Denver

The Downtown Aquarium is a complex featuring more than one million gallons of underwater exhibits that house more than 500 species of animals, an interactive sting ray touch tank, sharks and more. The Desert section has rattlesnakes, and the Rainforest section has beautiful birds and Sumatran tigers.

Enjoy sightseeing tours, white-water rafting trips and other fun activities in and around Denver.

Experience two sides of Denver – a historic western town and a thriving modern city – all in the same trip. Travel through the quiet, tree-lined streets of Denver’s residential neighbourhoods and journey back to the 19th century. Witness the elegance of historic Larimer Square and the Victorian mansions of “unsinkable Molly Brown” and others. At the end of this journey, you will no longer be a stranger to the Mile-High City.

The Colorado Sightseer, Inc., is an exciting and fun service that provides tours of Denver, other parts of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Tours are designed to encourage visitors to “get off the bus” to see, learn and explore the treasures that Denver and Colorado have to offer. Colorado Sightseer specializes in having fun, which means tours are arranged so guests have a full experience without feeling rushed during their visit.

Once called the “richest square mile on Earth,” Central City and Black Hawk are two historic old mining towns from the 1870s that have come alive. Just 34 miles (55 kilometres) west of Denver, the two towns offer more than 30 casinos with more than 10,000 slot machines, blackjack tables and poker games. The towns are also known for having some of the best-preserved Victorian architecture in the West. Other attractions include mine tours, the Teller House Hotel and the Central City Opera House.

Picturesque and tourist-friendly, Estes Park is popular with travellers during summer, but any time is a great time to visit. The nearby Rocky Mountain National Park flaunts its rugged beauty with columbine-covered meadows, shimmering turquoise lakes, inviting streams and awesome views of craggy, snow-capped peaks. During the fall, bulls bugle and battle as they compete for rank. Summer brings out alpine wildflowers, campers, backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts in general.

Glenwood Springs boasts the world’s largest natural outdoor hot-springs pool. Relax in the steamy, soothing waters as you gaze out on the mountainous backdrop, or indulge in an herbal whirlpool at Vapor Caves. The town’s Hotel Colorado is known for its historic stateliness, while the renovated Hotel Denver has its own brewpub. The region offers a wealth of sports activities that include golf, rafting and fishing during summer, and skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing during winter.

Since its inception in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Denver has served the metro Denver community as a learning institute dedicated to the education and growth of young children, newborn through age eight, and their caregivers. The museum provides rich play experiences and a dynamic learning environment for children to discover, explore and enjoy. The museum offers innovative and interactive Playscapes (hands-on exhibits), engaging daily programming and exciting year-round special events.

Founded in 1900, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science traces its origins back more than 100 years. The DMNS is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of exhibitions, programs and activities help museum visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, the earth and the universe. Rotating exhibitions, an IMAX theatre and a planetarium provide educational entertainment for all ages.

MCA Denver was formed to provide the city with its first contemporary art museum. Unlike many other such institutions that have modular, easily alterable interiors, MCA Denver’s 27,000-square-foot (2,500-square-metre) building has five principal galleries, each geared to works of specific sizes and media. Solo-artist exhibitions take place on a rotating basis, so there are always things for visitors to see.

The 16th Street Mall is Denver’s hub of shopping and entertainment, stretching for 16 blocks in the heart of downtown. An environmentally friendly free shuttle service stops at every intersection to transport shoppers to more than a mile (1.6 kilometres) of Denver’s best shops. Conveniently located near many of Denver’s top attractions, the 16th Street Mall is an excellent place to stop before or after a game or show.

This shopping district is Denver’s version of Rodeo Drive, with diverse, multifunctional shopping and entertainment. Hip restaurants and chic boutiques attract a see-and-be-seen crowd, but there are plenty of casual shops and Birkenstock-friendly cafés as well. The monthly Art Walk gallery tour brings out the artsy crowd, who indulge in window shopping and long café conversations.

This Denver shopping area offers three levels of shops as well as various street performers.

The Highlands is one of Denver’s hippest neighbourhoods, boasting a variety of boutiques, restaurants and events, including concerts.

The Pepsi Center, one of the nation’s finest sports and entertainment facilities, represents the best of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. With clear sight lines, dramatic views and open space, the Pepsi Center is home to the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Crush and Colorado Mammoth. There are over 200 events scheduled each year, including sporting events, concerts, ice shows and family shows.

Located just off the corner of 15th and Larimer streets sits a comedy club championed by USA Today as one of the Top Five Comedy Clubs in the country. Since 1981, the club has operated downstairs in the basement of the Granite Building on Larimer Square, Denver’s most historic block.

Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret is located underground in the historic D&F Clocktower in the heart of the Denver theatre, hotel and shopping district. Sensual décor and the most eclectic entertainment around make Lannie’s the coolest room in town.