Go There: A Weekend Getaway to Castle Rock
A bounty of green spaces and locally owned shops and restaurants to explore make Castle Rock, Colorado, the place to unplug and connect with loved ones.
While Castle Rock, Colorado, is a convenient home base for exploring Denver and Colorado Springs (about 30 miles and 40 miles away, respectively), you can easily spend an entire weekend exploring the plentiful attractions and green spaces in the town. The suburb, named after a castle-shaped butte that overlooks the area, has a charming downtown area lined with locally owned shops and restaurants, 19 beautiful parks, and more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits. Here is a guide to Castle Rock, an ideal place to unplug and connect with loved ones for a few days.
In This Article
Where to Stay
Visitors can choose from several reliable, budget-friendly chain hotels in Castle Rock, from Holiday Inn Express & Suites to Best Western Plus and Days Inn & Suites. But there are also some cute vacation rentals available on Airbnb. Slumber in a 1920s-era bungalow with two bedrooms, a farmhouse kitchen, and an enclosed front porch — all within walking distance of the shops, restaurants and parks of downtown Castle Rock. Or this restored barn dubbed the Dyer Inn, located at the center of the downtown area. The historic structure (built in the 1890s) sleeps up to four guests and has a bathroom, kitchen, living room, and spacious primary suite.
If you’re willing to drive outside of town, the Red FarmHouse Bed and Breakfast, situated about 11 miles away in Parker, is a quiet retreat on five bucolic acres. The property has five cozy rooms, each furnished differently, and pampering amenities such as daily hot breakfast service and complimentary hot cookies in the evening.
What to Do
Colorado’s diverse terrain, vast open spaces and thin air are the perfect ingredients for a fine golf course. Balls are known to fly further at higher altitudes, so you might even add some distance to your game. Link lovers can choose from several public courses in and around Castle Rock, including Red Hawk Ridge, a 6,830-yard course with rolling hills, challenging elevation changes, and lovely surrounding peaks. Or test out your swing at Bear Dance, an 18-hole mountain course that weaves through 753 acres of ponderosa pine forests, grassy valleys and rugged ridges.
If golf isn’t your forte, many other ways exist to take in the area’s natural beauty. Philip S. Miller Park has an 8-mile network of singletrack loop trails for bikers, 2.5 miles of paved segments and Challenge Hill. This 200-step hike ascends 178 feet in elevation (a smaller version of the iconic Manitou Incline, located about 48 miles south of Castle Rock). Or take a stroll along the nearly 7 miles of trails in the Hidden Mesa open space area for chances to spot elk, black-tailed prairie dogs and raptors.
Butterfield Crossing Park is home to a fully inclusive, sensory-rich Possibilities Playground, which has tons of fun features for kids of all abilities, including a We-Go-Swing (a wheelchair-accessible swing) and a Pulse tennis table (a back-and-forth game with lights and sounds). The park also has a pool with a splash pad and a fitness course, making it an excellent stop for families.
Where to Eat & Drink
The streets of downtown Castle Rock brim with great restaurants. At B&B Cafe, tuck into rib-sticking breakfast plates such as the Colorado Benedict (a biscuit crowned with grilled chicken, poached eggs, and your choice of gravy or Hollandaise sauce), a chicken-fried steak skillet, and freshly baked cinnamon rolls.
Pegasus Restaurant, a Castle Rock staple for over 40 years, is another option for comforting breakfast or lunch staples. Try one of the Greek specialties like the gyro sandwich, a pita filled with rotisserie-roasted lamb and beef. For dinner, locals also love the Castle Cafe for its pan-fried chicken, served with Parker House rolls, mashed potatoes, cracklin’ gravy and seasonal veggies. (Note: Because it’s cooked “low and slow,” an order takes at least 30 minutes, but the payoff is worth the wait.)
Craving a cold brew? Snag a seat at Wild Blue Yonder Brewing to sip a crisp Sereno Moreno Mexican lager or a citrus-kissed Love for Topiary Sculpture IPA. Both play well with a basket of deep-fried Wisconsin cheese curds or crispy fries showered with bacon bits, black truffle seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. If you have four-legged friends in tow, the brewpub has a dog-friendly, umbrella-shaded patio.
Or pop by Courtyard Social, which pairs an extensive roster of contemporary American cuisine with a well-curated wine and cocktail menu. Order a dozen freshly shucked oysters (only $1.50 each during happy hour, Monday to Friday from 2:30 to 5 p.m.), or indulge in the bacon-wrapped meatloaf or smoked prime rib. Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar is also a worthy stop for Cuban fare. Try the lechon asado, tender roasted pork shoulder with garlic mojo, sauteéd onions, rice, and yuca frita (yuca fries).
Where to Shop
Whether you’re looking to add a new purse or a pair of boots to your wardrobe, the Outlets at Castle Rock shops have you covered. The outdoor mall has over 100 retailers and restaurants, including popular brands such as Crocs, Coach, Lululemon, and Nike, and an on-site In-N-Out Burger for those craving a fast-food fix.
In the downtown district, browse the latest titles at Sudden Fiction Books and stock up on saltwater taffy, cotton candy, and other old-fashioned sweets at Silver Spoon Candies. Or browse home furnishings, vintage clothing, and jewelry at The Emporium, which houses stalls of goods and gifts curated by a collection of artisans.
To taste Colorado’s seasonal bounty, go to Festival Park Farmers Market, which runs on Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., from late May through October. More than 40 vendors sell farm-fresh eggs, produce, baked treats, and other goodies there. Farmgirl: Food, Wine & Spirits also stocks an assortment of locally made specialty foods year-round if you’re not in town when the market is running.
Local Obsession
The polished plates coming out of Manna Restaurant’s kitchen prove that hospital food can be nourishing and delicious. Since the restaurant opened inside Centura Castle Rock Adventist Hospital in 2012, it has become a favorite among locals for comforting cuisine heightened with local ingredients and elegant touches, courtesy of chef Adam Freisem. Popular orders include the pickle pizza, topped with Parmesan white sauce, local pickles, dill, and jalapeño, and the Cola-braised short rib with smoked corn purée and chipotle butter sauce. Bonus: Everything on the menu costs between $4 and $16.