14 Best Shopping in Denver, Colorado

Denver's REI flagship store, one of four such shops in the country, is yet another testament to the city's adventurous spirit. The store's 94,000 square feet are packed with all stripes of outdoors gear and some special extras: a climbing wall, a mountain-bike track, a white-water chute, and a "cold room" for gauging the protection provided by coats and sleeping bags. There's also a Starbucks inside. Behind the store is the Platte River Greenway, a park path and water area that's accessible to dogs, kids, and kayakers.

More than 600 dealers are crammed into a treasure-hunter's paradise, where prices and quality vary. Plan to spend the day if you're serious about searching.

In a pleasant, predominantly residential neighborhood 2 miles from downtown, the Cherry Creek shopping district has retail blocks and an enclosed mall.

Just north of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center is Cherry Creek North, an open-air development of tree-lined streets and shady plazas with art galleries, specialty shops, and fashionable restaurants.

At Milwaukee Street, the granite-and-glass behemoth Cherry Creek Shopping Center holds some of the nation's top retailers. Its more than 160 stores include Free People, Burberry, H&M, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, and Macy's.

This three-story, open-air retail and entertainment complex in downtown Denver houses national chain stores like Sephora, H&M, GNC, and PacSun. There are also restaurants, including Denver's Hard Rock Cafe, and a 15-screen movie theater, the UA Denver Pavilions. Don't expect distinctive local flavor, but it's a practical complement to Larimer Square a few blocks away.

This popular Highland spa is well known for its down-to-earth setting (the space is nice but not overly fancy), and the staff is focused on guest comfort levels rather than upselling products. The essential oil wrap—particularly welcome in Colorado's dry climate—and the warm-stone massage that begins with an all-over body brushing are two of the more popular offerings, as is time in the complimentary steam room. Indulgences also has become a go-to spa for couples looking for a laid-back massage together.

Few photographers capture the state's magnificent landscape the way John Fielder does, and his work is displayed along with a rotating roster of noted world photographers.

The 20 rooms are crammed with Mexican masks, pottery, and rustic Mexican furniture—and there's even a chip dip and salsa room.

Between Denver and Colorado Springs, Outlets at Castle Rock attract shoppers with 30%–70% savings on everything from appliances to apparel at its more than 100 outlet stores.

The upscale Park Meadows is a mall designed to resemble a ski resort, with a 120-foot-high log-beam ceiling anchored by two massive stone fireplaces. The center includes nearly 100 specialty shops. On snowy days, "ambassadors" scrape your windshield while free hot chocolate is served inside.

Cherry Creek has its share of chic galleries, including Pismo Fine Art Glass, which showcases exquisite handblown-glass art.

At this huge, multistory shrine to Colorado's love of the outdoors, entire floors are given over to a single sport. There are other branches throughout Denver.

Situated in an 1886 house, Woodhouse Spa has more than a dozen rooms devoted to pampering, which happens from the moment guests receive a glass of wine or cocktail at the front door to the post-treatment relaxation in a cozy parlor-style area. The setting has the genteel feel of a favorite great aunt's home, with antiques and period reproductions. The four-handed massage is a worthy indulgence, with two therapists simultaneously performing a hypnotically soothing full-body rub-down, and the unique Minkyti facial combines resurfacing with anti-aging products.