Surrounded on all sides by high mountains and picturesque plateaus, in the center of North America is the amazing Denver, which is equally good both in summer and in winter. What state is Denver in? This is Colorado, where a large number of Indian tribes previously lived.
In which country and where is Denver located: historical background
The territory of Denver was inhabited much later than the rest of the United States, despite the fact that the city is located almost in the center of the country. Only in the middle of the 19th century, or rather in 1858, a mining village of the same name was founded by gold diggers on this place.
Interesting! The USA received its name in honor of the governor of Kansas, on whose support the first settlers were counting.
Where is Denver located
Denver was a city founded in the center of the United States, so it's pretty easy to get here from almost anywhere. There are several options for this:
- Airplane. Its airport is located 40 km from the capital of the state, from where both domestic and international flights are made. There are several ways to get to the city from here (by taxi, metro, buses, Sky Ride service, renting a car through Uber mobile apps, etc.).
- A train. The railway station called Union Station is located almost in the center of the village. This type of transport can be used to get to the nearest cities such as Greenwood, Aurora, Littleton and others. In addition, there is an Amtrak train running from San Francisco to Chicago daily through Denver.
- Bus. Perhaps the most popular form of passenger transport, since it is he who connects the state of Denver, or rather the entire territory of Colorado together. Hundreds of routes are operated on a daily basis.
- Automobile. The city's location in the heart of the country has determined that it is located at the intersection of several major highways (the most famous Colorado State Highways 35 and 470).
It is recommended to purchase city maps at train stations.
Tourist season
So Denver is where? It is located in the central part of America, in the famous Rocky Mountains. Denver Colorado is filled with tourists all year round, but the main stream arrives here in summer and winter. This is determined by the peculiarities of the Denver climate and the proximity of the mountains.
Summer is characterized by comfortable weather and temperatures about 25 ° C, which is ideal for excursions to the mountains and walks in the nearby parks. In addition, the summer months are full of cultural events: outdoor festivals, band performances, etc.
Note! Yet the main tourist peak occurs during the winter months. The temperature at this time here is on average -5 ° C, which is most optimal for skiers and snowboarders in the mountains. In addition, winter competitions in extreme sports - X Games are held annually in Aspen Mountain Park.
The main attractions of the city
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In the US city of Denver, there are quite a few historical and simply interesting sights that most tourists will be curious to visit.
Museums
Capitol (Colorado State Capital) - historic building 1894 year, where the Colorado General Assembly meets. It is open to visitors during periods when there are no meetings. In addition to the architecture itself, tourists will be interested in the information presented here about the gold rush that took place in Denver, Colorado, USA.
The Denver Museum of Art attracts creative travelers from across the country. It is considered the "Pearl of Colorado" - one of the largest museums in America. The collection of 68,000 itemstelling about the life and art of the Indians.
The Colorado Arts Center is a complex of offices, conference rooms and museum displays. Most of the exhibitions are interactive, so you can not only touch the exhibits, but also take part, for example, in a mine explosion and gold mining. Themed exhibitions, such as toys, paintings and others, remain a popular area of this museum.
Note! Denver Museum of Science and Nature will not leave anyone indifferent. Even children won't want to leave here thanks to the dinosaur installations. Founded in 1900, it remains one of the largest science centers in America today.
Parks and reserves
So what else can you see in Denver? Of course, it is famous for its nature, landscapes and parks:
- Mount Evans. Marks the summit of the Rocky Mountains. Despite some distance from the city, getting to it will not be difficult. The landscapes opening from a height of 4348 m make you come back here again and again. It is worth noting that access to Evans is closed in winter.
- The whole complex of parks and reserves includes an area of 5 hectares - this is Denver Mountain Parks. It is recommended to move around such a vast territory exclusively by car. If you don't have enough time, you can limit yourself to a one-day excursion, which includes a visit to the most famous local attractions.
- The botanical garden in the city will appeal to lovers of beautiful landscapes. Stylized locations, fountains and greenhouses look very picturesque here.
Tourist streets and city districts
As in most major cities in the world, there is a pedestrian street called The 16th Street in the center of Denver, Colorado. It passes through as many as 7 quarters of the city, through which you can walk or take a ride on the free bus. The street is filled with many small souvenir shops and shops, bars and restaurants, hotels, street musicians and magicians. At night, life here is also in full swing, but with the participation of the homeless and hippies.
