| November | December 2005 Volume 79 Issue 6 |
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Colorado Explorer Tea for two–or 20 Something about the holidays, and winter weather, inspires many to crave a hot cup of tea. Steamy, fragrant, delicate. Preferably with tiny finger sandwiches, warm scones, buttery cookies and hand-dipped chocolates. You can find them at many of Colorado 's historic hotels and tea shops. Reservations are required, unless otherwise noted. Here's a sampling: Boulderado Hotel, Boulder. The historic downtown hotel does it up right, with a three-course holiday tea. Start with scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Next comes a selection of tea sandwiches. And, finally, dainty cakes and pastries. $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for kids (who also can choose from hot cocoa and kid-friendly sandwiches). Dates for holiday teas are Nov. 6, 13 and 27, with a special Teddy Bear Tea on Nov. 26; also Dec. 4, 11 and 18-23. 303-440-2880. The Brown Palace, Denver. These very popular holiday teas are sold out many months in advance. You could always book for next year. 303-297-3111. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs. Though its teas are presented primarily for hotel guests, The Broadmoor won't turn away the public. No reservations, but walk-ins will find cookies, fruit cake and scones, plus tea, coffee, cider, hot chocolate and wassail, for $7 per person, Fridays and Saturdays in December till Christmas. 719-634-7711. Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia. Experience the elegance of another era, and delight in the art and antiques acquired by the home's late owner, Tweet Kimball. You'll get a traditional English-style afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches, pastries and sweets. A castle tour is included. Holiday teas are scheduled on Nov. 21, Dec. 1, 3, 8, 11, 15, 18, and 21-23. Cost is $30 per person. Private teas can be arranged for groups of 35 or more. 303-688-5555. Enchanted Teacup, Pueblo. In the carriage house of the historic Orman Mansion , tea parties are a regular event. Although the regular holiday teas are sold out, it still has openings for Tea with Santa, geared to children. Cost is $20 per person. 719-546-3246. Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs. Take tea in the elegant dining room of a Scottish castle. You can opt for the Victorian Cream Teas Monday–Saturday afternoons, at $10.75 per person, or for the Formal Victorian Tea, Sunday mornings, at $14.25 per person. Dainty sandwiches and cakes round out the menu. For a few dollars more, take a tour of the castle. 719-634-0808. Miramont Castle, Manitou Springs. This historic red stone castle offers tea year round and it's especially festive amid Victorian holiday decorations. It's a lavish high tea with a wide selection of brews and a three-tiered platter that includes, along with the usual treats, fresh fruits and vegetables. Tea is served Tuesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons and costs $14.95 per person. 719-685-1011. Eat•Shop•Stay Library living and dinner on the rocks Well-known and worth it The elk, bison, rattlesnake or other exotic taxidermy hanging on the wall at the Buckhorn Exchange might also make an appearance on the menu here at the state's oldest restaurant. Established in 1893, the Denver eatery is still famous for its hearty meals—try the navy bean soup, an old-fashioned specialty. It's said Buffalo Bill Cody liked to hang out here. 303-534-0505. It's that time of year when you might be looking for a really unusual gift. You'll find one at the old Foss General Store in Golden. Its wares range from vintage neon signs and hand-hewn furniture, to penny candy (a great stocking-filler), jukeboxes and pinball machines. Eclectic doesn't begin to describe it. 303-279-3373. Lesser known gems You can find a modestly-priced meal in pricey Beaver Creek. Just stop by the new Rocks Restaurant at the completely remodeled Beaver Creek Lodge. Entrees start at $12, the food is terrific, and dress is casual. Toasty heaters let you dine outdoors, even in winter. And check out the elaborate rock-climber sculptures in the adjacent atrium. 970-845-1730. If you're looking for a Thanksgiving getaway, consider the Western elegance of Dunton Hot Springs near Telluride. The restored ghost town provides a perfect place to relax. Gourmet meals, with wines from the owners' own vineyard, will satisfy most cravings. Then soak in the indoor hot springs pool. Yeah, that's the ticket. 970-882-4800. Something different Andrew Carnegie's libraries dot the nation. But you can't spend the night in most of them. You can, however, at the Old Library Inn in Sterling . The lovingly restored building has three elegant guest rooms, and the owners cater to special diets (served on period Depression glass). 866-941-3800 or 970-522-3800. Artus Van Briggle came to Colorado Springs for his health in 1899 and left his mark on the city forever. The potter made unique tiles with unusual glazes that still grace a number of public buildings and private homes. His world-famous collectible art pottery is still made by hand—one of the oldest such operations in the nation. Get a factory tour before you shop at Van Briggle Art Pottery. 719-633-7729. See & Do From decorated logs to a town of chocolate Well-known and worth it Love to ski, but hate driving there? Get aboard the Ski Train between Denver 's Union Station and Winter Park , starting Dec. 27 and running weekends through April 1. You can ride in comfort through scenery you can't see from a car and arrive relaxed and ready to hit the slopes. 303-296-4754. For a more adventurous ski experience, tackle the 10th Mountain Division's hut-to-hut system, which covers 350 miles of trails between Aspen , Leadville and Vail. Ski all day and stay in one of 29 cozy huts at night. First-timers can take guided trips from area outfitters, but most ski it on their own. Explore online at www.huts.org or call 970-925-5775 for reservations. Lesser known gems You don't have to be an airplane buff to enjoy the Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo. It's a fascinating way to spend a winter's day, viewing everything from World War II bombers to M.A.S.H. helicopters and other historic aircraft—all indoors in a giant hangar. 719-948-9219. There's no Willy Wonka to play tricks at the annual Chocolate Tasting Festival in Creede, Nov. 25-26. “You can get pudding, ice cream, cocoa, fudge, you name it,” says a chamber spokesman. “You can get chocolate everything.” Sample the work of local chocolatiers—both professional and amateur. 800-327-2102. Something different The Great Stupa at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes is believed by some to be the most awesome example of Buddhist architecture in the USA . If architecture isn't your thing, then how about going inside for a yoga class, a massage, or a good meal? Guided tours are available. 970-881-2184. For a truly old-fashioned small-town holiday event, bundle up and head to Palmer Lake (just west of Monument) for the annual Yule Log Festival, Dec. 11. A decorated log is hidden in the woods and the finder gets to ride it back to the town hall. Warm up with hot chocolate or cider before the drive home. That'll get you in the spirit. 719-481-2953. Linda DuVal is a freelance writer and former travel editor for The Gazette in Colorado Springs .
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