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

[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

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

If you have always watched MTV and wondered, “Hey, how can *I* get into a music video?” – we have the answer. That is, if you love the Flobots as much as we do!

We told you about the fantastic local band the Flobots just last week, and today, they are shooting the video for their new single “Rise”. They are looking for locals of all ages, shapes, sizes and kinds for the video. Today at high noon they will be at the Gothic Theater, located at 3263 South Broadway in Englewood, CO.

What do you have to do to be included in the music video?

Show up!

No, really. All you have to do is show up and make sure you are wearing plain clothes – this means NO corporate logos of ANY kind (IE: Nike, Adidas, Other Bands, Products) or any obscene/objectionable language/pictures. Flobots t-shirts are okay, of course, as are local schools or non-profit groups (IE: PeaceJam, Dumb Friends League). Be prepared to stand around for long periods of time, bring some water/snacks with you, sunscreen, and your sense of community! The Flobots want to show their community, and they want YOU to be a part of it!!

Hope to see you there!

[photo-Flotbots from Wikipedia]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Water World!
Spanning 64 acres of landscaped hills and valleys- all leading to slides and pools and wave machines, Water World is a day trip that will cool you down while heating up your sense of fun.

Located about half an hour north of Downtown Denver in Federal Heights, Colorado, Water World opened its doors 26 years ago and has been gaining force and adding attractions ever since; 42 to date, including the most tube rides than any other water park in America. It features Wally World for the younger kids and Journey to the Center of the Earth for the entire family. Picnic sites on grassy areas and covered pavilions.

Pricing ranges from free (for the tots) up to $33.95 depending on age and height and what time of a day you chose to enjoy the park. There are specials for admission after 2pm and residents of Hyland Hills and Westminster. They accept credit cards and cash. All in all it is worth the price. Parking is vast and free.

Why not give it a splash?!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Stroll on down the 16th Street Mall to Skyline Park for Open Air Denver-

This weekend festival will host over 50 performers and have open mics- everyone will be playing for you for free for the love and for the glory!

Then hop onto the 16th Street Shuttle and take it to the Civic Center Stop, walk across Colfax toward the Library, see all those white tents… It’s The Denver Public Library’s Annual Used Book Sale! Books start at just 50 cents!

Enjoy a Downtown Denver Weekend- plenty of surprises along the way!

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

Located right on the corner of 14th Street and California- just on the snuggly west side of downtown proper. The location is exactly on the light rail and a block away from the free 16th street shuttle, and it also has its own 1,000 space parking lot.

Gorgeous glass walls connect to mosaic tiled walls to encase over 584,000 square feet. There are 63 meeting rooms, a devisable Ball Room, and a 5,000 seat Theatre! All of these are connected by sprawling escalators and spacious hallways that are designed to give visitors an open feeling.

It is worth a visit- even if you haven’t a convention planned. Or crash one of the upcoming Events: Seo’s National Karate, IT Summit, Colorado restaurants Grand Banquet. All of this and the entire center is wireless!

You can’t miss it- just look for the Big Blue Bear peeking in the window…

Post from: The Denver Traveler

It is an amusement park that has become its own city- complete with government, mailing address and law enforcement! As a park it harkens back to the days when people went for a stroll with umbrellas. As an amusement center it offers a little something for everyone; Roller Coasters, a Fun House, A Kiddie Park, and a Train around the lake!

Lakeside amusement park evokes many memories from anyone who has grown up in Denver. Ask anyone- they have a Lakeside memory. My dad’s is off Nickel Wednesday- where a gentleman dressed in a plaid suit would walk through the park throwing and handing out nickels to everyone. Mine is of my first time on the Round Up- the circular ride that spins up sideways (the bottom drops out in some modern versions)- I felt free and nauseous all at the same time. I took Alicia there when we first came to town, and her memory is of how cool the lights and images from the amusement park reflected off of the lake when we rode the train. It is also home to one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the nation, The Cyclone and people travel from far and wide to enjoy its splendor- no doubt making many memories for years to come.

Lakeside, the city, is in business all year round.
Lakeside the Amusement park is open for the season! And not just any season…

Their 100th Season Celebration!

The park’s gates open Friday Nights at 6pm and Weekend Days at Noon until the second week in June when they open everyday through mid August.

Gate admission is $2.50, and then you can buy tickets for rides as you want.
Unlimited Ride passes go for $13.75 Monday through Friday & $19.75 Weekends

Post from: The Denver Traveler