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Denver, the Mile High City, is the capital of Colorado and with lots to see and do.
Overview of Denver
Denver stands as one of the most dynamic cities in the West. With the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the downtown blends historic buildings with modern skyscrapers and lively public spaces. It offers a thriving food and craft beer scene, and outdoor recreation is central to the city’s identity, with both residents and visitors taking advantage of nearby trails, ski resorts, and scenic drives. The city continues to grow as a cultural and economic hub, and draw new residents thanks to its unique balance of city life and mountain access.
History of Denver
The area that now makes up Denver was originally inhabited by several indigenous peoples, including the Apache, Ute, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Arapaho. In the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the land was recognized as Cheyenne and Arapaho territory, but the discover of gold in the Rocky Mountains in November 1858 prompted a gold rush and a flood of settlers. Territorial officials pressured the federal government to reduce the extent of land given to the Native Americans.
A group of gold prospectors established Montana City in the summer of 1858, marking the first settlement in what is now Denver. It stood on the east bank of the South Platte River, just north of the confluence with Little Dry Creek. It was abandoned the following summer, and the site is now Grant-Frontier Park, which includes a replica log cabin and mining equipment.
Denver City was founded a few months later on November 22, 1858, by William Larimer (1809–1875) and Jonathan Cox. They named it after Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver (1817–1892), hoping it would be selected as the seat of Arapahoe County, but Denver had already resigned from office. The site is now occupied by Confluence Park.
On February 18, 1861, six Southern Cheyenne and four Arapaho chiefs ceded more than 90% of the land designated for them by the Treaty of Fort Laramie, paving the way for the incorporation of Denver City on November 7 later that year. The name shortened to Denver in 1866, and it was named the territorial capital on December 9, 1867. On June 24, 1870, the Denver Pacific completed the link to the Transcontinental Railroad.
Denver as a State Capital
On August 1, 1876, Colorado was admitted to the Union. Denver was made the permanent state capital after a referendum in 1881. Wealthy individuals began building mansions, cultural venues, and luxurious hotels in the city. The middle class grew, and immigrants from Germany, Italy, and China began to arrive, along with Latin Americans and African Americans from the South. Corruption and organized crime, however, dominated politics.
By 1890, Denver had grown into the second largest city west of Omaha, Nebraska. On December 1, 1902, the city separated from Arapahoe and Adams Counties and became its own county. The flower industry developed and thrived through the 1930s, known locally as the Carnation Gold Rush.
In 1970, Denver was selected as the host city for the 1976 Olympic Winter Games, but in November 1972, Colorado voters rejected public funding for the event, and the games were moved to Innsbruck, Austria. It became the only city to decline hosting an Olympics after being selected.
My Experience in Denver
My time in Denver is incomplete. I stayed in the area for five days but only spent a full day in the city. From what I experienced, it seems like a cool city with lots of good restaurants and bars, and plenty of attractions, including several museums. It makes a great base for day trips in the region.
Larimer Square
Larimer Square is the block between 14th and 15th streets along Larimer Street, where Denver was born in 1858. Larimer Street was the city’s first block and contained its first commercial district, residence, bank, post office, bookstore, photographer, and city hall. Today, it’s lined with top restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops.
16th Street Mall in Denver
Running for several blocks, the 16th Street Mall pedestrian promenade is at the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) in downtown Denver. Opened to the public on October 16, 1982, it’s lined with hotels, shops, galleries, restaurants, cafés, and bars, many located in historic buildings.
Designed by I.M. Pei (1917–2019), the street’s alternating granite pattern is meant to resemble a diamondback rattlesnake from above. A free electric shuttle bus runs down the center of the street, stopping at every block.
Daniels & Fisher Tower
One point of interest along the mall is the Daniels & Fisher Tower, built in 1910 as part of a department store. At 325 feet (99 meters), it was once the tallest structure between the Mississippi River and California. The tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 3, 1969.
The Daniels & Fisher Tower was designed by architect Frederick Sterner (1862–1931) as a ⅔ replica of St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice. It stands 20 stories high and features clocks on all four sides, and a 5,500-pound (2,495 kilogram) bell was installed on the top two floors on March 30, 1911. The store was demolished around 1971 but the tower was saved and converted into residential and office space in 1981.
Money Museum
The Denver branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and its Money Museum is on the next block. It has interactive exhibits about the Fed, the economy, and currency. Admission is free but museum is temporarily closed until further notice (as of February 2026).
