denver

The city of mountains, Denver, Colorado, has a number of parks throughout the downtown and surrounding areas, that gives city dwellers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Rent a bicycle and hop on the Cherry Creek Trail that cuts right through the heart of downtown. Visit Confluence Park and take in the South Platte River. The expansive City Park is home to several playgrounds, picnic areas, and sporting fields, as well as the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. With no shortage of parks throughout the city, a little patch of green is never far away.

Denver is a major hub for street artists. With art hubs in the RiNo and Santa Fe Arts districts, Denver city officials continuously strive to bring more culture, music, and art to the city. Get lost within the city’s gallery streets, and wander through eye-catching examples of printed art on alleys, underpasses, and outside buildings. Stop in at the Denver Art Museums to catch one of the phenomenal temporary exhibits.

Worldwide Local Tip: If you are able to plan your trip around the first Friday of the month, this is when the “First Friday” event happens once a month. This is a time when local businesses give special promotions, live music plays, the breweries have special drinks on tap, and all the local shops support the “First Friday” arts. 

Denver houses many breweries and is home to Coors, one of the biggest beer brands in the country. This is the single largest brewing facility in the world and has been since 1873. You can tour the Coors facility, and during your tour, you will learn about the long company history and the brewing process for each of their beers. Finally, you get to enjoy a free tasting in the tasting room at the end of the tour. 

Worldwide Local Tip: You must visit Larimer Square! Take a beautiful stroll through one of Denver’s most historic areas. Since the early 19th century, back when Colorado was only famous for the gold strikes, this square was home to many of the “firsts” for Denver. Some of the “firsts” include the first bank, dry goods store, bookstore, and theater. It’s also the site of the city’s first post office! Many of the original buildings remain. This square is a great place to enjoy the crisp Denver weather and is also home to some great restaurants and shops that sell unique gifts. It’s worth taking the family to see the stores’ decorations, too.

Since Denver is known for its long history of transportation, it is worth taking a trip to Union Station. The beautiful architecture alone is worth the walk. Since 1881, this building has stood the test of time, through multiple renovations and additions over the years, including a hotel, restaurants, shopping stalls, and stores. Of course, let’s not forget the train station itself--a visit there is one of the coolest things to do in Denver. Take a walk through this beautifully restored gem where you can admire the stunning architecture from days gone by, or stop for ice cream, a meal, or some shopping. You can even play free shuffleboard while you’re out and about. The kids will love the experience!

If you are a baseball fan you have got to stop by B’s Ballpark Museum. Denver is quite a draw for baseball fans, just with the stadiums alone, but if you are a baseball fanatic you might want to plan a visit to this museum. 

Worldwide Local Tip: The Ballpark Museum has a collection that is recognized by Smithsonian Books, as being one of the top 21 finest private baseball collections in the world! 

The mastermind behind this collection is Bruce Hellerstein, who decided to display his collection of baseball memorabilia from the basement of his house. Bruce has meticulously acquired artifacts, bricks, postcards, jerseys, books, and pictures, of baseball games and players. Soon the collection grew more than his basement could hold. Now it welcomes visitors who have come to see his amazing collectables, including anything and everything from the “NY” drainage cover that Mickey Mantle tripped over in the 1951 World Series that permanently injured his leg, to an Old Yankee Stadium turnstile that has “Property of the New York Yankees” etched on its side! 

There is a blend of the Wild West and the Urban/hipster vibe happening all over this city, but it is especially prevalent in downtown. Stop in at a sports bar to cheer on the Denver Broncos. But there is so much more to the downtown of this city than that. There is music on every corner, street artists displaying their work on walkways, and architecture of both gothic classic and modern-styled buildings. The afternoon can be spent just wandering around and enjoying the sights, smells, and wonders of Denver. 

Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. It is quickly becoming a must-visit location for those looking for the perfect blend of city life and mountain oasis, right at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.