Mile High Fun in Denver
Talk about easy. We boarded our plane and just two hours later were standing in the mile-high city of Denver, surrounded by mountains. The sun was shining, as it does 300 days a year. We were excited to explore this great city and see all that it has to offer.
We headed to the 16th Street Mall. This mile-long, pedestrian promenade is filled with restaurants, outdoor cafes and shops. We also checked out the trendy warehouse district of LoDo and charming Larimer Square. Everywhere we went, day or night, people were sitting outside, enjoying a meal or sipping on a local brew.
Denver is filled with parks and bike trails. We took advantage of the city's expansive bike share program. We spent a morning riding along the river and enjoyed a stop at Confluence Park, where kayakers and tubers were trying their luck on the rapids. Adjacent to the park is the Denver flagship REI store.
Denver is home to many cultural attractions, such as the Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Nature & Science, and the Denver Zoo. A highlight for us was the Denver Botanic Gardens. We were fortunate to see the Chihuly traveling outdoor exhibit while we were there. Beautiful Chihuly glass sculptures were spread throughout the grounds and glowed in the evening sky.
The proximity to the mountains is what draws many to Denver. Rocky Mountain National Park is just 65 miles away and we enjoyed a great day of hiking along mountain streams and raging waterfalls. Popular ski resorts such as Breckenridge and Vail are just a few hours away. We spent a couple of days in the cute little town of Aspen.
There are endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, such as white-water rafting, horseback riding, hiking and skiing. For the music lover, there is the Red Rock Amphitheatre, built into the rocks, about 30 minutes away. In Denver, there is truly something for everyone!
By: Linda Tollefson - Bursch Travel - Northfield office