Mile High Memories in Denver
Heaven is a little bit closer in the mountains.
This quotation perfectly encompasses my feelings towards the state of Colorado – a little slice of heaven nestled in some of the most beautiful mountains in the world – the Rockies!
Downtown Denver Delights
Denver – the Mile High City – is one of the most perfectly balanced cities I have ever visited. Built on a rich history at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver seamlessly blends urban living and amenities found in thriving cities with a nature lover’s paradise of outdoorsy offerings that allow visitors and residents alike the opportunity to take advantage of Colorado’s abundant sunshine. Denver’s downtown core is a smattering of charming brick buildings restored from the heyday of the city’s original foundation to gleaming new structures as the city continues to grow as a budding metropolis, which explains why there seem to be as many transplants in Denver as true Coloradans. It has become an extremely popular destination to both visit and move to, and any person who steps foot into the Mile High City will know why. Denver offers premiere outdoor activities throughout every season, a booming craft beer, coffee and food scene (where rooftops, corn hole and spirited competitions abound), along with its fierce embracement of its sports culture.
Denver combines a true laid back vibe that immediately ingratiates visitors to relax and unwind, while still showing tremendous pride for offering an enormous amount of history and traditions that define Colorado. Its impossible to not have a blast in Denver, and below are some of the main reasons why I didn’t want to leave this amazing city!:
Denver State Capital
Larimer Square
The Highlands
Pro tip: Take the RTD Light Rail Train Service from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Union Station in downtown Denver. It is most definitely the cheapest (if you don’t have someone to pick you up) transportation method into the city at around $10 one way, and it allows you to also see one of Denver’s most beautiful buildings as the train deposits you into Union Station.
Sports Culture
If there is one main takeaway from visiting Denver, its that wherever you walk, bike or electric scooter, you will see a plethora of Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, Rapids, etc. jerseys happily intermingling throughout the city. Denver’s love for sports is indescribable, yet it is still underrated on the national scale. However, no place in the country has such a large geographical area of sports fans, and the state of Colorado is exceptionally proud of its outstanding franchises.
Coors Field: Home to the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball, Coors Field is an outstanding representation of how effortlessly sports and Coloradan culture come together. Built directly in the heart of Denver, Coors Field helped revitalize a struggling section of the city in the mid 90’s into one of the the most invigorating and lively areas of Mile High. Coors Field is one of the most affordable stadiums to visit to see a baseball game, and the team truly encourages a family friendly environment to excel not only on the field, but as a destination to see if you’re in Denver. I did a behind the scenes tour, and to be able to wander throughout the stadium with knowledgable guides who supply fun facts about the league and the Rockies like the plaques of all suites being named for the 14ers (14,000+ peaks) in Colorado, the fact that Blue Moon’s first brewery is still standing within the stadium that was constructed around it, or that the purple line of seats in the 20th row that stretch across the upper deck is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. I loved this stadium, and I believe it is well worth a visit, especially during an evening game to catch one of its renowned sunsets from the Rooftop deck. Don’t forget to stroll around the area’s Five Points and Lodo neighborhoods before or after the game to play some corn hole or enjoy a famous craft beer!
Broncos Stadium at Mile High: This is a personal section for me to share that my two biggest passions in life are traveling and sports, and the key to my heart in the latter category is the Denver Broncos. I have said that there are moments in my life that are so impactful that they leave me speechless, and being fortunate enough to FINALLY visit the home of the team that I have followed for over two decades easily lands at the top of the list. Broncos Stadium at Mile High is the Holy Grail for Broncos fans around the world, and I was captivated the moment I set eyes on this imposing venue. The Broncos franchise dates back to their first season in 1960, and it is one of the proudest moments I’ve had stepping onto the grounds (the old Mile High Stadium was at the same location) where so many of my heroes have dedicated themselves to a winning pedigree. The tour of the Broncos Stadium takes visitors from top to bottom, inside and out and it was an hour and a half that I will never forget – as it gave me access to the hallowed halls that some of the most significant sports figures have walked through in their own steps. From suites and press boxes to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to the sacred field of Kentucky Bluegrass itself, a visit to this incredible and iconic location truly made my trip to Denver complete.
Denver’s Street Art
The street art scene is Denver is a must see! In some cities, street art is frowned upon and often times abolished, but in Denver, it is celebrated and promoted. The artists in the Mile High City are incredibly talented, and the vibrant murals and paintings that adorn not only walls, but alleys, parking lots, light poles, gas meters, pavement (really any available surface) throughout its various neighborhoods are truly a sight to behold. Two of the most striking and energizing sections of Denver to enjoy and appreciate the street art are RiNo and Santa Fe Street.
One of the most memorable experiences in this city if you happen to be in Denver during the beginning of each month is called “First Fridays”, where the streets in these areas come alive with unique artists exhibiting their equally quirky and eccentric pieces along stretches of Santa Fe Street south of Denver’s core and Larimer and Walnut Streets in the RiNo (River North) neighborhood. Bring your camera to capture some of the most breathtaking (and free) artwork in town, where freedom of self expression is on full display through stunning colorful plots and compelling messages – all within walking distance of downtown Denver.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Located just an hour and half from downtown Denver is perhaps the most naturally beautiful place I have ever been to in my life. Rocky Mountain National Park is a treasure that we are so lucky to have in our country, and a visit to Colorado would never be complete without enjoying hours of pristine meadows and snow capped peaks, dotted with various unparalleled views of the Rockies unmatched wildlife and geography.
It is an epic experience to wind your way along the Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved route in Colorado, where the blacktop cuts through the extraordinary landscape as it traverses some of the most unique ecological regions in the world – from alpine wilderness to astonishing tundra at an incredible elevation above the tree line. This national park is sees millions of visitors a year, and for good reason as it offers an immense amount of activities, from from hiking and rock climbing to photography tours and historical lessons of this park’s significance to not only Colorado, but the entire United States.
As I drove along the renowned Trail Ridge Road, every turn or switchback of dense pines or dramatic cliff faces left a breathtaking upward view of soaring rocks or down into the lush valley where snaking rivers and dazzling blue lakes look as if they were painted onto the Earth. Turnoffs along the road allow for visitors to cherish the scenery from vantage points thousands of feet into the Rocky Mountain air along stops such as:
Many Parks Overlook – fantastic views of the Mummy Range
Rainbow Curve Overlook – sweeping panoramas for photography lovers
Forest Canyon Overlook – amazing vista of the canyon valley and beyond
Lava Cliffs Overlook – jaw-dropping lava cliffs over remote tundra where I had the opportunity to see a herd of elk in their natural habitat.
Words (and photos on your camera or phone) will never be enough to do this astounding place justice, but a day trip or long weekend in the Rocky Mountain National Park will ensure that you leave with a better appreciation, respect and understanding of the National Park Service’s work to maintain the flawless magnificence of Colorado’s most impressive spectacle.
“As the air gets thinner, the heart gets bigger!”
I will always remember seeing this quotation in a local coffeeshop, and I know that I left a piece of my heart in the Rockies when I left this incredible destination. My motto is always to say, “I will be back”, and for Colorado, that’s a promise!
