Tag: what to do in Colorado

Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center Now Open

GMarriott recently announced that the newest premier American resort, Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, has had its Grand Opening. This resort, and the Gaylord name, has a long and rich history making them experts in the hospitality industry.

The Gaylord and Dickinson families began the Oklahoma Publishing Company, which would become the Gaylord Entertainment Company, in Oklahoma in 1903, before Oklahoma was even recognized as a state.  There was an increasing demand for news in the area and the families recognized that need and decided to capitalize on it.  Soon, radio would enter the lives of every American. The two families saw potential in this field and added on a broadcasting agency to their business.  It was the 2nd radio station in the United States. As the two entrepreneurial families recognized more and more potential during a time of major industrial growth in the US, they continued to expand their businesses to meet those needs.  The radio venture eventually led them to Nashville, the home of country music. One of their radio announcers, George D. Hay, gave birth to the renowned Grand Ole Opry with his country music radio show.

The business venture that would bring Gaylord the greatest amount of success and would thrust his company into the national spotlight was his 1983 purchase of Nashville-based Grand Ole Opry and the Opryland Hotel.  The Opryland Hotel ballooned in size during the 1980s and early 1990s to almost 2,000 rooms, making it one of the largest and most successful hotels in the world.

The success of the Opryland Hotel was in part a reflection of the ability of its managers.  With newfound success, money to invest, and a top-notch management team, Gaylord Entertainment announced two new hotel-development projects:  a 1,500-room Opryland Hotel in Grapevine, Texas, and a 1,400-room Opryland Hotel in Osceola County, near Orlando, Florida. The Texas and Florida Opryland Hotels were the first of several hotels the company planned to establish in the future. While construction was still underway at the two sites, the company announced plans for the $500 million Opryland Hotel Potomac, a 2,000-room hotel and convention center in National Harbor.

Gaylord Rockies Resort Photo
Marriott recently announced that the newest premier American destination, Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, has had its Grand Opening.

Gaylord’s newest enterprise offers and experience like no other previous Gaylord property.  Offering diverse convention, entertainment and lifestyle experiences, it truly celebrates the geographic heritage of the Rockies with regional themes and attractions designed exclusively for the resort.   The resort’s interior design has everything from waterfalls, boulders, native landscaping and even elevators designed to look like old mine shafts, a nod to Colorado’s gold rush history. Guest rooms boast carpets with Aspens and lumberjack plaid print pillows. In the Convention Center, one will find Colorado-inspired details throughout such as ski tracks and snow drifts. “For the past three years, a dedicated group of more than 1,500 individuals has worked tirelessly to bring this massive project to life.  We couldn’t be more excited to officially open our doors and welcome guests to experience all that’s offered at this magnificent property; a destination experience in its own that authentically captures Colorado’s adventurous spirit,” said Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center General Manager Rick Medwedeff.

The resort features 1,501 guest rooms, including 114 upscale suites, and more than 486,000-square-feet of meeting and convention space. Businesses can bring their conference, convention or meeting to life in one of the property’s new indoor or outdoor event rooms, including the 20,000-square-foot Aurora Patio and the 175,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall. The resort also offers eight dining options, a luxurious spa and salon, indoor and outdoor pools, a communal 75-foot TV, and picture-perfect views of the gorgeous landscape.  

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What To Do in Breckenridge

School may be amping up but it’s never too early to plan your Fall/Winter vacation especially if Breckenridge, CO has been on your mind,  Many in Louisiana take advantage of the cheaper flight rates and head out to the Denver/Breckenridge area.  Its gorgeous winter views are like nothing we ever get here in Louisiana, the crunchy laid-back vibe is magnetizing, and the list of things to do is endless.  We’ve narrowed down the list to a few must-dos that you could check off in a long weekend.

1) DOWNTOWN

Downtown Breckenridge, a postcard-pretty National Historic District, is best seen on foot. Start your tour at the open plaza at the corner of South Main Street and East Washington Avenue, and walk along the Blue River, a winding riparian corridor where the valley’s mining industry once flourished. When your feet tire, join the modern-day ski bums in cardigans who are reading Kerouac and playing board games by the fireplaces at the Crown Cafe and Tavern.

2) TRUFFLE CHIPS

There are loads of New American restaurants with moody lighting and rustic-modern décor. At Relish you can go casual and snack on potato chips with truffles, or formal in the white-linen dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but any of the locally sourced buffalo, lamb or trout is a safe bet.

3) THEATER

At the center of Breck’s upstart Arts District along Ridge Street is the Breckenridge Theatre, a 100-seat nonprofit theater. The theater produces about a half-dozen contemporary plays each year, as well as the occasional “Othello” and other classics. Come early to peruse the lobby, which has rotating exhibitions by local artists.

4) BREAKFAST JOINT

Early in the morning you’ll see local skiers heading uphill. What’s the rush? As the alpenglow illuminates the Continental Divide, grab a leisurely breakfast at Daylight Donuts, a traditional diner you can fuel up on the Daylight Special — two eggs and bacon or sausage on a plate-sized pancake.

9) NIGHT LIFE

Start ar Sherpa & Yeti’s, a basement club that’s known as much for the bands who have played there such as North Mississippi Allstars and DJ Logic. Afterward, with ears still ringing, swing through the doors of the Gold Pan Saloon and Restaurant, it’s open till 2 a.m.

10) FUEL UP

Stop by Helen’s Coffee Cart for a cup of strong java and a canister of flavored oxygen starting at $8.  We heard the Pink Grapefruit flavor is delish.

11) GET GOING!

Breckenridge may be known for its ample snow and giant half pipes, but it also has more than 30 miles of cross-country trails, plus an additional 25 trails in the surrounding White River National Forest. The Beaver Meadows trail offers a 2.2-mile intermediate loop around Cucumber Gulch, a wetland where the resort built “toad condos” for the endangered boreal toads. Just watch out for the ill-tempered moose said to linger near the base of Peak 7. Equipment and trail maps are available at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, let a pack of Siberian huskies do the work. Good Times Adventures hour long dogsled tours along the Swan River for $65.

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