If you’re hoping to explore Denver, America’s Mile High City, before or after the 2015 ISDS Conference, there are many renowned attractions conveniently situated near the hotel. Located in the center of downtown, the Marriott is located right off of the 16th Street mall with shopping, great eats and more!
Historical Landmarks
Union Station – Formerly the hub of transit in Lower Downtown, this grandiose three-story train station is a great destination for enthusiasts of railroad nostalgia as well as a wonderful place to shop and dine! More
US Mint – Immediately beyond the City and County Building is the U.S. Mint, one of the United States’ six facilities. This is where the American currency is created and part of the country’s gold reserves are stored. Visitors can take a free guided tour of the facility to learn about the history and process of making money. MoreColorado State Capital – Just minutes away from the Marriott, the Colorado State Capitol’s golden dome sits above the city. From the viewing platform on the drum of the tome there are magnificent views of the city’s skyline and the Front Range. The 13th step on the west side of the Capitol is exactly one mile above sea level, thus the name “mile high city”. More
Molly Brown House Museum – This fancy antique-filled Victorian house was the home of Molly Brown, american philanthropist, socialite and a famous survivor of the Titanic. The historic home has regularly rotating museums as well as historic themed events. More
Museums
Denver Museum of Nature and Science – In the southeast of City Park is the Museum of Nature and Science. Among the most notable exhibits are the imposing dinosaur skeletons, remains of Ice Age animals, the collection of minerals presented by the Coors family, and one of the largest nuggets of gold found in Colorado. Also of note are the artifacts of prehistoric Indian peoples. More
Denver Art Museum – The massive, fortress-like Denver Art Museum has a vast collection which includes American Indian, African, European, Asian, and Oceanic Art. Collections also include Spanish colonial and pre-Columbian works. More
Colorado History Museum – Through interactive and digital experiences, find out why Colorado’s eastern plains homestead communities inspired James Michener’s Centennial, what it felt like to descend down a mineshaft in search of silver in Silverton, how African American Coloradans found a mountain escape all their own in the mid-1900s Lincoln Hills Resort near Black Hawk, how a 1915 wooden ski jump inspired generations of Olympic athletes from Steamboat Springs and much more. More
Culture
Denver Center for the Performing Arts – The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is an organization in Denver, Colorado which provides a showcase for live theatre, a nurturing ground for new plays, a preferred stop on the Broadway touring circuit, acting classes for the community and rental facilities. More
Pepsi Center – Pepsi Center (aka The Can) is a multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The building is home to the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche, when the building is not being used for sporting events, it is often used as a concert and show venue. More
Shopping
16th Street Mall – 16th Street, which runs through the city center, has been made into a European-style pedestrian precinct, with shady trees, flowerbeds and park benches. The only traffic here is a free shuttle bus. The street is lined with department stores, boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants and the stalls of street traders. More
Cherry Creek Mall – Located in the heart of Denver, Cherry Creek Shopping Center is the Rocky Mountain region’s premier shopping environment with over 160 shops, including 40 stores exclusive to the area. More
Food
The Kitchen – The Kitchen is a Boulder based restaurant which has set up a location on 16th street. The Kitchen features food purchased from local farmers and ranchers along with a seafood bar, small plates menu and extensive main menu. More
Appaloosa Grill – An airy, employee owned restaurant and bar with eclectic american style menu items and live music nightly. More
Illegal Pete’s – If you are looking to grab a quick bite, Illegal Pete’s is an off-beat Mexican eatery and a Denver Staple with high rated burritos and tacos. More
Panzano – This is a posh but still casual eatery located in the Hotel Monaco, with a focus on sustainable, Northern Italian Cuisine. More
Denver Micro Brew Tour – Denver is known for it’s microbrew scene. If you’re a beer lover, check out Denver’s Microbrew tour, a 1.5 mile guided tour of some of the best microbreweries. More
Skiing
If you are planning on being in Colorado for a few extra days and are a winter sports enthusiast (or would like to explore the mountain areas), Denver offers several 1-day ski options:
- Front Range Ski Bus offers one-day round trips to both Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone and Copper Mountain Ski Areas More
- The Colorado Mountain Express offers daily rides from Summit Country ski areas including Breckenridge, Keystone, Frisco, Dillon and Copper Mountain More
To learn more about these attractions and more visit: http://www.denver.org/, http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dendt-denver-marriott-city-center/
The average temperature in Denver in early- to mid-December is 38oF, with the average high being 46oF and low being 29oF.