Entering the Neighborhood

Jeremiah and I decide it’s a perfect day to embark on a noble quest — a day adventure to the Bonnie Brae neighborhood of Denver. (Yes, “quest.” We’re extra like that, well, I am.)

Fun fact: Bonnie Brae is Gaelic for “Pleasant Hill.” I once thought it was named after some wild pioneer woman with petticoats, grit, and a rifle probably named Bonnie. Alas, no frontier heroine here — just charming linguistics and my occasionally overactive imagination.

This famed “neighborhood village” is basically one adorable block long — a blink-and-you-miss-it stretch that somehow packs in a beloved ice cream parlor, a precious gift shop, and a coffee shop cozy enough to tempt even hobbits off the road.

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream

Naturally, our first stop is Bonnie Brae Ice Cream — the kind of place where you have to park around the corner because everyone and their dog walker had the same brilliant idea. The line spills out, the sun is warm, and the air smells like sugar and childhood happiness.

It's 70° and glorious — the kind of weather that whispers, you deserve a treat. We grab cones and sit outside on a little bench, basking like lizards in a sunbeam. Jeremy goes chocolate with cappuccino crunch; I commit to chocolate and coffee because caffeine + chocolate = joy.

Ice cream acquired, souls nourished. Onward.

Wish Gifts

Next, we wander into Wish Gifts, the cutest gift shop this side of the hill. Shelves overflowing with trinkets, candles, greeting cards, plants — basically the kind of place where your wallet whimpers softly. We pick out a birthday present for Jeremy’s youngest brother, Joe, and treat ourselves to a globe-shaped coin bank, because saving money is easier when the container looks like you’re funding a round-the-world adventure.

Then — ah yes — the coffee shop.

Ink!

Bless this place. The coffee is delicious, the vibes immaculate, and the patio? Outfitted with giant Jenga and cornhole. Tell me that isn’t peak whimsical-neighborhood energy.

We play giant Jenga, and let me tell you, our tower leans like it's studied abroad in Pisa. But we hold strong — block after block, we defy physics and wobble-our-way through the game like caffeinated engineers.

Then it's onto cornhole. Historically, my cornhole skills fall somewhere between “tragic” and “why am I like this,” but today? Today I rise. With Jeremy’s coaching, I actually sink beanbags into the board — five times. FIVE. I nearly ascend into the clouds out of sheer pride.

Leaving Bonnie Brae

Eventually, we run out of things to do in Bonnie Brae (it is one block, after all), so we hop in the car and go nostalgia-hunting. Jeremiah takes me past his childhood home, his first school, his daycare, the houses of old friends — a sweet little tour through his personal history. Like a memory map, but fueled by ice cream and competition sports.

Afterward, we head home. The day feels soft around the edges — simple, warm, and lovely. A “nothing huge happened but my heart is full” kind of day.

I’ll definitely be returning — because any neighborhood that offers ice cream, cozy coffee, and giant Jenga absolutely deserves a round two.

Preferably soon.

Preferably with sunshine, caffeine, and beanbags again.