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City Cast Denver

Keep It Local features spotlights on a local businesses we love and a timely set of personal, curated and neighborly recommendations that will help you live your best Mile High life. So, if you’re ready to ditch the national chains, e-commerce giants, and big box stores,

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Michelle Polizzi

Buying your costume at places like Amazon or Spirit Halloween might be easy, but it’s also boring. There’s less creativity involved in putting your look together (which is part of the fun!), and there’s a hot chance you’ll show up in the same outfit as everyone else. Skip the chain stores, 

. Beyond their mix-and-match program, which lets you choose different pieces for a custom look, they also carry hard-to-find items like 

. Plus, they love their customers: Show this Facebook post for 

Gott-A-Costume is full of yard decorations — including this ~actually terrifying~ 

 has been providing Denver with high-quality clothing and accessories from a bygone era. Their wide selection of dresses, formalwear, and suits provides the perfect backdrop for any DIY costume that needs an 

I especially love Boss Vintage for sourcing hard-to-find accessories, like elegant elbow-length gloves or a particular kind of suspenders.

With more than 20,000 costumes available for rent or purchase, 

 is ideal for those seeking a go-big-or-go-home Halloween. There’s also a wide selection of prosthetic limbs for decorating — not to mention shelves of scary masks. You can also find props for magical illusions here to take your Halloween displays to the next level.

 with a “lights on” option for kiddos and the easily spooked.

 has been around for over 40 years, and they’re still a go-to spot for dressing up in mystical, magical attire. If anything, this is a great place to go when you need costume inspiration. Browse their colorful wig trees, help kiddos choose their trick-or-treat look, or find 

This shop gets crowded around Halloween, so consider stopping by at a less-popular time, like during the day on a weekday.

Skip the chain stores this Halloween. These Denver-area costume shops offer rentals, vintage finds, custom looks, and a haunted mansion to get you in the spirit.

Where to Find Cool Costumes in Denver

Where to Find a Really Cool Costume

Keep It Local

Considering ditching the witch costume this year for something more creative? Here are three timely, culture-forward costume ideas to consider this year — and where to get the local goods to bring your vision to life.

🎭 Costume Idea #1: Masquerade Guest from ‘Bridgerton’

From the masquerades of “Bridgerton” to the elegant Prythian fashion in “A Court of Thorns and Roses” (

), fantasy-filled period dramas are having a moment. Find elegant 

, stunning painted leather masks by local maker 

🔪 Costume Idea #2: Freaky Nikki from ‘Obsession’

Tap into the obsessive nature of this year’s most talked-about horror film by dressing as the all-possessed 

. The clothes should be easy to find at a thrift shop, but you’ll need some 

 on Colorado Boulevard to ensure your Nikki is abundantly freaky.

🐉 Costume Idea #3: A Character from ‘The Odyssey’

There was something uniquely unifying about the release of “The Odyssey” this summer. Apparently, ancient Greece is something we can all get behind. Choose your fave Grecian character, then find the perfect fit at 

Channel this year's buzziest shows, books, and films with finds from these Denver-area shops.

Halloween Costume Ideas 2026: Where to Shop in Denver

3 Locally Sourced Costume Ideas

 was a social movement that took place during the 1940s and 1950s and began among writers in New York City, most notably Jack Kerouac, emphasizing individuality, adventure, and a rejection of corporate industry. Denver is often thought of as the epicenter of the Beats because it’s the hometown of 

, who inspired Kerouac's “On the Road.”

Lean into the unique counterculture that Denver inspired and make sense of your deepest thoughts with these local businesses.

👓 Queen City Optical Provisions (Berkeley)

. Find something stylish, yet timeless and one-of-a-kind at Queen City Optical Provisions. This independently owned eyewear shop curates bespoke brands like 

 for your browsing pleasure. Because seriously, how could you not feel 

Don’t wear glasses? Help someone you love 

 with a Queen City Optical Provisions gift certificate.

