photo by gusto

More than 5,000 feet above sea level, on a plain to the east of the Rocky Mountains, sits the city of Denver. Many people don’t realize the city enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year; its surprisingly temperate weather is a delightful surprise to first-time visitors. The mountains, visible from virtually everywhere in the city, shape both the culture and the aesthetic of the Mile High City. Denver’s accessible location and nearby mineral resources attracted 19th-century silver and gold miners as well as land speculators. Over the years, the city has experienced boom times followed by the inevitable busts as the markets for its mineral wealth fluctuated.

Restored Victorian buildings house restaurants, clubs and brew pubs in the vibrant downtown area known as LoDo, or Lower Downtown. The 9,000-seat Red Rocks amphitheater, west of Denver, is a spectacular concert venue. The Denver Art Museum, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science address the cultural needs of the city. To address your shopping needs, visit the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, located in the southeastern part of the city, or Cherry Creek North, for some more upscale boutique shops. In part because of its rough-and-tumble history, sports are a large part of Denver’s cultural milieu. Eight professional sports teams are located here, including the NFL’s Broncos, MLB’s Rockies, NHL’s Avalanche and the NBA’s Nuggets. Other professional sporting events include the Grand Prix and the National Western Rodeo.