Denver, CO
Exploring Denver Area
We recently spent a week in the Denver, Colorado area and found it to be a great getaway destination with lots to see and do. Denver has a lively downtown with restaurants, museums, shopping, and access to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Here are highlights from our time in and around the Mile High City.
Getting Around: We relied on Denver's public transit system called RTD. The bus and train network is easy to navigate with ticket options on the RTD app.
Fares are reasonable, and discounts are available. Children under 19 are free September 1, 2023 – August 31, 2024, with RTD’s pilot program.
Regional Transit District (RTD) signage, Denver, CO
We stayed in Lafayette, about 20 miles north of downtown, and used RTD to get around without a car.
We came for a conference which began at 1 p.m. on a Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott in the Cherry Creek area. That morning we took the RTD bus from a "park-and-ride" (affectionately called the “kiss-and-ride” for drop offs) along I-25 to downtown’s Union Station.
Union Station, Denver, CO
A few folks gathered outside in the morning sun, awaiting a tour guide for a planned trip to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Interior, E Line light rail, Denver, CO
To get to our hotel, we boarded the E Line light rail
Colorado Light Rail Station, Cherry Creek, Denver, CO
to the Colorado Station,
Transit bus, Cherry Creek, Denver, CO
then hopped on a bus for a short ride to the stop near the hotel …
Westerly view from Couryard by Mariott Hotel, Cherry Creek, Denver CO
where we discovered the 11th floor conference room had an incredible westerly view of Denver with the Rockies in the distance.
St. John Vianney Theological Seminar, Cherry Creek, Denver, CO
At the conclusion of the first day of meetings, we walked through the neighborhood and discovered the peaceful St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.
Pedestrian crossing caution sign
We then carefully crossed busy Colorado Blvd - at the light - and had delicious dinner at the popular Thai Pot Café.
A word of caution: cross at the designated crosswalks with the light. Don’t even think about jaywalking across the six lanes lest your vacation (and life) be cut short.
After the conference concluded the next day, we bused to the 16th Street Station for the light rail back to Union Station for transit back to Lafayette.
Map of greater Denver area, Denver, CO
Rock Creek Trail, Lafayette, Boulder County, CO
Erie, Boulder County, CO
Rock Creek, Lafayette, Boulder County, CO
We explored Lafayette and the neighboring towns of Erie and Superior by foot and bicycle on the many well-maintained trails and paths. The warm weather, calm breeze and spectacular views made for great scenery and exercise. We passed charming pumpkin patches and corn mazes getting ready for fall holidays. Inquisitive, cautious, chirping and, yes, cute prairie dogs often noted our passage.
Crawford Hotel, Union Station, Denver, CO
On our last day before our late afternoon flight, we again explored downtown Denver, beginning at the Crawford Hotel where, for a reasonable daily fee, we checked our luggage, courtesy of Abby the pleasant desk clerk.
Luggage Storage van, outside Union Station, Denver, CO
Another option would have been the Ludgen Luggage Storage van, parked across the street from the hotel.
Tattered Cover Book Store, Union Station, Denver, CO
The Mercantile Dining Room was not open when we arrived, so we stopped in at the Station’s Tattered Cover Book Store before crossing the street for coffee and a breakfast sandwich at My Favorite Muffin. The area has a mix of modern high-rises and historic buildings.
Art Museum, Denver, CO
Our last morning in Denver included a visit to the Art Museum. The Line 0 bus from the Union Station took us past the state capitol building and dropped us off a block from the museum. The building architecture and exterior sculptures are dramatic, and the staff very friendly.
We arrived shortly after the 10 a.m. opening so our visit was without congestion and provided us ample opportunity to tour the exhibits. It was well worth the admission cost.
On the return bus ride to Union Station, we passed by the popular Sam’s No. 3 Diner. If you have the time, stop there and enjoy where the locals eat. We opted for takeout at Lou's Food Bar inside the Milk Market food hall.
Flight over Denver, CO
From the Union Station our final train ride was to Denver International Airport for our outbound flight.
With its lively downtown, mountain access, arts, and dining scene, we found Denver to be a perfect place to visit. The public transportation system also makes getting around the Mile High City easy without a car.
Want to know more about places to visit in and around Denver?
Check out our Denver Area Travel Guide!
