The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Denver, Colorado Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2022 • 4 min read
Urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure in the “Mile High City.” By an amazing stroke of luck, the 13th step on the west side of the Colorado State Capitol Building is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level—one mile high.
Image courtesy of Visit Denver
Located at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Denver's stunning architecture, award-winning dining and unparalleled views are all here for you to enjoy year-round.
1. THE SHOPPING
Calling Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North a shopping district doesn't quite do it justice. It's more of a shopping experience. Cherry Creek North is a 16-block walkable district, featuring Denver's largest collection of independently owned shops, boutiques and galleries. From the latest fashion trends at St. John, to home furnishings at Arhaus, jewelry at Kendra Scott, and just about anything else on your list—you'll find it here.
As if that isn't enough, adjacent to Cherry Creek North is Cherry Creek Shopping Center with 160 stores that you simply cannot live without—such as Anthropologie, Burberry, Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co., with home decor favorites like Restoration Hardware and Williams-Sonoma. When added together, Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek Shopping Center form one of the most massive, diverse and exhilarating shopping zones in the United States.
2. THE ART
The critically acclaimed Clyfford Still Museum, with its exquisite architecture and unprecedented collections is a place to immerse yourself in color. Here you can explore nine beautiful galleries of Clyfford Still’s art and learn more about this artist who created his own style of painting. Glimpse behind the scenes into painting conservation area, make your own creation in a hands-on art studio for all ages, attend entertaining and fascinating events or relax on tranquil outdoor terraces.
The award-winning Clyfford Still Museum was designed specifically to display Clyfford Still’s art and is home to nearly everything Clyfford Still created, approximately 3,125 pieces representing more than 93% of his lifetime of work. The building, designed by Allied Works Architecture, includes dramatic features and modern decor.
The River North Art District, known as RiNo, is located north of downtown and hosts some of Denver’s favorite art galleries and artist studios. But, it’s not all about what’s inside RiNo’s numerous galleries and studios. You’ll discover some of the neighborhood’s most impressive art just strolling down the sidewalks since RiNo is also known for its colorful outdoor murals and graffiti. Each year the “Mile High City” invites both local and international artists to adorn the buildings of RiNo with new murals and artwork during the annual CRUSH (Creative Rituals Under Social Harmony) Walls street art festival. The Denver Graffiti Tour will blow your mind.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Situated in Denver’s historic, circa 1881 Hose House No. 1, Woodie Fisher gets its name from Denver’s earliest fire foremen, Redwood “Woodie” Fisher. Located on the corner of 20th and Chestnut on the edge of Denver’s Union Station, Lower Downtown and Ballpark neighborhoods, it’s an ideal hotspot for baseball fans, city explorers and neighbors alike. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the 5 Alarm Margarita—concocted with Tanteo jalapeño tequila (a 100% agave spicy tequila), pineapple, watermelon, Combier, and fresh-squeezed lime.
Woodie Fisher in Denver, Colorado
Housed in the oldest remaining building in the neighborhood, the fare at Woodie Fisher is nuanced yet approachable, with combined influences spanning the globe, as far-reaching as the Mediterranean, to the U.S. Lowcountry Delta. The seasonally changing menus are unique—striking an intentional balance to reflect the restaurant's ever-evolving Union Station neighborhood and surrounding neighbors with a menu and service that surprises, intrigues, and welcomes. Created with Colorado-raised proteins, locally and seasonally sourced whole grains and greens, indulge on fire-inspired small plates and nostalgic classics. Favorite dishes include Beef Carpaccio with black garlic aioli, tallow toasted bread, pickles and grana padano, Smoked Salmon Tartare with herbed caper crema, pickled cucumber, radish and avocado, Roasted Airline Chicken Breast with pepper coulis, green bean salad and fermented tomato caponata, as well as Pan Roasted Halibut with crispy maitake mushrooms, truffled corn succotash, green tomato and avocado vinaigrette.
If your sweet tooth is calling, enjoy one of many decadent desserts such as Lemon Yogurt Panna Cotta with cantaloupe gel, melon granita and pistachio glass or Avocado Cheesecake with coconut, lychee, lime and Nilla wafer. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city. From the iconic dome of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory to the painterly waterliles of Monet Pool, the garden is a true Denver landmark. Located on 750 acres set against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this picturesque site includes tropical plants, exotic blooms, rare and native species, and water displays.
Gardens of the West, showcases 18 arid gardens, such as the Cactus and Succulent House, that thrive in Colorado’s climate, and provide season-long color and texture. Internationally Inspired Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens include 松風園 Shofu-en Japanese Garden and Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory—while the Ornamental Gardens highlight the Fragrance Garden and Victorian Secret Garden.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Denver Union Station is a 100-year-old historic landmark in the heart of downtown Denver. Step-through any of the Denver Union Station entrances and you’ll automatically see that history got a makeover. The original Denver Union Depot opened its doors for the first time in 1881. When originally constructed, the Great Hall also included three large chandeliers. At the time, it was the largest building in the West, spanning 500-feet with a 180-foot clock tower at the center. The early years of the station set the foundation for the importance of train travel to the West. The turn-of-the-century brought an increased need for train travel, and the number of trains and passengers traveling through Denver skyrocketed.
The station was demolished to make way for a Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival-style building, made of carved granite and terracotta. The Denver Union Station reopened its doors in 1914. The central section is a three-story Neoclassical rectangle built in 1914, the two outer wings were part of the original construction and are done in an Italian Romanesque style that dates to 1881. The two lower wings, also Italian Romanesque, were built in 1892. The central portion is the focal point in terms of size and design, and is now known as Denver's living room.
WHERE TO STAY IN DENVER, COLORADO
Location, location, location. Located in LoDo and surrounded by city attractions such as Coors Field, Ball Arena, Elitch Gardens, and 16th Street Mall, the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station welcomes you with an inviting atmosphere and combines warm, glowing service. Home to Woodie Fisher, located in one of Denver’s first fire stations—enjoy a craft cocktail and enjoy a seasonally changing menu that is both unique and approachable.
