Denver Overview

Welcome to the Mile High City, where the Wild West meets the urban frontier, where towering peaks collide with the desert plains. Rising from the dust of gold, Denver is a vibrant city, home to 300 days of sunshine, and world class skiing.

Districts

Denver is a geographically isolated city sitting exactly one mile above sea level and over 600 barren miles from the next closest major city. Concealed from the west by bold foothills and towering 14,000-foot peaks, and protected to the east by an expansive and unforgiving high desert terrain, it is a place where everybody seems to be from somewhere else.

Today, modern-day pioneers flock to Denver for world-class skiing and biking, serene hiking and intense rock climbing. They travel here from far and wide to imbibe famous microbrews, stand in the humbling presence of massive peaks or find prosperity in the booming computer and telecommunications economy. The end result: blended but cohesive neighborhoods, brimming with a diverse collection of cultures and exuding character and charm.

Districts include: Downtown/Auraria, Historic Lower Downtown (LoDo), Uptown/City Park, Five Points/Curtis Park, Capitol Hill, Cheeseman Park/Congress Park, Cherry Creek, Washington Park, University Park, and Golden.

Entertainment

Denverites love the outdoors. The sun shines over 300 days a year, and the dry climate and unpredictable weather patterns allow for intense mountain biking one day and perfect powder skiing the next. A good portion of the city heads to the mountains come the weekend, leaving the rest of the populace to enjoy Denver's immense assortment of cultural delights. Even though much of the city's entertainment involves sweat, residents easily maneuver from an exhilarating day on the slopes to an afternoon hockey game or a night at the symphony. Most places, whether restaurants, nightclubs or theaters, are brimming with activity every night of the week.

Dining and Drinking

Blend a deep Hispanic tradition with an Asian migration, mix it up with a big dash of sports frenzy and the Wild West, and Denver's dining scene begins to take shape. And do not forget the beer. Known for its casual atmosphere, brewpubs, and sports bars, the Mile High City has always been famous for good grub, but recently arrived culinary masters, attracted by the panoramic mountain setting, have vaulted Denver to the fine dining forefront. Although Denverites now enjoy fancier fare, they still love their beer.

Where To Stay

A historian once termed Denver the "turnstile city." Travelers come in, travelers go out. Some come for the skiing, others show up to call the city home. Over the past few years the business crowd has been enticed by the region's bustling economy, culture and recreational attractions. An addition to the convention center is in the works. New hotels preparing to open, or in the planning stages, will add to the 17,000 rooms already available. Many hotels occupy three prime areas: downtown, the Denver Tech Center (DTC) and the area around Denver International Airport (DIA).

Comfortable lodging can easily be found in every nook and cranny of the city. Accommodations range from the glorious to the unassuming as do the prices, but most provide a good night's sleep at a fair price. If you prefer the provincial charm of a bed-and-breakfast, Denver has some of the best in the western region. Usually located in elegant Victorian mansions, they provide many of the modern conveniences of a hotel with a dash of history.

Did You Know?

Denver is ranked the "thinnest" city in America by the American Cancer Society.

It resides 346 miles (557 km) west of the exact center of the continental United States.

Colorado brews more beer than any other state.


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