Denver

The capital city of the state of Colorado, Denver is often referred to as the “Mile High City” because of its 5,280-foot elevation above sea level, and its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. It is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the flattest cities in the country because of its location on a plateau in the Rocky Mountains. Aside from the lure of the natural scenery in the region, Denver is the economic hub of the region, and is home to a number of museums and cultural sites.

Attractions

Denver’s Art Museum has one of the largest collections of Native American artwork in the country, and is well worth a visit. The Colorado History Museum has many exhibits that detail the state’s past, featuring Indian buffalo hunts and mining in the Rocky Mountains. The Black American West Museum and Heritage Centre is located in the home of Denver’s first black female doctor, and is dedicated to those African Americans who helped develop the American West. Another museum worth visiting is Denver’s Museum of Nature and Science as it is one of the best natural history museums in the United States, and houses exhibits of fossils, minerals, and gems, as well as an IMAX cinema and the Gates Planetarium.

The US Mint in Denver is one of the country’s 3 gold depositories, and produces over 50 million coins every day. The Colorado State Capitol is a government building with a golden bell-shaped dome that has a place exactly 5280 feet above sea level.

Outside Denver, Budweiser Tours and Coors Brewery take visitors on guided tours of the brewing process before allowing them to taste free samples at the end.

For outdoors enthusiasts, Denver is well placed for exploring the Rocky Mountains. In Denver itself, the Botanical Gardens are worth a visit, set in 23 acres and housing a number of plant species native to Colorado.

Shopping

The 16th Street Mall is a tree-lined pedestrian zone that is the main shopping hub in Denver, featuring department stores and smaller shops. Other shopping centres in the city include the Cherry Creek centre and Colorado Mills.

Larimer Square is home to a number of boutique shops, and for antiques enthusiasts, South Broadway has a long strip of antique shops.

Nightlife and Eating Out

Denver has a high standard of cuisine on offer to visitors, including American as well as international. The Buckhorn Exchange lays claim to being Denver’s oldest restaurant, and is a good choice for steak, as is the Denver Chop House. For Mexican food, Casa Bonita offers live entertainment, especially for children, and Rio Grande is known for its grilled specialities. Other restaurants that are recommended include Benihana and Sonadas Sushi for Japanese cuisine, Mici for Italian food, Café Berlin for German dishes, and Bistro Vendome for French cuisine.

The city is blessed with a number of bars, pubs, and nightclubs. The Wynkoop Brewery is Denver’s oldest brewpub, and also recommended are Breckenridge Brewery and Flying Dog Brewery, which is the largest brewpub in Denver.

The Funky Buddha Lounge offers visitors a relaxed setting, while Jazz at Jack’s is thought to be the best jazz venue in Denver. For nightclubs, The Church and Vinyl are popular, the former having previously been voted the best nightclub in the United States.

Tourist Information

Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau1555 California Street,Denver80202-4262

Telephone: +1 303 892 1112Website: www.denver.org

Airport

Denver International Airport is the world’s 10th busiest airport, and is a major hub in the western United States, served by many international and domestic carriers. It is located just over 20 miles from central Denver, and is easily reached by bus or taxi.