Feature

For most, traveling is a relief from reality. It is a time when they can escape the 9-5 grind, imagine a new life, and consider never returning to their homes so they can pursue their newly discovered dream of owning a llama farm…

For me, traveling has a different connotation. Don’t get me wrong, I love fantasizing about alternate universes and imagining myself surrounded by fluffy alpacas! It’s just that the actual process of traveling is a bit stressful and hectic for me, beyond the scope of the average tourist. Being physically disabled leads to facing a lot of inaccessibility in the world, and at the end of the day, sometimes it’s simply easier to stay home and scroll through the Louvre’s online exhibits rather than actually coordinating an international trip.

So, when it was the end of my junior year of high school and it was time to make the “big decision,” I was stuck. I felt that I deserved a world full of potential, after all I worked hard for the past 4 years to earn that 4.2 GPA, and I thought that my potential was farther away than my local university. I did some research and somehow convinced myself that these big schools only existed in warm states – specifically California. Sure, weather had a big impact (after all, you think driving a car in snow is hard, try a wheelchair) but I also wanted to be somewhere where things happened and I would have endless opportunities.

My parents tried to steer me a bit closer to home, but after I kept persisting, they agreed and took me on a road trip across the country to visit my “dream” schools. First up: Berkeley and Stanford, California!

We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, but not without checking for accessibility! When booking the trip, my mom had to go the extra mile beyond visiting TripAdvisor. After finding the hotels in the areas we would be, she had to call them individually during times when the front desk staff are at their best (she said that’s somewhere in the early afternoon – after check-out and before check-in). She then proceeded to check that the shower was a roll-in (a lot of hotels advertise this, but once you get there, there is often a bump about an inch tall that is difficult to overcome), asked about the beds’ height (necessary to safely transfer me from my wheelchair to the bed), and asked if there were any rooms without carpet (tile or hardwood is preferred for the wheelchair and my other equipment). After all that was said and done, she usually had to speak directly with housekeeping to confirm everything the front desk promised. Then, she was finally able to book the room, and she made sure they price matched whatever TripAdvisor advertised.

The hotel itself was everything you’d expect from a well-established chain like Holiday Inn, but the area itself was a bit concerning when we first arrived. The streets are very busy, which makes it difficult to turn into the hotel. There were also a few people lingering around outside and near the hotel, which made us nervous, so we took all of our belongings inside with us.

We didn’t do a real tour for either Berkeley or Stanford, rather, we chose to wander on our own schedule to see and discover what the beautiful campuses had to offer. I visited both universities’ disability services, to compare what they had to offer and to “test the waters” on how accommodating they could be. Berkeley had a promising start, as their counselor was disabled himself and told me how he got around independently on campus. He also explained how they have a partnership with their med school, so if one of my nurses called out, they would send someone to temporarily help me. Stanford also supplied a lot of resource options, the biggest being their campus shuttle system. They said I could tell the driver my weekly schedule, and they would drive me across the 12.8 square-mile campus! My own personal limo? It was very tempting!

A girl in a black and white dress posing in front of a fountain at Stanford University.
Me embracing the sunny Stanford weather, July 2018

From there, we went down to Los Angeles to visit UCLA, USC, and Whittier College. We stayed at the Doubletree Los Angeles. My mom had to ask the same questions, and they guaranteed that they met all of our requirements. Yes, they had a fully roll-in shower and part of the room had tile instead of carpet, but the beds were not tall enough. We immediately called the front desk, worried that we would have to change hotels, but they sent up maintenance to take a look. It turns out, they’ve had this issue before as they accommodate guests, and they had a solution! They brought up 4 blocks of wood, and drilled them into the legs of my bed, which made it tall enough for me to be safely transferred. We were surprised at their cooperation and willingness, but the process did take a while and we weren’t able to get settled or relaxed for an additional hour and a half while they worked.

