by Anna Warwick.

After a long-haul flight from sunny Sydney (thanks for the upgrades V Australia!) my friends and I took time out in Denver CO to adjust to the altitude before hitting the slopes. The mile high city took our breath away! Denver is gorgeous - it sparkles by day and glitters by night. The wide streets seem to stretch out flat forever beneath technicolour blue skies; but turn a corner and suddenly there’s an enormous snow-capped mountain range looming in the distance. Shopping is great. There are book stores and little cafes and original boutiques selling genuine cowboy shirts and boots.

By night Denver’s bars and restaurants are amazing. Young people move here for the outdoor lifestyle, neighbouring slopes and work opportunities. Even on Monday night we found a cozy pub to hang out in with the locals. This city is going places.

Cultural Oasis
Denver oozes history, art and culture. It’s easy to get around on foot, or catch the free streetcar. We took a fantastic mystery walking tour with Denverinsideandout.com, where 1920’s characters materialised to help us solve a gangster bank robbery! The clues led us from sculptures of buffalo to historical statues, to the Blue Bear and Denver’s most famous sights.

 

Our hotel - the Hotel Teatro - is where the stars stay when they come to town. It is beautiful and elegant, with high ceilings, framed photos of famed Thespians on the walls; and service to match. Animals are allowed – no cats, unless you’re Snoop Dog - and you can order a goldfish in a bowl to keep you company overnight...

We had a fantastic stay and really enjoyed the food as well, so if you’re staying elsewhere, pop in for dinner or a pre-theatre cocktail. You can catch a musical, play or opera across the street any night of the week. Pre-show dining means Denver’s fabulous restaurants fill up early. Our favourite was Rioja on Larimer Street - the mushroom and truffle oil ravioli knocked my socks off. Denver CO is a treat!

www.visitdenver.com
www.denver2for2tix.com