Kittredge Building
The Kittredge Building, near Broadway, is one of the most attractive structures on 16th Street Mall and one of the first major office buildings in Denver. Completed in 1891, it was designed by A. Morris Stuckert (1851–1928) in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The exterior designs and gargoyles of the Richardsonian Romanesque structure were carved from Colorado granite and rhyolite, and it was one of the first buildings west of the Mississippi to have an elevator and clay tile fireproofing.
Broadway in Denver
Broadway is one of the oldest and most important streets in Denver. It became the city’s most important civic corridor with the construction of the Colorado State Capitol 1894, and pass through Civic Center. It has since evolved into an important commercial and cultural artery.
Trinity United Methodist Church
At Broadway and 18th Avenue, you’ll find the Trinity United Methodist Church. The church was founded as the Denver City Methodist Episcopal Mission on August 2, 1859, and the first building was constructed at the corner of 14th and Lawrence Streets, with the first services held on February 12, 1865.
As Denver rapidly grew, the church purchased the land at its current location and hired architect Robert Roeschlaub (1843–1923) to design the building. Construction began on September 5, 1887, and the first services were held in the unfinished Fellowship Hall on Easter Sunday in 1888.
The Neo-Gothic church features an organ with 4,275 pipes made by Roosevelt Organ Works of New York, while the stained glass was designed by Healy & Millet of Chicago. The steeple stands 183 feet 7 ½ inches (56 meters) high.
Brown Palace Hotel
A block south is the Brown Palace Hotel. Henry C. Brown (1820–1906), who had homesteaded what’s now Capitol Hill, commissioned Frank Edbrooke (1840–1921) to design the three-sided hotel, which has a steel and iron frame clad in sandstone and concrete.
The Brown Palace Hotel opened on August 12, 1892, and has hosted notable guests such as American Presidents, royalty, and famous actors and singers. The hotel remains one of the most luxurious in Denver, featuring many antique furnishings and an elegant afternoon tea. Public tours are available daily at 1:30pm for $25 per person, or free for hotel guests (as of February 2026). Reservations are highly recommended.
Denver Civic Center
The Denver Civic Center is the city’s governmental and cultural core. The small area is full of major landmarks, museums, and public space.
Civic Center Park
Civic Center Park is at the heart of Civic Center. This large public park features 25,000 square feet of flower beds, monuments, a Greek amphitheater, and a memorial. It was the brainchild of Mayor Robert Speer (1855–1918), who hired Edward Bennett (1874–1954) to revise the original plans by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. (1870–1957). The park officially opened in 1919, and was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 16, 2012.
Civic Center Park often hosts important cultural and civic events throughout the year, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Cinco de Mayo, A Taste of Colorado, and Pride Fest. Theatre and music concerts take place at the Greek amphitheater during the summer.
Taste of Colorado (Canceled Indefinitely)
Every Labor Day weekend, Denver hosts A Taste of Colorado. Traditionally held at Civic Center Park, this food festival also features live music, rides, games, shopping, and more. Admission is free and it’s a fun event to attend as summer came to a close. (Note: A Taste of Colorado was held annually between 1983 and 2022, except in 2020. It was cancelled indefinitely in 2024.)
I was in Denver with friends during the festival. We kind of ran into it by accident and I’m glad we did. I enjoyed sampling some of the food and of course the music added to the entertainment. We were only there for a few short hours. It was exhausting with the huge crowds in the hot weather, but it was a fun time.
A Taste of Colorado works on a ticket system. You pay for a strip of tickets and use them to purchase samples or full meals at one of the many food booths.
Live music plays on different stages, including rock, country, blues, jazz, gospel, and world music. The main stage on the night I went featured Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. I wandered over to another stage where Latin Sol was playing while most of the crowd danced.
For kids (and big kids), there are carnival rides and games. Several arts and crafts booths were selling handmade goods, t-shirts, jewelry, and more.
Colorado State Capitol
The Colorado State Capitol, with its glimmering golden dome, is the most prominent building on the park. The building houses the offices of the governor of Colorado as well as the state legislature.
The Neoclassical building was designed by Elijah Myers (1832–1909) and constructed in the 1890s, opening in November 1894. Real gold leaf was used to decorate the dome.
