Denver, Colorado
The City
Denver, Colorado's capital and largest city, was founded in the mid-1800s, when the discovery of gold near the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek launched the "Pikes Peak or Bust" gold rush. Today, it is a bustling metropolis of a half-million people, with a total of 2.4 million in the surrounding area. Denver is proudly the nation's most-educated city, with the greatest percentage of college graduates of any metro area in the United States. It is also America's slimmest city, being located in the only state where less than half of the population is overweight or obese.
Downtown
Within easy walking distance are the following attractions and restaurants:
"Colorado" is Spanish for "colorful".
Attractions
- Denver Performing Arts Complex
The Denver Performing Arts Complex contains nine theatres under one roof, with a total seating capacity of over ten thousand, ranking second only to New York's Lincoln Center. A Matt and Betsy recommendation.
- Denver Pavilions
The Denver Pavilions shopping center has numerous stores and restaurants as well as a United Artists movie theater. Another Matt and Betsy recommendation.
- 16th Street Pedestrian Mall
Hundreds of shops of all kinds line this pedestrian byway in the heart of Denver, with many goods and services to offer. The Denver Pavilions is located here.
- Six Flags Elitch Gardens
Located on the southern end of downtown Denver, Six Flags Elitch Gardens has something for everyone: rides, gardens, shows, and even a water park!
- Cherry Creek Shopping Center
This ain't no strip mall. Cherry Creek Shopping Center has more than 160 stores, many of them offering specialty goods and services. Stores and restaurants include: Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Foley's, DKNY, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and California Pizza Kitchen, to name a few. A Matt and Betsy recommendation!
Cherry Creek Map (click for a larger version)
Museums and Cultural Attractions
- Denver Art Museum
Located at the civic center mall, the Denver Art Museum has the largest collection of artwork (over 40,000 works) between Kansas City and the West Coast. The 28-sided building contains all varieties and types of art, with something for everyone. The museum is currently undergoing a $68 million renovation and expansion, the new building being designed by Daniel Libeskind, winner of the World Trade Center redesign project. Another Matt and Betsy recommendation!
- Denver Mint
The Denver Mint and its Philadelphia counterpart are currently closed to public tours, though tours are still available for school children and veterans.
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science
With three floors of exhibits and attractions, a planetarium, and an IMAX theatre, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a must-see for any visitor to the Denver area, especially for those with children.
- Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens has over 15,000 species of plants and several world-renowned gardens, such as the Rock Alpine Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the French Kitchen Garden.
Coors Field, Denver, CO
Sports Attractions
- Coors Field
Seating 50,445 after additions made in 2001, Coors Field is one of baseball's largest ballparks. It is located in Denver's LoDo district, south of downtown proper. The Rockies will not be playing during the wedding dates, but it is a great place to visit all the same.
Restaurants
- San Francisco Bistros
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Located at 17th Street and Washington, The Avenue Grill is a San Francisco bistro with great ciopino and a killer chocolate bread pudding dessert. Watch out for the martinis; they're big and strong!
- Steak Houses
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The Capital Grille (Larimer Square)
- Japanese/Asian
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Tommy Tsunami's (now the Tom Tom Room)
Little Ollie's (Cherry Creek)
- Italian
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Maggiano's (at the Denver Pavilions)
- Seafood
- Big Brunch
A Giant Steak at The Capital Grille