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.

Thank You & Good Bye,
Alicia and Shawn Marie

[photo-Flickr]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

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

519 18th Street
Denver, CO 80202
303-295-9597

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

The Denver Broncos as shot by Flickr user Jeffery Beall. They lost this game to the San Diego Chargers.

[photo-Flickr]

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!

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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

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.

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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.

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Post from: The Denver Traveler

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.

[photo-SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler