There's a host of downtown attractions in Denver that could keep you entertained for days. Museums galore cover the State's history; art; natural history; children; the US Mint; firefighters; black Americans and transportation. Denver also has some impressive architecture.
Colorado History Museum
Located at the corner of 13th and Broadway, this is the best place to start exploring Denver and Colorado. The flagship is the Colorado Historical Society. It's well designed and packed full of exhibits. 'Tribal Paths' covers the history of Colorado's native Indians from 1500 while the 'Colorado Timescape' displays 10,000 years of history in a 3D model of the State.
Exhibits cover the mining booms that helped found the city, while the auto industry also gets a look in. 'A Woman's Place...is on the range' covers women in ranching, the rodeo and livestock.
State Capitol
Colorado achieved statehood on July 5, 1886. The territorial government moved from Colorado City to Golden City before work started on the state capitol building in Denver, at Colfax and Broadway.
Designed to look like the US Capitol, it took 22 years to complete and is built of state, white granite from Gunnison, along with marble and rose onyx from Buelah. The impressive dome is gold-plated, commemorating the mining boom, and the massive chandeliers within are worth a look. Curiously, these were lit with gas as the designers didn't trust electricity!
The official elevation of Denver is measured outside the west entrance to the State Capitol, where the 15th step is engraved with the words 'One Mile Above Sea Level.' Unfortunately, more recent surveys identified the 18th, and later the 13th, step as a mile high.
There are free tours and portraits of every US president. The climb to the Rotunda gives fabulous views, particularly at sunset.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Located at 1005 York (take 14th St. to York), this 23-acre park is a wonderful space to unwind. The gardens feature wildflowers and native grasses; water gardens; conservatory, themed gardens; gift shop and huge library. There are outdoor concerts in summer in a sunken amphitheater.
Denver Downtown Aquarium
On the intersection of I-25 and 23rd Ave, the aquarium opened in 1999 on a 17 acre site. The exhibits focus on the Colorado River and an Indonesian rain forest and include rare Sumatran tigers. Yes, they can swim! There's a 200,000 gallon aquarium next to the restaurant, making a fascinating setting for the excellent food.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Located in City Park at 2001 Colorado Blvd, you could spend a day or more here. It's one of the largest museums in the US. Highlights include dinosaur fossils and skeletons; a display of the world's minerals; an Egyptology exhibit and the remains of 'a mummy'. The wildlife exhibits are displayed in exquisitely detailed dioramas.
The IMAX cinema claims to have the biggest screen in the world. There's also the Charles C Gates Planetarium - there are separate charges for the museum, theater and planetarium.
United States Mint
Located at W Colfax and Cherokee, this is a very popular visit so it's worth getting there early in summer to beat the lines. You can also pick up a freshly minted commemorative coin at the gift store.
The Denver branch began in 1863 as the assay office and in 1906, the US Mint opened its new Denver branch which still strikes coins for circulation. It is the largest gold depository after Fort Knox.
Capitol Building
Art Buildings
Botanic Gardens
Downtown
Capitol Statue
Denver Aquarium
