Denver Diaries: Hot Springs, New Friends, and Late-Night Adventures | Part II

Day 2: Exploring Denver's Hidden Gems and Soaking in Hot Springs

I had a surprisingly restful night at Hostel Fish, even though I was sharing a room with five other travelers and slept on the top bunk. The bunks are designed for privacy, each featuring a hanging curtain, individual lamp, fan, and personal outlets for charging devices. If you're like me and travel with more than two gadgets, I highly recommend bringing an outlet extender—it'll save you the hassle of rotating devices throughout the day and night.

The day started with breakfast at Pig & Sprout, a fantastic spot offering a wide variety of options for both meat-eaters and vegans. (I may be vegan, but I always keep my meat-loving readers in mind!) I opted for a tofu breakfast bowl and a mimosa. The bowl was simple—just tofu, black rice, bok choy, and green onions—but it was packed with flavor. The seasoning was spot on, making it a delightful start to my day. If this simple meal was that good, I can only imagine how delicious the rest of the menu must be.

After brunch, I had planned to take the Bustang, Colorado's public transportation, to Idaho Springs—home of the gold rush and the historic Indian Hot Springs. The Bustang is an affordable option at just $5 for the trip from Denver to Idaho Springs, and tickets can be purchased in advance via an app. However, in my eagerness to explore, I made the rookie mistake of not checking the bus schedule before heading out to breakfast. Determined not to miss out on the hot springs, I ended up taking a rather pricey and lengthy Uber ride to Indian Hot Springs. But let me tell you—it was worth every penny.

I paid for access to both the caves and the pool. The caves are exactly what they sound like—natural underground caves with water temperatures ranging from 106°F to 112°F. Picture a sauna, but with the water just as hot, if not hotter, than the air. The caves are gender-separated, and during the week, they're clothing-optional. I visited on the weekend when clothing is mandatory, so keep that in mind depending on your preference. Relaxing in the caves was an incredible experience, especially as it was my first time at natural hot springs. The heat can be intense, so bringing plenty of water is essential, but I highly recommend it. Sorry no pictures of the caves, phones are banned for privacy and relaxation, so you'll use your imagination. After spending some time in the caves, the pools reopened, and I moved on to enjoy them. The pool area looks like a typical swimming pool, but it's filled with natural hot springs water. It's much more family-friendly, and I saw kids of all ages enjoying the warm, jacuzzi-like water.

After three hours at Indian Hot Springs, it was time to head back to Denver. I had more planned for the day, after all. Once I freshened up at Hostel Fish, I made my way to the Baker neighborhood for some Chinese food at MakFam. I had the Tofu Whip Fries which are french fries tossed in málà seasoning, hoisin, and housemade Uncle Tony's chili oil, and the Sizzling Spicy Noodles made with House-made chili oil, málà seasoning, and cabbage. The meal was exactly what I needed to refuel after a day of relaxation and exploration.

With my belly full, it was time to cap off the evening with another bar crawl. Originally, I planned to do the RiNo Bar Crawl yesterday and the LoDo Bar Crawl today, but instead, I found myself diving into LoDo Part II. The crawl kicked off at Tony Tenderonis, a large sports bar with a small outdoor green space. We started with some free food, including chicken wings and tenders, and a complimentary welcome drink as we headed out. This crawl was different from the previous night, with just 12 people in attendance compared to the 60+ from before. The vibe was more intimate, which was a nice change of pace.

Among the group, there were two of us solo travelers, one group of locals from Colorado Springs, and another group on vacation from Utah. At first, the other solo traveler and I stuck together, quickly becoming friends. It wasn't until we hit the next spot that we started mingling with the other groups. The first three bars were the same as the night before, and we played games like we did the previous night. But the fourth spot was a new experience—a two-story rooftop bar overlooking Lower Downtown, complete with frozen daiquiris. I was having such a great time with my new friends that I nearly lost track of time and ended up staying out until 2:30 AM. Yikes!

After an unforgettable night of bar crawling, making new friends, and soaking up the vibrant energy of Denver’s nightlife, it was finally time to call it a day. Tomorrow, I have a full schedule planned, with more sights to see and experiences to enjoy. Stay tuned as I continue my Denver Diaries, exploring the hidden gems and iconic spots this amazing city has to offer.

Good Night! 😉