Here’s my list of a dozen enjoyable, relaxing, and fun things to do in the Mile High City: 

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Visit Larimer Square (1400 Larimer Street) to see Civil War-era buildings revitalized into a historical downtown shopping area, restaurant district, and entertainment center.
4. Make a mint, or at least watch the process of coins being made, at the U.S Mint (320 West Colfax).
5. 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).
6. 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).
7. Commune with nature at the Denver Botanic Gardens (1005 York Street), as you discover and appreciate the flora of the Rocky Mountain State.
8. 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).
9. Kid around with mountain goats and other creatures at the Denver Zoo (2300 Steele Street, located in City Park.
10. 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.
11. (Visit some real sharks at the Downtown Aquarium (700 Water Street in Qwest Park).
12. 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! 

Photo credit:  Denver Art Museum; City Park

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

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!

[photo-Flickr]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

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.

Fiddler’s Green is located at 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd in Englewood, CO. Tickets for the event are $35 for reserved seating, $15 for general admission and can be purchased online. Doors open at 1 pm, the show starts at 3:30pm.

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

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!

[Photos- SXC 1 2 ]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Mark your calendars for the next three Thursdays and head on over to Denver Pavilions. The Hot Sounds Concert Series is presented to benefit LoDoNa and Urban Peak.

July 24th-
5pm Terry Black Band
7pm Dotsero

July 31st-
5pm Message in a Bottle
7pm Under a Blood Red Sky

August 7th-
5pm Homeslice
7pm Opie Gone Bad

Denver Pavilions is located at 500 16th Street – Between Welton Street and Glenarm Place

[photo - SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

I am a Colorado Native. I was born in Denver. I am a red head with fair skin. I share this information with you so that you will understand the severity of our suggestion for this week’s Traveler’s Tip…

Wear White!

I love the feel of the sun, yet learned early on that I lived too close to it, to abandon attention to my attire. I suffered blisters on my shoulders from running around the little league fields of my early childhood before my New England mom discovered the benefits of the white t-shirt for her burned to a crisp little girl. Since then, when the sun is in the sky- which is over 300 days a year in Colorado – I wear some sort of a white cover.

This is especially important in the water. So, if you are planning on cooling off in an outdoor pool or at a water park while visiting or surviving the summer in Denver please wear your sunscreen and if you are still feeling a burn- put on a white shirt. Do not worry about it not looking hip or fashionable, you will thank us when you can wear your tube top or a-line shirt at night without being red, shiny, burnt and/or blistered.

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Red Rocks reputation is solid in its splendor and lore. U2 recorded Under a Blood Red Sky Red Rocks. The Dave Matthews Band recorded Live at Red Rocks there as well. Red Rocks is also the first concert venue that The Beatles did not sell out! In my youth I saw Depeche Mode and Howard Jones at Red Rocks. In my sappy early thirties, I spent a night on the Rocks with my great friend Janelle and the late Dan Fogelberg who was one of the 10 initial inductees into the Red Rocks Hall of Fame.

Colorado translates to the color red and there is no misunderstanding of our state’s name when you see Red Rocks. Plan a picnic, wear a hat and walk through the park- it is beautiful. If there is no concert scheduled you can walk through the amphitheatre as well! Be careful and bring lots of water as you will be in the foothills which means thinner air and higher altitude. Climbing the stairs from the bottom of the concert venue to the top is a feat for the healthiest among us, so take your time and take lots of breaks to see every inch along the way. If you get a chance to see a concert or a film at Red Rocks, you will regret it if you pass up the opportunity. It is an experience that memories aspire to be.

This past weekend, 28 of Red Rocks original redwood benches were auctioned off to the highest, and no doubt sentimental, bidders. The Benches have been in the natural amphitheatre since it was constructed and the weather has finally gotten to them. Now 28 bidders claim them as their own slice of history. How nice to lay down upon one of these benches whenever you want. I would close my eyes and press my ear into the wood and relive concert after concert.

It is no wonder that Red Rocks was originally known as The Garden of Angels. It is a magical place that could possibly move an atheist to pray. Get yourself up there and breathe in the majestic site of Red Rocks.

[Photos- SXC 1 2]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Soundwalk is an art installation by Jim Green and was set into the northwest sidewalk of Curtis Street in 1992. If you can plan a walk down this block every day you are in town, we highly suggest it- for the sounds change and you never know what you might get to experience. When I first indulged in the pleasure of Soundwalk I was delighted to hear elephants roar and Tap Dogs tapping! When I took Alicia to Soundwalk we heard a train speed under us in succession as we passed over the grates.

The six grates produce 40 to 100 different sounds an hour from a tape recorder in a nearby building. Though I like to believe it is magic! Whether you like the wizardry of sound unveiled or prefer to remain whimsical like me- Soundwalk is a Must Hear! If you get a chance to take this walk and are intrigued by the innovative work of Denver Artist Jim Green, take a side trip to the DAM, Denver Art Museum, to witness Mr. Green’s Singing Sinks or head over to the Convention Center for his Laughing Escalator.

[Photos - SXC 1 2]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

The Cow Parade was in Denver the very first time I visited this awesome city. This particular cow was shot by Flickr user GISuser.

I saw a cow painted in Broncos colors, and another one in the park! After the cows were “rounded up”, they were all auctioned off for charity. I’m pretty lucky, because I also saw the Cow Parade when it came through Las Vegas, where I’m from.

[photo - Flickr]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Right on the edge of town, where Speer Blvd crosses Colfax Avenue is a diner befittingly named, The Denver Diner. It sits across the street from the downtown Fire Station and above Cherry Creek which runs just below street level along Speer Blvd. A good sized neon sign alerts you to its presence and the four sided wall to wall windows allow you to see the heartbeat of action inside.

The Denver Diner is open 24 hours a day, this fact alone makes it quite a commodity in the Mile High City. There are old school vinyl booths and steel topped tables – all with a view to the street outside so you can watch the city wander by. The coffee is always ready and there is pie for dessert- even if the only meal you had planned was dessert.

As Diners go, the menu is pretty good and varied enough to offer something for everyone. Whether you are in need of a traditional breakfast, a quick business lunch, a fun dinner before you head home or an after show munchies attack- the menu will not let you down. Alicia and I went the other night and she had the catfish which came with jalapeno hush puppies. I could have made a meal of those hush puppies alone. When you are in the mood for a diner, to feel a slice of home or to prolong a great day, the Denver Diner will not let you down. The service is excellent, with friendly and attentive staff to help you find exactly what it is you are looking for. Try the Rocky Mountain Trout, or the delicious array of pies, or the Lemon Herbed chicken. I can’t vouch for fish or the chicken as a vegetarian, but Alicia says they are delicious! I can tell you that the green beans are just like Mom used to make at home, and that’s something!

Located on the south east corner of Speer and Colfax with a good sized parking lot and hours you cannot beat- 24/7. The Denver Diner has what you need.

740 West Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
303-825-5443

[All Photos-©2008 Alicia T.]

Post from: The Denver Traveler