72 Hours in Denver for Podcasters
The power of podcasting is the ability to tell unique stories. To share unheard insights and to highlight conversations that wouldn’t normally be heard unless someone out there is bold enough to share them. But, story is also inspired by place, space and experiences. Denver has so many unique spaces, experiences and places that podcasters can be inspired by. In this post I thought I would share Denver and how it can fuel the creative work that you’re doing on your show.
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Visiting from Out of Town
You will likely need a car for some of your trip. I recommend using Discover Cars, a tool to help travelers find the best price for their car rental. I love helping people save money on their trips and the cost of car rental is a good place to start.
Cowtown Denver Newsletter
Want to learn more about Denver from a local’s perspective? Receive private podcast episodes and information on upcoming events? Cowtown Denver is the place for you.
Podcast Movement Denver
Before you take off for 72 hours of having fun and exploring Denver, I hope that you’re planning on attending Podcast Movement. Each year it is in a different location and in 2023 it is being held in Denver! Selfishly, I’m very excited about this and I am so happy to geek out about podcasting in my town. If you’re still on the fence about attending I would like you to consider the following:
- Connect with likeminded creatives
- Get support on the creative work that you’re doing
- Share your knowledge and expertise (even if you’re not a speaker)
And all of the incredible opportunities to socialize (party). There’s even a water park at the Gaylord Rockies hotel. If you’re seeing this post after 2023, check out upcoming Podcast Movement conferences.
72 Hours in Denver for Podcasters
First, I think that it’s important to consider places that are a great stage for telling a compelling story. Places such as Meow Wolf, an interactive art experience that really is kind of difficult to explain. All I can tell you is that I took my mom with me and she had so much for that I kept losing her in the venue. Meow Wolf would be the ideal starting point for the podcaster who focuses narrative or fiction content.
Or, a quick trip over to Casa Bonita, a long-time uniquely Denver experience. Ask Denverites of all ages to share their memories of Casa Bonita. One thing I will say is that it’s now owned by the South Park guys and they’ve put in a TON of work into the facility.
The food is going to be good too.
If you’re seeking kitschy experiences, indoor cliff divers and love the color pink, Casa Bonita is a necessary place to stop during your time in Denver.
Tip #1 Attend Podcast Meetups
While you’re in Denver, make sure to check out one of the many podcasting meetups being held around town. They are pretty well attended and there’s a large podcasting community in town.
Most of these meetups seem to involve breweries.
If you’re in Denver during the summer of 2023, make sure to attend the Podcast Movement Denver Meetup on June 30, 2023 from 7-9 pm. Visiting at a different time? I recommend that you do the following:
- Check out Meetup.com and join a podcasting group
- Check out Eventbrite for podcasting events
- See if there are events being held before, during or after Podcast Movement (or, other podcasting conferences)
Tip #2 Experience Denver
It seems pretty obvious but spend some time exploring Denver. But, I often say that you Experience Denver and Visit Philly. What do I mean by this? Denver is one of those cities where you need to dive in and experience all of the cool things that there are to do here vs. roaming up and down downtown Denver’s 16th Street Mall.
Here are a few experiences that I recommend.
- Summer Experiences
- Attend Fan Expo Denver (kind of like Comic Con)This year is a Star Trek Legacy heavy event. I cannot wait to attend.
- ¡Viva Streets Denver! A massive stretch of Broadway (a road downtown) will be blocked off so that people can run, walk and ride up and down the street while eating, drinking and enjoying live music. I’m so excited about this event.
- Attend a concert at Red Rocks-Some of the coolest music experiences I’ve ever had were at Red Rocks.
- Attend Yoga on the Rocks or Movies On the Rocks-They don’t just have music at Red Rocks, you can take yoga or watch movies.
- Fall Experiences
- Love sports? Go to a Broncos, Avalanche, Colorado Rockies or Denver Nuggets game.
- Prefer the theater? Check out the Denver Center for Performing Arts
- A huge fan of beer? Go to The Great American Beer Festival with 100,000 of your favorite beer enthusiasts
- Winter Experiences
- Go skiing or snowboarding
- Attend the National Western Stock Show (Rodeo)
- Be wowed by the International Ice Sculpture Competition
- Enjoy the holiday lights around town and at one of my favorite venues: Dairy Block
- Spring Experiences
- Frozen Dead Guy Days in Estes Park
- Ski Joring In Leadville
- Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games
- Denver Derby Party
Tip #3 Host Your Own Event
Coloradans love any excuse to attend a party. Let us know in advance that you’re putting something together and we’ll be there! Some of my favorite podcasting events have been hosted by creatives who live outside of the state.
If you decide to host an event in town, be creative and don’t be afraid to try something a little outside of the box-Coloradans love this. There are a number of welcoming spaces throughout town that would be a great place to host a podcasting event.
Why Denver is Great for Podcasters
Whenever I tell people that I have a podcast, I never have to explain what a podcast actually is. People, for the most part, get what I’m doing and the purpose of independently created work. I love the support, enthusiasm and interest that people share when I share the type of work that I’m doing. If you’re thinking about incorporating podcasting work while you’re in town you can also work from one of the many co-working spaces around town.
If you’re planning to stay after attending one of the many podcasting events in town, know that there are so many fun things to do and that Denver is a great place for podcasters.