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

Street Name Pronunciations

If you take our advice to ride along the 16th Street Shuttle- you may notice that one of the stops is Tremont Street. Now, I am certain that The Boston Traveler and Boston residents alike will say- “Oh we have a Tremont Street!” And indeed they do, a Treh-munt Street, whereas we here in Denver have a Tree Mont Street. There is no rhyme or reason, it is just the way we westerners say it here.

If you are out and about and you see Galapago Street- you may feel smart and reminiscent of The Galapagos Islands and want to say the street name out loud just they way you have always heard it said, GahLahPahgo! Try not to say it too loud in front of a resident for we know that street here as GaLaPAYgo as it is a Street named after an influential resident who had that name and that pronunciation.

There is no doubt that you may happen onto a somewhat busy Street named Zuni. Images of Native Americans may flood your consciousness and make you feel confident to speak the name out loud as Zunee after the famous tribe. And you would be right, everywhere else but here. In Denver it is known as Zoo-NI with a long I.

Have no fear, we are a friendly lot and will not only help with directions but also may not even point out that you have pronounced the name of any street wrong. Or if we do offer its colloquialism correction it will be with a smile and in a kind and helpful way. Don’t worry- most of the streets may be pronounced just as they should be: Sherman, Curtis, California, Broadway, Blake, Wazee. Yet, we wouldn’t be a little wild west town if we didn’t through a few lassos, I mean loop holes at ya!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Denver is a fantastic town, however- it is also a starting point for many other travel adventures throughout Colorful Colorado. Therefore, we at The Denver Traveler, are launching a new feature entitled: “Detour at Denver” where we will highlight some of the finest destinations a short way away from Denver. For our first installment we present- Estes Park!

A mere hour and a half drive from Denver, right smack dab in the middle of Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest is glorious Estes Park, Colorado. Ignore the television and movie pronunciations of “East-Teas” Park and wow the natives by verbalizing “Eh-stus” Park as you tell folks where you are headed. Chances are you will receive smiles and votes of jealousy, for Estes Park is a bit of a natural wonderland.

A cool climate in the summer, a picturesque setting in the winter, makes Estes Park a destination for any time of the year. The mountain scenery will take your breathe away. The wildlife will make your heart skip a beat for joy and find you gasping in surprise. Bear Lake is luminous and Bear Lake Road, chock full of scenic wonders, are worth the trip alone. Estes Park gives you the opportunity to dazzle your friends and family back home by telling them how you hiked over the Continental Divide and stood a few feet away from a wild elk.

Lodging is affordable, believe it or not, at The Y.M.C.A of the Rockies. A gem in the wilderness that helps provide low cost respites. The Estes Park Center of the Y.M.C.A. of the Rockies can accommodate 3,500 people throughout its lodges and family cabins. There are two conference centers as well- perfect for company retreats and family reunions.

You’ve made it to Denver- keep on going, for a day or longer- on up to Estes Park. Keep your eyes open during the drive as many treasures are to be seen along the way: Nature doing what it does best, Farms and Farmhouses, and even a Cathedral!

All of the sights along the way are quaint, full of character and bond to make great memories all on their own. Estes Park will be the icing on the sightseeing cake!

[All Photos - SXC - Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Have you got 90 seconds?

Have you been hankering to learn more about the history of Denver?

No problem!

‘Denver History Minutes’ premiered to the public as part of Doors Open Denver earlier this month. The initial set of 90 second programs include; “There Goes the Neighborhood” – the first commercial building on East Colfax; “The City Rises” – the post WWII building boom; “ and “Skyline Urban Renewal” – both the aggressive demolition and the call for preservation. Also featured are the roles prominent people played and their landmarks including Henry Lowenstein’s Theaters, Dana Crawford and the downtown jewel of Larimer Square. As this sesquicentennial year proceeds more Denver History Minutes will be added to the series.

The ‘Denver History Minutes’ programs have full time residence on Denver 8 TV, Denver’s fully programmed municipal access channel on the Comcast cable system. The series, in the future, will be used annually as an informational mainstay on the City television channel.