When Neal Cassady wasn’t wandering the U.S. in search of inspiration, he had his nose deep in philosophy books at the Denver library, which was then housed in today’s McNichols Building. 

 through Civic Center Park and dive into some philosophy works at nearby 

, a longstanding used bookshop known for its eclectic selection, affordable prices, and excellent service.

 and give you store credit in exchange, so consider bringing a stack of your well-read faves.

Neal Cassady wrote Jack Kerouac a very long letter that later inspired “On The Road” with its 

 to find all the stationery you need to write a letter to a friend of your own. Think artsy greeting cards 

 that meet your snail mail dreams (just add stamps!).

,” but don’t be intimidated — the folks working here are anything but snobby.

Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady were both born during Prohibition. Toast to that while keeping things classy at 

, a speakeasy known for having a long list of classic cocktails and some of the best bartenders in the biz. What should you get? Maybe you’ll order one of Kerouac’s favorite drinks: A shot of whiskey with a beer chaser, known as a boilermaker. I’ll have the mac and cheese, please 🧀

Reservations are recommended at this popular spot, which also expects visitors to wrap up within two hours.

Hip specs, used philosophy books, snail mail supplies, and Kerouac's favorite drink: Find your inner Beat poet at these four local Denver spots.

Where to Buy Beat Poet Accessories in Denver

Where to Buy Beat Poet Essentials

There’s no better way to romanticize your life than with a train ride. That’s why we recommend 

 and taking the six-hour scenic route to Glenwood Springs.

Ponder the meaning of life as you pass stunning red rock formations, follow the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon, and get a new perspective on the wilderness that’s just a stone’s throw from the Mile High City. You might end up with so much inspiration that you’ll need to write it down in your 

 for a much-needed dip in nature’s healing waters. Look out at the mountains that Beat poet Allen Ginsberg surely visited during his long tenure 

. If you have more time to spare in Glenwood Springs, consider an overnight stay at 

. Opened in 1893, it has served guests for more than a century.

Looking for a scenic getaway? Check out this guide on romanticizing your life, riding Amtrak's California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs, and experiencing the historic Hotel Colorado.

How to Spend a Weekend in Colorado like a Beat Poet

A Beat-Inspired Weekend Itinerary

You could always go to Starbucks and order a PSL, but here’s an even better idea: Hit these local shops to create the perfect (and delicious) pumpkin aesthetic at home.

 — and then some — are available at Cake Crafts Denver. Get a 

 for your spooky cake pops, and all the icing 

 onto cakes and cupcakes. Simply send in a digital image via email or through their site, and your customized treat is usually ready for pickup the next day.

 is a locally owned shop that has been providing Denver with unique home decor and designer housewares since 1971. The autumn accessories game is strong here, with vintage-inspired 

The Lark is a good place to find Halloween-y decor that’s tasteful and on-trend, but 

🍁 Little Bird (Park Hill and Cory-Merrill)

Few things are cuter and more on-brand for fall than a little one in a jack-o’-lantern shirt. Little Bird is a kids’ clothing store stocked with 

 and matching tutus. This boutique also sells toys (including the 

 at both locations, so kiddos can get groomed while you shop for their fall getup.

It's pumpkin season! Here are the best places in Denver to grab your next pumpkin-flavored and pumpkin-designed fall goods.

Where to Find Pumpkin Decor and Baking Items in Denver

Where to Find All the Pumpkin Home Goods

The only thing better than buying all the pumpkin-themed things? Buying 

, you can find a family-owned pumpkin patch without leaving the city. Here’s a quick guide on what to get there to complete your falliest home vibe:

Spruce up your space with a new plant, but 

Few things say “it’s fall!” better than a front porch decorated in corn stalks, now on sale at the farm.

Warty goblin pumpkins are uniquely bred to have a bright orange color with 

. Get these spooky fun pumpkins, classic pumpkins, and more grumpy-looking gourds here.

The only thing better than buying all the pumpkin-themed things? Buying actual pumpkins. Here's a quick and easy guide to shopping for your next gourd.

