Denver is a city that loves the great outdoors. It boasts the largest urban cycling network in the country and you can hire a boat on the South Platte River in Downtown. Sporting activities are also very popular with Kayaking a favourite for Coloradans.
Denver kayak course
While Colorado boasts some of the finest white water in the world, you may not have time to head for the mountains. Don't fret, because Denver itself has more than 17 miles of kayak chutes along the South Platte River.
Kayaks can be rented near Confluence Park on Platte Street. Or just half an hour's drive away along 6th, you can visit the award-winning kayak park on Clear Creek in Golden. This kayak course has won national attention for its ingenious design.
Colorado urban trails
There's an amazing 850 miles of paved, off-road bike trails in the metro Denver area, making this the largest bike path network of any urban area in the US. Bikes can be rented downtown on Platte Street in Highlands and in Cherry Creek North near the Cherry Creek Bike Path.
Denver's Beat Poetry Driving Tour
Neal Cassady was brought up in poverty on Denver's gritty downtown streets. Neglected by his parents, he spent his time hopping trains to Texas and Nebraska, spending nights in flop houses in Larimer Street or camping out by Denver's rail yards.
Later he met Jack Kerouac who made him, as Dean Moriarty, the hero of one of the 20th century's great novels, On The Road. Today, enthusiasts can follow Denver's Beat Poetry Driving Tour taking in the State Capitol; the old Denver library; the May Company Store; Colburn Hotel; Sonny Lawson Baseball Field; the Rossonian Hotel; Champa Street; Larimer Street and My Brother's Bar and Platte Confluence Park, all important places in Cassady's life.
Finally, you can take a trip out to Jack Kerouac's Lakewood 'Homestead' where he wrote some of On The Road.
Elitch Gardens and Amusement Park
Elitch Gardens is a Rocky Mountain version of Coney Island, with roller coaster rides and the Island Kingdom Water Park. It's got real history too - John and Mary Elitch opened their garden in Denver in 1890, with PT Barnum, General and Mrs Tom Thumb on hand for the festivities. The park still features classic wooden coasters. It's at 4620 West 38th Avenue and is open mid-April to Labor Day.
Red Rocks
The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is west of Denver in the Rocky Mountain foothills and is a geologically formed, open-air amphitheater unlike anywhere else in the world. It consists of two 300ft monoliths called Ship Rock and Creation Rock. The perfect acoustics have made it into a great outdoor venue for concerts.
Many of the world's top stars have played here, and the incredible acoustics mean you can hear a pin drop on stage from the back seats. Red Rocks is near Morrison - worth a visit in itself - 15 miles west of Denver. Coming from Downtown, travel on I-70 west to the Morrison exit, #259. Turn south onto Highway 93.
Denver Flags
Conflence Park
Local 'Wildlife'
White Water
