Denver Do: Better with Age on Broadway

Overview: This edition of the Denver Do is all about the lesser-known sections of Broadway's wacky-and-weird. You can use any means of transportation to get there and can continue to explore the area to your desire and time limitations.
Expected Cost: $10 for food @ the bakery; optional vintage shopping
Solo Savvy?: Absolutely! But, the antique shop begs discussion.
Expected Time: 1.5 hours (unless you try clothes on)
Requirements: Some form of mechanical transportation because this section of Broadway is south past "SoBro." It's actually parallel to the South Pearl District, so it's a bit of a jaunt. I would recommend a bike, car, or "0" bus RTD bus.
The Do: This edition of the Do starts at Packrat Antiques, an antique store located on Broadway and Iowa. If you bike, take Logan Street. A lot of the those quieter neighborhood roads end at i25 (or just get funky) but Logan goes all the way through. Turn right (west) onto Iowa and it's a few more blocks to Broadway.
I have no idea how I first found Packrat Antiques, but I am ever-so-glad that I did! This place is one of the most eccentric antique shops in a section of Broadway full of eccentric antique shops. It's basically a museum of creepy old stuff run by an equally creepy old couple who I don't believe actually sell anything. The gnome/ owner in the back-right corner is well-camouflaged by his paper, beware. I have no idea what kind of antiques he's guarding because I refrain from going near, but you should grow a pair and go back there. It's probably good.
Treat this place like an art collection and be prepared to spend a solid amount of time there. You will encounter antiques from every type of American population including (and not limited to) medical devices, skeletons, weapons, pictures, metal-works, and more. Take your time to examine all sections. But use only your mind to explore; you may have your head chopped by a Civil War-era sword if you do so much as take a out your iPhone. The old couple acts as if you don't exist until you take a picture, at which point you will be summarily removed from the premise.
After you've developed a winter's-worth of goose bumps, use your feet or mechanical transport to travel four blocks further south to Regal Vintage. This is my absolute favorite vintage shop in Denver. While it can be a bit overpriced it's got a fantastic collection. The guys who run it are either lovers or brothers (TaTU, anyone?!). They may seem a bit stand-offish at first but start purring over their hand-chosen collection and they'll be your best friend. Make friends because they are often willing to negotiate on prices, especially if you buy more than one item.
Keep in mind as you explore this store: before it was Regal it was another, much weirder vintage place owned by a man obsessed with aliens. The front was actually "a front" because the back was filled with his wacky alien paraphernalia. If you shopped for longer than 15 minutes he and his homeless friend would tell you conspiracy theories. So, imagine that you have an aluminum hat from the movie Signs and you should be alright.
Feel free to keep exploring this unique area, but the final portion of this Do takes you back north for a stop by the Buffalo Doughboy Bakery. On your way there, take note of the Black Crown Lounge between Arkansas and Florida. I've heard rave reviews of this gay-friendly antique store/ bar/ music venue. Grab a schedule of the live music and invite me to join when you go!
The Buffalo Doughboy Bakery is owned by a very nice couple with a taste for all things pastry. They offer smoothies, paninis, salads and more, but their pastries are the crux of the place. Located on the corner of Louisiana, the building is instantly recognizable with it's yellow-and-purple exterior. Seating is limited but the place isn't usually full. It's a relaxing joint, so bring a book if you're solo. I'd recommend ordering one of the savory pastries (I ordered a divine spinach-something once) and a coffee. Be sure to check the hours, though, because this place is a typical bakery with awkward open/closing times.
Congrats: you've done another Do! Thanks for joining. As always, feel free to provide your feedback and suggestions! Next up: Abusing Your (Core)Power.