Where to Buy Pumpkins in Denver

Where to Buy Actual Pumpkins

The rhythms and patterns of nature may have inspired the design of 

, but its public spaces are definitely optimized for 21st century work. Grab a latte and a pastry at 

 in the hotel’s lobby, then head up the winding stairs to the cozy seating area with couches, tables, and chairs to get you settled in and focused.

After your workday, head to the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar, 

Located inside the Zeppelin Station office spaces, 

 is a family-owned coffee shop with a productivity-first vibe that’s guaranteed to help you get work done. Think tons of natural lighting, plenty of seating options, and garage doors that bring in welcome fresh air on warm days. They’re known for their hand-roasted beans and tasty breakfast burritos that’ll keep you fueled.

Coffee aficionados give this spot two thumbs up, and it’s still approachable for the regular coffee drinker.

🍏 The Maven Hotel’s Lobby (Union Station)

Tucked inside Dairy Block just steps from 

 lobby has a collection of work-friendly seating for cranking through your to-do list. I personally love the 

 with decorative lamps that give a studious feel. I also love that you can grab a quick lunch in one of the many nearby restaurants, meaning you don’t have to leave once hunger strikes.

Parking can be challenging here. Arrive before 9 a.m. to find street parking; otherwise, take the train in.

Where to Work Remotely in Denver

Thump is a default remote hub for remote workers, but it can get full — and fast.

 has a location in Wheat Ridge with the same work-and-study energy, albeit with more seating options and a greater variety of food (burritos, sandwiches, salads) for longer stays. Note: You do have to ask for a Wi-Fi code.

2. If you love Improper City, try Cerebral Brewing

Improper City was made for remote work; however, the massive capacity means it can get loud during peak work hours.

 has multiple locations, but the Congress Park taproom is known for being quiet and conducive to work in the afternoon hours. They open at noon. Might we suggest ordering a pint of the 

3. If you love Hudson Hill, try Death & Co Denver

Hudson Hill has the perfect coffee-shop-in-a-bar concept. Parking can be tough, though, as can finding a seat. The Ramble Hotel in RiNo is known for its sleek, urban cocktails — but did you know they have coffee, too?

 is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., which is when the drinks (and ideas) really start flowing.

Remote Work Spots in Denver for Every Ocassion

Skip The Usual: Try These Local Remote Work Gems

Whether you want to learn an instrument, gift lessons to a loved one, or rent equipment for a gig, these Denver shops will nurture your musical spirit.

🎻 Pirisen Music Lessons (Central Park, Littleton, Centennial)

Learn to sing, play the drums, strum the guitar, or develop skills in a variety of instruments at 

. Pirisen is a family-owned store that emphasizes a supportive, approachable environment where students of all levels can develop their inner artist.

This music store has three locations, so check for the one closest to you.

 is your shop. In operation since 1991, this North Denver establishment offers everything you might need to play your next gig — including friendly, expert advice.

Sound Town also provides repair services, deliveries, and warranties on a wide variety of items.

🎸 Flesher-Hinton Music Company (Wheat Ridge)

 is one of the best places in the Denver Metro for an affordable rent-to-own instrument program. Rentals start at $18 per month, and the company offers flexible payment options and exchanges.

If you’re interested in taking lessons at Flesher-Hinton, find independent teachers 

The Best Denver Music Stores

The Best Denver Businesses for Music Lovers

 is one of the largest music schools for acoustic instruments in the U.S. — but it’s so much more than a place to take lessons.

, and early childhood education programs that 

 to little ones. Here are three ways to get involved with Swallow Hill.

Swallow Hill is on a mission to make music education accessible to all people in the Denver area. Attend their 

 featuring a performance by Colorado-based band Elephant Revival, known for creating a unique musical sound blending folk, bluegrass, celtic music, and indie rock.

Give someone the chance to pursue their love of music with a Swallow Hill Music gift certificate. Customizable for any amount, 

 can be used for group classes, private lessons, memberships, and more.

 on Nov. 14. A day full of banjo workshops and community jams will be rounded out by an evening concert featuring some of the best banjo musicians today, including 