A Mile High Above the Fray

It was just announced that the Xcel Center has been taken over by the Republican Party to transform it into the key venue for the party’s nominating convention here in the Twin Cities. Because the Democrats meet before the Republicans, Pepsi Center in Denver has been closed already for some time, as has a large area around it. I was in the Mile High City last week and tried to take a photo of the Center for The Incidental Tourist and was told in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that taking a photo was “verboten.”

The Pepsi Center closure has changed the landscape of downtown Denver a bit, so I thought I’d offer a few thoughts for those of you who might attend the Democratic National Convention.

Follow The 16th Street Mall

What struck me was the relative unobtrusiveness of the Convention on the cityscape. Sure, a couple of kiosks sported DNC merchandise and messages, and every day featured media coverage of preparations for it, but it seems that, like here, life is going on.

The easiest way to see a bit of downtown Denver is to stick fairly close to the 16th Street Mall, which will be redeveloped in the near future. Wending its way through the city’s central business district and Lower Downtown, or LoDo, the Mall offers easy access to a variety of hotels, shops, restaurants and other entertainment options. Maintained by the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Mall is less than two miles long, and the city offers free on-and-off rides on buses that travel its length.

You might start at Skyline Park, which is just about the mid-point of the Mall. Visit the Downtown Denver information booth – the volunteers are friendly and helpful and can guide you on your explorations. And if you’re there at lunchtime, I highly recommend Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs. Not only does he offer such strange combinations as elk-and-jalapeno and wild boar-and-dried-fruit hot dogs, but his cheesecake is, I’d be willing to bet, the best you’ll ever have from a food-cart!

Venture Into LoDo

You may have heard about LoDo - it’s about a six-block-square area that features some of the oldest buildings downtown, as well as some of the hottest restaurants. At the north end of LoDo is Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.

Larimer Square offers numerous shopping and restaurant options under one roof. I recommend, however, simply wandering up and down Larimer Street, between about 17th and 14th Streets. The group with which I was wandering ended up stopping at a restaurant, Rioja, for dinner one night, and it was one of the better meals I have had in a long time. We spent the following day with a local Denverian(?), who confirmed that we had eaten at one of the natives’ favorite haunts, known for its excellent food, comfortable atmosphere, and surprisingly diverse wine list.

Finally, as a first or last stop in LoDo, step inside Union Station. Still used as a train station, its architecture will impress you, as will its history. There’s not much to do, but simply have a seat and admire the view.

The Great Outdoors

This being Denver, though, you must do something outside. Recently named the “leanest state in the Union,” Colorado – and Denver in particular – offers impressive ways to stay in some semblance of shape while still expanding your horizons.

A great way to see the city is to rent a bike and ride along the Platte River – just northwest of LoDo – through Commons Park, Centennial Gardens, and Gates Crescent Park, each of which offer something a little different. If you take the ride, you’ll also pass Elitch Gardens, an amusement park where you can pack in some calories to sustain your strength.

(Remember, as I didn’t, that Denver truly IS more than 5,000 feet above sea level. You won’t be able to do quite as much as you think you can… and stay hydrated!)