Denver is a wake-up call when it comes to city attractions. Scores of museums and galleries have made Denver the arts capital of the west. Museums in particular have a wide appeal both for variety and interest, with almost every subject covered. Shoppers and foodies have almost unlimited attractions with some great stores and restaurants. If you are still stuck for choice then pop into one of the city's visitor information centers for help. They can be found at the airport, Downtown and at the Colorado Convention Center.
Denver Art Museum
Located at 100 W 14th Ave, near the corner of Broadway, the Art Museum is in a modern six-storey building. The exhibits cover a wide range including tribal masks; totem poles; Spanish colonial art; European art and even Greek statues.
Amongst the big names are Picasso, Braque and Matisse. And a very fine collection of American art includes early 20th century work from the Taos artists' colony. The museum also features a very fine gift shop and an excellent range of books.
Museum of Western Art
In the very heart of Downtown opposite the historic Brown Palace hotel, this museum houses three storeys of the art of western America. Look out for the sculpture 'Coming through the Rye'. There is a collection of works from the Taos school of artists.
Molly Brown House Museum
The home of 'unsinkable' Margaret (Molly) Tobin Brown, who survived the Titanic disaster in 1912. At 1340 Pennsylvania Street, the building was saved from demolition in 1970. Built of lava rock with sandstone trim, the house is decorated with furnishings, art and even the clothing of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Denver Zoo and City Park
The zoo covers 76-acres. There's lions, tigers and bears and regular feeding displays. If 76 acres seems on the large side, grab a ride on the Zooliner train. You can hop off for an ice cream at the Ice Cream Station Zebra. It really is called that!
City Park was founded in 1881 and contains all that a traditional park should - lawns for a picnic and lakes with rowboats for rent. There is also an excellent public golf course.
Cherry Creek
If shopping is your thing, head out to the affluent area of Cherry Creek. It's worth visiting for the fabled Tattered Cover bookstore, although Downtown branches are now available. The Mall features many of the big brands while food stores offer a wide range of speciality products.
Children's Museum of Denver
This is the perfect place to take kids, with stacks of hands-on experiences. Children can learn about the media from a newscast room including weather station and news desks. If the Indians of the northwest are their thing, they can create their own totem poles.
There's a park outside with climbing equipment while a 25min trolley ride along the South Platte river to the Transportation Museum is an attraction in its own right. It's located at 2121 Children's Museum Drive, Denver, CO 80211, off I-25 and 23rd Avenue. All children must bring an adult and all adults should take along a child.
Denver Cow Statue
Mountain bike
Denver City Park
Botanic Gardens
