Downtown Attractions

Denver is a walking city and the best way to appreciate the architecture, parks and history of the downtown area is on foot. The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has developed a series of six walking tours that loop around downtown, all beginning and ending on the 16th Street Mall, called the Mile High Trail. For a copy of the detailed Mile High Trail guide and map ($1.50), stop by the Visitors Information Center at 225 West Colfax.

Here are some of the highlights of what to see in downtown Denver:

Colorado State Capitol

Stand a mile high on the west steps or climb to the top of the Rotunda for a spectacular sweeping view of Denver and the Rockies. Free tours weekdays.

U.S. Mint

Over five billion coins are struck here every year, and the basement has the second largest storehouse of gold bullion in the U.S., after Fort Knox. Free tours on weekdays.

Entrance to the U.S. Mint

Denver Art Museum

Home to the most comprehensive collection of artworks between St. Louis and Los Angeles, the Denver Art Museum has just celebrated its centennial year. Special exhibits highlight new galleries that better display the holdings, which include the finest Native American collection in the world. Free admission on Saturdays.

Denver Art Museum

Larimer Square

This Victorian block of shops and cafes is Denver's oldest street and the carefully restored gateway to the Historic Lower Downtown District. Also know as LoDo, its 20 blocks of hundred-year-old warehouses and buildings have been converted to antique stores, galleries, clubs, restaurants, stores and offices.

Larimer Street

16th Street Mall

The heart of the city, this mile-long pedestrian promenade is lined with trees, cafes, street performers, cart vendors and a sculpture that doubles as a chessboard. The 2,000 chairs placed along the Mall, near fountains and flowers, make it the perfect place to sit and watch Denver walk by. Hop one of the frequent shuttle buses for a free ride from Market Street to Civic Center.

16th Street Mall

Sakura Square

The center of Denver's Japanese community, this modern square block has a tranquil tea garden, authentic restaurants, import shops and a wonderful Buddhist temple. "Sakura" means "cherry blossom" in Japanese, and each June the square celebrates with a Cherry Blossom Festival.

Confluence Park

It was here in 1858 that Denver's first gold was discovered. Today the park at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek is an integral part of the city's bikepath network. It also offers a manmade whitewater kayak chute, an operating trolley and access to the nearby Forney Museum, with its collection of old automobiles, railroad cars and locomotives.

Platte Valley Trolley at Confluence Park

Museum of Western Art

Housed in the Navarre, once Denver's classiest bordello and gambling hall, this museum displays the third largest collection of Western art in the nation, including many classic Remingtons and Russells.

Museum of Western Art

Colorado History Museum

The colorful stories of the Indians, cowboys, miners and explorers who have called Colorado home come to life in this large, modern museum. Dioramas, artifacts and changing exhibits trace the history of the state up to the modern day.

Molly Brown House

Visit the home of Denver's "Unsinkable" lady and heroine of the Titanic disaster. Historic Denver maintains the house in its Victorian splendor, where authentically costumed guides give daily tours and serve elegant afternoon tea.

Denver History Museum

Located in the historic Byers-Evans House, this new museum uses interactive videos to tell the story of the Mile High City from its inception.

Keith Instone // instone@acm.org // 94-12-30