chiken said:
What's the best small town to window shop and do some easy hiking around Denver? Willing to travel an hour or so in any direction.
Idaho springs is cool You can hike st. mary's glacier or drive up to mt evans in the early am then hit up the town. (in other words don't drive up to mount evans outside of morning hours)
Estes park as well, fun town and tons of hiking nearby. I'd suggest gem lake.
Castle Rock has blown up recently with tons of restaurants and shopping. Just a few minute drive over to castle wood canyon, you can hike down to the failed dam remains along cherry creek, a really cool hike in a canyon.
Maybe I'm biased since I live in Parker, but while there isn't a ton of shopping, we have a little historic downtown with ~7-8 local restaurants, a chocolate shop, bakery, coffee shop, and 4 breweries within a mile or 2. You can hit up bluffs regional trail on your way in or out (short hike with 360 view of the front range)