Denver Diaries: Alpacas, Art, and a Sunset Goodbye | Part V

 

Day 5: Exploring Denver's Culture and Alpacas on My Final Day

My one and only night at the 11th Ave Hotel and Hostel was fantastic. The bed was so comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud, and despite hearing the area could be noisy, it was quiet and peaceful. After a few busy days, I feel surprisingly well-rested

But now, it’s time to say goodbye to 11th Ave and hello to my last full day in Denver. Since I’m in Capitol Hill, known for its museums, I took a short walk to the Civic Center Cultural Complex, which also features beautiful sculptures to admire. One that really caught my eye outside the Denver Art Museum was a giant broom and dustpan sculpture. It had a small plaque but seemed open to interpretation.

I popped into the Denver Art Museum briefly, but if I had more time, I’d definitely have bought tickets to explore it further. Next time, Denver—next time!

For my final planned excursion in Denver, I headed back to Red Rocks Amphitheater, where I met up for the Smooth Alpaca Experience. From there, we were taken to Joe’s farm, run by a wonderful farmer named Joe, along with his wife and kids. After a quick tutorial on how to handle the goats and alpacas, we were let into the pen to meet the animals. The goats were playful and carefree, like little kids, and the alpacas—well, they each had their own personality! The moment we entered, you could hear the alpacas making noise and even spitting at each other. Apparently, alpacas spit when they’re irritated, threatened, or communicating, but they’re friendly with humans.

Joe gave us hay to feed the alpacas, and that’s when they really opened up—mostly because they wanted food, but hey, whatever works! Sunscreen and UPF clothing were essential for this experience because the Colorado sun was blazing at 100°F. Phones even started sending out temperature warnings. Luckily, I had my trusty camper hat and UPF shirt, so I was golden. The alpacas were recently shaved and had plenty of water, so they were fine too.

Each alpaca had a name, but the most memorable one was Michael. Michael acted like the alpha, asserting dominance over the other goats and alpacas. It was hilarious to watch him start little "beefs" with the other animals. I even managed to snag some fun selfies with them. Joe clearly loves his animals, and they’re treated with so much care. I highly recommend the Smooth Alpaca Experience for all ages. Afterward, you can support Joe’s small business by purchasing items made from alpaca fur. I bought two pairs of the softest socks ever—one for me and one for my other half.

After returning to downtown Denver, I went back to the 11th Ave Hotel and Hostel to change, but not before grabbing an iced green tea latte (with oat milk, of course) from the café. I had some extra time, so I enjoyed my drink and took in the sights around me, thinking about what life would be like in Colorado. It would definitely be full of adventure and amazing, friendly people. Denver truly has some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and everyone seems to live an adventurous life here.

Once I finished my latte, I made my way to Peaks Lounge at the Hyatt, located on the 27th floor. Peaks Lounge offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and overlooks downtown Denver. It’s even been voted one of Denver’s Best Scenic Sixteen. The lounge was a bit crowded due to a technology conference, but I found a seat at the bar, where I watched a ping pong and archery tournament from the Summer Olympics. I ordered a strawberry lemon drop martini and some sweet soy and furikake edamame. I stayed long enough to catch the sunset behind the Rockies, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

As the day turned to night, it was time to head to the airport. I grabbed my belongings from 11th Ave Hotel and Hostel, where my Uber awaited to take me to Union Station for the $10 train ride to the airport. Denver’s airport is a bit unusual because TSA Precheck closes at 7:30 PM, something I’ve never experienced before. I arrived at 10 PM, so Precheck wasn’t available, but you can tell TSA that you have Precheck, which allows you to keep your shoes and belt on and go through the metal detector. You still have to take out your laptop or iPad, but I’ll take the win where I can.

As I boarded my flight, I took a moment to reflect on everything that made this trip so special. From the breathtaking views at Red Rocks to my playful encounters with the alpacas, every experience added something unique to my journey. Denver’s blend of adventure, history, and hospitality truly made it unforgettable.

This trip wasn’t just about checking off places on a list—it was about finding moments that surprised me, challenged me, and inspired me to keep exploring.

And as I leave the Mile-High City, I can’t help but feel grateful for this solo adventure. Denver has a way of embracing you with open arms, offering something new at every turn, and reminding you that there’s always more to discover.

Until next time, Denver. The adventure never really ends—just changes altitude.

End of the Denver Diaries: The Mile-High Experience