Free guided tours of the Colorado State Capitol, limited to 30 people, are available on a first-come, first-served basis (as of April 2025). They leave from the Visitor Information Desk on the first floor and run hourly from 10am to 3pm, Monday through Friday, except government holidays. The tours last about an hour and include a trip to the dome. There are also self-guided tours during building hours from 7:30am from 5pm, but you won’t be able to visit the dome.
Mile High Markers
The steps feature three different markers indicating Denver’s elevation. The 15th step is engraved “One Mile Above Sea Level”. However, in 1969 after a survey by Colorado State University students, the 18th step was later marked as one mile high.
Finally, in 2003, more modern methods were used to resurvey the elevation. In that case, the 13th step was determined to be exactly a mile high. It’s thought to be the most accurate of the three measurements.
Civil War Monument
In front of the building is the Civil War Monument, dedicated on July 24, 1909, to Colorado soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The bronze sculpture, cast by Bureau Brothers Foundry in Philadelphia, depicts a Union soldier in a raincoat and holding a rifle. It rests on a granite base. (Note: the statue was toppled during racial justice protests on June 25, 2020, and moved to the Colorado History Center on October 14 of that year. The base was later removed as well. The monument was already controversial before the protests because it reference the Sand Creek Massacre, where the Colorado militia killed Cheyenne and Arapaho people. Its future is being debated (as of February 2026).)
Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park
Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park is part of the Colorado State Capitol complex. It sits across the street immediately east of Civic Center Park, and features a handful of monuments and memorials. The most prominent is the Colorado Veterans Monument, an obelisk commemorating veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. It was dedicated on November 10, 1990.
The south side of the park contains a replica of the Liberty Bell and a monument to General Maurice Rose (1899–1945), a veteran of both World Wars, the highest ranking Jewish soldier in World War II, and the highest ranking officer killed in Europe in World War II.
City and County Building
The Greek Revival building facing the capitol on the west side of Civic Center Park is the City and County Building, which holds the offices of the Denver City and County governments as well as the courts. It was designed by a coalition of 39 leading local architects and completed in 1932.
Denver Mint
Behind the City and County Building is the Denver Mint, which is the largest producer of coins in the world. It was built in 1897 and struck its first coins in 1906. Free tours of the mint are offered from Monday through Thursday, except government holidays, between 7:30am and 3:30pm (as of April 2025). They last about 45 minutes and are only for guests age 7+. Tickets are available starting at 7am.
Denver Art Museum
On the south side of Civic Center Park is the Denver Art Museum. The museum has a collection of nearly 70,000 pieces and is well-known for its Native American art. It consists of two buildings: the North Building holding the main collection, and the Hamilton Building with the contemporary art collection. The North Building was designed by Gio Ponti (1891–1979) and built in 1971 while the dramatic Hamilton Building opened in 2006.
The Denver Art Museum is open daily. Admission prices are current as of April 2025:
- Monday through Thursday, non-residents of Colorado admission is $27 for adults and $24 for seniors age 65+ and students. Friday through Sunday, it’s $30 for adults and $27 for seniors age 65+ and students.
- Monday through Thursday, tickets for Colorado residents are $22 for adults and $19 for seniors age 65+ and students. Friday through Sunday, it’s $25 for adults and $22 for seniors age 65+ and students.
Kids 18 and under are admitted free of charge. Check the official website for more information and to find out about the several free admission days throughout the year.
History Colorado Center
The History Colorado Center is a couple blocks south of Civic Center Park on Broadway. It features exhibits on the various periods of Colorado history. It’s open daily and adult admission is $15 (as of April 2025). Kids 18 and under are admitted free of charge.
Planning Your Trip to Denver
Here’s some practical info to help you plan your trip to Denver:
How to Get to Denver
Denver International Airport (DEN) is located northeast of the city. We drove into the city and picked up my friend Martin’s wife, Gönül, who was flying in from New York. It’s a nice airport with open spaces and very easy to navigate.
Driving in Denver
I found driving around Denver to be easy but the traffic was pretty bad in parts. Drivers were generally courteous and parking wasn’t difficult to find.
Whatever you do, do NOT drive on the E-470. It might be well-maintained with no traffic, but this privately-owned all-electronic toll road is overpriced, and once you’re on the ramp, you’re stuck. There’s no toll booth or gate, so you have to rely on advance signage and set your GPS to avoid it. Your license plate is scanned and you’ll end up getting a bill in the mail. I felt ripped off for my 20 or so minutes on the road — it’s definitely not worth it.
Where to Stay in Denver
Before Gönül arrived, Martin and I stayed in the suburb of Aurora — not too far from downtown Denver. We did a few nights of Air BnB camping out in someone’s backyard. We had full access to the house but it was disgusting to say the least.
Aurora Travelodge (Permanently Closed)
Our final night was at the Aurora Travelodge, which was also disgusting. There was broken glass on the steps and in the parking lot, the staff was rude when I asked to leave our bags for an early check-in, and our non-smoking room was filled with the strong stench of cigarettes. Avoid it at all costs.
Where to Eat in Denver
We had a few meals during our stay.
Buckhorn Exchange
Before going to Denver, I was told not to leave without eating dinner at the Buckhorn Exchange. This steakhouse has been serving up steaks, Old West classics, and exotic meats since 1893. It’s located in a historic building in Denver’s oldest neighborhood.
In November 1893, Henry “Shorty Scout” Zietz opened a saloon called the Rio Grande Exchange in the building, which was constructed in 1886 by Neef Brothers Brewing Company. It catered to railroad workers across the street. Zietz later changed the name to the Buckhorn Lodge and then Buckhorn Exchange, and ran it until his death in 1949. His son, Henry Jr., took over, and the family ran the business until 1978.
The interior retains its original features, including the 1857 white oak bar from the Zietz family tavern in Essen, Germany. The trophy animals — some of them comically positioned — along with antique firearms, Native American artifacts, and Western memorabilia were all collected by the family, and add to the character of the restaurant.
Buckhorn Exchange is located not too far from downtown. Denver’s light rail system has a stop right in front of the restaurant at 10th and Osage. If driving, there’s street parking and a parking lot across the street.
Our Experience at the Buckhorn Exchange
We arrived around 7:20pm on a Sunday night without reservations. It would be an hour before we could get a table, so we took a seat in the waiting room upstairs. During this time, we enjoyed some drinks as we browsed the menu and selected our meals.
We were seated at 8:30pm and immediately put in our order. Since we all wanted to try exotic meats we hadn’t sampled before, we decided to share three starters and two main dishes. First was the house specialty, Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are probably an acquired taste to most. I wasn’t sure what to expect from fried bull testicles but they were delicious.
Next was a dish of elk, beef, and buffalo sirloin tips. Although tasty, we couldn’t make out the individual flavors of the meats because the sauce was too dominant. Our final starter was alligator tail — it tastes like a fishy chicken.
Our two mains were baby back ribs and elk steak. The ribs were incredible — they fell off the bone and had a perfect flavor. We weren’t too crazy about the elk since it was tough and gamey.
Overall, we enjoyed the experience and I’d definitely go back. Our only mistake was not making reservations, but it worked out just fine. Service is great — our waiter was on top of things despite the fact it was extremely busy. The prices are definitely not for budget travelers but we felt they were reasonable for what we ordered.
Las Margs Tavern (Permanently Closed)
In Denver, we ate a good Mexican restaurant and bar, Las Margs Tavern. My mom’s husband Doug is cousins with the owner and he suggested I try it. The food is very good and it has a great atmosphere. Their specialty is street tacos but I chose the enchiladas.
China Cafe in Aurora
We had one dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Aurora, China Cafe. The food was decent and it did the job — it was filling and cheap.
Sports in Denver
Denver is a great city for sports lovers, with teams in each of the major sports leagues. The stadiums also host concerts. Tour prices are current as of February 2026:
- The Denver Broncos play NFL football at Mile High Stadium. 90-minute behind-the-scenes stadium tours are available. They costs $52.43 for adults, $47.08 for seniors age 65+ and military personnel with a valid ID, $41.73 for kids age 6–12, and free for kids under 6.
- The Colorado Rockies play baseball at Coors Field. You can take a stadium tour daily except Sundays and afternoon game days. They cost $36 for adults, $21 for seniors age 55+, $11 for kids age 3–16, and free for kids under 3.
- Ball Arena, formerly the Pepsi Center, hosts the Denver Nuggets NBA basketball team. Stadium tours are held most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They cost $15 for adults, $12 for kids age 3–12 and seniors age 55+, $10 for military personnel with a valid ID, and free for kids under 3.
- The Colorado Avalanche NHL hockey team also play at Ball Arena.
- The Colorado Rapids play MLS soccer at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
- Denver Summit FC start their first season in the NWSL (women’s soccer) in 2026.
Map of Practical Info for Denver
