How to Visit Denver

Denver’s combination of city amenities and nearby outdoor wonders makes it an ideal vacation destination in the United States. The wealth of inexpensive hotels and activities add to its appeal, particularly for families who want a variety of things to do.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Getting to and around Denver

1. Book your hotel or other accommodations. If you are staying in the area for several days, you might consider staying at a couple of locations to experience different parts of Denver. Downtown hotels are within easy walking distance to restaurants, shopping and activities. People hoping to spend some time in the mountains might wish to stay a night or two in one of the many lodges and resorts. For a unique experience, try camping or stay at a dude ranch.

2. Drive to Denver or make it a stop on your cross-country journey. Denver is less than eight hours from Salt Lake City, Utah, and less than nine hours from Kansas City, Mo.

3. Fly to Denver International Airport. Most major airlines fly into DIA, and it’s the fourth busiest airport in the U.S. The wealth of flight options makes getting to Denver easy and inexpensive.

4. Rent a car. Although it’s possible to get around by bus and shuttle, you’ll probably want to rent a car, especially if you’d like to explore the mountains outside the city. DIA is about 40 miles from downtown Denver.

5. Buy a map, or ask for one when you pick up your rental car. Alternatively, print out maps to the places you want to go before you leave home. Though Denver is fairly easy to navigate, it helps to have directions.

In the city

6. Go to a game. Denver is home to the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche. You can also take in a game of professional soccer, lacrosse or arena football.

7. Shop at the 16th Street Mall. This downtown promenade offers many shopping and dining options. Plus there’s a convenient free tram.

8. Take your kids to the 75-acre zoo, or try Elitch Gardens amusement park. Both are easy to get to in downtown Denver. Denver also has an aquarium, which is a fun attraction for a land-based city.

9. Enrich your mind at the Denver Art Museum, stroll through the Denver Botanical Gardens or watch a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

10. Attend a concert at the Pepsi Center or the nearby Red Rocks outdoor amphitheatre. You could also visit one of the many annual events, such as the National Western Stock Show.

Outdoor fun

11. Ski or snowboard at more than a dozen ski areas easily accessible from Denver.

12. Hike or bike in the nearby Cherry Creek State Park, Bear Creek Lake Park or several other nearby wilderness areas. For even more time in the great outdoors, take a day or overnight trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is an easy 1 ½ hour drive from the city. Be sure to bring binoculars to see some spectacular wildlife.

13. Golf at one of the state’s most popular courses, as listed by golflink.com (see resources).

14. Fish or hunt, but make sure to follow state regulations (see resources).

15. Take a whitewater rafting tour for a unique adventure experience the whole family will love. There are many wonderful guides in the Denver area, including Wilderness Aware (see Resources), that will keep you safe.

Resources

• Colorado Department of Wildlife
• Denver tourism site
• Colorado tourism site

[stevemar2]

on 7/17/2009 Denver sounds like a fun city to visit. I want to see sporting events there. Invesco Field at Mile High, Coors Field and the Pepsi Center seem like great places to watch a game.