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Drive ~45 minutes outside of Denver for a moderate, dog friendly 4.5 mi RT hike for fall 🍁 peeping or a waterfall (depending on the time of year). Then head over to downtown Evergreen to enjoy wine and charcuterie along the river. 

Here's your plan for a day trip: hike Maxwell Falls Trail, then enjoy wine tasting at Creekside Cellars

Maxwell Falls Hike + Winery

At Maxwell Falls Lower Trailhead, embark on a 4.5-mile RT hike featuring creeks, outlooks, and a waterfall, ideal for nature lovers and photo enthusiasts.

Trail Hiking

Less than an hour from Denver, you’ll find what I believe to be one of Colorado's best hikes. This 4.5 mi RT hike (~850 ft of elevation gain) has it all: shade, sun, creeks, outlooks, heavily wooded areas, and a few challenges along the way. I did it with my parents 👨‍👩‍👧 and, after 30 years of living in Colorado, they said it was their favorite hike they’ve ever done. It's a popular spot, so plan to leave around 7:30am. I know, I know, that’s early, but you’ll thank me when you easily find parking and see only a handful of hikers on the trail. If the lot is full, park in one of the dirt drive offs or along the side of the road (other people will do this too, just follow suit).

There are two trails to choose from that both lead to the waterfall, but today’s plan hits Lower Maxwell Falls. If you want a bit of a shorter and easier option, start at Upper Maxwell Falls, which is about 2.5 miles and ~500 ft of elevation gain. 

You can do this hike in sneakers, but I highly recommend hiking boots if you have them. I even saw a number of people using trekking poles as well. Follow the shady trail until you hit a fork at Cliffside Loop (see pic #4) about 1.5 miles in. If you want a more challenging start, go right. If you want an easier walk, go left. I personally like getting the hard part out of the way so we went right on the way there, doing the easier part of the loop on the way back. About ¾ of the way in (if you went right) is the waterfall. The falls are strongest in the beginning and middle of summer, so it might be more of a trickle if you go later in the fall, but the hike, foliage, and stream are still absolutely stunning and worth going for. There are a lot of evergreen trees, and you will spot some gorgeous changing aspens. 

Another ~0.5 miles in, you hit the top of the loop. Make the sharp turn left to head back around the loop (or turn back around if you want to redo the challenging part). If you continue to go straight, you will hit a dead end so don’t miss the sharp turn back.

Once you get back to the trailhead, hop in the car and drive 10 minutes to downtown Evergreen for some wine!

Hike Lower Maxwell Falls Trailhead

Post-hike, enjoy a wine flight at Creekside Cellars in Evergreen. Try multiple wines, order favorites, and indulge in Italian antipasto, all by a scenic creek.

Wine Tasting

I know you might be thinking it’s too early for 🍷, but you just closed your move ring before noon so airport rules apply and we’re heading to one of the cutest wineries you’ll ever see: Creekside Cellars Winery.

A few days in advance, call 303.674.5460 to make your reservation for 11:30am (and no, you can’t do it online, we tried). Once you’re there, snag a spot outside along the creek for the most stunning view (summer or winter, they have heaters). They offer 1oz tastings before you order, so try as many as you’d like, then order a flight of your 3 favorites for $16. To complement your wine, get the Italian antipasto platter, olive boat (you will learn quickly I am an olive gal), and brussels sprouts (they have a truffle aioli dipping sauce 🤯). If you want a more substantial meal after the hike, they also have focaccia paninis, which are delish.

Once you enjoy your wine and snacks, head back to Denver and be sure to stay off your phone, the drive is beautiful! 

Enjoy a wine flight at Creekside Cellars

Here is your Nudge plan for a day trip into the mountains where

you will go on an incredible hike and end with a wine tasting.

Take a short drive out of the city over to Evergreen.

Will kick it off at the beautiful Maxwell Falls Trailhead

for a fairly easy 4.5 mile round trip hike.

The forest is so lush and full of cute photo ops.

The falls will be strongest in the spring but are perfect for a quick splash.

Next we'll head just 10 minutes to Creekside Cellars Winery.

Be sure to sit on the duck for the best views of the creek.

I personally love ordering the wine flight

And above everything, do not skip on their tasty cheese boards...

Pro tip: If you brought your pup, there is seating out front that is dog friendly.

All you have to do is grab a friend and head to the mountains!

