5 unexpected things you have to do in Denver, Colorado

Saying the name Denver doesn’t tend to conjure up any feelings of mystery and wonder. The Mile High City is an outstanding place to spend time but a lot of people tend to think of it as a standard midwestern community. And they would be wrong.

Denver can get plenty weird if you know where to look. It’s a mountain city with a bit of wild side, one that can show visitors an interesting time if they give it a chance. The next time you’re in Denver, don’t be afraid to stop and take a look around.

The Room of Lost Things

Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Denver, The Room of Lost Things is a shop of extreme oddities. This isn’t the place to get a traditional travel memento. But if you’re working on your collection of things that freak people out, it’s the spot for you.

For anyone with a green thumb, The Room of Lost Things can supply you with planters made from old doll’s heads. They also have all manner of deceased creatures great and small taxidermized in the oddest ways. Ethically sourced, of course.

Linger Eatuary

A term like Eatuary is a little confusing to some people, mostly because it’s a made up word. But in the case of Linger Eatuary, it makes a lot of sense. The building this restaurant resides in used to be the mortuary that housed the remains of the legendary Buffalo Bill.

Their lunch, dinner and brunch menus are loaded with incredible options, though they’re not death themed if that’s something you’re worried about. It’s a really good restaurant set up in a building with a very odd history.

Buckhorn Exchange

In business since 1893, the Buckhorn Exchange is Denver’s oldest active restaurant. And by all accounts, it’s a hell of steakhouse. A great steak is definitely a reason to go to Denver. But what makes Buckhorn Exchange odd is the dinner company.

There are hundreds of taxidermized animals of almost any conceivable species watching you eat from  every possible angle. If there aren’t actually that many, it sure feels like it. The unique décor is honestly intriguing, and the food is superb.

Fifty-Two 80’s

If you’re at all concerned that your visit to Denver is neither awesome nor tubular, then it’s probably a good idea to stop by Fifty-Two 80’s. This is a vintage shop filled with the best collectibles from the 1980s, not to mention a great selection of classic Denver Broncos merch.

But Fifty-Two 80’s is more than a store. It’s a shrine to the Saturday Morning goodness that made the decade special. If you want to get a good sense of what you’re in for, just stop by Fifty-Two 80’s website. It just feels like the 80s.

Denver Zine Library

Zines are independent, self-published booklets which are produced in a myriad of ways. They’ve been around since 1776, making them a key form of expressing ideas. And Denver has a library devoted to them.

The Denver Zine Library protects and promotes the culture of zines. In addition to their collection of over 20,000 independent and alternative zines, they conduct a variety of workshops and events. It’s a unique stop in Denver, if not the entire United States.