Denver
Why are you rushing? Sure, there’s lots to do here, but this isn’t New York, it’s Denver. There are some museums, but there are more parks (about 200). There is a symphony, but there are more brewpubs (15 at last count). There are shopping centers, but there are more bike trails (about 85 miles’ worth.) Everything in Denver, even the mile-high altitude, is designed to make you slow down, relax, and enjoy this laid-back western city.
Activities and Attractions:
Denver is one of America’s great outdoor cities. The Rocky Mountains, with all their skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, rock-climbing, and hiking, are an easy day trip away. The city is criss-crossed with bike trails, there’s golfing in all but the dead of winter, and you can even fish within the metro area at Chatfield State Park.
With all that exercise, you don’t need to feel guilty about indulging yourself at dinnertime. Try any of the increasing numbers of upscale eateries in the LoDo (Lower Downtown) or Uptown neighborhoods. If it weren’t for a few telltale menu items—bison, boar, and venison pop up a lot—you’d swear you were in L.A.
Another big-city pleasure found in Denver is shopping. Explore LoDo by day—the beautifully restored Victorian neighborhood is full of galleries and one-of-a-kind boutiques. (And if shopping isn’t your thing, there’s always nearby Coors Field, home of MLB’s Colorado Rockies.)
One way you can work off all the buffalo burgers you’re sure to consume is by exploring the city’s sights. There’s a zoo, a working U.S. mint, museums devoted to aerospace, butterflies, and firefighting (oh, and art, too); the Unsinkable Molly Brown’s former residence; and the Colorado State Capitol building, with a geographical survey plug marking the 5,280-foot-high 13th step.
Insider Tip:
When packing, don’t bother with the Everest expedition gear. Denver winters are milder than you might imagine—and the sun shines 300 days a year.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
 |
|