From the airport, the wild blue horse sculpture greets you as you head to the Mile High City. Once downtown, there’s the big blue bear peering into the Convention Center. Denver is a launchpad between buzzing urban culture and mountain adventures. Take a day trip to Boulder or the Garden of the Gods. As the gateway to the Rockies, there are epic hikes and snowshoeing in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. World class skiing is available a couple hours away in Breckenridge and Vail. Denver is also a great home base for climbing many of Colorado’s 53 fourteeners.

MUST SEES

Red Rocks

Red sandstone formations surround this spectacular concert stage. The combo of monolithic scenery and perfect acoustics is the best place to see the stars. Most mornings, runners can climb 69 rows of seating and about 145 steps from stage to top.

Confluence Park

Settlers gravitated to Cherry Creek and South Platte River. Explore this ultimate urban park by bike or on foot. Test your paddling skills on a 100-yard whitewater run. No wonder REI’s flagship store is at the river’s edge.

RiNo Art District

At the River North neighborhood, every building has a wall mural. They painted every drain pipe, hydrant, and fence. On Larimer Street, there are community gardens. Former industrial brick buildings are now exciting restaurants and bars.

Millennium Bridge

The pedestrian bridge connects 16th Street with LoDo. Tall white towers resemble a ship’s mast. Nearby Commons Park sits above the river and seems manicured and wild at the same time. People gravitate to its circular green hill.

16th Street

The mile-long pedestrian promenade is the heart of downtown. 16th Street has dozens of restaurants, bars, and street vendors. If you walk to the end of the 16th Street pedestrian area, you will eventually reach the South Platte River.

Capitol Building

At the far opposite Southeastern end, the Capitol’s golden domed building sits on another hill. Below the capitol at night is a large homeless encampment.

Denver Art Museum

Daniel Libeskind designed the sharp angles of the Hamilton Building to resemble the geometry of the Rockies. Inside DAM, you’ll find a bit of everything. Its real strength is its collection of indigenous art.

FOOD

Denver Biscuit Company

Even at high altitude, the biscuits stay soft and fluffy. They anchor a lineup of inventive, boldly filled sandwiches. The Franklin leads the charge with fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, and creamy sausage gravy.

El Taco de México

Don’t judge a book by its cover. Get the chile relleno burrito. Denver’s green chili is the move. Ask to smother it on top. The chili packs pork, peppers, broth, garlic, and spices; not spicy, just big on flavor.

Dio Mio

Experimental dishes showcase handmade pasta shapes and ingredients like rich duck confit. Creative plates lean on local produce such as sweet Olathe corn from Colorado’s Western Slope or Jimmy Nardellos peppers.

Maria Empanada

The Argentine empanadas are superb and displayed behind a large glass counter. Popular fillings include ground Angus beef, red bell peppers, green onions, and green olives. The crust is soft and flaky. Dip them in chimichurri sauce.

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