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