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

There are six United States Mint facilities across this country, each of them devoted to a certain division of minting all of that glorious money. Physical tours are available in only two cities and Denver is one of them!

You have to make a reservation, but the process is simple and absolutely free. Go online or walk up to the Reservations Booth at The Mint itself which is located on the east side of the building on Cherokee Street between 14th Avenue and Colfax Avenue. There is a list of do’s and don’ts- as it is a federal building, but they spell it all out nicely and nothing is unmanageable. Unless, of course, you were just dying to take photos of money being made – cameras are not allowed inside the Mint.

The Denver Mint- located at 320 Colfax Avenue- really takes up a full city block. The outside of the building is stunning in its forbidden nature. The grey building is unassuming with its old world architecture peeking out from the secure rod iron bars that surround it. It is built a level up from the street- using the small flight of stairs one must walk up to enter as another opposing factor. All of this may have worked back when it was built in 1862 to keep people away, but today it sort of adds to its charm.

The Denver Mint is the largest producer coins in the world. This alone is a reason to stop by and say hi to the money before it becomes money. However, there are plenty of other reasons to visit The Mint and some of them have nothing to do with money. The interior of the lobby and walkways are gorgeous. Marble columns and brass plated entryways, an elevator in the middle of a spiral staircase with an old guard post above it (they have a “guard” in there on duty at all times – he’s a mannequin now, but there once was a human being in that small space!). There are displays of coins from the earliest form of trade and all around the world, as well as the old machinery that made these coins. Naturally, you will see the up to date technology used to make the coins of today and the future with all the workers in full view. Much of the original interior is intact from the first days of the Mint, save of course the updates to technology. It really has to be seen to be believed, and unfortunately we cannot show you photos so you’ll have to see it for yourself!Just outside of the Tours Information Booth is the U.S. Mint gift shop, where you can purchase coins that have never been in circulation (in “mint condition”, if you will), sheets of uncut dollar bills, and other items such as books and collectibles. If it has to do with U.S. Currency, the Gift Shop will have it! Even if you don’t buy anything, it is still worth a look around, as they have rare coins on display also.

Come on out to Denver and The Denver Mint to get down and dirty with money- we promise, you won’t have buyer’s remorse.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

All around town- performances are being hosted to honor this convention. Venues are varied and eclectic, but have in their hearts- the arts in mind. Check out the following venues for shows during the convention dates: The Mercury Café, Kim Robards Dance, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, The Arvada Center, Central City Opera, Opera Colorado, Theatre Off Broadway, The Curious Theatre Company, Denver Center Attractions, Denver Center Theatre Company, Creede Repertory Theatre, Su Teatro and many many more!

So many exciting things to view and discuss with The Indigo Girls at Chatagua summing it all up on June 15th!

Want to be a part of it all? It’s not too late, register on-line now.

NPAC 2008 is not to be missed. Don’t believe us- watch the trailer…

Post from: The Denver Traveler

All of these Wows take place this Saturday May 17th!

6:30am- Road to Victory Bicycle Classic Ride for Parkinson’s

8:00am- Cherry Creek Fresh Market Opens!

11:00am Palestinian Celebration & Remembrance at the Capitol Building.

Noon- Baby Loves Disco at The Oriental Theater

1:00pm- Weekly Peace Vigil at University Boulevard and East First Avenue.

1:30pm- “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at Heritage Square Music Hall

4:00pm- CHASSA Boys State Lacrosse Championship at Invesco Field

7:30pm- Almost Denver- The Songs & Failures of Jim Aurora at The Avenue Theater

7:30pm- Colorado Symphony plays Carmina Burana at Boettcher Concert Hall

9:00pm- Tapes n’ Tapes at The Bluebird Theatre.

Midnight- The Big Lebowski on the Big Screen at The Esquire!

Hope you had a Great (Satur)Day!

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

The exhibit is in the Morrison Concourse of the Denver Art Museum and it features the work of Ed Adler. The exhibit shares the name with Fresh City Life’s Thinkology: “Wilde, Horses and Cowboys.”

If you choose to stroll through this art exhibit on Saturday May 17th- cross the courtyard to the Library and join Ed Adler in the B2 Conference Center. 2pm is the start time for its official opening and rumor has it, there will be live music and can-can girls!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day! We here at the Denver Traveler are BIG FANS of our own mothers, and wish we could spend the day with them. Unfortunately, they are both in different states, so we’ll have to be content with wishing all the mothers out there a special day with their kids, whether they be human or furry, feathered or scaled!

Wondering what to do for your Mom this Mother’s Day? Well we have a few ideas for you!

Taking Mom out to eat? Most of the restaurants in Denver are serving up a special Mother’s Day brunch. Some of them feature live jazz, others are famous for the waffles and eggs! There are a plethora of places to choose from, so don’t be discouraged if you find large crowds or sold out tables.

The Botanic Gardens are serving a Mother’s Day brunch as well, however the website is now showing that the event is sold out. You are welcome to bring Mom anyway for a picnic lunch among the beautiful Spring blossoms. (please note that alcohol is not allowed inside the Gardens – Keep it family friendly!) The Botanic Gardens will have live entertainment all day Sunday for Mother’s Day patrons.

If you’re feeling up for a walk, the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization is having a Mother’s Day Walk to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. If you don’t feel up to walking, you and Mom can volunteer to help out the walkers along the way!

The Denver Zoo is also having a special Mother’s Day Brunch. If you didn’t grab tickets to this event, don’t worry, you can still take Mom for a stroll through the Zoo to see the new mothers, including the Golden Lion Tamarin Monkeys! Also happening on May 10th is the Fly Away event, where kids can learn all about the various birds who call the Denver Zoo home.

Whatever you do, make sure your Mom knows you love and appreciate all she has done for you!

Happy Mother’s Day to our friends Heather at the Las Vegas Adventurer, and Jody of the Hawaii Traveler! Two of the best Moms we know!

And this entry wouldn’t be complete without a big shout out of LOVE to our Moms, Linda and Jo Ann!! We love you!!

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

8:00pm- 3rd Law Dance Theatre premieres The Clean Room.

Saturday:
7:30pm- Next Stage Denver presents Falsettos at the Aurora Fox Theatre

10:00pm- Ladies and Gentleman, The Fabulous Stains Neighborhood Flix Cinema.

Sunday:
Noon to 4pm- Dia de los Ninos
Celebrate World Cultures during a Day for the Children.
Free admission to the Denver Art Museum, Colorado History Museum, Byers-Evans House and the Denver Public Library.

2:00pm- Estes Park Music Festival Winter Series Finale with Margaret Patterson.

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

You may also enter to win original jewelry by John Atencio.

6:00 to 9:00pm
The Denver Art Museum
14th Avenue at Acoma Plaza

$70 Denver Art Museum Members
$90 Nonmembers
$35 Designated Drivers

First Taste tickets are available- $25 additional dollars allows you to partake in the wine tasting starting at 5:15pm.

For tickets and more information please visit this link.

Post from: The Denver Traveler