Things to do in Denver

[Luke Warm]

I'm going to be in Denver soon and aside from the smoking and drinking, what recommendations do any of you locals have? I'm going to be staying downtown and I won't have a car but I might rent a bike if the weather cooperates. And as far as smoking and drinking, any places to stay away from? Thanks for the tips!

[jeninco]

I'm going to be in Denver soon and aside from the smoking and drinking, what recommendations do any of you locals have? I'm going to be staying downtown and I won't have a car but I might rent a bike if the weather cooperates. And as far as smoking and drinking, any places to stay away from? Thanks for the tips!

My suggestions apply more to the outlying towns, but @La Bibliotecaria Feroz  is local to where you're going and may have helpful suggestions. So I'm trying to page her for you, but the spaces that autofilled there make me think I'm doing it wrong... (I'd definitely suggest renting a bike and riding down the bike path that goes along one of the rivers, if the weather cooperates...)

[Luke Warm]

Thanks! I've got most of the highlights picked but I didn't want to miss something under the radar. The Rockmount Ranchwear place looks like it will be getting some of my money. I love western pearl snap button shirts.

[techwiz]

I assume you are going to by air. I have always wanted to check out the airport after reading about some "Conspiracy Theories" about the Denver Airport.

I am not the tin foil hat wearing type, but there sounds like some interesting things to see at the airport:
1. Airport's dedication stone
2. Creepy murals "In Peace and Harmony With Nature", "Children of the World Dream of Peace"
3. Mustang, nicknamed "Blucifer" by conspiracy theorists, this statue is 32 feet tall and 9,000 pounds. Its eyes glow red at all hours of the day and night.
4. White tent tops are meant to resemble the snow-capped peaks of the mountains
5. Walking through those weird tunnels that change colours and sounds

Have a great trip and if you check out the airport let me know if the above is worth checking out or it turns out to be stuff the conspiracy theorists are making a big deal out of nothing. 

If you like beer there are lots of microbrewers that offer tours.  https://www.denvermicrobrewtour.com/



 

[Tasse]

3. Mustang, nicknamed "Blucifer" by conspiracy theorists, this statue is 32 feet tall and 9,000 pounds. Its eyes glow red at all hours of the day and night.

It also fell on and killed its sculptor before it was installed. This is a non-optional stop, in that you must pass it to get in or out of the airport.

Personally there is no airport I would spend extra time in voluntarily, but the Demon Horse is truly unnecessarily evil-looking.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

3. Mustang, nicknamed "Blucifer" by conspiracy theorists, this statue is 32 feet tall and 9,000 pounds. Its eyes glow red at all hours of the day and night.

It also fell on and killed its sculptor before it was installed. This is a non-optional stop, in that you must pass it to get in or out of the airport.

Personally there is no airport I would spend extra time in voluntarily, but the Demon Horse is truly unnecessarily evil-looking.

It's terrifying. I think the eyes are supposed to be Broncos orange but they definitely are not. A radio station ran a fake ad on Blucifer for governor.

I am here. I saw my batsignal.

If the weather is nice and you do rent a bike, maybe ride it to the Botanic Gardens on York Street. Not too far away from there, at York/Josephine, and Colfax, is Tacos Tequila Whiskey, where they have tiny artesanal tacos that you order like sushi. It is my sister's favorite when she comes to town.

For planning purposes: I have been informed that if you can't smoke where you are staying (true of many rentals and all hotels) and resort to edibles, they absorb into your bloodstream faster and more efficiently if taken with a high-fat meal.

The Central Library was designed by Michael Graves and is pretty cool. There are art exhibits usually on the 7th and 5th floors. I think there is a brochure you can get with a self-guided tour. Walk around the plaza in that area and be sure to see the giant broom and dustpan.

Hope that helps!

[Luke Warm]

Thanks! The problem is there are too many breweries. I'd have to start drinking at breakfast if I want to hit them all. I love that there art installations scattered about. Can't wait!

[therethere]

I think there is over 100 breweries in Denver proper now. A lot of the breweries are more like neighborhood breweries and not necessarily the "best" ones. It really depends what you like and what your price point is. RiNo (River North/Upper Larimer St) has a bunch of breweries and restaurants and would be great to walk around. The alleys are covered in murals from an annual event Colorado Crush. They pay well known artists to come into Denver and do a mural over the course of the week. Some are new every year and some stay. I would say to head up there and walk around, maybe grab some taster flights, drinks, and food at some places down there.

Here's a map for this year, but there are a bunch more murals still existing from previous if you just look around. https://crushwalls.org/event-map/

Be aware there are lots of homeless people scattered about up there (not in the alleys with the murals really). But they're just trying to live and won't hassle you. It can be a shock if you're not used to it.

[jeninco]

I am here. I saw my batsignal.

Yeah! I did it correctly!

If the weather is nice and you do rent a bike, maybe ride it to the Botanic Gardens on York Street. Not too far away from there, at York/Josephine, and Colfax, is Tacos Tequila Whiskey, where they have tiny artesanal tacos that you order like sushi. It is my sister's favorite when she comes to town.

For planning purposes: I have been informed that if you can't smoke where you are staying (true of many rentals and all hotels) and resort to edibles, they absorb into your bloodstream faster and more efficiently if taken with a high-fat meal.

Thanks for the reminder -- if you do decide to go the edibles route, be aware that it may take a while for you to "enjoy" the effects. There are plenty of stories of visitors who come to town, eat half a pot cookie, decided it wasn't having an effect, then eat two more, thus ending up in the ER. (Where they can do nothing but put you in a room until you get over it, honestly. And charge you...) Don't be that person -- eat the recommended amount for your size, and then wait however long they've told you it'll take times 1.5. (You can ask the seller how long it'll take to feel the full effects.)

[Luke Warm]

that crushwalls looks great. i love street art.
we have lots of homeless people here also so we're used to it.
as far as edibles go, i'm a lightweight so i tend to start small and wait it out. i've made the mistake of over indulging and it wasn't pleasant. thanks for the tips!