Can’t wait to see everyone at ARVO 2026 in Denver, May 3\u20137! Every year we leave this meeting energized \u2014 the research presentations, the poster sessions, the conversations that happen in the hallways between talks \u2014 it all adds up to something worthwhile, year after year.<\/p>\n
Phoenix-Micron has deep Colorado roots, and several of our team members know Denver well \u2014 grew up there, trained there, or have made more conference trips than they can count. This year we thought we’d put together a resource guide to help everyone make the most of their time in one of our all-time favorite cities. Denver has changed a lot in the last decade, and what you’ll find is a genuinely walkable, food-obsessed, craft-beer-serious city surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the continent. There’s a lot to love here. Enjoy!<\/p>\n
Food<\/a> | Beer<\/a> | Sweets<\/a> | Things To Do<\/a> | Hotels<\/a> | Getting Around<\/a><\/p>\n Female Foodie’s Best of Denver Restaurant Guide<\/a><\/p>\n The Infatuation’s Full Denver Coverage<\/a><\/p>\n Best Breakfast Spots in Denver<\/a> \u2013 The Infatuation, updated 2025<\/p>\n Where to Have a Great Breakfast in Denver<\/a> \u2013 Visit Denver<\/p>\n Snooze, an A.M. Eatery<\/a> \u2013 Denver’s most beloved breakfast institution. The pineapple upside-down pancakes are legitimately famous, and the Benedict duos let you try two versions at once. Check in online to skip the wait. Multiple downtown locations including Union Station. 1700 Wewatta St (Union Station) \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n Denver Biscuit Co.<\/a> \u2013 Buttery biscuits loaded with fried chicken and sausage gravy. A proper Mile High original.<\/p>\n Onefold<\/a> \u2013 Small, stylish counter service in Uptown. Come for the congee with duck confit and a poached egg. Fills up fast on weekends. 1429 E 18th Ave \u00b7 Denver, CO 80218<\/em><\/p>\n Mercantile Dining & Provision<\/a> \u2013 Alex Seidel’s market-restaurant inside Union Station. Elevated comfort food, beautiful space. Perfect if you’re arriving via the airport light rail. 1701 Wynkoop St (Union Station) \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n Rioja<\/a> \u2013 Mediterranean-inspired New American on historic Larimer Square. One of the most consistently excellent kitchens in Denver and a great pick for a proper dinner after a long day on the exhibit floor. Reservations strongly recommended. 1431 Larimer St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202 \u00b7 303.820.2282<\/em><\/p>\n Tavernetta<\/a> \u2013 Housemade pasta and a thoughtful Italian wine and spritz program inside Union Station. Happy hour runs 4\u20136 pm, and the cacio e pepe at that hour is probably the best value in downtown Denver. 1701 Wynkoop St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro<\/a> \u2013 East-meets-West fusion in LoDo. The French onion soup dumplings are one of those dishes that gets mentioned in conversations months later. Good for groups. 1555 Blake St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202 \u00b7 720.274.9199<\/em><\/p>\n Guard and Grace<\/a> \u2013 9,000-square-foot modern American steakhouse with a raw bar, open kitchen, and one of the best patios in Denver. Michelin-recommended. The right pick for a team dinner. 1801 California St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202 \u00b7 303.296.3500<\/em><\/p>\n A5 Steakhouse<\/a> \u2013 Rare cuts, Japanese-inspired starters, and a Michelin recommendation without the stuffiness. One of the better steakhouses in a city that takes steak seriously. 1600 15th St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n Ultreia<\/a> \u2013 Spanish tapas and one of the best gin-tonic programs in the city, inside Union Station. Perfect for a post-session drink and small plates with colleagues. 1701 Wynkoop St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar<\/a> \u2013 One of the best seafood restaurants in a landlocked city; local legend for oysters and happy hour. Steps from LoDo. 1539 17th St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202 \u00b7 303.292.5767<\/em><\/p>\n Church and Union<\/a> \u2013 Modern American from Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch. Look up when you walk in \u2014 13,500 words of Sun Tzu are hand-painted across the ceiling. Casual but refined, right near Union Station. 1742 Blake St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n Wynkoop Brewing Company<\/a> \u2013 Colorado’s first brewpub, co-founded in 1988 (Senator John Hickenlooper was an early co-founder). Great pub food, 22 pool tables upstairs, rotating cask ales, and a spot where you feel like a local in ten minutes. 1634 18th St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202 \u00b7 303.297.2700<\/em><\/p>\n Watercourse Foods<\/a> \u2013 Long-running Denver vegetarian restaurant with a menu big enough to satisfy everyone. Capitol Hill neighborhood. 837 E 17th Ave \u00b7 Denver, CO 80218 \u00b7 303.832.7313<\/em><\/p>\n City O’ City<\/a> \u2013 Plant-forward cafe in Capitol Hill with an impressive cocktail program and late hours. One of those places that feels genuinely lived-in. 206 E 13th Ave \u00b7 Denver, CO 80203 \u00b7 303.831.6443<\/em><\/p>\n Colorado is second only to California in total brewery count, and Denver alone has over 150. This is a city that takes its beer seriously.