Hashtag Colorado Life

#21. Nothing quite beats a Colorado winter wonderland during the holiday season. And there is plenty to do to celebrate this time of year!

Ryan and Carrie share their favorite holiday events and celebrations from across the Front Range and beyond. Whether you’re embracing the cold with an outdoor parade, or soaking up the season with a Christmas concert, there are so many ways to enjoy the holidays in Colorado.

Learn about some of Ryan and Carrie’s top ways to get into the Christmas spirit. Their favorites include holiday musicals and classic performances on the Front Range, like a symphonic rendition of Home Alone or a master violinist dancing on stage to Christmas classics.

They discuss where to go for epic light displays, places with the best Santa meet-and-greet opportunities, and how to sneak a peek of the elves in Santa’s workshop. (Here’s a hint: the Denver Botanic Gardens has got you covered in multiple locations!).

Finally, no episode of this podcast is complete without a little time spent chatting about Carrie’s love of trains. They talk about the unique holiday train rides that pop up around the state during this magical time of year.

Hopefully your holiday season is made all the more merry and bright with these Colorado Christmastime celebrations!

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#19: If you’re craving a mountain-town feel with resort-quality skiing and activities, Breckenridge is the town for you!

Ryan and Carrie share recommendations for soaking up all the outdoor activities, world-class eateries, and stunning scenery that “Breck” has to offer. Whether it’s a winter ski trip or summer-time hiking, Breckenridge is a magical mountain town worth the visit.

Ryan and Carrie share their top spots to stay in town (including a quality chain hotel that offers a lodge-like feel), and their favorite places for a fancy or casual apres ski meal. Learn about Breckenridge’s odd connection to the U.S. Vice President in the 1860s and how it differs from other ski resorts in the area.

Finally, be sure to check out the year-round festivals in and around Main Street. Ryan and Carrie discuss the must-see events, including the Race of the Santas, and International Snow Sculpture Championships.

So even if you don’t hit the slopes, Breckeridge has plenty to offer and is definitely worth the visit. Full moon snowshoeing, anyone?

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#18: Got 15 minutes? Here are 15 delicious Colorado brunch recommendations. Ryan and Carrie share their top restaurants and cafes for weekend (and even weekday) breakfast fare, including their favorite spots for eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy, and out-of-this-world doughnuts.

Ryan and Carrie pack all of the best brunch places in a 15-minute rundown. They share their favorite Square State chains, including Colorado-established favorites like Snooze and Lucile’s Creole. They also review their favorite menu items from different towns across the Front Range, like specialty New Mexican plates found in Boulder, or croissants the size of your face in Colorado Springs.

They also share some of their favorite mountain town brunch spots, including where to get a “cronut” in Glenwood Springs, and a stellar crepe in Breckenridge. Finally, they discuss coveted spots on their brunch bucket lists and share some great brunch recommendations for the Hashtag Colorado Life audience.

They hope this inspires you to explore new brunch spots around Colorado. Whether you’re Team Eggs Benedict or Team Biscuits and Gravy, there’s plenty of great breakfast spots to try in our great state.

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#14: Colorado was built on the back of the gold rush, and nothing epitomizes the Wild West like the town of Old Colorado City!

Ryan and Carrie share their favorite activities and spots to see in historic Old Colorado City (aka OCC). Whether you’re taking in Territory Days or browsing quaint historical shops, this is the town for soaking in the old-timey western days of the Square State.

While it’s technically a neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City has its own unique character. Learn about Old Colorado City’s historic legacy as a mining town and how it officially became a part of Colorado Springs.

Ryan and Carrie also share about the best historical shops, cafes, restaurants and bars in this pioneer town (including an amazing German bakery). Be sure to check out the ghost tour through the underground tunnels, and learn about the seedy history of the town’s saloons and brothels.

There’s also plenty of events to enjoy, like Territory Days, the farmer’s market, and the First Friday Art Walk. You can even take a self-guided walking tour with the Old Colorado City Walking Tour App!

If you’re looking for some flavor of the Wild West and some turn-of-the-century charm, Old Colorado City is worth a visit!

For more information and resources about exploring Colorado, visit our website at HashtagColoradoLife.com or @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.

#60: A park built on top of a cemetery. Spirits that haunt one of the most historic hotels in Colorado. A ghostly apparition that plays slots at a casino even when it's closed. These are all unexplained reports of Colorado’s most haunted places.

With a history steeped in gold rushes and ghost towns, it’s no wonder that Colorado has some great paranormal activity. Ghostly sightings and haunted stories are reported at numerous locations across the state, both indoors and out!

Listen in as Ryan and Carrie dive into the supernatural side of Colorado and discover some of the most haunted places in the state. These places range from century-old mining towns and casinos, to spooky mansions.

For more information and resources from this episode, visit our website HashtagColoradoLife.com or follow us on @HashtagColoradoLife on Instagram.