With
300 days of sunshine annually, award-winning dining, world-class
museums, and natural beauty from the Rocky Mountains backdrop, Denver
blends urban sophistication with outdoor adventure. This summer you
can make the most of the Mile High City, with special $52.80 hotel,
restaurant and attraction deals all across Denver.
The
deals are going on all summer long, but look for special packages on
holiday weekends through Labor Day. The City Is On Sale.
From
chef-owned restaurants to world-renowned museums, from upscale shopping
to remarkable theater, Denver’s renaissance has travelers flocking
to this iconic western city to experience all the city has to offer.
The
culinary scene in Denver continues to draw national attention, as some
of the nation’s hottest young chefs gravitate here to open their
own visionary venues. In chic neighborhoods like the Highlands, LoDo
(short for Lower Downtown), Golden Triangle and Cherry Creek, culinary
pioneers are serving all varieties of cuisine, from Asian Latin fusion
to South American haute cuisine, not to mention authentic Italian and
local Colorado ingredients.
Restaurants,
galleries and shops pepper Denver’s 20 diverse neighborhoods.
From the stately victorian mansions of Capitol Hill and the rich African-American
culture of historic Five Points, to the quaint, tree-lined streets of
Old South Gaylord and Old South Pearl, Denver’s laid-back attitude
and sophistication are exemplified in the art districts and communities
surrounding downtown.
Meanwhile,
the heart of downtown Denver is still the 16th Street Mall, a mile-long
pedestrian promenade lined with restaurants, shops and seasonal programming.
Free hop-on-hop-off hybrid shuttle buses leave either end of the Mall
every 90 seconds, making everything downtown easy to reach.
At
the northern end of the Mall is LoDo, a hip historic district with a
vibrant nightlife. LoDo is overflowing with more than 200 bars, lounges,
brew pubs, jazz cafés, restaurants and music clubs.The stunning
Museum of Contemporary Art | Denver attracts some of the nation’s
top talent and offers a staggering rooftop view of the Denver skyline.
The
Cherry Creek Shopping district is a village within the city, filled
with nearly 500 shops, independent boutiques, cafes, restaurants and
galleries. It’s where Denver comes to browse, to sip, to see and
be seen.
You
may also want to check out Denver’s music scene, with some of
the best sounds – from top acts to independent artists –
that can be heard across the nation. Open year-round and celebrating
its 68th year, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre welcomes a new music season
each summer along with outdoor films every Tuesday night.
For
the more sports-minded, Denver also offers MLB’s Colorado Rockies
who play at the centrally-located Coors Field in LoDo. Denver hosts
seven professional sports team in total, including the MLS Colorado
Rapids and the MLL Denver Outlaws.
For
great hotel rates, a calendar of events and more information on Denver,
visit www.visitDenver.com
or call 1-800-2DENVER.
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Museum
of Contemporary Art |
Denver
A spectacular new building designed by David Adjaye, Denver’s
newest museum offers five galleries with changing exhibits. 303.298.7554
• www.mcadenver.org
Denver
Art Museum
The largest and most comprehensive collection of art between
Kansas City & the West Coast with more than 30,000 objects. 720.865.5000
• www.denverartmuseum.org
Denver
Museum of Nature & Science
Incredible dinosaur exhibits, an IMAX theater, amazing gems
and Egyptian
mummies, Space Odyssey, and the world’s most advanced digital
planetarium. Expedition Health Spotlight, opening April 4, is about
your human body - how it is constantly changing and adapting in ways
you can see, measure, and optimize through the choices you make. For
more information about the exhibition visit the Denver Museum of Nature
& Science website.
303.322.7009
• www.dmns.org
First
Friday Art Walk
Galleries all over the city keep their doors open late and treat visitors
to special exhibits, food, and music. www.denver365.com
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La
Piazza dell'Arte June 6-7, 2009
Artists transform Denver's Larimer Square into a beautiful street
museum of bright and colorful chalk art images.
303.685.8143 • www.larimerarts.org/la_piazza_dell_arte.html
PrideFest
June 27-28, 2009
One of the nation's top 10 GLBT events in the country.
303.934.8045 • www.denverpridefest.org
Cherry
Creek Arts Festival
July 3, 4, 5, 2009
More than 350,000 visitors annually enjoy the visual, culinary and performing
arts and interactive activities for the whole family. Experience Colorado's
signature and award-winning cultural event!
303.355.2787• www.cherryarts.org
Denver Outlaws MLL Lacrosse,
Now through July
Watch the Denver Outlaws at INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium. Season
runs through July 25. 720-258-3606; www.denveroutlaws.com
Colorado
Rockies Home, Now through September
Watch the 2007 National League Champions all summer long at Coors Field.
