Denver
Denver is the capital and most populous city of the U.S.
state of Colorado. Officially a consolidated city and county, it is located in the South Platte River valley on the western edge of the High Plains, and is just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains (Rockies). Denver is the 19th-most populous city in the United States and the fifth-most populous state capital, with a population of 715,522 at the 2020 census. The ten-county Denver metropolitan area, with 3.1 million residents, is the 19th-largest metropolitan area in the country and functions as the economic and cultural center of the broader Front Range Urban Corridor.
Getting to Denver
See this Colorado travel map.
- 01Denver International Airport
- 02Centennial Airport
- 03Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
- 04Denver Union Station
An extensive renovation has restored Union Station to its former glory.
Worth seeing
Denver is a vibrant city with plenty of attractions for visitors, plus a diverse collection of neighborhoods that can be attractions in themselves. Many of Denver's older areas are the perfect density for exploration; you'll find an interesting mix of apartments and homes with flowery front gardens, wide flagstone sidewalks, bright green lawns and big, shady trees.
- 01Black American West Museum & Heritage Center
Justina Ford, Colorado's first Black woman doctor, this museum is dedicated to the contributions of Black pioneers in the Old West.
- 02Center for Colorado Women's History
- 03Chamberlin Observatory
Built in 1890, this working observatory is a historic landmark and a pride of the University of Denver.
- 04Children's Museum of Denver
2121 Children's Museum Dr, fax: +1 303-433-9520, Information@mychildsmuseum.org.
- 05Colorado State Capitol
200 E Colfax Ave, capitol.tours@state.co.us.
- 06Denver Art Museum
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, capitol.tours@state.co.us.
Things to do
Late spring and early autumn are excellent seasons to do things outdoors in Denver. Besides the city's various lush green parks, there are plenty of outdoor festivals, sports, and gondola rides. (Yes, gondola rides.) In winter, the snow-peaked mountains in the distance and the crisp air on your cheeks make it the perfect time to tour Denver's famous breweries or check out the downtown arts scene.
- 01Convergence Station
- 02The Southwest Rink at Skyline Park
Skating rink in downtown Denver open from late November to mid February.
- 03Archery Games Denver
5405 W 56th Ave, Unit D, contact@archerygamesdenver.com.
- 04Elitch Gardens
A huge amusement park with rides and family entertainment.
- 05Lakeside
A throwback from Denver's past, Lakeside is an amusement park like they used to make; without all the corporate branding and commercialism.
- 06Comedy Works
1226 15th St (between Larimer and Lawrence in Larimer Square),.
Where to eat
Mexican food is abundant and satisfying and takes a local Denver flavor. Green chili is the order of the day: a brown, chunky and spicy sauce made from pork and Pueblo or Hatch green chilies that works well on everything from chorizo and eggs to tamales. Denver is also known for "western" food using ingredients such as angus beef, buffalo, rattlesnake, cutthroat trout and Rocky Mountain oysters.
- 01The Denver Central Market
- 02Illegal Pete's
A local favorite hangout with great, cheap burritos.
- 03Olive & Finch
1701 Wynkoop St (In Union Station, just north of the main entrance),.
- 04Zoe Ma Ma
1625 Wynkoop St.
- 05Sam's No
Just a block off the 16th Street Mall and across the street from the Denver Center of Performing Arts Complex, this family-owned restaurant has been feeding Denver and its visitors since 1927.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.