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This weekend is DU’s Parent’s Weekend, and with your family on their way to visit you in your new college lifestyle, you may be looking for a few attractions to entertain your parents during their stay. Here are a three destinations plus five restaurants to not only get out of your dorm and spend time with your family, but make memories with them as well.
Show and Tell
Show your parents around campus is to take them to several of the main features of our campus. For a little pre-Halloween spookiness, visit Mary Reed Hall and tell your parents about Mary, who haunts the building.
Historic Architecture
Grant-Humphrey’s Mansion, a neoclassical architecture home built in 1902, is just 12 minutes from campus in the Cherry Creek area. Located at 770 Pennsylvania St., the Grant-Humphrey Mansion provides a timeless piece of architecture as a moment in history. The mansion was the home of the third governor of Colorado, James Benton Grant, who also owned Grant Smelting Company, an ore smelting company who had the third largest furnace stack in the world. While the mansion generally hosts weddings and corporate events, it’s well worth a drive by to take in both the history and beauty.
Heavenly Garden
If you have the time and are willing to take a little drive, the Garden of the Gods is one of Denver’s best attractions. The one-hour drive is well worth the natural beauty you will experience upon arrival. While the public park is open from 5am-11pm, some of the best times to experience the park are just after dawn and right before dusk. Don’t forget to bring a camera. The Garden of the Gods is located at 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO.
Shells & Sauce
During your parent’s time here, you may want to grab a bite to eat together and show them what Denver has to offer. Shells & Sauce is a nice Italian bistro, located at 2600 E. 12th Ave. in the Cheery Creek North area. Shells & Sauce offers lunch, dinner and weekend brunches for reason prices. Reservations are recommended for weekend evenings, however. A full bar is also available. Shells & Sauce is open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
John Holly’s
If you’re in the mood for an Asian bistro, you have two choices. John Holly’s, located at 2422 S. Downing St., offers the small restaurant ambiance with a vast choice of entrees. Anything from sushi to traditional entrees can be found here. John Holly’s is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Sushi Den
Sushi Den, located at, offers a classy ambiance with slightly higher pricing. While Sushi Den specializes in sushi, they offer a wide range of appetizers, grilled entrees, salads and sushi platters. Sushi Den is open Friday evening from 4:45 p.m.-10:30 p.m., on Saturday from 4:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Cafe Colore
If you’d like to get away from campus for a nice dinner downtown, Cafe Colore offers delicious Italian cuisine. Located at 1512 Larimer St., Cafe Colore is in the heart of Larimer Square as well as just off the 16th Street Mall. Cafe Colore is open on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Bonnie Brae
Also just minutes from campus is the Bonnie Brae district. Located at the corners of University Blvd. and Ohio St. (799 S. University Blvd.), Bonnie Brae has been one of the most beloved ice cream shops in Denver since 1986. The list of ice cream flavors offered is endless, which include “sinfully cinnamon” and the namesake “Bonnie Brae bliss.” Bonnie Brae is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
