Denver - Summer 2022 (Part 1)
I read that Denver is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. When you get here you can see why.
It’s a smaller city but growing rapidly. Denver is not too big as to be overwhelming but not too small as to be boring. I mean, Denver has all 4 major sports so it checks my box of main criteria to be considered a major city. I also like how all of the sports arenas in the city and not the outskirts.
In the downtown area, new construction high rises collide with the historic old brick buildings. Being able to preserve those old buildings add to the character of the city.
A lot of the popular bars from other places like Death & Co from NYC and Ghost Donkey from Vegas are opening up places in this growing city.
Even though it is in the mountains, the city itself is flat so it’s perfect for walking, scooters, and bikes – very accessible without a car except for when it’s 95 degrees out.
Of course trendy neighborhoods have to have high end food courts - the Milk Market in downtown is pictured here
Great bookstore to hit up - they have recently moved next to the baseball park from an older building that was next to the train station.
They do have a homeless problem like every big city but it’s not as pronounced as some other places I’ve been to recently. There are a decent number of vagrants on the mall area but the few encampments they have are on the outskirts of downtown.
The downtown area is currently all torn up under construction. The 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian mall that is being completely redone. The strip is lined with shops and restaurants and it also has a convenient free shuttle that runs up and down the street.
On one end of the strip is the Larimar Square area. It is shut from traffic now making a nice pedestrian square. Touristy area but seems like plenty of locals come as well.
Larimar Square now a pedestrian area
(The Colorado flag always makes me think of the Cubs logo)
The RiNo (River North) Art District is especially vibrant. It has the hipster energy with popular bars and restaurants and, of course, murals. This area is very walkable from downtown on the other side of the baseball stadium.
There are other neighborhoods outside of downtown to explore but we didn’t head to those places this time. Several years ago, we ventured to the Stranahan’s Distillery on the south side of town.
I already noted the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge in a previous posts but below are some other places of interest.
Denver Art Museum (DAM)
We felt like we needed a cultural outing so we visited the Denver Art Museum. It was far bigger and more impressive than I thought it would be. It’s two buildings and many floors have more displays than you could adequately view in a day.
One of the temporary exhibitions was a very cool display of historical armor.
Union Station
The renovated Union Station anchors one end of the 16th St Mall and in a way anchors the city. A functioning train station, it reminds me very much of the Ferry Building in San Francisco with the upscale eateries and bars. Mercantile Dining and Provision on one side of the building was one of the leaders in bringing in revitalization vibe to Denver with the high end food and drink.
US Mint
Probably really cool tour (maybe someday I can get in!)
The mint is just off the south side of the 16th Street Mall so it’s easy to get to and it’s free. Those are the plus parts. The catch is that it’s very hard to get on the tour. I’ve tried a few times that I’ve been in Denver with no luck.
You have to plan very far ahead for one of the few tour slots every day. It’s not unlike the problem with National Parks, and being free makes it a popular destination. They also have a small souvenir store by the entrance.
Money Museum
There is a branch of the Federal Reserve sitting right on the mall but it was closed this time I visited. On a previous visit - there was a small museum inside.
It used to be you could grab a free souvenir of shredded old money at the Money Museum. Hopefully they open again in the future.