SEE & DO
RINO ARTS DISTRICT: This square
mile of hip galleries and graffiti murals is
known as the street art capital of America.
Come in early September for Crush Walls,
Denver’s pre-eminent urban art festival
where the world’s best graffiti artists create
giant murals on the streets. crushwalls.org
rinoartdistrict.org denvergraffititour.com
DENVER BEER TRAIL: They don’t call this city
the ‘Napa Valley of beer’ for nothing: on any
given day, more beer is brewed here than
any where else in the country. The Denver
Beer Trail explores four boroughs and
close to 40 tap rooms, including Wynkoop
Brewery’ s infamous Rocky Mountain Oyster
Stout, brewed with Colorado’s old cowboy
delicacy, bull’s testicles. denver.org
RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE: Just 15 miles west
of Denver, in the foothills of the Rockies,
Red Rocks is surely the most beautiful
concert venue in the world. An open-air
amphitheatre, it’s surrounded by sweeping
red rock cliffs, lit up on all sides; and has
perfect acoustics under sparkling mountain
stars. The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix both
played here. redrocksonline.com
CHERRY CREEK BIKE PATH: Denver has more
than 5,000 acres of parks and open space,
and over 80 miles of pedestrian and cycle
paths. The highlight is the Cherry Creek
Bike Path, which runs for 40 beautiful miles
from the city centre to the small town of
Franktown. Spend some time at Confluence
Park, where the trail begins, and maybe try
your hand at a spot of urban kayaking on the
manmade rapids. denver.org
BUFFALO BILL: Bison once roamed the Great
Plains in their millions. Today, there are
only about 500,000 nationwide including
Denver’s own official small herd, just west of
the city in Genesee Park. Stop off at the grave
of Buffalo Bill, the legendary 19th-century
frontiersman and entertainer, while you’re
there. buffalobill.org
BAG A 14ER: Colorado is home to 58 14ers
(local lingo for mountains higher than
14,000ft), more than any other state. Mostyou have to hike, or climb, but Mount Evans
lets you drive all the way to the summit.
Topping out at 14,264ft, the Mount Evans
Scenic Byway, which begins just a few miles
west of Denver, is the highest paved road
in America: and offers 360-degree views
without even breaking a sweat. 14ers.com
THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF CANNABIS:
Denver legalised marijuana in 2014, and
whether you’re a toker or teetotal, the
International Church of Cannabis is
definitely worth a visit. The inside of this
114-year-old former church has been painted
head to toe in psychedelic murals and hosts
regular gigs, talks and community events.
Make a beeline there, if nothing else, just to
see the ‘vicar’ lighting up. elevationists.org
THE SOURCE MARKET HALL: Featuring two
market halls and 24 artisan retaurants and
boutiques, The Source is, perhaps, the city’s
coolest place to eat. Check out Acorn for
award-winning modern Americana cuisine
and Safta for unbelievable Middle Eastern
mezze. denveracorn.com eatwithsafta.com126 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel
DENVER