Although it is literally a 'Mile High City', situated one mile (1.6km) above sea level, Denver is flat and sprawling, overwhelmed by the backdrop of the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains. It was founded as a gold-mining camp in 1858 and, situated at the centre of the Old West, was filled with cowboys, gamblers, saloons, gunslingers, Native Americans, and crooked characters such as the infamous con artist, Jefferson 'Soapy' Smith. Although very little gold was actually discovered in the area, the city still grew from the gold rush.
Having since shed its cow-town image and most evidence of its cowboy past, Denver has developed into a modern city with wonderful museums, historic architecture, cultural attractions, shopping venues and a world-class airport. It has more than 200 parks, tree-lined boulevards and a completely refurbished lower downtown area (LoDo to the locals), where blocks of old Victorian buildings and warehouses have been carefully restored to house restaurants, galleries, antique shops and jazz clubs. Historic Larimer Square is the heart of the dining and nightlife scene. Besides Chicago and San Diego, Denver brews more beer than any other city in America and most of it can be sampled in LoDo, where the city's brewpubs proliferate.
Most residents are active nature lovers who take advantage of the city's beautiful setting, the pleasant climate and unlimited outdoor adventures just minutes from the centre, including skiing, hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Tourism focuses on its natural setting and the outdoors, and as such it is a major destination for travelers heading into the mountains. Visitors to Denver will be pleasantly surprised by its welcoming and friendly nature and by how good-looking the city is.
Denver, Middle America's hub, where the Great Plains melt into an urban sprawl at the edge of the Rocky Mountains, is a popular city with tourists. A holiday in Denver offers all the modern tourist amenities and attractions to fill your time, with the bonus of plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities just beyond the city limits. People of most ages and diverse interests will find something to enjoy during a Denver holiday. The city is well-geared towards families, with several educational attractions in the downtown area. Culture vultures will thrive on a full program of musical and arts events.
Within the Mile High City, major sightseeing attractions include the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the State Capitol Building, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Washington Park, the History Colorado Center, and the Denver Mint. Sports fanatics will enjoy taking in a game at the Coors Field Baseball Stadium, and shopaholics will relish a stroll through Denver's 16th Street Mall, an outdoor shopping and dining centre packed full of restaurants and boutiques.
And yet, the city's many attractions pale in comparison to the beauty on its doorstep. Most travelers that end up in Denver are embarking on holidays set to be full of outdoor adventures in the Rocky Mountains.
Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd.