What to do in Denver?

[SJSlaughter]

I know it's really early, but does anyone know what kind of things there are to do in Denver?  I used to go to conferences in exciting cities I had never before visited--and then spend all my time at the conference.  SGF is wonderful, and there is plenty of fun to be had at the conference.  Still, it's a shame not to see a city while you are there.  So now I make a point of always getting out to see at least one thing in the city.  I have never been to Denver before (except to change planes).  What are the fun things to do and see in Denver?

[ChrisHemedinger]

Let's get this out of the way -- the counterexamples of good ideas as sung by Warren Zevon in 1991.

Apologies for the earworm.

[nbrucken]

The hotel is a few blocks from the state Capitol building, and a block from the free 16th St trolley.  There are lots of good bars and restaurants nearby.

If you rent a car, you can head up into the mountains, and at least some of the Colorado ski resorts should still be open in early April. 

[BBO]

Do you have any specific local restaurants you would recommend?  When I travel, I always love to try the flavor of a place that I visit - something that is unique to the location and has memorable food.

[Vince_SAS]

Search the  Web for restaurants in Larimer Square and LoDo.

Here's something to get you started:

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bars-larimer-square

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-lodo-denver-union-station

Vince

[Vince_SAS]

Mile-High Steps at the Colorado State Capitol
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mile-high-steps-at-the-colorado-state-capitol

US Mint
https://www.usmint.gov/about/mint-tours-facilities/denver/visiting-the-denver-mint

Museum of Contemporary Art
https://mcadenver.org

Denver Art Museum
https://denverartmuseum.org

16th St. MallRide
http://www.rtd-denver.com/FREEMallRide.shtml
http://www.rtd-denver.com/img/map/freemallride-map.jpg

[jmhorstman]

One more to add to Vince's list:

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

http://www.dmns.org/

[ArtC]

Just outside of Denver in the small town of Golden you can visit the Colorado School of Mines(my grad school). They also have a small brewery in Golden (Coors).

[MelodieRush]

I lived in CO for 10 years until about 18 months ago. Some of my favorite are

• The Denver Zoo (I volunteered there for 9 years) https://denverzoo.org/
• The Aquarium http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/default.asp
• The Butterfly Pavilion https://www.butterflies.org/
• The Arsenal Wildlife Park https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky_mountain_arsenal/

Lots of the kids that came to the zoo on field trips often went to this restaurant. I don't think the food is great, but the show is good 🙂

http://casabonitadenver.com/

If you like to hike, it may be a little early to go into the high country (still too much snow on the ground in the higher elevations in April), so

check out

• Boulder https://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation-in-boulder/hiking-in-boulder/5-hi...
• Rocky Mountain National Park https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
• The Arsenal Wildlife Park (mentioned above)
• Garden of the Gods https://www.gardenofgods.com/

Spring Skiing should still be available at some of the ski resorts (if not all, if the season is typical) 

Also if you are into sports Denver has professional teams in Hockey, Baseball, Football, Soccer, Basketball and Lacrosse.

If there is something specific you are looking for, please let me know I still have lots of resources there (and I will be there as well). I look forward to meeting you there.

[MelodieRush]

And you can not go wrong with a tour of a candy factory https://hammondscandies.com/visit/tours/

and if you have a car Celestial Seasonings Tour in Boulder http://www.celestialseasonings.com/visit-us/tea-tour

[nancy88wilson]

I'm IN!!!

[moorsd]

Where's the best place to go drinking and dancing(near the venue)?  This seems to be a common activity after the Kickback Party 😉

[ArtC]

Although it is a bit different than in the movies, you can also tour the home of Molly Brown (the "unsinkable" one of Titanic fame).

[AndrewHowell]

@ShelleySessoms - is there a way to merge this discussion with @SJSlaughter's "What to do in Denver?" thread from 20Dec2017? Not sure which one to post to..

[ShelleySessoms]

Thanks for the suggestion, @AndrewHowell. I'll investigate it. Merging can be tricky (for me, anyway).