"Known for hosting readingsby big stars in theliteraryfirmament,Tattered Cover Book Store originallyopened in 1971 in a mere950 square feet of space in the Cherry Creek North area. The enterprise has grown to include six additional outposts around the city(including three at Denver International Airport—one foreach of the three concourses), but it hasn't lost sight of the reader or the writer. The locations offer cozycouches and overstuffed chairs in whichto settleand get lost in a book, magazine, or even a newspaper; they also sponsor readings, discussions, and book signings involving over400 authors, illustrators, and speakers each year."

"Clyfford Still brought new energy to the art world after World War II with his large-scale, color-splashed paintings, and is considered one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. Though his influence on the Abstract Expressionism movement was at least as important as that of contemporaries Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, Still eventually broke all ties with the art world after moving to a farm in Maryland, and following his death in 1980 a huge collection of his work was sealed off completely for more than 30 years. His is widow donated his pieces to the city of Denver in 2004, and in 2011 the Clyfford Still Museum opened, housing 94 percent of his life’s work, including some 825 paintings on canvas and 1,575 works on paper, as well as sketchbooks, journals, and his library—in a museum considered one of the best examples of contemporary architecture in the city."

"With over 70,000 works of art, the Denver Art Museum can't be fully taken in during just one visit.Itspermanent collection has a number of focuses, including art of the region, but it also contains works from farther afield. The museum began in 1893 as the Denver Artists’ Club, and the growing collection was moved around town untila purpose-built museum was constructed in 1949. Since then, the facility has continued to expand, and the museum nowtakes up more than 350,000 square feet.An extensive calendar offers special events and programming forfamilies, students, and adults."

"This charming little museum in a modern building has a few different missions. Part of the collection is dedicated to artworks that focus on Colorado and the Rockies, or those done by Colorado artists. Another focus is the decorative arts—the international collection spans everything from furniture to glassware and ceramics to lamps, radios, and telephones. The third, and most unusual focus, is on a single artist, Vance Kirkland (1904-1981). Kirkland moved to Denver from Ohio when he was 25 and remained in the Centennial State for the rest of his life. Kirkland went though five stylistic phases in his painting: Designed Realism, Surrealism, Hard Edge Abstraction, Abstract Expressionism, and the Dot Paintings, and works from all the periods are represented. One gallery holds a replica of Kirkland’s studio—complete with the straps he used to suspend himself to reach the center of his paintings."

"Architect I.M. Pei's firm designed the 16th Street Mall so that, when seen from the air, the repeating pattern of red, white, and gray stone that makes up the pavement would resemble the markings on a diamondback rattlesnake.At ground level, though, visitors willfocus instead onthe movie theaters, stores, and restaurants along the 1.25-mile-long stretch of this mall. From the Denver Pavilions shopping center near its south end to Union Station and LoDo (Lower Downtown) at the north, you'll find much to entertain you. A Free MallRide shuttle runs along the mall in case your shopping bags get too heavy."

"This iconic clock towerbecame aDenver landmark when it was completed in 1910 as part of the Daniels & Fisher department store. Inspired bythe Campanile in Venice and designed by architect Frederick Sterner,the 20-story edifice was the tallest building west of the Mississippi when it was built(Seattle’s 484-feet-tall Smith Tower took the title in 1914). Guided trips into its interior are available through Historic Denver Walking Tours. The department store was demolished around the early 1970s, but the tower soldiers on alone,and serves as a space for weddings, corporate gatherings, parties, and occasional performances. Findsome laughter and entertainment on the weekends at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret in the tower's basement."

"Housed in Hangar 1at what used to be Lowry Air Force Base on the east side of Denver, the Wings Over the Rockies Museumdevotes more than 182,000 square feetto everything flying-related, includingspace vehicles, historical military uniforms, modern and classic aircraft, and flight simulators. In addition to exhibition space, the museum offers an extensive calendar of special events like its Cine-Talk Series (which showsfilmsthat feature flying or space travel), the weekly Little Wings Club, Cockpit Demo Day, regular workshops and lectures, and a hugely popular annual Holidays at the Hangar."

"Denver Performing Arts Complex Constructedacross four cityblocks around Denver 's original 1908 municipal auditorium, thesprawling 12-acre Performing Arts Complexnow contains 10venues under one roof. It’s the largest performing arts center under a single roof in the country, and it includes the historicEllie Caulkins Opera House (formerly a large part of the aforementioned municipal auditorium), the Buell Theater (also reincarnated from the onetime auditorium), and the Boettcher Concert Hall. It’s also home to the resident companies of the state symphony orchestra, the state ballet company, Opera Colorado , and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. With all these venues and arts groups under one glass roof, several events happen nightly, including touring Broadway shows, concerts, dance performances, and more. Check the calendar and catch a show or take a guided tour."

"Celebrated onBroadway and in filmas thetitle character in The Unsinkable Molly Brown (with unsinkable being areference toher survival as a passenger of the Titanic ), MargaretBrownwas born in Missouri and moved to Leadville, Colorado , with two of her siblings when she was 18. She later met and married J.J. Brown, and the couplebecame rich after J.J. devised a method of reaching gold in one of the mines. They moved to Denver andboughtthis house in 1894. It went throughseveral owners after the Browns,but it was eventually acquired in 1970 by Historic Denver, a foundation that restored it tothe state it was in when the Browns livedthere.The house is open for tours that offer a deeper dive into Margaret's interesting life as a socialite and philanthropist."

"It'sbeen said that Larimer Square is where Denver started—it'sdefinitely at the center of Denver's modern life, too. The area's Victorian buildingscontain shops, boutiques, andsome of Denver's most interestingrestaurants. The lively quarter hosts several gatherings and events, like June's popular Chalk Art Festival, that bring crowds downtown.In the evenings (especially during the holidays), the square's canopy of string lights adds a festive air.Extend your visit here with a foray intothe surrounding Lower Downtown (LoDo) district, where even more shops and galleries and cafés can keep you busy exploring."

"There’s more to the Botanical Gardens in Denver than justthe pretty face of its landscaped grounds and beautiful flowers.It’s also a world-class research centerwith amission to connect people with plants (especially the plants endemic to the Rocky Mountains) and to encourage understanding of the ecosystems in which they thrive. The 23-acre locationon York Street has a variety of gardens (many based on typically western climates like mountains and plains), popular exhibits, and a shop; it additionally hosts a summer concert series and nighttime events. The institution’s second main location, at Chatfield Farms on the southwest edge of greater Denver, focuses on native flora and agriculture; there's a working farm on its 700 acres. Both spots offer extensive educational opportunities as well as incredible events like York Street’s Blossoms of Light holiday show."

"This beautiful 1909 firehouse, which served for years as Station One for the Denver Fire Department, was saved from the wrecking ball in the late 1970s and transformed into a museum.The structure itself, because it originally maintainedhorse-drawn fire engines but then transitioned to accommodate a fleet with combustion motors, forms an important part of this historic exhibit. Over 30,000 artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts on display tell the story of firefighting in Denverand the region."

"Denver Pot Tours Think of My 420 Tours as your gateway to the new Denver marijuana-scape. Tour local dispensaries or take a cooking class, where you’ll learn how to make and cook with cannabis oils—and yes, you’ll walk away with goodies."

"Discover Denver by B-Cycle B-Cycle stations are scattered around Denver, which makes it easy and affordable to bike the city. For 24 hours, it is only $9 to rent a bike and bounce between stations. There are incremental fees if the bike stays out longer than 30 minutes so be alert and swap bikes at a station if time is running up. The Greenway Trail along the South Platte River is a peaceful way to traverse the city while feeling removed in nature. Make sure to enjoy the parks and read the historic plaques along the path to learn about the early history and geology of the area."