We spent the next few days visiting the schools, and I was overwhelmed at times, and felt an uncomfortable amount of familiarity at others. We toured UCLA and USC back-to-back, and it was exhausting. I didn’t have time to visit their disability services, as we were booked solid. The universities themselves were amazing, but the tours felt like a stimulus overload with all the people and the marketing schemes. The next day or so, we visited the small university of Whittier College. With an undergraduate population of 1,776 students, this university was smaller than my high school. I wasn’t against a small school, I just wanted to feel that they wanted me and cared about my education. And, oh, did they! I booked a one-on-one meeting with the head of the English department, and after our official meeting ended, he insisted on taking me on a personalized tour of the school. It was a short trip, but at least I knew they cared!

A girl posing in front of a sign that reads "Whittier College."
Me enjoying even more sunshine at Whittier College, July of 2018

This entire trip to California would have been incomplete without a quick respite at the Happiest Place on Earth – Disneyland! We stayed at the Grand Californian hotel resort, that way we could exit the hotel right at Downtown Disney and begin our adventures. The room was fine, but the layout of the bathroom made a few things tricky, but we made do. After all, we were in Disney, so who cares about a few technical difficulties? Downtown Disney was alive with music, light displays, and vendors – and that was all before we made it to the actual parks! We wandered around California Adventure and Disneyland, and most of my wandering entailed sight-seeing. There are a few rides that are marked as “accessible,” but they often ask the person to get out of their wheelchairs. I was able to enjoy quite a few rides, such as It’s A Small World, The Little Mermaid, and Winnie the Pooh. Even though those rides are a bit more childish, I enjoyed every twist and turn the tracks took. The best part of the trip was when I rode the Ferris Wheel in their summertime exclusive park Pixar Pier. It was the first time I had ever ridden a Ferris Wheel, so I took a few spins! In between rides we bought way too many Mickey-themed goodies, and enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display. From there, we were scheduled to head home… with another detour. It was time to go to my parents’ Disneyland – Vegas!

A Ferris Wheel in Pixar Pier, California
The first Ferris Wheel I had ever been on, July of 2018

We stayed at the Bellagio hotel, and it was honestly the most accessible place I had been in that entire 2-week trip. The beds were adjustable in height, had a massager, and the head and feet could all raise with the push of a button! They had a ceiling lift, which went from the bedroom to the bathroom, even over the tub and toilet. The shower was level with the floor, which meant that there was no lip or bump whatsoever. And, it was Vegas, so it all felt very luxurious! My mom and I had a spa day where we got our nails done, and then we all dressed up to go see the acrobatic performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Bellagio-exclusive show “O.” We enjoyed our time, as we made sure to try all the crazy foods and we went through a lot of interactive exhibits. We visited the Wax Museum and took pictures with all our favorite celebrities’ statues, and stopped at a restaurant with a fitting name – The Sugar Factory. We didn’t bother with real food, we were there for the sweets! We each got our own tower of milkshake, and after I ate the s’more topper, I felt that familiar sugar buzz. So, we took things a little slower after that. After a few more days, it was time to head home!

A girl drinking a giant chocolate milkshake
Me attempting to drink this giant milkshake, July of 2018

The trip itself took a lot out of me, so I spent about 3 days straight in my bed recovering from all the highs. Then, it was game time. By the time it was college application season, I had already ruled out Berkeley and Whittier. Berkeley was just a little too weird, and it’s located on top of a steep hill which made things tricky. Whittier was simply too small, I wanted to leave my high school to meet new people, and I didn’t think that would be as easy at Whittier. But, I knew that I still wanted a chance at Stanford, UCLA, and USC to see what my potential was. That trip gave me the momentum needed to head into my senior year ready to tackle those applications to see what opportunities I had.

So, while most people take trips to escape reality, my most recent trip was to find my reality. Even though I chose a school in Colorado, that trip helped show me my true potential, and gave me a boost in confidence that pushed me through the remainder of my high school experience. Traveling still isn’t the easiest thing for me, and planes are a completely different story. Which is ironic, since my mom is planning a Disney World trip for us at the end of 2021, which will definitely require a plane ride. But who knows, maybe I’ll discover a little more about myself then?

