This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe
Here’s my list of a dozen enjoyable, relaxing, and fun things to do in the Mile High City:
Visit the Denver Art Museum (south end of the Civic Center on 14th Avenue Parkway). Its facade of glass tiles makes the building itself a work of art (in photo above).
Visit Colorado’s State Capitol building (between East 14th and East Colfax). Go up the steps at the west entrance, and stand on the 13th step. You’ll be one mile above sea level – enjoying the Mile High City.
Visit Larimer Square (1400 Larimer Street) to see Civil War-era buildings revitalized into a historical downtown shopping area, restaurant district, and entertainment center.
Make a mint, or at least watch the process of coins being made, at the U.S Mint (320 West Colfax).
Take a stroll through the Museum of Outdoor Arts in the Englewood Civic Center. Over 100 pieces of art are on display throughout the Civic Center and the Greenwood Plaza Business Park. Maps can be picked up at the museum’s indoor gallery on floor two of the Civic Center (1000 Englewood Parkway, Suite 2-230).
Go to back to college with a visit to one of several campuses, including the University of Denver (2199 South University Boulevard) and a branch of the University of Colorado Denver (downtown at Speer Boulevard and Auraria Parkway).
Commune with nature at the Denver Botanic Gardens (1005 York Street), as you discover and appreciate the flora of the Rocky Mountain State.
Relax in City Park in photo right), enjoying Duck Lake as well as the gardens, fountains and monuments in the park (between 17th and 23rd Avenue and York Street and Colorado Boulevard).
Kid around with mountain goats and other creatures at the Denver Zoo (2300 Steele Street, located in City Park.
Celebrate the American spirit with a visit to the home of the political activist, the“Unsinkable” Molly Brown, now the Molly Brown House Museum (1340 Pennsylvania Street). This item is my only nod to the politics of the week.
(Visit some real sharks at the Downtown Aquarium (700 Water Street in Qwest Park).
Pretend you are in Venice, with a gondola-style boat ride on the South Platte River. Boats leave from Larimer Street, between 14th Street and Speer Boulevard.
Please add you favorite Denver escape to the list!
This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe
About ten minutes east of downtown Denver are 23 acres of gardens and plants that will make you feel like your much further away from the concrete of the city. The Denver Botanic Gardens (1005 York Street, Denver) contain 45 gardens and over 32,000 plants. (I discovered the York Street gardens while on a shopping expedition; they are very near the Cherry Creek Mall.)
The gardens represent a wide range of gardening styles and plant collections, covering diverse parts of the world. It’s an interesting blend or culture with flora and fauna. And, because this is the mile high city, there’s some focus on high altitude climate and how that can impact a garden.
While it’s hard to believe that a botanical garden can be even “greener," Denver seems to have done it with the city’s first green roof. It’s a real-life example of how green roofs can be used for individual building owners, and for larger communities, in creating an eco-friendly urban environment. Green roofs provide habitat for a variety of creatures, and help reduce pollution and decrease noise. They’re economically friendly too, as green roofs help reduce heating and cooling costs as well as help extend the life of the roof.
The Denver Botanic Gardens are open year round. Summer hours are Saturday – Tuesday, 9 am - 8 pm; Wednesday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. The rest of the year the gardens are open 9 am – 5 pm daily.
Admission is $10.50 for adults; $7.50 for seniors (65+) and military; $6 for youth (4-15) and students; and FREE for children 3 and under.
There are also three satellite locations, each offering a distinct experience:
While it’s tempting to think of the gardens as a summer destination, each seasons brings a new experience. So go back often! It will be a new experience every time.
When your time is up, your time is up. And it has come to pass that The Denver Traveler’s time is up. This is the last post for The Denver Traveler and it is with mixed emotions that we post it. Alicia and I have been so glad to have this time with all of you. We hope you found some topics helpful and others interesting. We did our best to bring you the best of Denver and the truth about traveling through, staying for a bit, or settling down in our town.
Denver may not be a major metropolis or a hot vacation spot, but it has us and charms unique and universal. Its standard of living is good, its economic overview is fair, and it is not a bad place to raise your kids. The sun shines over 300 days a year and the snow melts almost as fast as it falls. There are sports and arts and a tremendous amount of outdoor activities, no matter the weather.
Thank you so much for stopping by during your web surfing adventures. It has been our pleasure to hear from you and meet some of our fellow bloggers. If you feel a void in your daily reading without The Denver Traveler- why not stop by Sirened, The Las Vegas Adventurer, The Hawaii Traveler or The Geeky Traveller, and be sure to tell them we sent you.
Alicia and I may be found in cyber land as well at: TheBlackFrame.com the best stop for great photography! Anklevine.com a whimsical spot with a little bit of everything!
Don’t be strangers, there is plenty of room for everyone in The Mile High City and on The World Wide Web.
Want a place that makes you feel at home? Need a spot where they’d scream your name in greeting if they knew it? Tired of going out late to find no grill open?
Shelby’s is the place for you! Shelby’s Bar and Grill- where the locals have been gathering since 1906. Located at 18th and Glenarm, Shelby’s is the last free standing bar in Denver. The building started as a private home and even did a stint as a mortuary! Now, however, it is an unassuming and delightful treat of an establishment. Dark green booths and wooden tables, a small back room with books lining the walls with publication dates that ring back to the 1880’s. Drink specials and a menu that has something for everyone, whether you are craving bar food or something more substantial. The drinks are the tried and true kind, nothing frue frue or blended, but something that will pack a punch and make you say, “Cheers!” with abandon.
Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00am to 2:00am.
