City profile: Denver

r Colorado’s capital is a mile in front

Globe hopping City profile / 27

Now served by double-daily United flights from London, Denver, which combines flavours of the Old West with cultural and sporting attractions, is poised to be a ‘must do’ USA city break destination, says Steve Hartridge

Colorado’s capital is the gateway to the Rockies – with its hiking, mountain biking, rafting and other adventure options in the summer and ski resorts in the winter – and is now the start or end point for Rocky Mountaineer’s new Rockies to Red Rocks train route, but the city has plenty to tempt visitors to stay awhile.

And with United starting a double-daily service to the city from London-Heathrow to Denver International – the USA’s third busiest airport – on May 7, Denver is more accessible from the UK than ever.

Here are five must-do Denver experiences:

See baseball at Coors Field

Between April and October, U.S. baseball teams play 81 ‘regular season’ home games so the chances of being in town when the local Rockies have a match are good.

Depending on the opponents, ticket prices can be as low as $5, although a pint of the state-brewed Coors beer and some must-have nachos, cheese and jalapeños cost around $17. The impressive stadium, where it is said home runs are easier to hit due to the mile-high altitude, is just a fiveminute stroll from Union Station. mlb.com/rockie

DeNveR IS A cITy Of STReeT ART, wITH mANy ImPReSSIve mURAlS UNION STATION IS BOTH A TRANSPORT HUB AND A POPUlAR eNTeRTAINmeNT SPOT fOR lOcAlS AND vISITORS

Union Station

Know locally as ‘Denver’s Living Room’, the city’s train hub is an attraction in itself.

The original building was completed in 1881 but the Beaux Arts/Renaissance-site of today opened in 2014. It has several places to eat, drink and shop and also hosts occasional summer events that include concerts. Located above the Great Hall is the Crawford Hotel, an elegant hotel whose rooms are inspired by three different periods of Union Station’s history. Unionstationdenver.com

Take a street art tour

Denver has a thriving ‘street art’ scene with alleyways, warehouses, storefronts and even the back of hotels brightened by vibrant murals and spray and stencil paintings. Most of the impressive works are found in the River North (RiNo) district. Walking tours that explain the art (most are making political or social comments) are offered by Denver Graffiti Tour. denvergraffititour.com.

Denver Central Market (DCM)

Located in the artsy-industrial RiNo neighbourhood, DCM is one of the city’s coolest places to hang out. The gourmet marketplace and food hall features 11 curated vendors selling everything from sushi and seafood tacos to superfood salad boxes to designer chocolates. Curio shakes up some of the best cocktails in the city. As Colorado borders New Mexico, which borders Mexico, why not try one of the hand-crafted margaritas? denvercentralmarket.com

Visit a Craft Brewery

One of the U.S.’s ‘craft brew capitals’, there are more than 100 breweries, brewpubs and taprooms in the Denver area, with several located on the two parallel streets that lead to Coors Field or in the RiNo district. The city also hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival (October 6-8, 2022), one of the biggest festivals of its kind. greatamericanbeerfestival.com; denver.org •