All Aboard!
Once upon a time the nation laid down the right of way inviting the world in-land and across uncharted territories. Trains carried produce, goods and people. The train stations of large cities and small one cow stops told stories about the towns. Travelers came through and mingled with folks hanging out and sharing dreams of their own.
Denver’s Union Station hearkens back to the days of old with a futuristic appeal. The tall wooden benches are surprisingly comfortable and cool. The vast tall ceiling leaves lots of room to imagine where you might want a train to take you. The old tiled destination markers click and spin as one may see in a reminiscent movie.
Walk down the cool corridors and let them take you back. Breathe in and you can feel the hectic passage ways fill up around you in memory of Victorian Bustles and Overalls, all clamoring to get into the promise of the city. Take a break on the darker benches of the hallways and let the years and the history sink in. Gaze at the photos that line the walls, look into the eyes of the pioneering travelers, pick one that mirrors your spirit and introduce yourself.
Head on back to the counters and pick a destination. From Denver’s Union Station you can go to practically any point on the map after first boarding the California Zephyr Route. Treat yourself and travel in the luxurious atmosphere of a train, where you can see the land unfold before your eyes and get up to walk around at anytime. No need to worry about the seat back in front of you ending up in your lap!
Daytrips up into the mountains are a fantastic idea as well. Hop a train up to Winter Park in the summer to hike or to take a hay ride. In the winter, ride the Ski Train to the slopes. In any season it is the perfect solution to beating traffic and giving yourself a break.
Making Union Station a destination on its own is highly recommended. Step through where the Mizpah Arch used to be, look up at the sign, browse through the main station and down the dark hallways. Lift yourself up onto the platforms and gaze down the tracks. Listen for the trains and watch them come and go. The trains and the tracks are strong enough for whatever you may dream and Union Station will hold the memory for a lifetime.
Union Station is on what feels like the bottom of downtown, yet it is actually on the northern end. 1701 Wynkoop Street at 17th Avenue. Union Station is open from 5am to 10pm seven days a week. The ticket counter and baggage check are open from 6am to 10pm seven days a week. The 16th Street Shuttle stops at Market Street Station- only two blocks away.
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POSTED IN: Attractions, Getting Around - Local Transportation, Great Places to Unwind, Great Walks, History & Information, Must-See Sights, People - Interesting Local People, Travel Tips - General Information
3 opinions for All Aboard!
Dennis
Jul 21, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Think 9yrs old again and the year is 1953. Your hair is fire engine red and you have frickles. you are full of energy and very curious but always polite to elders and strangers. You are in the back seat of a 51 ford on your way to downtown Denver for a short visit and to pick up an unknown uncle at Union Station. Just going downtown is enough to keep you happy but golly gee to see that great big building where all the trains come an go with so much commotion in the terminal; people going every which way and all you can think abiout is finding a bathroom because you are so excited. Your adventure covers most of the main floor of the terminal to no avail and you come upon an open door with stairs leading down. You think for a second if you should enter and explore, suddenly you do not have to go to the bathroom any more because there is a noise comming from the bowls of this huge building. You creep ever so slowly and light as a feather as you desend deeper and deeper into the unknown. Suddenly the stairs stop at a door that is slightly ajar and your heart is beating so fast and loud you think someone will hear you. The red hair inches its way toward the opening and gently nudges the door open a little bit further. Your eyes are closed so tight they hurt and with a tremendous rush of adrenalian you step in, opening your eyes to detect the monster that is looming in the darkness of the room to pounce on you and devour you with one bite and all you see is a really old man with an engineer’s hat and a red bandana tied neatly behind his neck and he is watching a massive miniture train set rumble through tunnels and over bridges to reach a destination that will change with every trip and you think; what a lucky guy, he has all of this to keep him happy. Quickly you realize that you have not been found out and there are no monsters getting ready to chew your head off and you remember how this sojourn began as the warm wettness embrasses your right pant leg and a small puddle forms around your right tennis shoe. You no longer have a need to find a bathroom and everyone will think you have been playing in water somewhere. Your retreat to the top of the stairs is fast because you feel your father is looking for you and the unknown uncle is ready to get in the car and head for your house, so you better get there fast. Your dad sees you first and asks where have you been and you say “looking the bathroom but I couldn’t find it”.
Visit Union Station and ask if the trains still run in the basement. You may be surprised. I was.
Denver Dad
Shawn Marie
Jul 21, 2008 at 8:39 pm
See- we told you he would have stories!
Thanks Denver Dad, that was a great one. Keep them coming.
Photo Op: Union Station
Jul 27, 2008 at 2:09 pm
[…] Union Station as shot by Flickr User […]
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