How To

With the pandemic and the election and everything else that 2020 has thrown at us so far, it’s important to remain positive and hopeful. Even though the future is the biggest mystery of all right now, we can still daydream about what we’re going to do when we can be in gatherings of more than 5 people without masks on. One thing I’ve been daydreaming of these past few days is concerts! So, as we prepare for future adventures, here’s a guide to enjoy your first concert fresh out of the pandemic…

Set aside the entire day to have fun!

Although most concerts take place in the middle of the week and most people have work or school commitments, try to see if you can take some time off in the afternoon to prepare for your concert! It’s nice to not have a tight-schedule, and that way you can spend your time getting ready and excited.

Wear something fun!

Part of that prep time should be picking your outfit for the night! Even if you don’t like getting “dressed up,” make sure you wear something you’re comfortable and happy in. I personally enjoy wearing a variety of outfits – ranging from a nice top with sparkly shoes to a unicorn onesie and my old Converse. Artists love looking out into the crowd to see the fans embracing the night with themed costumes and/or coordinated outfits!

Make something!

In a big venue, I would suggest making your own poster with some play on words of your favorite song. In a smaller theatre, you can do the same thing but make it smaller, along the lines of an 8×11 piece of paper. Again, artists love looking out into the crowd to see people really appreciating them and their work, and they want to get to know all of their fans! Even making a sign that says it’s your first show is something that will make the artist so happy to see. Just be mindful of the people around you, so don’t hold it up during the whole show.

Travel lightly, but pack the essentials!

When you’re dancing the night away, you’re not going to want to worry about holding your bag. So, either rock the stylish fanny-pack or keep things in your coat pocket!

In your fanny-pack or pocket, you’ll need a few things. No matter how good your cell’s battery life is, bring an extra charger/power bank. The last thing you want is to be separated from your friends in downtown Denver with a dead phone, so just bring the charger! Also remember your wallet, and preferably bring cash. After having a fantastic night, you’ll probably want a t-shirt or poster to commemorate it all, and some merch booths only take cash.

The most essential item you should have on you seems obvious, but forgetting it happens. You’ll need your ticket! Whether that’s a screenshot of the QR code you received in an email, or a printed copy, your night is going to be cut short if you forget this key element.

Remember to put down the phone!

Yes, you’ll want to take pictures when the artist goes to the side of the stage closest to you. But just remember that those are just pictures, and you’re there for the memories! I usually record one song and take a few pictures, and then simply enjoy the rest of the night.

Now that you’ve learned the basics, you are ready for your first concert post-COVID! So, make sure to wear a mask and maintain social distancing so that this can happen in the near future!

Informative

Just a drive down the I-25, rests the beautiful mountain town of Colorado Springs, CO. If you have a day off during this wonderful fall, the neighborhood known as Old Colorado City is filled with original art masterpieces, delicious treats, and the most unique gifts and is sure to be worth-while!

Where to start?

After driving down I-25 and following the traffic signs, you’ll end up somewhere on Colorado Avenue. There’s plenty of street parking and free lots surrounding the area, but if you need accessible parking I suggest this lot that is located in the prime of the shopping areas.

Once you’ve parked and grabbed your sunglasses and wallet, you’re ready to go!

What’s for lunch?

I would suggest starting your adventure with some tasty food! After all, shopping and sight-seeing are no fun on empty stomachs. Both of the highlighted restaurants below offer dine-in options as well as take-out.

Bar, City Life, Waiter, Al Fresco, City, Customers
Source: pexels

Right across from the lot mentioned above is a mouth-watering restaurant, Jake and Telly’s Greek Taverna. You can smell the delicious flavors being sautéed as you go down the street! It almost feels intoxicating as you whiff the day-long roasted meat and the sticky sweet honey from their bakery. Unfortunately, the building itself is not wheelchair accessible as there is a large flight of stairs to get to the entrance. But they make take-out an easy process, and the slight inconvenience is worth it. You can view their lunch menu here, and if those options don’t tempt you, we’ve got one more lunch suggestion.

A little further West on Colorado Avenue is another enticing dining option, the savory Dat’s Italian! Upon entering this authentic Italian restaurant, you are enveloped by the scents of garlic, basil, and bread within this family-owned business. Their portions are huge, so I would recommend going in to share a meal, or to get ready for some tasty leftovers. You can view their menu here.

If those places aren’t making your stomach growl, there’s also Pizzeria Rustica, the Thunder and Buttons Tavern, or La Baguette Bakery and Café.

Now where to?

After filling your stomach with the tastiest foods Old Colorado City has to offer, you’re ready to go on your shopping adventure!

Each art gallery and exhibit are unique, and almost all of them have art from local vendors. Although they’re all wonderful and deserve your business, I am going to highlight two of them.

Student, Pictures, Exhibition, Gallery
Source: poverss

45◦ Gallery – A framing shop and art gallery combined; this shop offers a variety of art styles. They sell pieces from over 30 local Colorado artisans, including pottery, paintings, and jewelry. This family-owned business feels very welcoming and accommodating to whatever your art or framing needs are. While you wait for help, you are encouraged to visit their boxer Boyd, who is usually sleeping or greeting the other costumers. You’ll also find their daughter creating her own pieces of art that she hopes to sell when she gets older. They are open for casual shopping and visiting, and they offer individual appointments if that is easier for you.

Chavez Gallery – A unique interactive art gallery with wacky characters, this gallery is an experience. Upon entering, you’re welcomed by the couple who own the gallery, the Chavezes. They will offer you a complimentary cup of water or lemonade and offer explanations of their work as needed. If you go during their monthly shows, there’s always live entertainment and fun games to play. Right now, with the pandemic, they are limited to shopping by appointment only and host virtual events on Facebook.

In case buying art doesn’t interest you, Old Colorado City offers unique walk-through exhibits where you can simply enjoy the experience.

Michael Garman’s Magic Town is an immersive 3,000 square foot miniature city where the buildings and people are created at a 1:6th scale. You can peek through the tiny windows, watch a petite movie at the theatre, and peer down allies to see characters appear and disappear! They offer popcorn with the ticket, as you can sit in the exhibit as long as you’d like. There’s even a daily scavenger hunt that offers prizes.

Need some goodies and treats for the road?

Well, you’ve seen some of the best galleries and exhibits Old Colorado City has to offer, and now you’re ready to head back home. But not yet! You have to swing by these two iconic shops to get some goodies for friends (or just for the ride home).

Chocolaterie, Shop, Interior, Chocolate, Store
Source: dimitrisvetsikas1969

Although this franchise can be found nation-wide, nothing beats getting a caramel apple from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory after a long adventure in Old Colorado City. They offer a wide variety of fudges, candy and caramel apples, truffles, and so much more! With baskets and mystery boxes, these decadent treats serve as a great pick-me-up for anyone!

For those with a sweet tooth that is not satisfied by chocolate, I would recommend you visit The Honey Cottage! Offering a surplus of honey options, there is bound to be something there for everyone. They sell the standard honey varieties, along with whipped honey, honey sticks, honey skin care and soap, and CBD-infused honey. The owners are honey enthusiasts and advocates; they will let anyone sample as many honeys needed to find the right fit, and will offer guidance in choosing the right honey skincare line.

That’s all, folks!

I hope you enjoyed this little walk-through itinerary of the beautiful shopping area of Old Colorado City. If you take any of my advice, make sure you do so safely: wear your masks in the stores and on the streets. We want these small businesses to stay afloat during these difficult times, let’s support them and keep them safe!

