“Denver, Colorado is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. This walkable, outdoor city offers urban adventures for all ages with its brilliant blue skies, 300 days of sunshine, vibrant arts and culture and rich Western history.”
From the Gold Rush days and railroad era to the vibrant, creative city it is today, Denver, Colorado is where the ‘Old West’ meets the new. This walkable, outdoor city is located at the base of the majestic Rocky Mountains exactly one mile (1609m) above sea level. The Mile High City is a great year-round destination that combines its rich Western heritage and passion for the outdoors with urban adventures. Take the 37-minute train ride from Denver International Airport to Denver Union Station, downtown’s transportation, dining and shopping hub, just steps from the 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian promenade with a free shuttle. Experience farm-totable restaurants, brewpubs, arts & culture, professional sports and plenty of shopping, all right in the city center. Explore Denver’s creative side by enjoying live music at intimate venues like Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, a former brothel, and Elhapultepec jazz club. Art is around every corner from colorful street art murals to public art pieces like the 12-meter tall Blue Bear, officially called “I See What You Mean,” Denver’s icon peering into the Colorado Convention Center.
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Denver!
01. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is famous for its one-of-a-kind outdoor concert venue that is surrounded by giant, ancient rock formations. During the day, Red Rocks is a free city park with easy hiking trails and a visitor center that includes a Performers’ Hall of Fame. Legendary musicians like The Beatles (1964) and U2 (1983) have performed here, and today, the summer concert series from May through September presents the best artists in jazz, rock, pop, bluegrass and more. Seeing a concert under the stars is a magical experience
Rocks Park is located 30 minutes west of downtown Denver.
02. Union Station & LoDo (Lower Downtown)
Downtown Denver’s Union Station has undergone a massive restoration and redevelopment
that has transformed the landmark into a transportation, dining, shopping and entertainment
hub, all centered around the Crawford Hotel. The station is a fun gathering place for locals and
visitors – eat a breakfast burrito at Snooze, sip a beer at the Terminal Bar, sample the locally
sourced cuisine at one of the unique restaurants, shop a bit or have a hand-mixed cocktail at
Cooper Lounge. Direct rail service connects Denver International Airport (DEN) to this landmark
in the heart of downtown.
The 37-minute trip costs just $9 each way.
03. Denver Beer Trail
Take a self-guided tour along the Denver Beer Trail and sample the craft beer paradise in The Mile High City. Explore the featured breweries, most of which are in the walkable downtown area, and you will find everything from Stouts to Lagers and all the flavors in between. Denver’s craft beer culture is thriving and creative.
04. Rockmount Ranch Wear
Rockmount Ranch Wear is the historic shop in downtown Denver where a true Western icon, Jack A. Weil (1901 – 2008), invented the first cowboy shirt with snaps instead of traditional buttons and helped popularize Western wear as legitimate American fashion. Many of the Rockmount designs are worn by movie stars and music legends, all with the signature design of diamond snaps and sawtooth pockets. The grandson of “Papa Jack” Weil, Steve Weil, continues the traditions today.
The store is located in the heart of downtown at 1626 Wazee Street.
05. Larimer Square
Historic Larimer Square is Denver’s oldest city block, home to the first saloons and businesses in The Mile High City. Today, the Victorian buildings have been transformed into shops, wine bars and the hottest, chef-owned restaurants. Look for the sparkling lights strung across the street, relax at an outdoor cafe or bar, taste the best of cuisine created by local chefs or find unique clothing and accessories in the boutiques.
06. Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is home to a famous collection of American Indian art. Explore the bold contemporary art inside and out of the new Frederic C. Hamilton building, designed by world-famous architect Daniel Libeskind. The museum, located in downtown’s Golden Triangle Creative District, also offers free general admission on the first Saturday of every month and is free for kids under 18 at all times. The Golden Triangle is also home to galleries, fine-art studios, specialty stores and eight museums including Clyfford Still Museum and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.
07. History Colorado Center
Denver’s History Colorado Center features exhibits and programs that tell the stories of Colorado and engage visitors in the past, present and future of the Rocky Mountain West. Enjoy interactiv e exhibits like a virtual ride in a real Ford Model T, test your skills on a ski-jump simulator or set off dynamite in an 1880s hard-rock mine.
08. B-cycle to Neighborhoods
– RiNo, Art District on Santa Fe and more! Explore The Mile High City using B-cycle, Denver’s pioneering bike-sharing program ($9 for a 24-hour membership) and pedal your way through Denver’s creative art districts that surround the city center. Discover the River North Art District (RiNo), which is rapidly becoming the hotspot for artists, foodies and designers. While retaining its industrial character, RiNo offers colorful street art murals and art galleries, plenty of cafes, brewpubs and innovative restaurants. Visit the Highlands neighborhood, just north of downtown or the Art District on Santa Fe, which is home to more than 100 galleries, artist studios and creative businesses. Denver’s art districts also celebrate the first Friday of each month with art walks where galleries are open late.
09. Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek Shopping Center is home to more than 160 restaurants and stores including Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Abercrombie & Fitch, Levi’s, Michael Kors and Hugo Boss. Visit the guest services desk and ask for your “Passport to Shopping” offering discounts for more than 60 stores and restaurants. Head across 1st Avenue to find the charming, tree-lined streets of the Cherry Creek North neighborhood. Here you can explore galleries, boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, spas and more. Cherry Creek is located just 15 minutes southeast of downtown.
10. Mile High Culture Pass –
Discount Ticket to Attractions The Mile High Culture Pass provides access to seven of the top Denver attractions. (A three-day pass is available for $30.) Attractions include the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Clyfford Still Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo and more. Stroll through the lush oasis of Denver Botanic Gardens; explore the life and work of the abstract expressionist Clyfford Still, considered one of the most influential painters of the 20th century; or, experience the Denver Museum of Nature & Science where you can get as close to a T-Rex dinosaur as you dare. The Mile High Culture Pass offers additional discounts for the B-cycle bike-sharing program and attractions like the Molly Brown House Museum, home of Titanic heroine, the unsinkable Margaret “Molly” Brown. (Passes are available for sale online or at the downtown Tourist Information Center at 1575 California Street.)
