Located just east of the Rocky Mountains, Denver in Colorado boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, that’s more blue sky than Miami Beach!
Known as The Mile High City, a common misconception is that the city is located in the mountains. In fact it is located in a valley, fringed by 140 miles of mountain panorama, allowing for plenty of outdoor adventure.
Home to a rich indigenous history and thriving arts and culture scene, Denver prides itself on its many museums, art districts, diverse neighbourhoods and live music venues – a concert at the iconic Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a must, as is the Denver March Powwow, an American Indian Festival that gathers nearly 100 tribes over three days. Denver has a long brewing history and today offers visitors the choice of 150 brewpubs, breweries and taprooms in the metro area, one of which is the Blue Moon Brewing Company.
In winter, keen skiers will find themselves in the world’s largest après ski town, ideal for acclimatising before heading to the higher ski slopes of Colorado. The Winter Park Express Ski Train takes snow lovers straight to the heart of the action.
One of Denver’s top qualities is its walkable downtown, featuring three professional sports stadiums showing American football, hockey, baseball and basketball games, the country’s second largest performing arts complex and an assortment of museums and galleries, all within a one-mile radius. Take advantage of some of Denver’s top attractions with one of two passes: The three-day Mile High Culture Pass includes Denver’s top art and cultural museums, while the Denver CityPASS gives you access to Denver’s most popular attractions for seven days.
Visitors can amble along The 16th Street Mall, a mile-long tree-lined pedestrian promenade that cuts through the centre of downtown. Free electric shuttle buses travel up and down the mall, stopping on every corner, making it easy to get around.
Denver has emerged as one of the top dining destinations in the United States, home to multiple award-winning chefs. Plenty of eateries focus on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, while food halls and markets offer tasty treats and fresh produce.
For shopaholics there’s a variety of options Downtown, high end shopping at Cherry Creek and Cherry Creek North, the Colorado Mills indoor outlet, the Denver Premium Outlets and more.
Denver is ideally located as a base for day trips. There are 200 plus natural and historic parks within its city limits alone. Many of these are connected by a 85-mile network of paved bike trails. The nearby Rocky Mountains foothills covers an area almost the size of Manhattan. The Rocky Mountain National Park is ideal for active endeavours such as snowshoeing, hiking, biking, rafting, fishing, rock climbing and wildlife viewing. For families, Bear Lake Loop is a flat, half-mile interpretive nature trail that circles Bear Lake, offering the chance to see deer and views of Hallett Peak.
Morrison, just 25 minutes away, is the home of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is also ideal for a day trip. Marvel at Dinosaur Ridge which features Jurassic dinosaur bones, such as Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus, and Cretaceous dinosaur footprints, embedded into the rocks. Grab a guidebook for self-guided tours. This can be followed up with an authentic frontier meal at The Fort in Morrison, a full-size replica of a fur trading out-post, serving buffalo, elk and even rattlesnake.
Clients looking to venture further have the option of a two-day Rocky Mountaineer Rockies To The Red Rocks luxury train journey, travelling from Denver to Moab, with a stop in Glenwood Springs.
Alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garages and shopfronts all serve as canvases for local street artists. In particular, River North Art District (RiNo) embraces its industrial past with revitalised historic warehouses and factories with vibrant artwork.
Year-round events include the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in the summer, an annual community tradition for over three decades. Visitors flock to this affluent residential district to enjoy the nation’s top visual artists, curated exhibits, performances and culinary arts, suitable for the entire family.
Boasting more than 100 craft breweries, brewpubs and taprooms in the metro area, Denver is synonymous with beer and brewing. Its craft beverage scene also includes distilleries, urban wineries, and even a traditional-style sake brewer. Denver is one of the top beer cities in the country and home to the Great American Beer Festival. Explore the digital Denver Beer Trail, featuring must-try local breweries across the city.
The iconic Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, surrounded by towering sandstone monoliths, is a must-see. Check out the visitor’s centre, the Red Rocks Hall of Fame and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame to learn more about the artists who have played here.
