City Pulse: The Only Guide To Denver You Need

by Ryan Rudnansky
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Mon February 2, 2015

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

We Say:

Denver has always been a major tourist destination, but the city is absolutely booming these days.

There is something for everyone in the Colorado hotspot, whether you are a foodie, a city person, an outdoor adventurer, a sports fanatic, a music aficionado, a family-oriented individual or someone who simply likes to stay in cool hotels.

Denver is a place complete with good ol' fashioned American food, beautiful mountains and scenery, great breweries, killer slopes for winter sports, competitive sports teams, historic theaters and a thriving music and festival scene and-a hot topic these days-a blooming marijuana industry, just to name a few things.

They Say:

Located at the base of the spectacular Rocky Mountains, Denver is the gateway to the beauty, romance and history of the American West. Whether you climb Lookout Mountain for the timeless view from Buffalo Bill's grave, or dine in a chic new restaurant located in a restored century-old brick building, Denver offers a new look at the Old West.

Denver's casual atmosphere, unique neighborhoods and 850 miles of paved biking and walking paths attract outdoor enthusiasts and urban adventurers alike. The walkable downtown, centered around the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall, seamlessly blends Victorian architecture with modern design. With the nation's second largest performing arts center, more than 100 art galleries, 200 micro-breweries and a growing reputation for chef-owned restaurants and innovative farm-to-table cuisine, Denver has earned its reputation as a vibrant and creative city

Weather:

Current Traffic:Google Traffic

Airport:Denver International Airport

Public Transit:RTD Denver

Bikeshare:B-cycle

Walkability Score: 56 at Walk Score

Parking Options / Expense:ParkMe, Best Parking

Best Accommodations:

Boutique: The Oxford Hotel

High End: Four Seasons Hotel Denver

Mid Range: Woolleys Classic Suites

Bargain: Eldora Lodge at Wondervu

Foods to seek out:

Green Chili: Denverites are passionate about their green chili. Burritos, burgers, fries, even mac & cheese, are often smothered in the green goodness.

Buffalo: High in protein, lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than chicken, buffalo is gaining popularity among health-conscious diners and is offered at numerous restaurants in Denver.

Locally-sourced, Farm-to-table cuisine: The current trend in the culinary world is using locally grown ingredients, but Denver is way ahead of the curve here. Mile High City chefs have been taking advantage of the wide array of local producers in Colorado for years now. Local favorites include Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese, Summit Creek Lamb and Palisade Peaches.

Known For:

Beer: Denver brews more beer than any other city and hosts the Great American Beer Festival - the largest beer celebration on the planet with 2,600 different beers available for tasting last year. Besides the huge breweries of Coors and Anheuser Busch, the Denver area is filled with microbreweries and brewpubs, all within walking distance of each other in downtown Denver.

Outdoor Recreation: Denverites love the outdoors. The city launched the first major bike sharing program in the U.S. and the B-cycle program has 84 stations and more than 700 bikes to share, all near a massive network of 850 miles of off-street, paved bike trails. Denver is often ranked one of the healthiest cities in the nation, and Colorado is the only non-obese state in the nation.

Western History: Founded as a gold mining camp in 1858, Denver became the largest city in the 2,000 miles of wilderness between St. Louis and San Francisco. In just three years, more than 100,000 men and women passed through the boom town called Denver, seeking their fortune in the great "Pikes Peak or Bust" gold rush.

Sports Teams: