Denver, Colorado

The City

In the wake of the California Gold Rush, prospectors hoped to strike their own reserve of wealth and riches in the streams of the Rocky Mountains and the South Platte River. Today citizens of Denver have riches worth far more than precious metal. They have a prosperous city inlaid in horizons of prairie fields and the mighty Rockies mountainside.

As a part of America’s pioneering history, Denver is riddled with historical elements. The Colorado Railroad Museum showcases the city’s tenacity in constructing an entirely citizen-built rail system, which connected Denver to the transcontinental railroad. Remnants of the Wild West can be found in areas like the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, allowing visitors to step into the Old Western lifestyle. Other landmarks of esteem include the world’s largest single producer of coins, the Denver Mint.

Laden with parks, trails, gardens, museums, and districts, Denver is a tributary of its citizens. Taking an active interest and pride in their city’s evolution, Denverites even approved a sales tax in 1988 that would go to maintaining Denver’s cultural and scientific facilities—a tax still implemented today. Don’t be fooled, though, for the city knows how to relax and show its citizens and visitors a good time. This is evidenced by Denver being the largest brewer of beer in the country.

Events

Mile High Holidays (November-January)

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (January)

Denver Restaurant Week (February)

Denver Day of Rock (May)

PrideFest (June)

Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July)

Denver 4th of July Weekend

Denver Labor Day Weekend (September)

Denver Beer Fest (September)

Denver Arts Week (November)

Do & See

As a city crafted among the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains and High Plains, much of Denver’s appeal resides in exploring its ethereal beauty. It possesses a rich cultural and geographical history, both of which are created via Denver's plethora of museums and natural trails. Denver offers attractions for all ages: the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, with its dinosaur exhibits, Space Odyssey, digital planetarium and IMAX theater; the Denver Performing Arts Complex, home to 10 venues offering theater, opera, symphony, ballet and Broadway touring shows; History Colorado Center, telling the stories of the past through people and places; Denver Botanic Gardens, a lush oasis in the middle of the city; the Denver Art Museum, with its acclaimed American Indian and Western art collections; and the Clyfford Still Museum, showcasing the work of this American abstract expressionist.

Learn more at: www.visittheusa.com/destination/denver

Mount Evans

Denver Zoo

Ute Indian Museum

Cherry Creek Bike Trail

Lower Downtown Denver

Denver Botanic Gardens

Children’s Museum of Denver

Invesco Field at Mile High

Molly Brown House Museum

El Pueblo History Museum

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Denver Art Museum

Washington Park

Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

Clyfford Still Museum

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Colorado State Capitol

Forney Transportation Museum

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Rocky Mountain Adventures

Dining

The city’s farm-to-table epicenter, Larimer Square buzzes with outdoor dining and a twinkling canopy of lights. Denver Union Station – the city's elegant transit hub – is a foodie destination as well. The historic building houses many restaurants and bars, including Mercantile Dining & Provision, a unique restaurant-market combination.

Learn more at: www.visittheusa.com/experience/denver-4-keys-seeing-city-foodie

Rock Bottom Brewery

Denver Chophouse

Benny's Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Vesta Dipping Grill

Aquarium Restaurant

1515 Restaurant

The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar

Washington Park Grill

Tavern Wash Park

Sushi Den

Fruition Restaurant

Tocabe

Snooze

Paramount Cafe

Linger

Avanti Food & Beverage

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

Root Down

Cafes

One simply cannot find a better setting for enjoying a good cup of coffee than Denver’s many mountainside cafes. Some cafes solely specialize in serving breakfast, so rest assured that breakfast is taken seriously at such establishments. The usuals, such as coffee and tea, are something that you can, of course, expect to find in any single one of them.

Stella's Coffee House

St. Mark's Coffee House

Dozens

Pete's University Park Cafe

Leela’s European Cafe

MUTINY Information Cafe

Huckleberry Roasters

SNOWLAB

The House of Commons

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

Backstage Coffee

Hooked on Colfax

Carbon Cafe & Bar

Lucile's Creole Cafe

Beet Box

Bars & Nightlife

Denver is a city rife with expectation of having a good time. Its nightlife delivers on the unspoken promise with its South of Colfax nightlife district, as well as the Larimer Square clubs & bars. Denver has an eclectic, even sultry mix of venues for your after-daylight adventures. They brew more beer in the Denver Metropolitan area than in any other city in the USA. The beer culture is relaxed, fun and innovative. Microbreweries take advantage of Colorado’s pure mountain water to produce over 200 different beers every day. From jazz lounges to sports bars, nighttime on the mountainside beckons.

Learn more at: www.visittheusa.com/experience/denver-urban-excitement-and-nightlife

Jazz @ Jack's

The Hi-Dive

Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar

Mercury Cafe

Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret

The Grizzly Rose

The Soiled Dove Underground

El Chapultepec

La Rumba

The Ginn Mill

Cru Wine Bar

Great Divide Brewery

Williams & Graham

Beta Nightclub

The Church

Club Vinyl

First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

Shopping

The backdrop of stupendous mountain ranges only adds to the well-maintained, well-equipped shopping centers and districts of Denver. Many are incredibly walker- and biker-friendly, making the shopping experience not only a happy one, but a healthy one as well. Try the high-end Cherry Creek Shopping District, with both indoor and outdoor options, and the 16th Street Mall, where you’ll find all of your favorite American brands. If a unique, local shopping experience is your thing, then check out the boutique shops at Larimer Square right in the heart of downtown. You’ll find a range of high-quality and distinctive local designers offering clothing, accessories, jewelry, wine, chocolate, home goods, and salon and spa services.

Learn more at: www.visittheusa.com/experience/denver-urban-excitement-and-nightlife

16th Street Mall

Cherry Creek Shopping Center

Rockmount Ranch Wear

Denver Pavilions

Northfield Stapleton

Cherry Creek North

IndyInk

Park Meadows Mall

Colorado Mills

Flatiron Crossing

Hope Tank

Twist & Shout Records

Roberta's Chocolates, Candies & Nuts

Artists on Santa Fe

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

Bags by Cab Yarn Shoppe

Regal Vintage

The Truffle Cheese Shop

Essential Information