2021-12-03 12:01:55
Denver’s airport-to-downtown rail line makes it easy to explore the city without a car: Fly into DIA, hop the train to Union Station, then explore downtown by foot, the free 16th Street MallRide, pedicabs and several bike- and scooter-share programs. Morning First, tour the beautifully restored Union Station, a destination unto itself and a gathering place with shops and places to grab a bite. Next, grab a bike to explore the city’s 850 miles of paved and off-road trails. Grab a cup of coffee in Larimer Square, in the heart of LoDo (short for “Lower Downtown”), and make your way to the History Colorado Center. Check out the Black in Denver and Borderlands of Southern Colorado exhibits. Afternoon Seek out one of Denver’s Certified Colorado Creative Districts, the Golden Triangle (see p. 44 for the others). Steps from History Colorado Center, it’s also home to the Denver Public Library, Denver Art Museum and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art. Next stop: Cherry Creek, the region’s largest shopping district, including Cherry Creek North’s wide array of onlyin- Denver shops. Evening In the spring and summer it’s the Colorado Rockies and the Colorado Rapids; September to January, the Denver Broncos; and from October to June, the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche. The only thing that brings out more Denver passion than sports is beer. Sample some along the Denver Beer Trail and at faves like Raíces, Great Divide and Novel Strand. Or tap into the growing craft distillery scene; stop in for a taste at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Leopold Bros., Ironton or Archetype. For crafty cocktails on the down-low, check out the Green Russell, Retrograde, B&G and Millers & Rossi speakeasies. And the evening is the perfect time to explore Denver’s distinct neighborhoods. Each one has pockets of street art that make for a fun scavenger hunt. Go to denver.org for more. Stay & Play Options Aurora (page 179), Arvada, Brighton, Castle Rock (page 180), Centennial, Commerce City, Denver (page 181), Englewood, Evergreen (page 183), Federal Heights, Glendale, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton (page 185), Morrison (page 185), Parker, Roxborough, Sedalia (page 186), Thornton, Wheat Ridge HOP ON DENVER FREE WALKING TOURS, OR CHECK OUT THE TOURS AT THE STATE CAPITOL, RED ROCKS AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN ARSENAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. PICK UP A MULTI-ATTRACTION CITYPASS. HOP ABOARD THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRAIN FROM DENVER TO GLENWOOD SPRINGS AND MOAB WITH LUXE DINING AND MORE AS YOU TAKE IN THE SIGHTS.
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