Free Monday Night Movies

Enjoy free outdoor movie nights every Monday at Edgewater Public Market—bring blankets, relax, and watch classics like Mean Girls and Hocus Pocus. Food from local vendors only!

Outdoor Movie Night

✅ Before you go
• starts at sundown
•cannot bring own food/drink. Support local business! 
•  pillows and blankets welcome! 
•dogs welcome! 🐕but must be leashed

💪 Pro tips
• arrive early to grab the best spot! 

August 22: When Harry Met Sally
August 29: Legally Blonde
September 12: Ghostbusters Afterlife
September 19: Beetlejuice
September 26: Hocus Pocus
October 3: RAINED OUT
October 10: Mean Girls

Edgewater Marketplace is offering Monday movie night.

Here's your plan for enjoying delicious Cantonese dim sum all day at Mark’s Duck House. Watch the video 👇

Enjoy Cantonese food all day long in Falls Church, VA.

All Day Dim Sum at Mark’s Duck House

Enjoy delicious and fairly priced all-day dim sum with friends at Mark’s Duck House in Falls Church—walk-ins are welcome and sharing dishes is encouraged!

Cantonese Dining

✅ Before you go
• walk ins are welcome! 
• come with a group to share food.

💪 Pro tips
• everything was delicious and fairly priced.

Head to Mark’s Duck House

Here's your plan for vibey weekend brunch with bao buns, sliders, cocktails, and hip hop vibes. Watch the video 👇

It’s Hot Grill Summer at Linger for a limited-time!

Brunch & Beats Pop-up 🍾

Enjoy a limited-time brunch pop-up with hip hop beats and specialty drinks at Linger in Denver's Highlands. Reservations recommended to secure your spot!

Brunch Dining

✅ Before you go
• Make a reservation so you don’t miss out on this limited-time brunch

💪 Pro tips
• Linger has a fabulous dinner menu as well, so come back if you enjoy brunch!

Alex’s Pro Tips

I found your next vibey brunch location in the heart of LoHi!

The hot grill summer brunch pop-up at Linger

has elevated their brunch to the next level.

We ordered their popular Bloody Mary and limited time Lychee

Spritz to go along with our bao bun appetizers,

I got the Impossible Sliders and my fiancé

ordered the Grilled Peach and Burrata pop-up special.

Linger's Pop-Up brunch runs every weekend until September 14th,

where you can enjoy limited time special food and drinks,

in addition to their regular brunch menu, for

the perfect start or end to your weekend.

which sits below Linger for a sweet treat!

Here's your plan for escaping Denver heat with coffee, hiking Vail's trails, and exploring Frisco vibes. Watch the video 👇

Escape to heat in Denver by heading to Vail and Frisco for some hiking and exploring 

Beat the heat in the mountains 🏔️

Stop at Plume Coffee Bar in Silver Plume for delicious doughnuts, coffee, and unique seasonal lattes—perfect fuel before heading into the mountains.

Coffee and donuts

✅ Before you go
• Here’s their website: https://www.plumecoffeebar.com
• There’s plenty of street parking 

💪 Pro tips
• The maple donut is 👌
• They have a lot of fun seasonal lattes to try

Grab fuel at Plume Coffee Bar

Hike the scenic Grouse Creek Loop near Vail for a 6-mile moderate trek with beautiful mountain views—perfect for escaping the heat and enjoying nature.

Mountain Hiking

✅ Before you go
• Here’s the AllTrails for Grouse Creek Loop: Grouse Creek Loop on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/grouse-creek-loop?sh=axinm2&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

💪 Pro tips
• There’s lots of hiking options so choose your own adventure! 
• Bring water!

Hike in Vail

Stroll through Vail Village or relax in quieter Frisco, explore shops, local art, and enjoy a tasty lunch at Mountain Standard.

Shopping & Dining

✅ Before you go
• Vail Village is bigger but Frisco seems to be quieter 
• Parking is easier in Frisco, FYI!

💪 Pro tips
• I love the lunch menu at Mountain Standard in Vail
• Frisco Art Collective has a great collection of art pieces from local artists 

Explore Vail Village or Frisco

so it's time to beat the heat in the mountains!

you're gonna make a pit stop in Silver Plume at Plume Coffee Shop to

grab yourself a doughnut and a coffee to fuel up for the drive.

you're gonna head to Vail and get a hike in to enjoy

either explore around Vail Village or make a stop in Frisco on

the way back to pop into the various restaurants and shops.