Background to the Denver Do

Hello, all! I wanted to offer a brief explanation of my following post. I've spent many-a-year poor, curious and hyper in Denver. I've come to find out about all sorts of cheap outings in the city and explored many of them alone. Denver is growing so quickly that I feel like the majority of my friends are young transplants. In effort to help them get to know their city and aware of the economic burden of moving to a new city, I recommended different outings to anyone who seemed interested. A lot of them told me how much they appreciate my ideas, using them for dates or random free-time. After enough positive feedback, I've decided create a column that details these outings. It's called the Denver Do. // To qualify as a Do, there are a few requirements. First, it's got to be a 1-3 hour outing that involves some sort of activity and food/ drinks. Second, it must be appropriate for solo explorers or groups. Third, the whole thing has to cost less than $50. Finally, it's got to be within driving distance of the Denver-metro area. Each Do will have a short synopsis at the beginning that quickly details such variables; then, the description offers specifics and advice. // Please provide me with feedback on this series! If it takes off, I hope to publish it in local periodicals. Of course, let me know if you have any fodder for further Do, too!

The Denver Do: Wash in the Morning

Overview: In this edition of the Denver Do, I take you to brunch and a walk in the park! This is an especially cheap and solo-friendly "Do." // Expected Cost: $10-$15 for breakfast // Solo-Savvy?: Yes // Expected Time: 2 hours // Requirements: Walking shoes, reading materials (if solo), sunglasses // The Do: One of the most popular brunch spots in the city is called Devil's Food. It's on Old South Gaylord Street, which is just East of Washington Park. OSGS is a darling neighborhood spot and Devil's Food is one of it's most popular joints. You can expect to wait upwards of an hour for weekend brunch. Try to go sometime when you have time/ patience to wait. But (if you're like me) when you're hungry you get h-angry. So skip Devil's Food and continue south on Gaylord Street to Mississippi. Turn left and enter The Local, one of my favorite brunch spots in the city! // The Local is a diner with bar-stool seats and comfy booths. If you're alone, choose a spot at the bar and pull out your book. There is usually another solo-diner, though, and it's often a TRF (Totally Rad Female). Chat, if you'd like! If you require more than a single seat, keep in mind that most people in the joint are very friendly. Ask to share tables with others- the servers won't mind! // As soon as you've marked your grounds, hop right up to the self-service coffee station at the far end of the bar. If you're into home-made breakfast breads, check out today's options in the display at front. // You won't have to wait long for service, but even if you do, the coffee should hold you over. If you're starving, definitely go for the breakfast burrito: it's massive, you can choose your chili. I've personally watched two TRFs devour the whole thing. I would also suggest the vegetarian breakfast sandwich, which is on the lighter side and refreshing. Finally, the breakfast tacos are a delicious take on an old-faithful, but be sure to request that they be wrapped in two corn tortillas or ask for flour torts. A single corn tortilla disintegrates. Try both red and green salsa, made by The Local and delicious. // After brunch, wander back up OSGS. Turn left whenever you'd like and make your way to Wash Park. Once you get there, the next hour or so is yours. I would recommend walking into the paved inside track. This is just under 2 miles around and takes you past the old buildings, lakes, ducks, and other sportsters. If you want a quiet, relaxing stroll, I wouldn't recommend going during the weekend in summer: it will be packed with beer-guzzling volley-ball playing young people. Do go during summer weekends if you want to people watch and meet hot young Denver-ites, though! Still, there are always open, friendly and interesting people at Wash. Ask to pet dogs, stop to chat with the tennis players on the South end or chase the hotties running by. // Stop by the boathouse at the top of the Northern lake. This is the headquarters for the Volunteers of Outdoor Colorado (VOC). They host all sorts of fun outdoor volunteer opportunities. Grab a schedule or sign up for their next event! // You may have worked up an appetite in all of your strolling, especially if you stopped to talk to any of the other sexy/ colorful characters there. For a final treat, I'd recommend stopping by Devil's Food and ordering a cinnamon bun/ muffin at their cafe portion of the restaurant. Ask them to heat the bun for you and eat on a bench outside. It's the perfect outwardly-crusty, inwardly-gooey mid-afternoon snack. Don't worry: it's organic so it's "healthy." // That finalizes this edition ("Wash in the Morning") of the Denver Do! Next: Chillin' with the gnomies on OSG."