[photo - SXC]

Post from: The Denver Traveler

The name of this awesome place?

Why, Casa Bonita, of course!

If you aren’t a Denver native (or anyone who has lived here for a while), Casa Bonita may not seem like some place that you should laugh about when you mention their food. You might wonder why people get a glint in their eye, a little smirk at the corner of their lips.

Well, to put it in a word, Casa Bonita is….. Wild. As you come toward the 85′ tall pink tower (adorned with one of three real gold covered domes in Denver – one of the others is the Capitol Building itself!) outside, you might think to yourself that this place cannot be that big. Oh ho! Casa Bonita is HUGE inside!! Boasting a 30 foot waterfall in the middle of the restaurant, they also have a full arcade, Black Bart’s Cave, a photo booth (where you can dress up in costume and have your photo taken), and multi-leveled dining areas. Strolling guitarists serenade you as you eat and watch the cliff divers leap from the waterfall’s edges into the large lagoon below (and sometimes they set the lagoon on fire). And of course, the one thing people always go for when they visit the Beautiful House…. the little red flag on each table.

The little red flag, you see, brings you the best part of Casa Bonita. The sopapillas. Always served warm with a generous amount of honey, the sopapillas are divine. You’ll want to save a lot of room for these pillows of deliciousness, because they are all you can eat! All you have to do is raise the little red flag, and the awesome wait staff will bring you another basket full of sopapillas.

A must see sight when you come through the Mile High, Casa Bonita is a great place to take the kids and relax. Make sure you check it out! And have a sopapilla for me!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

One afternoon we were driving down Broadway and I had to ask Shawn Marie why there were people carrying skis, snowboards, and in one case a full on canoe, down the streets of Denver. She looked around, then said, “Oh yeah! It’s Sniagrab time!” That’s “bargains” spelled backwards, and it’s a huge sale on all things outdoors and sports related that all Denverites know. People take the day off of work, stand in line for hours, and get the best deals. It’s just once a year, so people make sure to get there!

So it came as no surprise to me that the Denver International Sportsmen’s Exposition was a huge thing here. Opening Thursday, January 24th, the Sportsmen’s Expo has been held here in Denver for 31 years. It’s all happening at the Colorado Convention Center, located at 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202.

It’s all about the great outdoors at this show. You’ll find information on hunting, fishing, fly-fishing, camping, boating, as well as RV and ATV exhibits. Also on hand will be owners of fishing resorts and hunting lodges from around the world and right here in Denver, ready to give you the inside scoop on taking a trip to their resort. Tons of equipment is on sale, often at show prices, and don’t miss out on all of the experts who will be there to give you tips and tricks for a better experience.

Tickets are available online or at the Convention Center box office. The Expo runs from January 24th through January 28th.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Denver International Airport, DIA- or Madonna’s Bra Rack, as I like to call it, is the 6th busiest in Airport in the nation and the 10th busiest in the world. DIA takes some getting to and maneuvering around once there. Much more complicated then Stapleton, Denver’s old airport- but then travel in general is a little more complicated these days.

Depending on traffic it can take up to a half an hour or more to get to DIA from downtown, and you’ll want to give yourself a cushion in case the roads are bad. If you do arrive early there is a 45 minute waiting area where you can park before driving into the swirls of road that lead to the parking garage and the airport itself. The signs will lead you to which terminal serves the airline you seek- so look up as you drive. There is a level for passenger pick up if you don’t want to park (rates are $2 per hour) and go in to meet the newly arrived. If you do want to meet someone inside- baggage claim is a good place to do so. If you were hoping for the very first glance possible, then stake a spot by the fountain at the top of the arrival escalators- this gets crowded but it is the first place you will be able to see the incoming passengers.

If you are planning on parking and flying the parking garage rates are $15.00 per day. DIA also has two Economy Lots, East and West with the rate of $7.00 per day. As the economy lots fill up fast, there are two Shuttle Lots, Pikes Peak and Mt. Filbert, as well with rates at $5.00 per day. These are a little further away, so there is a bus that takes you up to the airport. Worried about space for your vehicle? Call 303-DIA-PARK for parking lot updates.

Arriving into DIA for the first time? Prepare yourself for an adventure! Not only do you take a plane to get there- but once you land and de-board, to get anywhere you must ride the train. The run often and have newscasters announcing the stops. Look through the windows behind the train as it gains speed to catch a glimpse at the propeller art along the tunnels. When the train arrives at baggage claim/ground transportation/terminal- basically the last stop- there are two escalators to bring you up to everything you will need. Be mindful that the only option every single traveler has are these two escalators. They will more than likely be cramped, so make the most of it. On the positive side, these escalators will hopefully be the last of your travel worries before you can enjoy your stay in our fine city!

Have extra time in DIA, either before or after a flight or for a layover? Have no fear- there is plenty to do, see and eat. DIA offers many little shops to peruse- from books to candy to Colorado specific trinkets. Eateries range from coffee shops to fast food to restaurants where you may sit down and they serve you. Public Art is in abundance throughout the airport- don’t just look on the walls, look up at the ceiling and around at the sculptures on the ground. As you enter security there is a nice Aviation display, sharing aeronautical parts and history. Perhaps the best ambience to enjoy while at DIA is the hallway to Terminal A. As you walk through, listen for the voices of the Native American Souls whose burial ground resides under a part of DIA. Though not as sacred as it should be- it is a touching and moving tribute.

C.W. Fentress, J.H.Bradburn and Associates, a Denver based Architectural firm, designed DIA and its elaborate fabric roof. Their vision being that arriving passengers would see a beautiful snow covered mountain range. While it is an architectural tour de force, I ashamedly can only think of its resemblance to the pointy bras Madonna wore in the late 80’s when I see it. But hey, that bra was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, so either way you look at it DIA is in High Fashion!

Happy Travels!

Post from: The Denver Traveler

If you want a different view of The Nutcracker, The Moscow Ballet is offering their rendition December 26th and 27th at The Paramount Theatre located at 1621 Glenarm Street in Downtown Denver. Park conveniently and hop the 16th Street Shuttle. Make a great night of it right in the middle of the holidays! The Paramount Café or Marlowes are located on the corner of 16th Street and Glenarm- not to mention plenty other eateries on and around the 16th Street Mall. Wander through the city before or after the show to take in the lights at a slower pace.

Post from: The Denver Traveler

On Saturday the 53rd Denver Bird Count took place- that’s right we counted up our birds for The National Audubon Society.

Disney’s Princess’ left town Sunday after their two week stint at The Denver Coliseum, hopefully many wishes were granted while they were here.

Office parties were in full swing over the weekend- therefore DUI enforcements were- well, in…force.

Sadly, The Broncos are officially out of the playoffs after the Houston Texans bested them 31 to 13 last Thursday.

The Colorado Avalanche- The Avs- made their annual trip to Children’s Hospital on Sunday to share some smiles and cheer.

Snow actually took a break this weekend and the ice is melting a little every day.

The Denver Nuggets lost to The San Antonio Spurs Saturday 91 to 102, and then lost again to The Portland Trailblazers 105 to 116 on Sunday

Post from: The Denver Traveler

Candy Canes on Ice- A perfect freezing temperature helped bid farewell to The Candy Cane Festival for one more year..
Broncos played Kansas City and defeated them 41 to 7.
Snow came to town and just kept coming.
Colorado Symphony performed Tchaikovsky.
Disney on Ice kicked off their week long Princess Wishes stint here in Denver.
The Avs faced the St. Louis Blues and showed the ‘Can’ a victory of 9 to 5.
Dane Cook cooked up two shows in a row at The Wells Fargo Theatre.
Cheryl Wheeler and Peter Mulvey played at Swallow Hill.
Aimee Mann’s 2nd Annual Christmas Show jingled through Boulder.

Not a bad weekend for the Mile High City all covered in Snow!

Post from: The Denver Traveler