Places to Visit/Things to Do
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Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Red Rocks Park, occupying over 700 acres, offers visitors the opportunity to experience the change between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. Of the many trails, the Trading Post Trail is one of the most recommended. Stretch almost 1.5 miles, the trail leads between the rust-colored buttes, offering some amazing scenery. Another major activity here is visiting the amphitheater, which has hosted many like the Beatles, Tom Petty, and John Denver. It’s recommended that you catch a show here, but if you can’t, just visit the theater for the amazing photos you’re going to take.
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Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum, holding more than 70,000 works by many famed artists, is one of the best collections of art on the West Coast. This collection is covered throughout two buildings, represented through both sculptures and paintings. We recommend visiting the museum’s impressive collection of western American art, with some artifacts dating back two centuries.
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Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens is 24 acres featuring 50 gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Gardens offers different environments, such as “Gardens of the West, Internationally Inspired Gardens, Ornamental Gardens, Water Gardens”, and more. Not only does the Botanic Gardens have plants, but they also feature unique art sculptures located throughout the grounds. If you want to get a better perspective of the flora and art, guided tours are offered for $14. Also, visit a variety of festivals here, hosted throughout the year.
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Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is like no other. With exhibits from dinosaur bones to Egyptian mummies, this museum will keep you fascinated for hours. The museum features exhibits from the sciences of anthropology, zoology, geology, paleontology, and more. Popular exhibits include animal habitat scenes from around the world. We also recommend the Space Odyssey area, which lets the visitor experience a bit of space. Admission costs $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for kids aged 3 to 18. There are discounts for seniors.
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Coors Field
Don’t leave Denver without visiting the home of MLB’s Colorado Rockies. Whether you have come here for a game (which we recommend) or not, enjoy yourself at the Interactive Area, where you can test your baseball skills. Have some extra time and no kids with you? Then visit the Rooftop, a 38,000 square-foot platform with incredible views of the city, and sample some of Denver’s local brews. Don’t have time to catch a game? Think about taking a tour of the stadium. Guided tours cost $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and children 12 and under.
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Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo is home to 4,000 plus animals, including tigers, black rhinos, and orangutans. This facility sprawls across 80 acres of City Park, making it easy to get after visiting other popular destinations. Remember your favorite Disney movie, The Lion King (my favorite at least)? Visit the African savanna. While you may not find Simba, you can find other lions, hyenas, and African dogs. If you have kids with you, pay a visit to the nursery, where you can see baby animals. In the spring time, adults pay $17 and kids (3 to 11) can get in for $12. In the summer and fall, adult admission is $20 and kids pay $14. In the winter, adults pay $15 while kids are charged $10.
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Washington Park
Compared to Central Park and Boston Commons by Denver locals, Washington Park is a place where you can relax. Comprised of 165 acres, this park contains jogging paths, gardens, and two large lakes. Take advantage of the time and lay down on the grass, or play on one of the eight tennis courts here. Want to get on the water? Rent a boat offered at the park. Also, visit the Recreation Center, which contains a pool. Swimming lessons are also offered hear. There isn’t hours or a fee to enter the park, but activities within (boat rentals and such) may cost money and operate at certain hours.
Best Places to Shop/Eat
- Cherry Creek – Do you have an expensive taste for shopping? The Cherry Creek neighborhood is the perfect place for you, with high-end stores with premium brands. A few of the brands include Neiman Marcus, Tory Burch, and Burberry.
- 16th Street Mall – This shopping destination is filled with chain stores and sports bars. Getting ready to become western? Visit the Rockmount Ranch Wear, a historic western store filled with cowboy necessities such as boots, belts, and hats.
- Larimer Square – This is the perfect place if you’re looking for great restaurants within a shopping hub.Larimer is filled with boutiques and casual apparel stores.
- Union Station– Shop and eat at Denver’s most iconic historic landmark. Union Station contains 10 chef-owned restaurants as well as a few stores. Not only is it shopping/eating destination, but it is an actual train station. Admire the art of the station as you eat and shop.
- South Broadway – This shopping destination is perfect for those trying to catch bargains. Filled with thrift stores, dive bars, pot shops, antique stores, contemporary eateries, and high-end salons, this is a popular shopping area among locals.
- Fruition Restaurant – Want to take your family out for some fine dining? Fruition Restaurant is rated the #1 fine dining restaurant in the Denver area by tripadvisor. Spend more for some of the finest foods in Denver.
- Root Down – Want to eat the best local food? You HAVE to visit the Root Down, a local restaurant located in Denver. It is rated the #1 restaurants in Denver for local food by tripadvisor. You will not leave disappointed; neither will your stomach.
Things to Bring To Denver
- Sunscreen – Don’t let the sun bother you
- Comfortable Footwear – Keep your feet relaxed as you explore
- Season Clothes – Wear appropriate clothes for whatever season it is
- Camera – Save the memories with pictures
- Proper ID’s – You might need these for certain activities
- Extra Batteries/chargers – Keep the juice in your devices
Enjoy your Vacation!