Denver is all about the outdoors. The city has the nation's largest park system, 90 golf courses, 143 free tennis courts and 720 km of paved bike and walking trails. City Park and Washington Park, two of Denver's largest parks, have small lakes (unusual in this arid climate.) Denver is one of the most active cities in America. You'll see joggers, walkers, bikers and roller bladers everywhere.
The 16th Street mall at lunchtime is a must. When the sun shines, the mall bustles with activity. Most restaurants offer outside seating, or grab something from a lunch cart, find a bench, and watch the people. The city has five major professional sports teams: its beloved Broncos (American football), the Colorado Rockies (baseball), the Nuggets (basketball), the Avalanche (ice hockey), and the Rapids (soccer.) The Broncos always sell out, so tickets for games are at a premium. However, Denver is not just about sports – the Denver Performing Arts complex is the second largest theatre complex in America, with eight theatres containing over 10,800 seats in total. Denver also has 30 other theatres and more than 100 cinemas. The Denver Art Museum (tel: 720 865 5000) is within walking distance to downtown hotels, and features one of the most extensive collections of Native American art, as well as international travelling exhibits.
The Denver Botanic Gardens is open some evenings and provides a pleasant respite during spring and summer months. The Denver Zoo in City Park is one of the top 10 zoos in the United States, is well funded, well maintained and recently has added some impressive new pavilions. Tel: 303 376 4800.
A visit to Denver would not be complete without at least a short trip into the nearby Rocky Mountains. A drive to Georgetown, 68 km west of Denver, provides a glimpse of the Rockies, and has more than 200 restored Victorian houses from the 1870s. Rocky Mountain National Park requires a full day at the minimum. 114km northwest of Denver, its 1,036 sqkm of wilderness, and you'll probably want to limit visits to the warmer months. Wildlife such as elk and deer can be viewed from your car frequently.