<\/p>\n Denver Beer Trail<\/a> \u2013 The official neighborhood-by-neighborhood brewery map.<\/p>\n Denver Microbrew Tour<\/a> \u2013 Guided 1.5-mile walking tour through LoDo, 10+ samples at 4 breweries.<\/p>\n Wynkoop Brewing<\/a> \u2013 Colorado’s first brewpub. The Rail Yard Ale is the right starting point. 1634 18th St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80202<\/em><\/p>\n Bierstadt Lagerhaus<\/a> \u2013 Lager-only brewery with traditional German technique. The Slow Pour Pils takes five full minutes to pour and is absolutely worth the wait. RiNo neighborhood. 2875 Blake St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80205<\/em><\/p>\n Cerebral Brewing<\/a> \u2013 Consistently one of Denver’s top-rated craft breweries; known for IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, and a rotating tap list that’s rarely boring. 1477 Monroe St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80206<\/em><\/p>\n Ra\u00edces Brewing Company<\/a> \u2013 Award-winning brewery celebrating Latin American culture, with Denver’s only riverside patio right on the South Platte. Worth the trip. 2060 W Colfax Ave \u00b7 Denver, CO 80204<\/em><\/p>\n Little Man Ice Cream<\/a> \u2013 Colorado institution in a cream-can-shaped shop in LoHi. The line wraps around the block on warm evenings for good reason. 2620 16th St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80211<\/em><\/p>\n The Inventing Room<\/a> \u2013 Willy Wonka meets molecular gastronomy. Glow-in-the-dark cotton candy, liquid nitrogen ice cream sundaes. A full experience. Reservations required. 1550 S Pearl St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80210<\/em><\/p>\n Azucar Bakery<\/a> \u2013 Cuban bakery in the Santa Fe Arts District. Good pastries, strong coffee, and a nice detour from the convention center corridor. 606 W 26th Ave \u00b7 Denver, CO 80211<\/em><\/p>\n Visit Denver’s Full Activity Guide<\/a><\/p>\n Denver Family-Friendly Activities<\/a> \u2013 Visit Denver<\/p>\n Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre<\/a> \u2013 One of the most iconic concert venues in the country, and even without a show it’s worth the drive out. The geological formations alone are stunning. Check the May concert schedule \u2014 a show at Red Rocks in early May is an experience you won’t forget. About 30 minutes from downtown. 18300 W Alameda Pkwy \u00b7 Morrison, CO 80465<\/em><\/p>\n Denver Botanic Gardens<\/a> \u2013 24 acres in the city, genuinely beautiful in May when the spring blooms are at their peak. The Mordecai Children’s Garden is a special stop for families. 1007 York St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80206 \u00b7 720.865.3500<\/em><\/p>\n Washington Park<\/a> \u2013 The park that locals go to. Paddle boats on the lake, jogging paths, and the kind of people-watching that makes you understand why people move here. E Virginia Ave & S Downing St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80209<\/em><\/p>\n Cherry Creek Trail<\/a> \u2013 Paved multi-use trail running roughly 40 miles from downtown along the creek. Good for a morning run or bike ride starting close to the convention center.<\/p>\n Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge<\/a> \u2013 17,000 acres of prairie and wetlands about 15 minutes from downtown. Bison herds, bald eagles, and prairie dogs. Completely free. One of the stranger and more wonderful things you can do from a downtown Denver conference. Commerce City, CO \u00b7 east of I-270 and Quebec St<\/em><\/p>\n Denver Art Museum<\/a> \u2013 One of the premier art museums between the coasts. Free for anyone 18 and under, every day. Worth several hours of your time. 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy \u00b7 Denver, CO 80204 \u00b7 720.865.5000<\/em><\/p>\n Denver Museum of Nature & Science<\/a> \u2013 The region’s leading science museum with IMAX, a planetarium, and a deep permanent collection. Plan at least a half-day. 2001 Colorado Blvd \u00b7 Denver, CO 80205 \u00b7 303.370.6000<\/em><\/p>\n Meow Wolf Denver: Convergence Station<\/a> \u2013 Immersive, psychedelic art installation that’s genuinely hard to describe. Surreal and well worth your time; best for kids 10 and up. 1338 1st St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80204 \u00b7 866.636.9969<\/em><\/p>\n History Colorado Center<\/a> \u2013 Interactive state history museum with a 60-foot walkable map and exhibits that make history genuinely fun. 1200 Broadway \u00b7 Denver, CO 80203 \u00b7 303.447.8679<\/em><\/p>\n Clyfford Still Museum<\/a> \u2013 One of the best single-artist museums in the country, dedicated to the abstract expressionist painter. Small, quiet, and consistently excellent. 1250 Bannock St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80204 \u00b7 720.354.4880<\/em><\/p>\n Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum<\/a> \u2013 50+ aircraft in a landmark former Air Force hangar. One of the best aviation museums in the country, accessible for all ages. 7711 E Academy Blvd \u00b7 Denver, CO 80230 \u00b7 303.360.5360<\/em><\/p>\n Denver Zoo<\/a> \u2013 Consistently one of the top-rated urban zoos in the country. 