.g., to the Cog). Consider a single car rental day (for the Pikes Peak trip) or book a round-trip shuttle/service to Manitou Springs so you don’t drive mountain roads if that feels uncomfortable.
Reserve any tickets that sell out (Pikes Peak Cog trains can sell out on busy days) and dinner reservations for one or two nights if you want a nicer restaurant — otherwise casual beer halls are first-come, first-served most nights.

Pacing & safety

Hydrate, sleep well the first two nights, and don’t overdo elevation changes in one day (summit of Pikes Peak is >14,000 ft and can be a shock if you go from Denver directly — take it slow and watch for mild altitude symptoms).
Carry a light daypack with water, snacks, a jacket, and sunscreen for day trips; temperatures fluctuate quickly in the mountains.