Whether you want to venture into the mountains or not, with its natural blend of urban sophistication and Old West and its young, active residents pushing the vibrant cultural scene, the Mile-High City has never been more worthy of a visit.
The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need to Denver
Denver: stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop, plenty of unique neighborhoods, controversial public art, and 300 days of sunshine each year.
What to See
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Lower downtown (call it LoDo) is arguably the center of action in Denver, and the charming Larimer Square (one of the first revitalized historic neighborhoods in the US) has been drawing people in with its unique shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and elegant but relaxed atmosphere since 1969. Be sure to stop in the Market, one of the original occupants of the Square, the first espresso bar between New York and LA, and one of the city’s most loved delis, and nearby Tattered Cover, an impressive independent bookstore and Denver institution.
LoDo is also the home of one of Denver’s “Old West” staples, Rockmount Ranch Wear. This three-generation family-owned company invented the snap-up western shirt, made the first commercial bolo-ties, and literally wrote the book on Western Wear. Founder “Papa Jack” coined the phrase “The West is not a place, it’s a state of mind,” and the family hasn’t been afraid to change up their designs over time to suit the modern Cowboy (or Cowgirl…or urban hipster)—you’ve probably seen their clothes all over and didn’t even know it. Now’s your chance to hit up the source.
In 1961, the owner of Forney Industries, a metal working and welding product distributer, expanded his private antique automobile collection into a museum. Now this one-of-a-kind collection includes not only cars, but “Anything on Wheels” and has become one of the most revered transportation collections in the country. Visit the Forney Museum of Transportation to see everything from tricycles to Amelia Earhart’s Kissel Car to Big Boy locomotives and learn about the evolution of industrial design.
Colorado actually has a law that prohibits any structure that impedes the mountain panorama view from the State Capitol Building. Check out the perspective from the 13th step (the official mile-above-sea-level marker), and marvel at the priceless wainscoting (the world’s ENTIRE supply of Colorado onyx was used to make it).