Personal

Let’s travel back to the summer of 2018, shall we? A time where there were no face masks, a time when we could hug our loved ones, and a time when I was going on college tours.

An ambitious rising high school senior, I had big goals of what to do with my college experience. I wanted a big school with lots of students and diversity, a place where my professors were invested in me and my education, a school full of spirit and enthusiasm, and a place where I could find a tight-knit group of friends to last a lifetime. I guess no one told me these expectations were straight from a late-2000s rom-com, somewhere along the lines of Legally Blonde.

A girl in a wheelchair smiling under a big arch at the University of Southern California
Me, at the University of Southern California, July of 2018

My parents were, as you can imagine, a bit overwhelmed by my long list of requirements. But they supported me the entire way and took me on a road trip across the country to tour schools.

We started out at the top of California, to visit Stanford and Berkley. Yeah, I’m that kind of nerd. I only had a few anxiety attacks on the drive there – I think I had one in Salt Lake City and one at the hotel in Berkley. I hadn’t realized the weight of the decision I was trying to make until we were already on the way. I was ultimately deciding where my family and I were going to move and live for the next 4+ years.

Being physically disabled creates a lot of barriers and boundaries to cross in life, and this was going to be the biggest yet. My mom told me she was going to support and help me the whole way through, after all, my definition of independence was (and is) different than my peers. While most rising seniors are stressing about parties or moving far away from home, I was stressing about insurance for my caregivers and what that would be like in a different state. So, my mom promised me that wherever I decided to go, they would move within a 20-minute drive away so she could be my backup plan.

Sure, that sounded nice and comforting… but also felt like the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders. They told me not to worry, but how was I supposed to enjoy my tours when in the back of my mind my family’s stability was lingering?

I still enjoyed the adventures, though. I traveled through the hilly area of Berkley, felt the baking summer heat in Stanford, pictured myself studying dutifully in each library and café, and then we worked our way south towards UCLA and Whittier College. But we couldn’t travel through Anaheim, California without two necessary pit-stops – Disneyland and Universal Studios!

A girl posing with the character Eeyore at Disneyland.
Eeyore and I, July 2018

Okay, so it wasn’t really a “pit-stop,” per say, since we spent about 4 days running amok. It was a much-needed break, though! I felt very nostalgic as I took pictures with characters like Peter Pan and the Mad Hatter while internally freaking out about growing up. There’s nothing like the magic of Disney and Harry Potter to remind you who you are.

Hogwarts lit up at night at Universal Studios
Hogwarts, July 2018

I left that part of the trip and progressed to visit UCLA and Whittier, finally feeling like my old childish self again. I didn’t stress about what library spot I would have, or what gifts I should get from their bookstores. I simply looked at the campuses, the cities around them, and tried to imagine myself living there (regardless of where my parents lived). I was able to picture myself enjoying my time at each place, and was getting excited about the adventures waiting for me.

On the drive back, we stopped at Las Vegas, Nevada. I spent one afternoon sitting and filling out postcards to send my friends while my parents rested. I quickly explained to each friend a different memory from each place, secretly trying to convince them to apply to the same schools I was. As I read over each and corrected some pen smudge-marks, I realized that I felt content with each campus I visited. Although I ruled out Berkley and Whittier pretty fast, I still saw the beauty in them.

 

A statue of the yellow m&m holding up a big box of m&ms at night.
The strip in Vegas, July of 2018

Maybe the college experience didn’t need to fit inside a 97-minute rom com starring Reece Witherspoon, maybe it just needed to be nice for me. And that’s what I found just up the highway from my high school, the beautiful campus of the University of Denver!

Multimedia

To meet this week’s prompt, I have created a Prezi presentation about visiting Stavanger, Norway. The pictures without image or source credits belong to my family – they’re pictures my parents took when we lived there. I hope you enjoy!

https://prezi.com/view/XvJh0aUpRn5dXwLru0xM/

Travelogue

A mom, dad, and toddler in a stroller posing and smiling in front of the pyramid of the Louvre museum
My mom, dad, and I at the Louvre, Labor Day weekend of 2002

In 2002 when I was 14 months old, my parents and I went to Germany to endure 2 weeks’ worth of hospital appointments when they were trying to diagnose me with what we now know as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. As a much-needed break, my parents decided we would spend Labor Day weekend in Paris, because why not?

