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Quick question to members on here who are familiar with Denver.

I'm flying there next week (11th) for a conference and some related business but am likely to have some pockets of free time in amongst work - maybe a day to explore.

Any recommendations on good things to see and do while there?

I'll be staying pretty central by the looks of things.

Send a PM to ShyFlyer, he lives there . . . .

Good place to start.

Pep

Stay the hell away from the area around the Greyhound station... Just saying.

If you have time, there are a bunch of casinos around Blackhawk. The casinos are pretty standard fare, but the trip up and back has some spectacular scenery.

Of course, the Air Force academy is about 1 hour south on 25, and that's cool to see.

Railfans also may want to check out the Georgetown Loop Railroad

Visit the Denver Mint. They are known to give out free samples to tour guests.

Once you get east of DEN you're in Kansas.

Possibly the best thread title of the year

Have they still got the last dinosaur?

I've only been once and spent most of the time signing paperwork before flying home. Definitely somewhere I'd like to visit properly.

ANCFlyer wrote:Send a PM to ShyFlyer, he lives there . . . .

Good place to start.

Pep

I didn't realise he's there these days. I thought he lived down in New Mexico or similar.

Click Click D'oh wrote:Stay the hell away from the area around the Greyhound station... Just saying.

If you have time, there are a bunch of casinos around Blackhawk. The casinos are pretty standard fare, but the trip up and back has some spectacular scenery.

Of course, the Air Force academy is about 1 hour south on 25, and that's cool to see.

Railfans also may want to check out the Georgetown Loop Railroad

Thanks for the tips. I shall investigate to see if their things I could fit in.

Mark wrote:Visit the Denver Mint. They are known to give out free samples to tour guests.

I am happy to take many, many free samples if legal tender!!

ANCFlyer wrote:Send a PM to ShyFlyer, he lives there . . . .

Yeah, but word has it he spends most of his time in jail these days, so I don't don't know how trustworthy his word is anymore.


The Money Museum is nice place to stop. It won't take up a bunch of time, but you do get to take home a bag of money. Seriously. It's shredded, of course, but it is actual money.

The museum is along the 16th Mall which is a fairly nice area to walk around and get your steps in, but I wasn't too excited about the shopping opportunities. Coors Field and Union Station are an easy stroll away.

Wings Over The Rockies is a pretty good way to spend a few hours. It's kinda Colorado centric, but a good blend of Commercial and Military aviation. If you'd like to visit the old Stapleton Tower, it still up. It's a Punch Bowl Social location now and they don't currently allow guests in the cab. Central Park, right across the street, is a nice park and I like to go there and image what it was like years ago when that area was the terminal ramp.

Red Rocks is another place I'd recommend, depending on how you do with altitude. It's not much higher than the rest of the DEN metro, but it is quite hilly.

If you do find yourself down in the COS area, I also recommend Pikes Peak. You can drive to the top, but they are doing construction so parking is limited. There is a free shuttle to the top, but you still have to pay to access the toll road. Pikes Peak is a "14er" so plan accordingly for the weather.

cornish wrote:I thought he lived down in New Mexico

Once upon a time...

Coors Field is one of the best ballparks in America, if you're into baseball. The purple row of seats in the upper decks is the mile-high line.

ShyFlyer wrote:

ANCFlyer wrote:Send a PM to ShyFlyer, he lives there . . . .

Yeah, but word has it he spends most of his time in jail these days, so I don't don't know how trustworthy his word is anymore.

I admit I wasn't planning on visiting jail while in the States

ShyFlyer wrote:The Money Museum is nice place to stop. It won't take up a bunch of time, but you do get to take home a bag of money. Seriously. It's shredded, of course, but it is actual money.The museum is along the 16th Mall which is a fairly nice area to walk around and get your steps in, but I wasn't too excited about the shopping opportunities. Coors Field and Union Station are an easy stroll away.Wings Over The Rockies is a pretty good way to spend a few hours. It's kinda Colorado centric, but a good blend of Commercial and Military aviation. If you'd like to visit the old Stapleton Tower, it still up. It's a Punch Bowl Social location now and they don't currently allow guests in the cab. Central Park, right across the street, is a nice park and I like to go there and image what it was like years ago when that area was the terminal ramp.Red Rocks is another place I'd recommend, depending on how you do with altitude. It's not much higher than the rest of the DEN metro, but it is quite hilly.If you do find yourself down in the COS area, I also recommend Pikes Peak. You can drive to the top, but they are doing construction so parking is limited. There is a free shuttle to the top, but you still have to pay to access the toll road. Pikes Peak is a "14er" so plan accordingly for the weather.

Thanks for the great suggestions. I like the idea of a bag of free money - rather it wasn't shredded!
And as a true petrolhead, I would love to drive up Pikes Peak (at a slightly more sedate pace than the pros!) but not sure if I'll get enough time to do that. We'll see.

Allstarflyer wrote:Coors Field is one of the best ballparks in America, if you're into baseball. The purple row of seats in the upper decks is the mile-high line.

Never been to one, but would like to!

cornish wrote:And as a true petrolhead, I would love to drive up Pikes Peak (at a slightly more sedate pace than the pros!) but not sure if I'll get enough time to do that. We'll see.

Pikes Peak would definitely eat up about a half day when you include the time up there and back. The trip (one way) takes about 2 hours from my place in the south Metro, not accounting for traffic. The Hill Climb is on the 24th of June this year.

cornish wrote:I admit I wasn't planning on visiting jail while in the States

It's not fun but at least they pay me to be there.

ShyFlyer wrote:

cornish wrote:And as a true petrolhead, I would love to drive up Pikes Peak (at a slightly more sedate pace than the pros!) but not sure if I'll get enough time to do that. We'll see.

Pikes Peak would definitely eat up about a half day when you include the time up there and back. The trip (one way) takes about 2 hours from my place in the south Metro, not accounting for traffic. The Hill Climb is on the 24th of June this year.

That's good to know. Wish I could stay long enough for the hill climb, but I should be in Indonesia by then

cornish wrote:Wish I could stay long enough for the hill climb, but I should be in Indonesia by then

But in Indonesia you can head down to the local airport and watch some off-roading

As has been mentioned - Pikes Peak is awsesome, and Coors Field - it is indeed a great stadium for taking in a game. Down near Pikes Peak is the Royal Gorge also. Take a train ride through it next to the river, or go up top and walk the worlds highest suspension bridge. (zip-lining too)

https://royalgorgebridge.com/
https://royalgorgeroute.com/

Eat at Rioja. Or Duo. Or both.

The Royal Gorge would definitely be a full day trip.

ShyFlyer wrote:The Royal Gorge would definitely be a full day trip.

And damn sure worth every minute . . . . .

https://royalgorgeroute.com/

Not sure I could do a full day trip, much as I'd like to. Logistics and various bits of work getting in the way. Much as I'd love to!!

Thanks for all the great suggestions and I'll sure try to fit on some of them

And if anyone is local or in town and wants a beer, then drop me a line. I arrive tonight (Mondsy).

ANCFlyer wrote:

ShyFlyer wrote:The Royal Gorge would definitely be a full day trip.

And damn sure worth every minute . . . . .

https://royalgorgeroute.com/

Absolutely! It's near the top of my day trip list.

cornish wrote:And if anyone is local or in town and wants a beer, then drop me a line.

I would if my schedule wasn't already spoken for. The good and bad thing about having large blocks of time off is that everything gets crammed in and very little down time.