| Home > Denver City > Denver Information |
| Denver Information |
| Attraction Guide : Denver Museum of Nature & Science One of the premier natural history museums in the country, this institution was founded at the turn of the century to house the collection of Colorado naturalist Edwin Carter. Museum scientists attracted international attention following their 1926 discovery (near Folsom, New Mexico) of distinctive spear points in association with bones of a bison species extinct for 10,000 years. The discovery proved the existence of humans in the New World about 8000 years earlier than previously assumed. Visitors can see dinosaur fossils like Stegosaurus stenops (the state fossil), a small-headed, armor-plated vegetarian that roamed the state 150 million years ago. Enormous remains of the Nebraska mammoth and long-jawed mastodon are also on display. The museum is located 3 miles (5km) east of downtown Denver in City Park. Also housed in the complex is an IMAX Theater, a giant-screen movie experience that wows audiences with - of all things - nature documentaries, and the Gates Planetarium, which features a laser light show tour of distant galaxies. Visitors on a hell-bent pace or with short attention spans could also squeeze in a visit to the neighboring Denver Zoo on the same day. Larimer Square If you're searching for a good sense of what makes Denver America's poster-city for successful redevelopment, start your visit at Larimer Square. Though the idea of festooning renovated turn of the century buildings with strings of 'decorative' lights is questionable, the 1400 block of Larimer St presents a tasty array of distractions. This enclave of stylish shops, restaurants and brewpubs is where the gathering spot for the city's scenesters, running the spectrum from yuppie to punk. If the square's hip clubs keep you going all night, never fear: its cafes are sure to get you started in the morning. Larimer Square is on the southwestern edge of the downtown grid. Denver Art Museum Resembling a modern high-rise jail, this mammoth museum houses one of the largest Native American art collections in the world, with work on display from tribes throughout the country. Pieces from thousands of years ago to the present are arranged geographically, emphasizing the connection between cultures. American Western artists are also featured, as well as works from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. The museum is on the southern fringe of the downtown grid, just south of the Civic Center. Black American Western Museum & Heritage Center 'We tell it like it was' is the motto of the Black American Western Museum & Heritage Center. Although a few notable African-American pioneers arrived at the onset of Colorado's mining boom in the early 1860s, it was after the Civil War that most professional and working-class black people made their mark in the state. Black cowboys were particularly influential, making up almost a third of the Western range workers, but the museum also showcases the contributions of black soldiers, miners, lawyers and politicians. Dedicated to correcting versions of history, the museum is housed in what was the home of Dr Justina Ford, Denver's first black physician, who practiced in the state for half a century. It's located north of downtown in the Five Points neighborhood; the light rail stops right outside. Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater In the hills just west of Denver, this 600 acre (243ha) stunner should not be missed - especially if you can attend a starlit performance, nestled between the outdoor amphitheater's 70 million year old rock formations. During the Great Depression, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps built the 9000 seat amphitheater between 400ft (120m) red sandstone rocks to take advantage of the splendid natural acoustics. Every summer, Red Rocks hosts a variety of world class performers. The surrounding parkland is open daily, except during show times. Getting There & Away With five full-service runways to allow simultaneous landings even during foul weather, Denver International Airport (DIA) was built to be a major hub of North American air travel. True to plan, it's now served by some 20 airlines, though most flights are run by United Airlines. You should have little trouble finding a flight (or at least a connector) to anywhere you're heading in the US. Greyhound and affiliate TNM&O run frequent buses on routes along the Front Range and on transcontinental routes. All buses stop at the Denver Bus Terminal just north of the capitol. It's not the city's most charming spot, so if you're facing a long wait it's worth hanging out at a restaurant or bar in the area. Amtrak's California Zephyr runs daily between Chicago and San Francisco (Emeryville) via Denver. Trains arrive and depart from Union Station, at the corner of 17th and Wyncoop Sts. The Ski Train to Winter Park operates on weekends throughout the snow season, also from Union Station. The scenic trip takes two hours and crosses the Continental Divide via the Moffat Tunnel. At the intersection of I-70 and I-25, Denver is pretty hard for drivers to miss: even the worst navigators should have no trouble finding it. When you're ready to leave, driveaway companies in town may be able to provide you with a free set of wheels in exchange for vehicle delivery (just like Jack Kerouac in On the Road). But you should be prepared to post a substantial deposit and forfeit it if you damage the car (just like Jack Kerouac in On the Road). Getting Around Denver International Airport, 24 miles (40km) northeast of downtown, is among the nation's ten busiest. Most major car rental companies have booths at the Ground Transportation Center on the 5th level near baggage claim. Vans, shuttles and taxis also queue up outside the 5th level doors. Regular Regional Transit District (RTD) buses, the Airporter and the Denver Airport Shuttle ply between the airport and downtown Denver from dawn until well after dark. There are also more expensive door-to-door shuttle services. If you're driving from downtown, allow at least 40 minutes just to reach the airport. Visitors to the Museum of Nature & Science, Larimer Square, the zoo and many other attractions can board the RTD's special Cultural Connection Trolley with the purchase of an all-day ticket. One-hour self-guided tours aboard the trolley are an excellent way to orient yourself. Climb aboard in front of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts at the west end of downtown. Denver's five mile (8km) long RTD light rail line passes through downtown, with NB (northbound) trains running on California St, while SB (southbound) trains follow Stout St. Trains run every five minutes during peak periods. Bikes may board during off-peak hours with permit only. Drivers of cars and riders of motorbikes will need the vehicle's registration papers, liability insurance and an international drivers permit in addition to their domestic license. In general, Colorado is less tolerant of speeding than most Western states, and if you consistently push the speed limits you stand a good chance of a run-in with the highway patrol. Be warned: fines are stiff. Seat belts are required for the driver and front seat passenger and for all passengers on highways and interstates. On motorcycles, helmets are required for anyone under 18. Driving is on the right. Denver has a truly wonderful network of bicycle routes on city streets, plus trails along the Platte River Greenway, Cherry Creek and Bear Creek. See the Denver Metro Bike Routes map in the Denver phone book for route suggestions |
| >> Featured Hotel Partners << |
Priority
Search Engine Submission © February 1st, 2008 E-Biz Travel Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. Central Reservation Office, Bangkok operating hours : Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (GMT+07:00) Office Close on Sunday & Thailand Public Holidays Bangkok Office : 31 Phyathai Building, 9th Floor, Room No. 916, Phyathai Road, Phyathai, Ratchthevi, Bangkok, Thailand 10400 Tel : +66 2246-1400 to 2 Fax : +66 2246-1403 USA Number : +1 603-821-4556 Please contact us for any suggestions or comments |