By an amazing stroke of good luck, the 13th step on the west side of the Colorado State Capitol building, sits exactly at 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level, giving Denver its nickname, the “Mile High City”. The Mile High City is located on high rolling plains, 12 miles east of the foothills, a series of gentle mountains that climb to 11,000 feet. Just beyond the “Front Range of Rocky Mountains”, a series of formidable snowcapped peaks that rise to 14,000 feet. Denver might not be in the mountains, but the mountains still dominate the city.
Known for having 300 days of sunshine, Denver offers a thriving cultural scene, diverse neighborhood, and natural beauty combined for the world's most spectacular playground. The River North Art District (RiNo) is “where art is made”, riding a wave of urban revival with art galleries, craft breweries, restaurants, and eye-popping street art on nearly every corner. Cherry Creek, just 5 minutes from downtown, is Denver’s premier shopping neighborhood with everything from independently owned boutiques on 16 charming blocks in Cherry Creek North to popular upscale brands in Cherry Creek Shopping Center and the nearby Denver Botanic Gardens. Close to downtown is the trendy Highland (LoHi) neighborhood with Victorian-era homes, popular restaurants, lush gardens, art galleries and a famous ice cream shop in a giant milk can, Little Man Ice Cream. The Art District on Santa Fe is a haven for art lovers with more than 30 art galleries and colorful murals, highlighting the neighborhood’s Hispanic roots. Uptown has a long stretch of cafes, bistros, and pubs with outdoor patios near the city’s largest greenscape, City Park, which houses the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Continue to Five Points, where the music of jazz legends transcends local clubs, now blends old and new with coffeehouses, breweries, museums, and beloved barbeque institutions.
Denver is also a hub for chef-owned eateries and has 26 MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, ranging from fine dining to more value-oriented and sustainable options. Stroll among the Victorian-era buildings and boutique shops of Larimer Square and take your pick of culinary talent, then indulge yourself with the many offerings from locally sourced products. Denver is the forefront of the food-hall revolution including Avani F&B, where seven rotating casual dining concepts share space with two craft bars and patio with spectacular views of downtown; The Source, an artisan market housed in a former ironworks foundry; Zeppelin Station, with street-food vendors, designer goods and apparel, and two cocktail bars; Denver Milk Market, featuring 11 culinary concepts; and Denver Central Market, where visitors will find nearly a dozen providers serving everything from wood-fired pizza and charcuterie to fresh-baked bread and gourmet chocolates.
Once your day is completed, make your way to Denver Union Station for an effortless trip back to Denver International Airport (DEN). For airport information, please visit here.
