Airport Details
Airport Full Name
Denver International Airport
IATA Code
DEN
Location:
The airport is situated 23 miles (37km) east of Denver
and is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
Airport Facilities
Foreign exchange bureaux and ATMs are available throughout the airport. Other facilities include first aid, bars, restaurants, duty-free, shops, post office, Fun Centre for children, a massage centre, tourist information and hotel reservation boards. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special needs should contact their airline or travel agent in advance.
Transfers
The RTD SkyRide bus service leaves for the city centre every 15 minutes and cost between $8 and $12 one-way. Limousines and taxis are also available for hire. Airport shuttles (Commuters) provide door-to-door services to central locations. Travellers may also obtain ground transportation information at the Ground Transportation Information Counter located on Level 5 of Jeppesen Terminal, by calling (0)303 342 4059. Car rental companies are also available.
Contact
Tel: +1 303 342 2000.
Denver Holiday Deals
Climate Details (C)
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
| Min | -9 | -6 | -3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 2 | -4 | -8 |
| Max | 6. | 8 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 19 | 11 | 7 |
Travel Guides: Denver
General Information
Although it is literally a 'Mile High City', situated 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.
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.
Activities
Mount Evans, Denver
Mount Evans, with an altitude of over 14,000 feet, offers visitors truly spectacular views from its summit, as well as the opportunity to see various forms of Rocky Mountain wildlife (American Elk, mountain goats, marmots, big horn sheep) in their natural habitats. Just 65 miles (about 100km) from Denver - including an exhilarating 15 miles on 'America's highest paved road', the Mount Evans Scenic Byway - Mount Evans is perhaps the easiest way for visitors to Colorado to get an authentic 'Rocky Mountain experience'. Mount Evans also offers fishing opportunities, and hiking and bicycle trails; although it probably remains an ideal destination for a day-trip, in a car full of your nearest and dearest. Remember to pack a lunch for the summit, as the views will keep you up there for hours.
Opening Times:
Check the website for times/weather reports, as the
road will be closed in hazardous conditions. Closed through May
2012.
Admission:
$10 for 1-12 people in vehicle, valid for three
days.
Denver Mint, Denver
More US money is made in Denver than anywhere else, and visitors can take a tour of the Denver Mint to see exactly what's behind that tiny 'D' on most US coins. The Denver Mint opened in 1863, and originally melted gold dust and nuggets into bars for the Federal Reserve; today it churns out billions of coins each year. Self-guided tours through the visitors' gallery provide a birds-eye view of the coin-minting process, with signs and displays explaining how it works. The whole tour takes about an hour, and reservations are required.
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday 8am-3pm.
Admission:
Free
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.
Opening Times:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm (closes 8pm on Fridays).
Closed Mondays.
Admission:
$13 (adults), $5 (children 6-18); under 5's are free.
Student, senior and resident concessions available. Online bookings
are available.
History Colorado Center, Denver
Documenting the colourful history of Colorado and the stories of those who lived here, the History Colorado Center brings to life the history of cowboys and gunfighters, Native Americans, miners and gold panners, explorers, buffalo hunters, wagon trains and railroads. The museum is hugely innovative, blending technology with fascinating artefacts: explore an enormous map of the state with a storytelling time machine, grab a headlamp and enter a hard-rock mine, traverse the plains in a Model T, then soar off the world's first ski jump. Exhibits include portrayals of life in 19th century Denver, Buffalo Soldiers and the Mesa Verde cliff.
Opening Times:
Open 10am-5pm. (Opening April 25th,
2012)
Admission:
$7 (adults). $5 (children 6-12). Children under six
years are free. Student, children and senior concessions
available.