I only know this based on stories they’ve told me, but the gist is that it was chaos from the beginning. Apparently, my dad booked the reservation at a hotel with an address of something like 1234 Paris St, Paris… spoiler alert: Paris St, Paris doesn’t actually exist and neither did that hotel. So, my poor parents were stuck walking around the streets of Paris with me, until they found an available hotel room.

The stroller they were borrowing from a friend fell apart within the first day we were there, so my parents had to take turns carrying me around the city. They set aside an entire day to visit the beautiful Louvre, but I guess I didn’t appreciate art back then, because I proceeded to scream at the top of my lungs while my parents rushed past the Mona Lisa and Venus di Milo to get me out of there.

Now, I’m 19 years old and I have regrets about how I spent my time abroad. Being physically disabled leads to some challenges in travelling across the country, and I can’t even imagine trying to go across seas. But now, with COVID-19, no one is travelling, and that has encouraged museums to go virtual – including the Louvre. So, I have taken full advantage of these resources being free at the moment, and decided to take a day to go “visit” some beautiful art.

***

I started my grand adventure with a simple Google search of “French cafes near me,” after all, I needed to get the full experience. I quickly found that La Belle Rosette was only a ten-minute walk from my dorm room, and I was off! I enjoyed their quaint little area that wasn’t too big, but I imagine it is nice and intimate when you can dine-in. I ordered the Rosaletta panini lunch combo, and my friend got the Mona Lisa panini combo – needless to say, we felt very French.

The front of the cafe, La Belle Rosette
La Belle Rosette, taken on October 6th 2020

We carried our treats back to campus and ate outside the Beans café and enjoyed our delicious sandwiches. Then, the real adventure began. I easily found the Louvre’s website, and within a few clicks I had found their virtual galleries.

The galleries’ online experiences were all unique, some went full-on like a Google Earth street view, and some were simple panoramas that you could slide through. A lot of the pieces had zoom-in options and captions of what the name was, who created it, and brief descriptions of what the medium was and/or what they were symbolizing. The only unfortunate thing was that those captions were all in French for most pieces, so I would recommend having a translator at the ready.

A screenshot of "The Body in Movement" virtual Louvre gallery
A screenshot of the exhibit “The Body in Movement,” taken on October 11th 2020

You can view the art and filter search results by the room the art is in, or by the exhibit it is included in. I went by exhibit, since I didn’t have any art in mind, and I wanted to experience as much as possible.

There was an exhibit appropriately titled, “Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader,” that I instantly clicked to view more in-depth. It included sculptures and paintings depicting the Greek and Roman heroes and monsters, and more modern concepts. I couldn’t identify what in the exhibit had to do with Darth Vader or the Star Wars saga but I assumed they may have been mentioned in French or on a sign that was too small to view. I enjoyed the artwork nonetheless. There were even interactive pieces, which I found odd and exciting coming from this prestigious museum. The “What, Where, Who?” light game was really intriguing, as it invited guests to press buttons that controlled different lights to convey the power that color and shadow has on art. Unfortunately, that wasn’t part of the virtual experience, but there was a button explaining the concept.

As I clicked out of that section, I realized something; I apparently had seen the Mona Lisa when I was 14 months old, and I have no memory of it… I should look it up! Sounds simple, it’s bound to be in one of these exhibit links and I’ll be able to tell people, “Yeah, I’ve seen the Mona Lisa… virtually.”

I followed through the list of available virtual exhibits, including the “Remains of the Louvre’s Moat,” saw the Great Sphinx of Tanis and some animal mummies, glanced at some sculptures of Greek deities…

But there was no di Vinci!

