Things to Do in Denver
(Even If You're Not Dead)
Welcome to the Mile High City! One visit and you'll see why Denver is the number one city in a Pew Research Center poll on where Americans would most like to move. A great place for more information about our city is the Visit Denver website.
Weather
The average temperature in Denver at the end of April and beginning of May is a high of 66 degrees and a low of 38 degrees. With 300 days of sunshine each year, make sure to pack your sunscreen and sunglasses. The average date of the last measurable snowfall is April 26th, though in seven of the last ten years that date has been April 30th or later. In any case, it's wise to pack layers and footwear that's appropriate for a range of weather conditions. The good news is that even if it snows, it's likely to melt and be back in the 50s or 60s later that day – it's just life at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
Altitude
With an average elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver really is the Mile High City. Visitors to Denver will want to review these high altitude tips from Visit Denver. Drinking more water is the number one way to ease your adjustment.
Conference Location
The conference is being held in the southeast corner of the city known as the Denver Tech Center. Originally designed to be a hub for offices, this part of town is also developing amenities for residents, and there is even more to do in downtown Denver (accessible via car or light rail). We'll offer suggestions for both areas below.
Near the Conference Hotel
Dining
With a large number of corporate offices in the area, there are numerous restaurants that cater to people on a deadline for lunch. See this list of restaurants in the Tech Center. In addition, there are many casual places nearby, including options like Panera Bread (4955 S Ulster St), Baker St. Pub and Grill (8101 E Belleview Ave), and Larkburger (8000 E Belleview Ave).
Attractions & Shopping
Village Shops at the Landmark
Located across the highway from the conference hotel (intersection of Greenwood Plaza Blvd. and Landmark Place) you'll find the Village Shops at Landmark, a collection of restaurants, specialty shops, and entertainment options including the Landmark Theater and Comedy Works South. If you're looking for something to do without going to downtown Denver, this is a great option.
Park Meadows Retail Resort
The south side's largest shopping mall is surrounded by stores of all types and is accessible by Light Rail and by hotel shuttle (from the Hyatt).
Cherry Creek State Park
With a large reservoir and hiking trails, this state park is a 10-minute drive from the hotel area and gives you a chance to experience the natural side of Denver.
Downtown Denver
Easy access to Downtown Denver is available via the Light Rail system: take the E Line to end up at the recently renovated Union Station in the heart of LoDo (Lower Downtown) or take the F Line to the 16th Street Mall, a pedestrian mall with a free shuttle service that runs from Union Station to Broadway and Civic Center Park.
Dining
Denver's Restaurant Week is the largest in the country, as there are so many wonderful choices. Whether you like locally-sourced food, high end dining, or the best green chile north of New Mexico, you'll find plenty of options. See this list of restaurants in the downtown area.
Culture, Arts, & Entertainment
- Denver Art Museum (known for its Western art collection, DAM will also have a special Joan Miró exhibit on display during LOEX 2015)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (the latest in contemporary art, with rotating exhibits)
- Clyfford Still Museum (Denver's newest art museum is devoted to the work of this critically-acclaimed Abstract Expressionist)
- Molly Brown House Museum (Come see the preserved Victorian mansion of that unsinkable lady)
- Denver Public Library (designed by Michael Graves, the Central Branch is also home to DPL's renowned Western History department)
- State Capitol (tour the building and its recently refurbished dome)
- Tattered Cover Bookstore (beloved independent bookstore serving the Denver area; visit the flagship at 16th & Wynkoop)
- Denver Performing Arts Complex (2nd largest theater complex after NY's Lincoln Center)
- Comedy Works (featuring local and national comics)
Drinks
As home to the Great American Beer Festival, Denver knows its beer. But we also know other drinks as well. Here's a short list of great places to get a drink:
- Wynkoop Brewing Company (founded by John Hickenlooper, who went on to be Denver's mayor and Colorado's governor)
- Breckenridge Brewery (two downtown locations to serve you: Colorado Craft and the Ale House at Amato's across the river)
- Williams & Graham (in Lower Highland across the river; named one of the world's 50 best bars)
- Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel (classic martinis in an authentic Art Deco hotel bar)
- Peaks Lounge (on the 27th floor of the downtown Hyatt Regency, plan a drink at sunset to make the most of their amazing view)
Shopping
- Larimer Square (a step back in time to Denver's Victorian past)
- Denver Pavilions (outdoor shopping center with stores, restaurants, and more)
- 16th Street Mall (With its free mall shuttle, it's easy to get around this pedestrian mall that stretches the length of downtown Denver.)
Not downtown, but within a 15 minute drive from the hotel, visit the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and Cherry Creek North for a mix of high-end shops, restaurants, and services.
Will This Be Your Only Trip to Colorado?
First, that's just crazy. Once you visit, you'll want to come back. But, if you think this is your one chance to see more of the Denver metro area, it's really not that far to see:
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre (approximately 35 minutes by car from the conference hotel)
Site of legendary concerts, this WPA-era amphitheatre is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver. In addition to seeing the stage that has hosted the greats, the park includes hiking trails and a visitors' center with permanent exhibits on the history of Red Rocks.
Golden & the Coors Brewery (approximately 35 minutes by car from the conference hotel)
Before Denver was named the capital of the Colorado Territory, Golden served in that capacity. Its historic downtown along Clear Creek is a great way to spend an afternoon. And while craft beer is the inspiration behind LOEX 2015, visiting the Coors brewery (the largest single-site brewery in the world) is a classic Golden experience.
Boulder (approximately 50-60 minutes by car from the conference hotel)
With the Flatirons serving as a dramatic background, come see why Boulder has enchanted visitors for over a century. Explore the Pearl Street Mall's shops and restaurants, then visit the Celestial Seasonings factory for a one-of-a-kind tour.