Boulder, Denver
A laid-back university town located roughly 25 minutes northwest of Denver, Boulder is a sophisticated and artistic city; the large population of students from Colorado University gives Boulder a lively nightlife and liberal attitude. Taking full advantage of its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is a city fanatical about outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, and skiing, and is positioning itself as a tourist hub for travelers on their way to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Denver
This popular amusement park is conveniently located in downtown Denver, offering nearly 50 rides and attractions for families in Denver. Rides range from the thrilling ten-story Twister II roller coaster to the stunning hand-carved carousel that dates back to 1925. The Island Kingdom Water Park offers relief from hot summer days, with around a dozen waterslides, raft rides, and family play areas.
Getting There:
The E and C light rail lines stop near the entrance to
Elitch Gardens.
Opening Times:
Open April to October, times vary. Check the website
for specific dates.
Admission:
$39 adults, $28 children under 48 inches
tall.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is one of those rare attractions that is as entertaining as it is educational, and as suitable for kids as it is fascinating for grown-ups. The museum draws nearly 180,000 teachers and students each year, and countless more tourists, all of whom value the unique, hands-on presentation style of the exhibitions. Boasting an IMAX theatre, Planetarium, and an assortment of high-tech, interactive 'discovery areas' (most famously, the Space Odysseyand Prehistoric Journeysections), visitors of all ages are sure to come away from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science enriched, and more enthusiastic about the world's natural treasures. The museum also houses a popular gift shop and the T-Rex Cafe.
Opening Times:
Open daily 9am-5pm (closed on Christmas
Day).
Admission:
General museum admission: $12 (adult), $8 (senior), $6
(junior/student). Certain shows/exhibitions charge extra, and may
require you to pre-book tickets on the museum's
website.
Events
National Western Stock Show
It may be the world's largest cattle show, but you are just as likely to see llamas on display and find out who is the fastest sheep-shearer if you visit the National Western Stock Show. It's Denver's most popular event that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The show, with its attendant animal displays, auctions and contests, also features a renowned rodeo.
Date:
January 2013 TBA
Venue:
National Western Complex, Humboldt Street
The Great American Beer Festival
The statistics involved in this, the world's biggest gathering of varieties of the brown brew under one roof, are mind-boggling, but all go to prove that it is worth travelling to Denver in September! More than 330 breweries are represented and there are close on 1,500 brands of beer on offer on the festival floor. The accompanying brewers' competition draws around 2,000 entries. The beer is accompanied by some great American blues and food.
Date:
11 - 12 October 2012
Venue:
Colorado Convention Center
Venue:
5:30pm to 10pm
CHUN Capitol Hill People's Fair
For more than 30 years Denver has traditionally heralded summer in fine style with a buzzing and crowded neighbourhood fair organised by Capital Hill United Neighbourhoods. Civic Center Park is transformed into a funland filled with several stages featuring continuous performances, along with hundreds of art and craft stalls and a food bazaar.
Date:
2 - 3 June 2012
Venue:
Civic Center Park
Venue:
10am to 8pm (until 7pm on Sunday - TBC)
Denver March Pow Wow
Hundreds of Native American dancers and musicians from 70 or more tribes gather at this annual event to compete and demonstrate their talents for delighted spectators, Indian and non-Indian alike. Besides the dancing and drumming, there is plenty of authentic Native American food to sample, and numerous arts and crafts stalls to browse.
Date:
23 - 25 March, 2012
Venue:
Denver Coliseum
Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede is the 'World's Largest 4th of July Rodeo and Western Celebration!,' as they emphatically claim. The festivities include a fantastic fireworks display, live music and art, and of course some crazy rodeo that attracts hundreds of thousands to share in the Independence Day celebrations.
Date:
22 June to 4 July 2012
Venue:
Greeley
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
The Colorado Dragon Boat Racing Association hosts this annual festival which features cultural demonstrations focusing on the Asian community, local hip-hop culture and of course plenty of racing in the colourful dragon boats. The sport is being heavily promoted by the association to make it a year round activity.
Date:
28 - 29 July 2012
Venue:
Sloan's Lake Park
Venue:
10am to 7pm
