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EnCompass^® The AAA Companion

May \| June 2004 Volume 78 Issue 3

Eat — Shop — Stay

Wooden sidewalks and 700-year-old food

Want a true Colorado experience? We've searched the state for dining, shopping and overnight ideas-some well-known, some not-that are uniquely Colorado.

Well-known and worth it

Yep, it'll cost you, but if you like classic ambiance, elegance and appreciate history, splurge and try the Hotel Jerome next time you're in Aspen. The stately, three-story Victorian hotel is but steps away from world-famous boutiques, galleries, restaurants, nightlife and Aspen Mountain. Each of Hotel Jerome's 93 guest rooms and suites is decorated with Victorian antiques and reproductions. 800-331-7213 or 970-920-1000.

Shopping with kids?!

Consider Grand Lake. Old-time storefronts and wooden sidewalks set a leisurely atmosphere while a variety of unique shops engage the acquiring spirit. And yes, there's even enough to keep the kids interested (for awhile). When you're ready for a break, it's a short walk to parks and activities at the deepest natural lake in Colorado. 800-531-1019 or 970-627-3372.

Lesser-known gems

Named one of Colorado's top 10 restaurants by both Denver newspapers in recent years, the Metate Room in Mesa Verde National Park couples breathtaking views with cuisine inspired by food eaten by the Anasazi 700 years ago. The menu favors corn, squash, beans, mushrooms and wild game, but with a 21st-century twist. Open April through October. 970-529-4423. Housed in a historic church built in 1872 and located in a quiet Golden neighborhood, the Foothills Art Center knows how to put on a show. Often called Colorado's best art gallery, Foothills is noted for its architecture, but even more for presenting exhibitions, programs and art classes. 303-279-3922.

Something different

The state's best small-town inn?

The authors of Colorado's Best think it is El Convento, a refurbished convent in San Luis, Colorado's oldest town. You don't have to be Catholic, although the inn is located next to Sangre de Cristo Church and is only a block away from a narrow, winding trail that leads up to the Stations of the Cross (which the authors claim is the state's best religious shrine.) 719-672-4223 or 719-672-3685.

How about a home-cooked meal made from scratch? Try the Happy Cooker, a unique little restaurant in a Victorian house in the historic district of Georgetown. Specialties include waffles, breads, soups and pies. Keep in mind that cooking from scratch takes time so plan on staying awhile. 303-569-3166.

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