Note! Separately, I would like to note that the LoDo district began its noisy nightlife back in 1881 - it was here that most of the brothels and salons were located.
Over time, the popularity of the area began to decline, and at the end of the twentieth century it became clear that reorganization was needed to retain tourists. The historic streets are filled with shops, clubs and restaurants, hostels and art galleries.
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Denver itinerary for 1 day
One day to explore the state capital will not be enough, but you can visit a fairly large number of Denver attractions, if you plan the route and time correctly:
- The best place to start the day is in the oldest part of the city, in the LoDo area. It will take about a couple of hours. Here you can also have breakfast and take the free shuttle bus along The 16th Street to the next location.
- The Denver Museum of Art is the city's trademark. For some, 1 hour will be enough for an inspection, but on average, this large museum will take about 3 hours.
- The next stop can be at one of the parks, for example, Denver City Park. You can get there by taxi or bus, which will take about 10-20 minutes. Lunch in the form of a picnic will allow you to enjoy the views of the city. By the way, you can also visit the local zoo for a short while.
- It is better to end the trip in the huge Elitch Gardens amusement park, which is open until the night. You can find an attraction here for any age.
Food: what to try
A large flow of tourists suggests the presence in the city of many cafes and restaurants with a wide price policy. You can visit such famous establishments as Strabucks in any city, but local restaurants with an interesting history deserve special attention.
Note! Almost every one of them has its own specialty. For example, My Brother's Bar is famous for its JSB Burger.And the Denver National Biscuit Sandwich can be enjoyed at Denver Biscuit.
Local Holidays
The most famous holidays celebrated not only in Denver, but throughout Colorado:
- Balloon Festival. Held in August. The holiday begins with a launch into the sky 70,000 ballsand ends with a car parade.
- Quite an interesting holiday where the stars perform - the day of the legalization of marijuana, held 20 April... This action is going to more than 100,000 people.
- Traditionally, the New Year is celebrated on a grand scale. The main part of the event takes place in the station building. It is recommended to celebrate the holiday with children at the Denver Zoo.
What to do in your free time
The tourist will not be bored. There are many shops, bars, clubs and souvenir shops here.
Shops and shopping
Since the city is the capital of the entire state of the USA, there are plenty of shops here. Most of the famous boutiques are located in the city center in the largest shopping centers Cherry Creek Shopping Center and 16th Street Mall. Inexpensive prices and items from past collections can be purchased at Colorado Mills, or wait for the seasonal sales and Black Friday, so popular all over the world.
Bars
Bars are almost an iconic vacation spot for Denver residents. Without them, it is impossible to imagine not only weekends, but also weekdays. You can find a suitable place for every taste - with live music, themed places, etc. The most popular among tourists are The Cruise Room Bar, The Grizzly Rose, Jazz at Jacks.
Clubs and nightlife
If locals relax in the bar from Sunday to Wednesday, then from Thursday to Saturday it is time for clubs and parties. It should be noted here that access to most American clubs is allowed from the age of 21, due to the ban on alcohol.
Note! Among the most popular hot spots are The Church, Vinyl, and Betta Nightclub - famous throughout the country.
Souvenirs
All Denver souvenirs are associated with its main symbols, namely mountains, Indians (there are a huge number of their reservations) and the legalization of marijuana. The latter is mainly depicted as a cannabis leaf on lighters and other products. The image of mountains is also not uncommon. But the things of Indian culture deserve special attention. This direction is actively developing in Denver, so here you can find not only national costumes, but also handmade weapons, musical instruments, etc.
City driving options
In addition to hiking, there are several more popular options here:
- Taxi. There are several types of them. In some, payment is made by agreement with the driver, in others - according to the meter.
- Metro. It looks more like a land-based train linking the airport, city center and suburban towns.
- Buses. They can be both paid and free, so with their help you can save a lot on travel.
- The rented transport is available in the form of a scooter, car, motorcycle. Rental services can be found at almost every step.
Ski vacation
Despite all its attractions, it is the geographical location of the city along with the surrounding mountains that provides the main influx of tourists from November to March. All ski resorts are located outside the city, but it is very easy to get to them from Denver, so you can not be afraid to stay in a city hotel. The many slopes in the area are equipped for all tastes - both for beginners and professionals.
Despite the large amount of entertainment, Denver is still more intended for an active ski holiday than for leisure with children. Although it will be useful for them to see the local beauty.