Shelby’s also hosts two separate Happy Hours:
4:00pm to 6:30pm
11:00pm to 1:00am
Here at The Denver Traveler we have hinted at this a few times, but it is time to get serious about it.
Altitude Sickness
It is no joke. As Denver is situated at 5,280 feet above sea level- many who visit, or have just relocated here, certainly feel the affects of this High Altitude and often get sick. The cause of Altitude Sickness is the thinner air at higher altitudes does not give you the amount of oxygen you need. When this happens it can affect your lungs and brains.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness include:
Headaches
Lack of Appetite
Feeling Weak and Lazy
Sick to your Stomach
Vomiting
Not being able to sleep
Feeling Dizzy
When visiting Denver- if you suddenly feel hung over but haven’t had a drop of liquor, take care and slow down. Drink plenty of water- do not indulge in libations, eat smaller meals, take an over the counter headache medicine and get plenty of rest. If the symptoms subside, and this can take several hours to a few days, gently go places that have higher altitude. If you feel any symptoms come on again, get to a lower altitude and take care of yourself. If they are persistent- go see a Doctor.
A good plan when coming to Denver is to drive or take a train- flying sometimes exacerbates altitude sickness- and to take it easy the first few days you are here. Ease into higher altitudes slowly and with care.
Once upon a time in 1864 there was a new department store called Daniels and Fisher. In 1910 to add to its charm a Tower was erected to resemble a bell tower in Venice. Perhaps this is not what one expects to see in the middle of Downtown Denver, yet it is this weeks Must See!
As part of the Daniels and Fisher department store, the D & F tower became the tallest structure in Denver. You may have heard or have a memory of May D & F, this is because in 1957 the May Company bought Daniels and Fisher department store and merged their names. The tower remained intact and held the honor of the tallest building in Denver until that same year when it was succeeded by a building at 621 17th Street. In 1971, the remaining building from the original Daniels & Fisher department store was demolished. The tower was saved from the wrecking ball and was turned into lofts and offices.
The D & F Tower is situated comfortably on the 16th Street Mall at the cross street of Arapahoe. It has maintained its old world charm and it is most definitely a highlight in the skyline of Denver. There are four clocks atop the tower, one on each side, and a nostalgic steeple points to the clouds.
Many businesses have taken up residence in the tower over the years. Currently the most exciting new tenant is in the basement: Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret! Established by local Denver celebrity, Lannie Garret, The Clocktower Cabaret adds swing and pizzazz to an evening any night of the week.
Day or Night- The Daniels and Fisher Tower is a sight to be seen!
If you haven’t heard already, today is 93.3’s Big Gig music festival out at Fiddler’s Green. What’s the Big Gig you might ask? Well, if you’ve ever been to Lollapalooza, the Warped Tour, or Ozzfest, you have a general idea of what to expect. An outdoor, all day concert featuring both big name groups and a bunch of super talented locals from right here in Colorado. On the ticket to perform is The Offspring, Paramore, the Dropkick Murphys, the Spill Canvas, Dropping Daylight, Skyfox, and Denver’s own The Flobots. Appearing on the Local’s Only stage are Life In Electric, The Heyday, Rough Draft, For Love of Ivy, and Saving Verona. The Local’s Only Stage performers were chosen by 93.3 listeners. The Flobots were the Big Mystery Band for the gig and were revealed just days ago on the morning show at 93.3 with Goodman. To say people were excited would be a serious understatement, as the Flobots have exploded onto the scene in the last few months since the nationwide release of Fight with Tools.
Rollercoaster aficionados are well versed in The Cyclone of Coney Island, New York. It is a legend among roller coasters and a landmark for the state of New York. It is perhaps the roller coaster that set the standards for all other roller coasters to live up to.
Have no fear, if you are visiting Denver from the east, or have always longed to see the Cyclone up close and personal- we have one here.
Lakeside Amusement Park is the proud home of The Cyclone roller coaster- built in the honor of the original in New York. It is tall, intimidating, and- true to form- wooden. There are people who travel the world over to ride on wooden roller coasters and in all of these groups Lakeside’s Cyclone is on the list. I have ridden both of these roller coasters and they are indeed worth the thrill. Lakeside’s Cyclone was an experience from my youth and I remember being quite taken a back by its rickety-ness and very obvious weathered wood. It was just a few years ago that I rode Coney Island’s Cyclone and I was so scared I couldn’t scream.
Go for it thrill seekers, why not let the western version of the Cyclone take you away.
Lakeside Amusement Park is located at 4601 Sheridan Boulevard , just off of I-70 and Sheridan. You can’t miss it! They can be reached by telephone at 303-477-1621, and are open every weekday at 6pm, with all major rides operating by 7 and by noon on weekends. The Kiddie Playland opens at 1 pm every day, so bring the little ones along! It’s just 2.50 per person to get inside!
Whether you are a veteran traveler looking for tips to make your life on the road easier, are dreaming of a far away vacation to get away from it all, or somewhere in between, the writers in the Travel & Culture Channel have information and ideas that will capture your heart, mind, and soul
Here’s my list of a dozen enjoyable, relaxing, and fun things to do in the Mile High City: 
Relax in City Park in photo right), enjoying Duck Lake as well as the gardens, fountains and monuments in the park (between 17th and 23rd Avenue and York Street and Colorado Boulevard). 
About ten minutes east of downtown Denver are 23 acres of gardens and plants that will make you feel like your much further away from the concrete of the city. The 
It is no joke. As Denver is situated at 5,280 feet above sea level- many who visit, or have just relocated here, certainly feel the affects of this High Altitude and often get sick. 
Rollercoaster aficionados are well versed in 
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