Ten Most Romantic Denver Spots According to VISIT DENVER

We've turned to VISIT DENVER many times over the years for expert advice about things to do and places to go in the Mile High City.

Note our previous posts featuring the top twelve Denver tourist attractions, Denver's eleven best hidden tourism gems and Denver's best shop-til-you-drop destinations.

This time around, the agency's got romance on the mind.

Its roster of Denver's ten most romantic spots is designed for couples, "whether you're on your first date or your fiftieth."

Count down the photo-illustrated top ten below, complete with links to specific attractions and excerpts from text by past Westword contributor Lori Midson. For more VISIT DENVER info, click here.

10. VESTA DIPPING GRILL
The distinctive concept of dipping and sharing entrees makes Vesta Dipping Grill one of the first restaurants in town to sell out for Valentine's Day. Mostly two-tops and cozy booths fill this chic downtown spot. The lighting is just enough to see what you’re dipping into, from sweet dried berry chutney to spicy ghost chili BBQ....

9. LANNIE'S CLOCKTOWER CABARET
If you're bored with the bar scene but still fancy a classy place to sip and sup while taking in top entertainment, join the other canoodling couples at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, a sensually attired, Parisian-styled nightclub tucked into the basement of the historic D&F Tower in Downtown Denver. The sexy showroom, owned by local songstress Lannie Garrett, dazzles with its clusters of chenille-draped tables illuminated by antique chandeliers dangling cowboy boots and clocks....

8. HOTEL MONACO
It's easy to get lucky in love at Hotel Monaco, renowned for its elegantly appointed rooms and suites bedecked with down pillows and comforters, bold color schemes (think racy reds), deluxe bath amenities and playful furnishings. Indulge in the hotel's afternoon wine hour, complete with complimentary chair massages, then slide into a booth for two at Panzano, the excellent, on-site Northern Italian restaurant....

7. COUPLES COOKING CLASSES
Denver boasts a smorgasbord of culinary schools, several of which offer classes for couples. The intimate get-togethers at Kitchen Table Cooking School follow date-night themes like "Tacos & Tequila" and "Tango in the Kitchen, A Romantic Night in Argentina," while Cook Street School of Culinary Arts is a perfect opportunity to treat your soulmate to a multi-course romantic dinner for two....

6. PEAKS LOUNGE
From the skyscraping 27th floor of the towering Hyatt Regency Denver, you can pop the cork (or question) while beholding the heart-palpitating panoramas from Peaks Lounge, a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling-windowed bar showcasing memorable vistas of the Rocky Mountains and bright-lit city skyline....

Continue to keep counting down the ten most romantic Denver spots according to VISIT DENVER.

5. BISTRO VENDÔME
Flirting habitués find fun and romance at this Larimer Square French-food temple that speaks oh-la-la at every turn. Tucked into a secret back alley, Bistro Vendôme, with its sunflower-yellow interior, warm golden glow of flickering candlelight, whimsical chalkboard menu, scarred hardwood floors and welcoming vibe, is an idyllic date spot. The scarlet-canopied, foliage-flush jardin is just as ambient, especially during spring and summer....

4. BAROLO GRILL
The lovely two-top, buttressed against the flickering glow of the fireplace, isn't just one of the most sought after tables in town; it's also one of the most coveted spots for an intimate tête-à-tête. Named for the wine of the Northwestern Italian province of Piedmont, Barolo Grill is a convivial restaurant, strewn with grapes from the vine, wine bottles and farmhouse touches, all of which give it an air of rustic sophistication....

3. HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDE
You've heard the Frank Sinatra lyrics: "Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage." We can't help you pop the question, but if you want to add some spark to your love life — or just rekindle the romance, slow down the pace and take in the historic sites of Downtown Denver from the intimate confines of a horse-drawn carriage.... Make a reservation with Irish Rose Carriages by calling 303-364-4125.

2. THE SPA AT THE BROWN PALACE
Downtown Denver's crown jewel, the historic Brown Palace Hotel, is also home to one of the city's most luxurious spas, the Spa at the Brown Palace. Tucked away from the bustle of the Brown's opulent lobby, the Spa at the Brown welcomes visitors with a soothing waterfall that sets the stage for its signature soaks....

1. DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
During the summer months, there's no better spot to snuggle than under the stars at Denver Botanic Gardens, a blooming botanical paradise in which to enjoy some of the top musical acts in the country in one of the most serene outdoor landscapes in Colorado. Pack a picnic, bring a bottle of wine and a blanket, and stretch out on the grass while listening to the likes of Ziggy Marley, Chris Isaak, Keb' Mo' and UB40....