There’s more to Denver than its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. The Mile High keeps things weird with everything from unique restaurant concepts to, uh, thought-provoking examples of public art.
LessWhile this may look like a standard Best Western, there's more to this hotel than meets the eye. A few years ago, the hotel got a full dinosaur makeover in homage to the nearby "Dinosaur Ridge," one of the most famous archaeological sites for dinosaur fossils in the world. Inside, guests will find exhibits that display dinosaur skeletons, murals, and a faux dinosaur dig pit for kids.
A few years after Colorado legalized recreational cannabis, the International Church of Cannabis opened its doors to members. The members of the church are called Elevationists and engage with the "sacred flower" through ritual spiritual practice. Inside the church, visitors will find themselves ensconced in a wall-to-ceiling kaleidoscope of color.
This collectibles shop is packed to the brim with toys, memorabilia, and all manner of '80s ephemera that'll transport you back to the age of larger-than-life perms and New Wave music. The store compiles its stock by scouring for the best vintage pop culture items the internet has to offer and brings them right to their brick-and-mortar location.
The Denver Zine Library is a labor of love that's been evolving for nearly 20 years. In its current iteration, the collection of over 15,000 zines (small or self-published magazines) is located at The Temple, a space for contemporary artists. Visitors can select up to five zines (handle with care, as the library only owns one copy of each title) to borrow and hopefully find themselves inspired to take on a DIY zine project of their own.
When you find your way to the base of the 16th Street Pedestrian Bridge, you'll find yourself greeted with the strikingly crimson-hued sculpture by artist John McEnroe. While it appears to be a pillar of something (jelly beans, possibly hot dogs) piled high, the secret behind what this statue represents is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.
Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant is notable for a few reasons. One is that it's Denver's oldest restaurant. Another is that Buffalo Bill himself was said to have been a regular patron. And a third is that it is bursting with taxidermied animals. Over 500 of these almost lifelike hunting trophies adorn the inside of this combination historic landmark and steakhouse.
This restaurant bills itself as "Denver's finest Eatuary." And, no, that's not a misspelling of "eatery." When this popular dining spot and lounge opened up in what used to be a mortuary, the owners decided to take a death-positive approach and lean in to the structure's morbid history. But this is a spot that doesn't rest on its whimsical laurels, the food here is top-notch and the rooftop bar is the ideal place to enjoy an al fresco cocktail.
Sun Spa Tanning & Day Spa is the perfect place to work on your tan, get a massage, and roll up to an oxygen bar. This non-medical experience is designed to give you a sensation that will have you feeling more alert, energized, and calm. It can also be useful if your visit to the Mile High City has left you with a touch of altitude sickness.
At first glance, Cheesman Park would appear to be a simple, perfectly tranquil city park. But a macabre story lurks beneath its verdant landscaping. The spot had originally been a cemetery and in the 1890s the city ordered that the bodies be moved so that the site could be repurposed—but not all of the graves were relocated. It's estimated that thousands of bodies remain interred beneath the park.