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:

• Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
• Mount Goliath
• Centennial Gardens

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.

Photo credit:  flickr

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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

If you are visiting our fine town you may not even notice the traffic as you can meander during the off peak times when the roads are clear and manageable. This is a viable solution. Though, here in Denver there is even a better choice for visitors and residents alike.

The Light Rail started its life here in Denver over a decade ago and has been building steam ever since. Its incarnation took some doing, for residents along the planned routes thought it would be too noisy and fought its being built for quite some time. Luckily, other neighborhoods were excited for it to be put in place and the rest is as they say- history.

It not only helps you beat the traffic, it helps the environment and many people’s sanity as well. No more driving, way more reading, or listening to music, or people watching. Even the short walks to and from the stations are beneficial to your health.

The fare ranges from $1.75 to $4.00 depending on how many zones you travel through. Bikes are allowed on board, and many routes let off near some great bike paths. Don’t worry, the Light Rail’s Routes all point to downtown so it is a great option for commuters, not just for the recreational riders.

Catching the Light Rail is simple- there are many stops throughout Downtown. Each stop has a ticket station with easy to follow instructions. Buy a ticket, get on board, and take the Light Rail to Union Station, to The University of Denver, Invesco Field, Littleton, all the way out to County Line Road! DNC 2008 participants- it even goes to The Pepsi Center. With 6 lines to choose from- the destinations are plentiful.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

The 16th Street Mall

Spanning the expanse of Downtown, The 16th Street Mall is one of the most convenient and accessible places Denver has to offer. Pick an end of Denver, either Civic Center at Broadway and Colfax, or Market Street Station- the 16th and Market side or hop on one of the FREE 16th Street Mall Shuttles and ride the Mall from start to finish.

The Shuttle Buses run every few minutes and the Shuttle stops are on every block on both sides of the street. They are free, handicap accessible and you can bring your bike on with you. Many residents and tourists utilize the readily available shuttle buses to get to all points in Downtown Denver. This works fantastically as 16th Street is fairly central, so once you get to the block you need it is only a few blocks walk to where you are going!

One can truly use the 16th Street Mall as an epi-center and its Shuttle to navigate all of your Downtown Viewing or Business. Take it to Civic Center and you are across the street from the Capitol, The City and County Building, The Central Library, The Courthouses and the Basilica. Hop off at Arapahoe Street and you are two blocks away from The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The California stop brings you within two blocks of The Convention Center. The possibilities are endless!

16th Street Mall has something to offer everyone with plenty of shopping, a plethora of restaurants for your every taste and craving, and Civic Parks for relaxing in the shade. There are many hotels either on the mall itself or within walking distance so that you may stay in the heart of the action, and businesses that cater to anything you could think you might need – including barbers, drugstores, knick knack shops and sundries. Don’t miss the Street Vendors, buskers, game tables, the public art installations, and so much more!! And don’t forget – transportation up and down the mall is free with the shuttle, but if you must drive, the parking meters are free on Sundays!

If people watching is your sport of choice- plan a visit around lunch time and the 16th Street Mall will delight your senses even more as the business folk mingle with the teens who are mingling with the performers who will no doubt mingle with you!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Denver is a town that is serious about ecological standards and biking! Many residents bike to work on a regular basis in Denver, especially throughout the summer months. There are many bike lots and even some that are like lockers that you can fit your entire bike inside. Bikes are allowed on the Light Rails and every RTD bus has a bike rack on the front. Denver has many bike trails, though in reality- every pathway is a bike trail for Denverites.

So it is no wonder that over 20,000 people participated in Bike to Work Day. The Denver Regional Council of Governments offered prizes such as: gift certificates, concert tickets, and memberships to athletic clubs for those who kept their cars parked and spun their bicycle wheels instead. There were also breakfast stations posted all around the city, and many employers allowed a tardy variance to allow their workers to participate.