Season runs through September. 303-ROCKIES; colorado.rockies.mlb.com
12th
Annual Ballpark Market, Now through October
Visitors will discover hidden treasures at Denver's urban, open-air
flea market featuring more than 100 vendors selling antiques, furniture,
art, clothing and fresh flowers and a local farmers' market. (@ Larimer
between 21st & 22nd streets) (second Saturday of each month, 8 a.m.-2
p.m.) Free admission. 303-589-2800; ballparkmarket.com
Annual
Downtown Denver Festival of the Arts, May 22-25
Nothing paints a better picture of fun than a festival filled with more
than 150 of Colorado's most esteemed artists. This popular art event
formally known as the Colorado Arts Festival will showcase paintings,
sculpture, photography, glasswork, woodwork and more. Because each artist
will be on-site, visitors also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one
with the creators of the works on display. www.downtowndenverartsfestival.com
Film
on the Rocks, June-August
Denver rocks! Local bands perform before blockbuster films, from Braveheart
to The Matrix, shown on a giant outdoor screen at the famous Red Rocks
Amphitheatre. 720-865-2494; redrocksonline.com
Botanic Gardens' Summer Concert Series,
June-August
Pack a picnic and head to the Denver Botanic Gardens' summer concert
series featuring an intimate outdoor amphitheater set amidst lush gardens.
Concerts include top jazz, pop, folk and blues musicians. 720-865-3500;
denverbotanicgardens.org
Film in the Parks Summer Series,
June-August
Parks aren't just for concerts. Families picnic under the stars while
they catch fun films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Casablanca and Toy
Story. June-August, dates & locations vary. 720-913-0677; denvergov.org
Capitol Hill People's Fair,
June 6-7
Experience Denver's most eclectic neighborhood festival in Civic Center
Park. Features include live entertainment on multiple stages, hundreds
of arts and crafts booths and a food bazaar. 303-830-1651; www.peoplesfair.com
La
Piazza dell'Arte, June 6-7 ( make sure they don't duplicate this
one)
The streets of Larimer Square are transformed into a giant canvas by
hundreds of artists, professional, amateur and students alike, who recreate
masterpieces and original works with vivid pastel chalk. Italian music
and food complement this visual feast! 303-685-8143; larimerarts.org
City Park Jazz Summer Concert Series,
June 7-August 9
Every Sunday evening Denverites prepare for the work week by relaxing
and listening to jazz in at the historic City Park Pavilion. 303-744-1004;
cityparkjazz.org
Greek
Festival, June 19-21
Indulge in Greek culture featuring traditional Greek dishes, an art
exhibit and sale, live music and dancing, and a children's carnival.
303-388-9314; /www.assumptioncathedral.org
Highlands
Street Festival, June 20
Over 35,000 visitors attend this free event annually to listen to live
music, taste local cuisine and sip micro-brews. Live music on 3 stages
and over 125 vendors. www.highlands-square.com/Fair
Juneteenth, June 20
Celebrate and share in the vibrant African American culture with food,
music and a parade in the Five Points neighborhood. 303-832-3770; denverjuneteenth.org
Cherry Blossom Festival, June
27-28
Celebrate Japanese culture with exhibits and demonstrations, live entertainment,
contemporary and traditional art, and delicious Japanese delicacies
at Sakura Square. 303-295-1844; www.tsdbt.org/cherryblossom
Confluence Concerts, Thursdays
in July
Relax by the riverfront and enjoy a free summer concert series featuring
the best in local entertainment, from jazz and blues to classical performances.
303-637-2645; greenwayfoundation.org
19th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival,
July 3-5 (make sure they don't duplicate this one)
Ranked as the No.1 fine arts and crafts exhibition in the nation, this
festival draws more than 250,000 people. Participating artisans represent
every type of media from photography and watercolor, to jewelry and
glass. Entertaining music and dance performances are held on several
stages and booths featuring Denver's premier restaurants offer a variety
of signature dishes. 303-355-2787; cherryarts.org
Denver
Black Arts Festival, July 10-12
For over 24 years the Black Arts Festival has enriched and entertained
Denver with its heritage celebration. www.denbaf.org
Colorado
Irish Festival, July 10-12
Experience the largest Irish celebration in the Rocky Mountains with
traditional Irish music performances and dancing, Irish drama and storytelling,
crafts, games and food and drinks at Clement Park. 303-561-4007; www.coloradoirishfestival.org
Mile
High Music Festival Presented by SanDisk, July 18-19
The second annual Mile-High Music Festival will be held on the outer
fields at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. For more info visit: www.milehighmusicfestival.com
9th
Annual Dragon Boat Festival, July 25-26
Set sail for summer fun at Sloan's Lake Park where vibrantly decorated
dragon boats race in an exciting pan-Asian sport. The weekend is filled
with cultural entertainment including an Asian marketplace with great
food and gifts, stage performances featuring Japanese Taiko drum groups,
martial arts and other cross-cultural collaborations. 303-722-68 cdbf.org
Colorado
Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games, August
8-9
Join this Celtic celebration featuring pipe bands, drumming, Scottish
athletic competitions, highland dancing and folk music. 303-238-6524;
www.scottishgames.org
Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival,
August 28-30
Fun takes flight at Chatfield State Park where hundreds of vibrant hot
air balloons will fill the sky. Enjoy various activities and exhibits,
live music and dazzle your eyes during Lites in the Nite Balloon Illumination.
303-697-1039; www.rockymountainballoonfestival.com
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