Experience the great outdoors at Denver Botanic Gardens. Sprawling over three acres (nine hectares), this natural oasis is replete with several themed gardens. Stroll along bonsais at the Japanese Garden, or enjoy a fairytale-like experience with Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Storybook Gardens. Xeriscape Demo Garden is great to gather tips on home gardening and horticulture, while the Rock Alpine Garden showcases a unique topography. Take a guided tour and marvel at the verdant landscape dotted with exotic flora, lawns, waterfalls and ponds. In addition, these gardens offer several botanical exhibitions, illustrations and workshops that are both fun and interesting.
Where else can you visit polar ice caps, a tropical forest, the African Savannah, and a jungle all in one day? The spectacular Denver zoo offers state-of-the-art habitats featuring more than 3500 animals representing 600 species. Visit with sloths, tree frogs, and a moray eel at the indoor Tropical Discovery exhibit. Or wander through the seven-acre Primate Panorama exhibit. From cold climate penguins to tropical flamingos, Bird World will inspire your appreciation of winged things. It is open 365 days a year.
This museum occupies Hangar Number One on Lowry Campus, formerly known as the Lowry Air Force Base. Here, visitors can view 31 aircraft, from a World War II Corsair to the B1A Bomber. The museum also houses extensive exhibits on the history of Lowry Air Force Base, World Wars I and II, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and even the Hubbell Telescope. A display on the science of flight includes a space station simulator.
This 314-acre expanse of garden, greenery, fountains, ponds and fine sculpture, located just east of downtown, is home to the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Built in the early 1900s as part of the popular City Beautiful movement, the park served Denverites as a civic refuge and swimming retreat. The lake beach no longer exists, but the historic boathouse, seen on many area postcards, remains. Three playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts and a public golf course are all available.
Baseball is an essential part of the American culture and a vibrant component of Denver, all of which makes Coors Field a hub of activity during the summer. It seats more than 50,000 and is regarded as one of most fan-friendly parks in the country. For a few dollars you can take a guided walking tour and learn about the history of the field while taking in all the sights, including the Colorado Rockies dugout and the visiting team's clubhouse.
Modeled after the venerated United States Capitol, the Colorado State Capitol is a neoclassical beauty constructed using Colorado white granite. Standing exactly one mile above sea level, the building meticulously epitomizes Colorado's Gold Rush through the Gold Leaf on its striking dome. Quintessential illustrations on the stained glass windows further immortalize the capitol's respect for the state it calls home. The Colorado State Capitol hosted its first general assembly in 1894, and it was inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Following the meandering flow of a tree-lined canal, this easy, paved trail for biking, running and strolling travels through the southern section of Denver, from the edge of the western foothills to the eastern outskirts of the city. The route runs along side the Wellshire Golf Course before heading decidedly east. This trail crosses the Cherry Creek Bike Trail, which goes southeast to the Cherry Creek State Park, or northwest to the edge of Denver proper. Continue east on the Highline Canal Trail and tour through the Fairmount Cemetery before the trail shoots into the dark reaches of Aurora.
Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway is a 40 mile (64.37 kilometers) stretch of road around the Lookout Mountains and Bear Creek Canyon in Colorado. Travelers on this route enjoy some scenic vistas and the enchanting natural beauty of the region during their journey. There are parks, heritage sites, museums, lakes, and streams throughout this beautiful road for travelers to witness some amazing moments they would cherish for a lifetime.
This park is one of the most visually stunning parks in Colorado, best known for its fabulous red rock formations, with fossils chronicling the life of animals and plants for more than one billion years. The ecological diversity here is a result of the "zone of transition" location, between the plains and the mountains. Micro-climates within the parkland have produced seven unique plant communities, all mixing species from both the mountain and plains zones. This is a great place to hike and view wildlife without dodging mountain bikes. Be sure to watch out for mountain lions.
Deer Creek Canyon, located in the southwestern hills, is 20 minutes from downtown depending on traffic. It presents a variety of challenging single-track trails for the intermediate mountain biker. The Red Mesa Loop, a 2.5 mile thrill ride, offers some of the best biking along the Front Range. The views from the top of the Loop are awe-inspiring and motivate you for the speedy descent down the clay hard pack. Keep an eye out for hikers and pay attention to trail markings because certain trails do not permit mountain bikes.