The benefits of biking versus driving are immense! The soaring cost of fuel prices alone has been moving folks to the pedal instead of the metal. This, in turn, lets off less exhaust, and therefore not contributing to the brown cloud that plagues our Valley here in Denver. Biking builds up your health and stamina. And one of the best reasons Denver has adapted so well to biking is that so many great things are here to be seen- off the beaten path where cars can’t go.

When visiting Denver- be aware that Bikes rule out over cars- often yielding in all traffic regulations to the side of the biker. Consider renting a bike or bringing yours along- a great way to experience Denver just like the natives!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Why bike to work? Well the simple answer is that it cuts down on the pollution from cars, and makes our planet much happier to live in. Not only do you help cut down on carbon monoxide from cars, but you get exercise and sunshine! One of the more current important reasons is that bikes don’t use gasoline, so you can use the money you would have put into your tank for something else! Maybe planting a few Denver Daisies??

To celebrate Bike to Work Day, RTD is offering FREE bike parking (valet even!), free refreshments, giveaways and prizes the entire week of June 23-27th at 16th and Market Street. Just park your bike in the free bike lot, and you’re registered for the prizes!

Entire companies are encouraged to participate in Bike to Work Day. You can register online and find out about getting t-shirts for everyone participating, refreshing yourself on the rules of the road, and resources for bikers!

As the proud owner of a very pretty bike myself, I’m planning on biking to work that day. I will have to use the Bus, however, because I’m not up to that long of a ride yet! Maybe by the end of the summer!

I hope to see you out there, using your two wheels to get where you’re going!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Free seeds will be available at the Botanic Gardens on Earth Day. The hope is that everyone will plant them in their yards and the City will be daisy filled during the Democratic National Convention.

Free Denver Daisy seeds are also available at Tagawa Gardens- 7711 South Parker Road.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Civic Center Park will host an Earth Day Fair to spread the green word all Earth Day long. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about activities going on in Denver to help save the plant.

The Denver Botanic Gardens‘ main order for Earth Day 2008 will be the kick off of the “Take 5 Pledge“! An initiative that has 5 categories and a pledge to improve each one:

Energy

I Pledge to replace 4 light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.

I Can eliminate 1800 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the bulbs.

Water

I Pledge to turn off the tap when brushing my teeth.

I Can save 4 gallons of water daily.

Air

I Pledge to replace at least one car trip a month with walking, biking, or public

Transport

I Can decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 1,000 pounds.

Land

I Pledge to plant or care for a city tree by watering, mulching, and removing litter.

I Can help keep 8.6 pounds of carbon dioxide per year out of the atmosphere.

Waste

I Pledge to replace plastic shopping bags with reusable shopping bags

I Can eliminate 208 bags per year. We at the Denver Traveler have been using reusable shopping bags for the last few months and are happy to report that the Denver Public Library will launch a major initiative on July 1, 2008 eliminating the use of plastic book bags and replacing them with a reusable book bag available for purchase at a nominal price.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Friday- 8:00pm A Shot of Spring at The Bovine Metropolis Theater

Saturday- 10:30am Interactive Yoga Storytime with Sydney Solis

Saturday- Noon to 5:00pm Still- Free Photography Exhibit at the Center for Visual Art

Sunday- 9:30am 6th Annual Earth Day 5k Run/Walk/Expo

Sunday- 2:00pm Peggy Lyon Duo- Piano and Cello at the Stanley Hotel

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Saturday April 19th James Balog will give a lecture on Extreme Ice in the Phipps Imax Theater at 8:00pm. $15.00/members &18.00/non members

Sunday April 20th – the Museum is Free! Bring the whole family for interactive exhibits from The National Renewable Energy Lab, attend mini talks, find out what happens to the stuff you put in those purple bins, scavenger hunts, dioramas tours and so much more!

Bring your batteries, computers and printers and the Museum will recycle them for you!
Bring your own bag and the Museum Shop will give you 10% off!

Can’t quite make it out to celebrate- enjoy the Museums on-line exhibitions.

Post from: The Denver Traveler