I started overthinking it (as I’m prone to do) and convinced myself that maybe they exclude di Vinci’s work from the virtual tours, keeping them as a “hidden” gem only available in-person. Bummed, I started clicking random French buttons thinking I’d find the online giftshop so I could daydream about buying a t-shirt, and then I saw it. Clear as day, in an 8-point font at most, was a link titled, “Mona Lisa Beyond the Glass.” Huzzah! This whole “trip” was worth it!

I was soon enveloped in a 5-minute long video of the curators of the di Vinci exhibit explaining how they have created an exhibit exclusively for the Mona Lisa to be viewed on a virtual reality headset. They explained that every visitor wants to have their moment with the beautiful piece, but due to crowds, people only get an average of 30 seconds in front of her. So, they created a VR-experience that allows you to see the individual layers di Vinci had to use to create the depth and details. There’s even an app anyone can download on their smartphones (for free) that gives you the same exposure to the art. I didn’t install the app since the video was immersive, and instead I downloaded the free exhibit booklet, and learned that it took di Vinci from 1503-1519 to finish the masterpiece.

As a little treat, I perused the online giftshop, oohing and ahhing at all the pretty replicas that could be purchased at a range of €3.00 to €2,500! I considered purchasing a small notebook as a souvenir for this “once in a lifetime” experience, but after calculating shipping, I realized my small notebook was going to cost more than a new hardback novel from Barnes and Noble. So, I decided to simply bookmark the page to look back at and proceed to ooh and ahh at it.

My first and second visits to the Louvre were vastly different – for starters there were far less tears this time around! And even though this recent “trip” was quite unconventional to most, it was probably the best I am going to get, and I enjoyed it! Lately, a lot of people have been talking about what the “new normal” of the world is going to be, and I hope virtual tours are something that sticks around. Not only is it more physically accessible, but it allows people with economic issues to still experience the beauties of the world in an immersive way. After all, isn’t art one thing that everyone should have access to?

Listicle

I am a concert aficionado – I live and breathe for the rush of going to a concert. The feeling when the house lights drop in the amphitheater and then whole crowd goes crazy and the artist takes the stage and you know you’re about to have the best 2-ish hours of your life… Yeah, that’s the good stuff.

I know now with COVID pretty much anything has been cancelled or postponed, concerts included. But that doesn’t have to stop us from getting excited about future events and daydreaming about seeing our favorite artists again! So, in preparation for that glorious future, I have compiled a list of my 4 favorite small music theaters in Denver. These venues hold a plethora of potential – from hosting EDM artists, to small indie bands, to heavy metal, to trendy pop stars – it’s very probable that someone you’re familiar with has been to one of these concert halls.

1 – Ogden Theatre (935 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218)

Located 15-20 minutes away from the University of Denver campus on East Colfax, sits the small but quaint theatre known as the Ogden. You find parking at either a street meter or a paid lot, and then go stand in line to enter the building. Once you’re inside and past the lobby, it’s a free-for-all to get a good spot for the show. The floor is tiered, getting a little more narrow as you get closer to the stage.

For wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, there is the top tier in the back that offers a great view and safety from the masses. If you want to sit, you can request a chair and sit in the ADA section, or up the stairs there’s balconies that have seating available.

A picture of singer Rachel Platten posing with her left arm up to show she is strong, there are purple lights behind her and a crowd in front of her
Rachel Platten at the Ogden Theatre, from March 25th 2016

2 – Paramount Theatre (1621 Glenarm Pl, Denver, CO 80202)

Sitting pretty, tucked away in the midst of the 16th Street Mall, is our next feature: the Paramount Theatre. With a maximum capacity of 1,870 people, this venue is great for all artists big and small. It offers an intimate and personal vibe, while accommodating everyone.

The wheelchair and limited mobility seating exists, but isn’t amazing. The area that is specifically reserved for ADA is the very back row, which isn’t that great of a view, especially when all the fans stand up and dance. I personally try to get front row seats, because they are removable, and then I obviously have a great view!