4,000+ animals in naturalistic habitats. Budget a full morning. 2300 Steele St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80205 \u00b7 720.337.1400<\/em><\/p>\n Downtown Aquarium<\/a> \u2013 Full aquarium plus interactive exhibits in the city. A solid choice for families on a rainy afternoon. 700 Water St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80211 \u00b7 303.561.4450<\/em><\/p>\n Children’s Museum of Denver<\/a> \u2013 Genuinely excellent hands-on children’s museum, one of the best in the country for kids under 10. 2121 Children’s Museum Dr \u00b7 Denver, CO 80211 \u00b7 303.433.7444<\/em><\/p>\n U.S. Mint at Denver<\/a> \u2013 Free guided tours of the facility that produces billions of coins a year. First-come, first-served tickets in person the day of your visit. Go early \u2014 they fill up fast. 320 W Colfax Ave \u00b7 Denver, CO 80204<\/em><\/p>\n Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park<\/a> \u2013 Denver’s amusement park with 53 rides and a full water park. Opens mid-May. Great for families with older kids. 2000 Elitch Circle \u00b7 Denver, CO 80204<\/em><\/p>\n The Inventing Room<\/a> \u2013 Willy Wonka-meets-molecular-gastronomy dessert experience. Kids love it; so do adults who allow themselves to enjoy something wonderfully ridiculous. Reservations required. 1550 S Pearl St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80210<\/em><\/p>\n Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a> \u2013 About 90 minutes from downtown. May means wildflowers, snowcapped peaks, and elk with new calves. Timed-entry permits are required for peak season \u2014 check ahead. Estes Park, CO \u00b7 ~90 min from Denver<\/em><\/p>\n Boulder<\/a> \u2013 30 minutes from Denver, accessible via the Flatiron Flyer bus from Union Station. Walk Pearl Street Mall, hike the Flatirons trailheads, enjoy a university town that somehow also became a tech hub.<\/p>\n Coors Brewery Tour, Golden<\/a> \u2013 The largest single-site brewery in the world, 20 minutes from downtown. Free self-guided tour with generous samples in the hospitality lounge. 13th and Ford St \u00b7 Golden, CO 80401<\/em><\/p>\n Colorado Rockies at Coors Field<\/a> \u2013 Check the May schedule. Beautiful ballpark, real mountain views beyond the outfield wall, and a May evening game is a genuinely nice way to spend a night off. 2001 Blake St \u00b7 Denver, CO 80205<\/em><\/p>\n Cinco de Mayo Festival at Civic Center Park<\/a> \u2013 Denver hosts one of the country’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and it falls right at the start of ARVO week (May 3\u20134, 2026). Three stages of live music, food vendors, and a genuine street-party atmosphere just a short walk from the convention center.<\/p>\n If you haven’t locked in accommodations yet, start with the official ARVO housing block. Booking through the block supports the meeting and gets you the best negotiated rates. The deadline for ARVO rates is March 11, 2026, and rooms in the block do go fast.<\/p>\n Official ARVO 2026 Hotel Reservations<\/a> \u2013 Book by March 11, 2026 for conference rates.<\/p>\n Full ARVO 2026 Hotel List and Map (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n Denver Convention Center Hotels<\/a> \u2013 via TripAdvisor<\/p>\n Denver’s downtown is very walkable, and the convention center sits in a central location. The RTD A-Line light rail connects Denver International Airport directly to Union Station in about 37 minutes \u2014 no rental car needed for the conference itself. For day trips to Red Rocks, Boulder, or the mountains, a rental car or rideshare is the way to go.<\/p>\n One thing worth mentioning if you’re coming from sea level: Denver sits at exactly 5,280 feet. Give yourself a day to acclimate when you first arrive. Drink a lot of water. And pace yourself on the craft beer your first evening \u2014 the altitude affects how quickly it hits. Friendly advice from people who’ve learned the hard way.<\/p>\n We’re looking forward to seeing you in Denver! Stop by the Phoenix-Micron booth and say hello. Safe travels.<\/p>\n \u2013 The Phoenix-Micron Team<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Can’t wait to see everyone at ARVO 2026 in Denver, May 3\u20137! Every year we leave this meeting energized \u2014 the research presentations, the poster sessions, the conversations that happen in the hallways between talks \u2014 it all adds up to something worthwhile, year after year. Phoenix-Micron has deep Colorado roots, and several of our […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1055],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arvo-2026"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nFood<\/h2>\n
Restaurant Guides<\/h3>\n
Breakfast<\/h3>\n
Lunch & Dinner<\/h3>\n
Vegetarian & Vegan<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nBeer<\/h2>\n
Craft Beer Trails & Tours<\/h3>\n
Recommended Breweries<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nSweets<\/h2>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nThings To Do<\/h2>\n
Outdoors<\/h3>\n
Museums & Culture<\/h3>\n
Family-Friendly Picks<\/h3>\n
Day Trips<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nHotels<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nGetting Around<\/h2>\n