(…and outside of Boulder. Many of these places have multiple locations; the one we went to is noted. Additional recommendations would be welcomed!)

Atlas Coffee (Littleton): Cute, industrial-yet-homey, large space often with a guitarist/singer. Large latte menu; I liked the one with honey and cayenne pepper. Their breakfast burritos looked and smelled good, but alas, I did not partake. Highly recommended.

Lost Coffee (Littleton): Fantastically crafted micro-batch roastery and cafe in what appears to be a repurposed car repair facility. Good amount of outdoor seating. I should have gotten the overnight oats. Highly recommended. (At the time of writing, a new brewery, the Littleton Brewing Company, is building a large taphouse across the street).

BREW Due South (Lafayette): Really fantastic coffee in a shop, attached to a kitschy gift and clothing store, and with lots of varied seating in two rooms. The apple hand pie I had was phenomenal, as was the cappuccino, but I think Yuko’s flavored cold brew was out of this world. Highly recommended.

Sapor Coffee & Concepts (Denver): A really neat coffee shop offering unique concoctions. The brewhouse itself is industrial-chic with a light Star Wars theme. We enjoyed sitting at the counter on the high stools and watching the baristas work. The owners were really nice to us and gave my daughter a purple lightsaber sticker, which made her day, and offered us a free drink once they restocked with ingredients to make the drink my wife asked for first. A great place to stop before an early Meow Wolf experience. Highly recommended.

Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters (Westminster): Well-designed cafe with very tasty beans and meticulously made coffee. Highly recommended, especially if on the way to the nearby H Mart.

2914 Coffee (Denver): Very good neighborhood coffee shop right off of I-25. I enjoyed sitting at the counter next to the window. Recommended.

This is a somewhat outdated list of places in the Catskills I’ve liked. As of the time of writing, I last went in November 2020 (memorably witnessing the call for the 2020 presidental election from our rental house). YMMV.

Slide Mountain Hike: The approach from the west from the Slide Mountain Trailhead Parking Lot) is among the easiest ways to the top of a 35’er. The view from the top is among the best in the Catskills. This can be combined for a longer day hike with the summits of Cornel and Wittenberg Mountains.

Phoenicia Diner (Phoenicia): Cute, classic, kitschy, upscale diner that everyone goes to. Breakfast all day. There can be a bit of a wait, but just get a coffee from the truck outside.

Woodstock Brewing (right next door to Phoenicia Diner): I’ve never been, but I hear good things.

Emerson Kaleidoscope (Phoenicia): World’s largest kaleidoscope. Enough said. Down the street from Woodstock Brewing.

Town Tinker Tube Rental (Phoenicia): Tubing down the Esopus River is a fun thing to do on a pleasant day.

Garden Cafe (vegetarian/vegan) and Oriole 9 (organic, breakfast and lunch only) are the most interesting restaurants in Woodstock. Bread Alone has some of the best bread in the area.

Peace, Love & Cupcakes (Woodstock) is worth stopping in for a cupcake.

The Little Bear (Woodstock) is pretty popular with locals, but I’d say it is just typical American-Chinese food.

I’ve wanted to go to Opus 40 (outside of Woodstock) for a while, “6.5-ac. stone-sculpture park in an abandoned quarry with trails & a museum featuring vintage tools.”

Keegan Ales (Kingston) produces one of the best coffee milk stouts around, Joe Mama’s Milk.

Circle W Market (Pallenville) is a good place to pick up gourmet sandwiches and provisions before or after a hike.

Bear and Fox Provisions (Tannersville): Best coffee and pastry shop in the area. Instagram-worthy.