Fun things to do in Colorado

Denver's Civic Center Park is centrally located between the downtown business district to the north and the museums and public buildings of the Golden Triangle neighborhood to the south. It is centered on an east-west axis with the State Capitol Building to the east facing the City and County Building to the west. The two-square-block park features a Greek amphitheater, a colonnade, fountains, statues, a war memorial, and flower gardens to admire, as well as views of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains to the west. It is a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the flowers and shade after a day of sightseeing in downtown Denver.

The idea for a park originated with Denver's mayor Robert Speer in the early 1900s. He was inspired by the City Beautiful movement to create a civic center around which institutions of government, arts, and history could be placed. Various plans and ideas for the park were drawn up by different civic groups and architects and all were rejected by the voters. It was not until Chicago architect, Edward H. Bennett, a protégé of the famous Daniel Burnham, was hired that the different ideas for the park were incorporated into a master plan. The park officially opened in 1919.

The 48-mile (77-kilometer) Trail Ridge Road, also called the Beaver Meadow National Scenic Highway, that traverses Rocky Mountain National Park is part of U.S. Highway 43. It crosses the Continental Divide and attains a maximum altitude of 12,183 feet (3,713 meters) at Fall River Pass, making it the highest continuous paved road in the world. The road connects the Estes Park Valley on the east side and the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side. Trail Ridge Road is generally open from Memorial Day weekend (in May) to mid-October, weather permitting. The road is one of the few in the United States that takes visitors to the unique high-altitude alpine tundra. And at several places along the road are scenic overlooks which provide spectacular views of the valleys below, and the surrounding mountains.

The Fall River Road had been the first road to penetrate the high country. Completed in 1921, it proved to be inadequate for motor traffic as it was too steep, it was single track, and there were too many tight curves. Therefore construction on Trail Ridge Road started in 1929 to connect the Estes Park Valley and the Kawuneeche Valley. The planned routed followed the Dog Trail, a route over the mountains that had been discovered by the Arapahoes, an American Indian tribe. By 1932, the road reached Fall River Pass, and by 1938 it was completed.

Pictured here is a view of Horseshoe Park from the Rainbow Curve Overlook. Portions of the switchback road can be seen far below.

Denver's Larimer Square is the oldest and most historic block in Denver. The area is characterized by its well-preserved Victorian buildings, giving the area a feel of the Old West.

In 1858, miners established a settlement they called Auraria south of Cherry Creek near its confluence with the South Platte River. Shortly after that, a group led by General William H. Larimer, Jr. established a rival settlement north of Cherry Creek which they named Denver, in honor of the territorial governor of Kansas. Its main street was called Larimer Street after General Larimer. Denver's first bank, photographer, and dry goods store were located on Larimer Street, and like all towns in the Old West, it had its share of saloons.

By the early 1960s, Larimer Street had become the city's Skid Row, where derelicts slept in doorways. However, in 1963 the historic Victorian buildings along Larimer Street were saved from demolition, and the neglected and abandoned buildings were restored to their original condition. Larimer Square was formed as a historic district, and included Larimer Street and the blocks between 14th Street and 15th Street. Larimer Square's transformation sparked a rejuvination of the entire 26-square-block Lower Downtown district (known as LoDo), which is now a vibrant place undergoing massive construction and renovation. Hundreds of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and microbreweries attract large numbers of Denverites and tourists, making Larimer Square one of Denver's premier destinations.

In 1982, the former 16th Street in the heart of downtown Denver was converted into the 16th Street Mall. This pedestrian mall was designed by the architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. The 16th Street Mall runs a little over one mile (1.6 kilometers) from Wewatta Street at Union Station to the intersection of 16th Avenue and Broadway at the Civic Center Station. Originally the mall ran from Market Street to Broadway, but it was extended in 2001 to coincide with the completion of the Central Platte Valley light rail spur.

There are more than 300 stores, 50 restaurants, and the Denver Pavilions open-air mall (which offers shopping, dining, and entertainment options) along the length of the 16th Street Mall. Sidewalk cafes and seating areas under the trees allow visitors to relax and people-watch. And the mall is a popular place for such types of street performers as musicians, dancers, actors, impressionists, magicians, and comedians.

The Regional Transportation District operates a free shuttle service called the MallRide, which runs every few minutes from one end of the mall to the other, stopping at each intersection. The MallRide offers convenient connections with Denver's extensive light rail system

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Silver Plume Colorado is right out of the 1880's. It seems, almost, that you could meet Wyatt Erp or Doc Holiday on the street of this town located on the North side of interstate 70 about an hours drive West of Denver. The amazing victorian houses, most in good condition, the dirt streets and the narrow guage railroad next door can't help but take a person back to a time almost forgotten.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is an offbeat spot in the state of Colorado. Not really in the mountains, it's on a flat plateau, but with views of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains nearby. Miles from anywhere (the nearest town is Alamosa), one is thankful to see the visitor center finally looming into view. The admission price is $3.00, and for this low fee you and your family will have fun running, hiking, and yes, slipping and sliding over mountains of sand. When I say mountains of sand, I'm not exagerating. I needed several rest stops as I tried to ascend one dune, only to find there were more and yet more, higher up. Bring sunscreen, bring water, and bring comfortable tennis shoes.

All ages were out enjoying themselves, but I think children especially will love playing in this gigantic sandbox. There are also campgrounds nearby, with hikes that include more traditional scenery, such as trees and rocks. I've heard that seeing these dunes in the moonlight is breathtaking and eerie, but we didn't spend the night.

Showers are available in the parking area, to rinse the sand out afterwards. There is only one restaurant, right outside of the park -- the food is bland, and overpriced, but still appreciated. Also contains a gift shop/convenience store, where essential road trip/camping supplies can be bought.

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Plan a day at the Zoo for the whole family! Hours vary, so call ahead. Open 09:00am Close (varies from 4pm - 6pm) Gen Admission $12 Children $6 Under 3 (free) Discounts offered ... call. This zoo experience requires some UPhill walking, well worth it. My favorite exhibit, of course is the Giraffe gathering place!

In the local Colorado language - to "do a 14er" - pronounced "fourteener" is to climb a mountain that is 14,000 feet (4,267.2 meters)or higher above sea level. There are over 50 such mountains all over Colorado. To summit all requires different degrees of difficulty ranging from a real alpine expedition to a pleasant air-conditioned drive to the top. However you get there, you must find yourself on top of one of these mountains - to really experience Colorado

A favorite topic of local conversations is to discuss "who has done which 14er" - the goal, of coarse, being to climb them all!