Taste the best brews in the Mile-High City, or take an urban kayak tour through the heart of Chattanooga.

By Chris Gayomali

Denver Beer Fest, September 10-19

Denver, CO

Though Denver didn’t quite make it onto last year’s list of our top 5 beer towns in the US, the Mile-High City continues to make a strong case for itself thanks to a combination of delicately controlled microbreweries, award-winning brew pubs, and frothy beer cafés carving out names for themselves alongside better-known Rocky Mountain staples. Even New Belgium Brewery in nearby Fort Collins is taking progressive crafting to another level–it became the first wind-powered brewery in 1999, and as a company is fully committed to reducing its carbon footprint. (They’re also responsible for Magic Hat.)

Trivia aside, there’s only one real way to measure the merit of a beer town: You’ve got to taste its suds.

This weekend marks the start of the Denver Beer Festival, a jam-packed, 10 day celebration of the sweet science of brewing. Tours, tastings, and food pairings load the calendar, so pack a hearty appetite.

One recommendation: Be sure to check out Wynkoop Brewing Company. They’re not only the first brew pub to grace the area, but they also make a particularly delicious light brew called Patty’s Chile Beer (made with Anaheim chiles and smoked ancho peppers). It’s wonderful.

Travel and Accommodations

Fly directly into Denver International airport, and forget renting a car. A partial list of recommended hotels can be found here, but by the end of most nights we doubt you’ll be very picky.

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Outdoor Chattanooga Downtown Kayak Ride, September 11

Chattanooga, TN

Beginners are welcome on this self-propelled kayak tour of downtown Chattanooga. Choose to go solo or ride tandem, and you’re off to paddle your way ’round the Maclellan Island wildlife sanctuary located down the Tennessee River. Birdwatchers, keep your eyes open for colonies of indigenous river crane and a rookery of great blue heron (granted, they’ll be hard to miss). You won’t need to pack much: a credit card will do, as boats and gear are provided (just be sure to register beforehand).

Also, don’t forget a good sunscreen, as you’ll likely be on the water for a good two hours.

Travel and Accomodations

Chattanooga is a two-hour-and-twenty minute drive southeast of Nashville. Or fly directly into Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, and choose from a number of hotels. Try the Chattanoogan, which is conveniently close to the links of a Jack Nicklaus golf course.
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