Singer Alessia Cara on stage with her left arm extended towards the audience to touch their hands, there is blue lighting behind her
Alessia Cara at the Paramount Theatre, on October 10th 2016

3 – Fillmore Auditorium (1510 N Clarkson St, Denver, CO 80218)

The Fillmore just screams music vibes from the moment you arrive. You spot the big bright sign advertising the night’s show, there’s music already playing (no matter how early you start to stand in line), and once inside it just feels so authentic. The kind of authenticity that the Hard Rock Cafes strive for, but will never reach compared to the Fillmore.

Like the Ogden, the Fillmore’s seating is at a first-come-first-serve basis. It is just one big pit, with side areas for the ADA and for those who prefer to sit. Once the concert starts, the whole building starts to thump along with the bass. But the acoustics are insane, it’s one of the best things I’ve heard.

Band 5 Seconds of Summer on stage, the audience takes up most of the picture, the band is lit by white and blue lights
5 Seconds of Summer at The Fillmore Auditorium, on September 30th 2018

4 – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465)

This list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention Red Rocks at least once. Now, technically, this is not in Denver, but from the University of Denver, it’s only about a 30-minute drive. And it’s worth it, I promise.

Located literally inside the stones, the 70 rows of steps and seats face the stage. People say the artists get the best view of the audience and the magnificent landscape, but I always think I have the best view. The front row is not even 3 yards away from the stage, and the stage is a step taller than the ground level.

Wheelchair users and people with mobility issues get the best out of this deal, as the ADA section includes the first few rows or the 70th row at top. So, when I say I’ve got the best seat in the house, I usually mean it, as I am typically front-and-center singing my heart out.

Singer Halsey is posing on stage, her dancer is behind her also posing
Halsey at Red Rocks, on July 31st 2018

A lot of people right now are bummed about sporting events being cancelled and limited in capacity due to social distancing, but at least they still get to enjoy it somehow. With concerts being postponed until further notice, all I can do is stay “in-touch” with my favorites via social media where I am one of millions. At least when I go to concerts, I can tell myself they saw me and that they know of my existence. But until everything sorts itself out, I am an ant in their big world.

So, if you’re someone who isn’t so sure about this whole “mask thing,” please do it anyways. If not for the benefit and health of you and your community, do it for concerts. And until then, I will be listening to my playlists at full blast, daydreaming about the future.

Review

As you swirl around the zig-zags of the mountainous town of Manitou Springs, Colorado, you finally see it. First, you may only see trees, and then a few of the stone peaks gently welcoming you in. Then, they suddenly appear – the beautiful red rocks of Garden of the Gods.

You can’t decide whether to attempt to find a parking spot so you could climb the multiple trails, or to stay in the car while listening to music to simply enjoy the view. I personally just drove around in my car, as handicap spots exist but are limited, and pulled over at the designated spots to take Instagram-worthy pics and just gaze at the lovely view. Regardless of your choice, you will instantly fall in love with the glorious Garden.

This exquisite national landmark is both dog-friendly and wheelchair accessible, as most of the trails have dog care stations and there are a few paved sidewalks. With 21 miles worth of trails, you could have a different experience of the park each time you go exploring. They even offer guided tours where you and your friends could climb one of the monumental boulders and get a view that one could only say belongs to the Gods.

The visitor center is an entertaining experience in of itself, with a fully-immersive exhibit of the history of Colorado’s land and an overwhelming gift shop! When you begin your tour, your eye instantly goes to the center display, a dinosaur fossil unique to Colorado, and suddenly you find yourself fascinated at the transformations the land has gone through.

Garden of the Gods is open year-round, with fluctuations based on weather, and it’s beautiful on any given day. You could go on a spring morning, a rainy summer evening, or a fall afternoon when the leaves are changing, and feel like you are experiencing the park for the first time.