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Denver Travel Guide

Travel Guides: Denver

General Information

Denver

Although it is literally a 'Mile High City', being sited one mile (1.6km) above sea level, Denver is flat and sprawling, overwhelmed by the backdrop of the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

It was founded as a gold mining camp in 1859, and at the centre of the Old West it was filled with cowboys, gamblers, saloons, gunslingers, Native Americans, and crooked characters such as the infamous Jefferson 'Soapy' Smith. Although very little gold was discovered, a city was laid out and the name Denver attributed it.

Having since shed its cow-town image and evidence of its western past, it has developed into a modern city with wonderful museums, historic architecture, cultural attractions, shopping venues and a world-class airport. It has more than 200 parks and tree-lined boulevards and a completely refurbished lower downtown area (LoDo to the locals), where blocks of old Victorian buildings and warehouses have been carefully restored to house restaurants, galleries, antique shops and jazz clubs. Historic Larimer Square is the heart of the dining and nightlife scene. Denver brews more beer than any other city in America and most of it can be sampled in LoDo where the city's brewpubs proliferate.

Most residents are active nature lovers who take advantage of the city's setting, the pleasant climate and unlimited outdoor adventures just minutes from the centre, including skiing, hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Tourism focuses on its natural setting and the outdoors, and as such it is a major destination for tourists heading into the mountains. Visitors to Denver will be pleasantly surprised by its welcoming and friendly nature.

Colorado's beautiful landscape, and its lifestyle, is dominated by mountains, and much of northwest Colorado is covered by the world-renowned Rocky Mountains that are famous for their scenery, as well as for their skiing, snowboarding and hiking opportunities. The Rocky Mountains feature many popular ski resorts like Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge where winter and summer activities abound. The magnificent scenery of Pikes Peak Country and Garden of the Gods can be explored from Colorado Springs, while the alpine meadows and rugged cliffs around the peaks known as Maroon Bells near Aspen is one of the most photographed spots in Colorado. One of the state's most popular attractions is the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park with its alpine lakes, snow encrusted peaks, meadows and waterfalls that are the some of the most recognisable images of Colorado's natural beauty.

Getting Around

The public transport system in Denver is excellent with an outstanding, comprehensive bus network that is supplemented by a light rail line operating throughout the metropolitan area and outlying towns. Along the 16th Street Mall, bus shuttles provide free service, and from June to September, a hop-on, hop-off trolley links the main city centre attractions. Taxis can be hailed on the streets, but it is better to find them at taxi ranks or to order them by phone; they can be difficult to find on the street around 2am when the bars close. Cars are not necessary for downtown, and parking is expensive.

Activites

Colorado History Museum,Denver
Documenting the colourful history of Colorado and the stories of those who lived here, the Colorado History Museum brings to life the history of cowboys and gunfighters, Native Americans, miners and gold panners, explorers, buffalo hunters, wagon trains and railroads. Colorado and its diversity is portrayed from the earliest inhabitants to its pioneer families through innovative exhibits, historic photographs, artefacts and news clippings. There are exhibits on life in 19th century Denver, Buffalo Soldiers and the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, and life and culture in the American West. Special exhibits are held throughout the year and there is an excellent bookstore and gift shop.

Admission:
$7 (adults). $5 (children 6-12). Children under six years are free. Student, children and senior concessions available

Opening time:
Daily Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm

Denver Art Museum,Denver
Housing one of the largest Native American art collections in the country, the Denver Art Museum is a huge, seven-storey structure that also features the works of American Western artists, and art from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The growing American Indian collection displays work from 150 tribes throughout the country, arranged geographically and spanning almost 2,000 years. Discovery Libraries contain shelves of art objects and prints, a costume closet that allows visitors to try on olden-day clothing, as well as reading corners.

Admission:
$13 (adults), $5 (children 6-18); under 5's are free. Student, senior and resident concessions available. It is recommended that tickets are ordered in advance

Opening time:
Closed on Mondays. Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm

Rocky Mountain National Park,Rocky Mountains
The most popular attraction in Colorado is the spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park, with its snow-covered peaks, flower-flecked meadows, alpine lakes, thundering waterfalls and wildlife. These images of beauty have graced countless calendars and coffee-table books and are instantly recognisable as Colorado. Because of the high elevation of the park, of which a third is over 11,500ft (3,505m), there are large areas above the tree line of alpine tundra, constant snow and flora seldom found outside the Arctic. Although usually considered the realm of hikers, climbers, fishermen and horse riders, it is possible to enjoy the park without breaking a sweat thanks to one of America's most scenic drives, the Trail Ridge Road. Crossing the Continental Divide at over two miles (3km) above sea level, the 48-mile (77km) highway linking Estes Park to Grand Lake is one of the highest continuous highways in the country, affording dizzying views in all directions. The sweeping vistas of snowy peaks and glaciers, forests, streams and meadows where elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep can be seen, are exceptional. The road also provides access to several walking trails. In winter the road is closed, but activities such as cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snow-shoeing are popular. Most visitors come during the summer months, but the park can get quite crowded and the roads congested; the best time to enjoy the park is early autumn, after the crowds and before the winter snows. The resort village of Estes Park is the eastern gateway to the park and very popular with visitors, while the western resort of Grand Lake is quieter with an idyllic setting on the shores of a large lake.

Admission:
$20 per vehicle, or $10 per individual hiker, cyclist or motorcyclist, valid for seven days

Opening time:
The park is open 24 hours a day year round; see website for different Visitor Center opening hours

Colorado Springs,Rocky Mountains
Colorado Springs is a growing city that was originally developed as a vacation destination in 1871 as part of the 'health centre' boom of Colorado, being blessed with the nearby mineral waters of Manitou Springs, its high mountain ranges and fresh mountain air. Today it is a popular tourist destination (its main source of income), attracting visitors to the magnificent scenery of Pikes Peak Country and the pleasant climate. It is a good base from which to explore the beauty of the surrounding area and most tourists come to marvel at the landscape of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, as well as to see the US Air Force Academy. Most of Colorado Springs' residents are retired or active military personnel and this lends a conservative mood to the city. Colorado Springs sits at the foot of its most famous landmark, the 14,110ft (4,301m) Pikes Peak and a breathtaking journey on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway takes passengers to the summit from where incredible views over the Rocky Mountain Range, Denver and the endless Great Plains can be enjoyed. The marvellous red sandstone formations of the nearby Garden of the Gods have been sculpted into pinnacles and weirdly-eroded shapes by the wind and rain over millions of years, and the park has numerous walking trails that allow visitors to explore the landscape away from the tourist-travelled roads.