If you are heading down to Colorado for the world series...
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by Annadrome
If you are heading down to Colorado for the World Series, here are some things you can do while you are there.
Sports Experiences
Hit the Slopes of the Rockies
Skiers and snowboarders will find some of the best powder in the U.S. among the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Big names like Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge are the most popular destinations, but others like Eldora, Loveland and Winter Park are closer to Denver and more reasonably priced.
Explore the Trails on Horseback
Stay at one of the dozens of dude ranches in central Colorado and get a little taste of life in the Old West. Ranch owners offer plenty of instruction and guidance in handling the horses, and rides can range from a couple hours to a couple days, but if you're a total city slicker, you can stick to hiking, mountain biking or fishing.
See a Game, any Game, at INVESCO
Is it INVESCO Field? Mile High Stadium? INVESCO Field at Mile High? No matter what you call it, Denver's state-of-the-art facility, opened in 2001, is among the country's best stadiums. If you can't land a ticket to a Broncos game during football season, you can always check out the Colorado Rapids (soccer) or the Denver Outlaws (lacrosse). The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame museum is also on site.
Major Attractions
Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Ave. 720-865-5000
The cornerstones of this museum are its collections of Western and American Indian art. It is home to important works by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Georgia O'Keefe, as well as the art of 150 Indian tribes spanning 2,000 years.
http://www.denverartmuseum.org/
U.S. Mint
320 W. Colfax Ave. 303-405-4757
Where does money come from? Right here. Denver is one of four Mints, but only here and in Philadelphia can you actually see, while on tour, common metal being transformed into cold, hard cash.
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?action=StartReservation
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Blvd., 303-322-7009 or 800-925-2250
You'll come for the two Egyptians mummies and the seemingly endless collection of gems and minerals. But you'll stay for the dozens of world-class dioramas.
http://www.dmns.org/main/en/
Denver Zoo
23rd Ave. and Steele St. 303-376-4800
This zoo has long been one of the nation's leaders in recreating natural habitats for its animals. Don't miss Predator Ridge, designed to resemble an African savannah, with lions, spotted hyenas, crowned cranes and banded mongoose among its 50 species.
http://www.denverzoo.org/
Larimer Square
1400 block of Larimer St. 303-534-2367
This restored two-block district is where Denver began, in 1858, as a home to gold seekers and other pioneers. Sixteen of its original buildings have been renovated; their ground floors now house shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
http://www.larimersquare.com/
Sports Bars
Near Pepsi Center
ESPN Zone
1187 16th St., Denver, CO
303-595-3776
http://espnzone.com/denver/
Restaurants
Near Coors Field
Blake Street Tavern
2401 Blake St.
303-675-0505
Near Pepsi Center
Braun's Bar & Grill
1055 Auraria Pkwy.
720-932-0707
http://www.braunsbarandgrill.com/brauns.html
Near Pepsi Center
Brooklyn's
901 Auraria Pkwy.
303-607-0002
http://www.brooklynsrestaurants.com/pepsicenterhome.htm
Near Invesco Field
Brooklyn's
2644 W. Colfax Ave.
303-572-3999
http://www.brooklynsrestaurants.com/oghome.htm
Other Locations
Bull and Bush Brewery (Glendale)
4700 Cherry Creek South Dr.
303-759-0333
http://www.bullandbush.com/
Chopper's Sports Grill (Cherry Creek)
80 S. Madison St.
303-399-4448
http://www.chopperssportsgrill.com/index.php
Near Coors Field
Falling Rock Tap House
1919 Blake St.
303-293-8338
This isn't so much a place to watch sports as it is a place to drink in preparation for attending sporting events-in particular, Rockies games. This laid-back neighborhood bar just blocks from Coors Field is a beer lover's paradise: 60 brews from around the world on tap, 73 other varieties in bottles. There are pool tables, a couch and a jukebox on the main floor. The basement has pool tables, a dartboard and a cigar room.
http://www.fallingrocktaphouse.com/
Other Locations
Lazy Dog Bar & Sports Grill (Virginia Village)
4100 E. Mexico Ave.
303-300-6666
http://www.thelazydog.com/index.htm
Other Locations
Legend's (Cherry Creek)
201 Milwaukee Ave.
303-320-0625
http://www.brooklynsrestaurants.com/legendshome.htm
Near Coors Field
Sports Column
1930 Blake St.
303-296-1930
http://www.denversportscolumn.com/
The Fort (Game)
19192 Highway 8
Morrison, CO 80465
303-697-4771
http://www.thefort.com/
Very Expensive
Buckhorn Exchange (Steak, game)
1000 Osage St. (Downtown)
303-534-9505
http://www.buckhorn.com/
Very Expensive
Panzano (Italian)
909 17th St. (in the Hotel Monaco) (Downtown)
303-296-3525
http://www.panzano-denver.com/
Expensive
Local Media
SPORTS RADIO
KKFN - 950 AM The Fan
The city's dominant sports talk station.
Hottest show: Longtime locals Irv and Joe (weekdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
Flagship station: Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche.
KLZ - 560 AM ESPN Radio
Features Mike & Mike, Colin Cowherd, Dan Patrick.
KOA - 850 AM
Flagship station: Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos.
Major Publications
Denver Post (daily newspaper)
http://www.denverpost.com/
Rocky Mountain News (daily newspaper)
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
Denver Westword (alternative weekly)
http://www.westword.com/
Golf Digest's 10 Best Places to Stay
1. Fossil Trace Golf Club
3050 Illinois St. Golden, CO (11.2 miles from City)
303-277-8750, http://www.fossiltrace.com
Golf Digest Rating: 4.5 Stars
2. Riverdale Golf Club (Dunes)
13300 Riverdale Rd. Brighton, CO (19.2 miles from City)
303-659-6700, http://www.riverdalegolf.com
Golf Digest Rating: 4.5 Stars
3. Mariana Butte Golf Course
701 Clubhouse Dr. Loveland, CO (44.9 miles from City)
970-667-8308, http://www.marianabutte.com
Golf Digest Rating: 4.5 Stars
4. Hyland Hills Golf Course (Gold)
9650 N. Sheridan Blvd. Westminster, CO (6.8 miles from City)
303-428-6526
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
5. Buffalo Run Golf Course
15700 E. 112th Ave. Commerce City, CO (7.8 miles from City)
303-289-1500
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
6. Legacy Ridge Golf Course
10801 Legacy Ridge Pkwy. Westminster, CO (9.2 miles from City)
303-438-8997
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
7. Fox Hollow at Lakewood Golf Course (Canyon/Links)
13410 W. Morrison Rd. Lakewood, CO (9.4 miles from City)
303-986-7888, http://www.golffoxhollow.com
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
8. Fox Hollow at Lakewood Golf Course (Canyon/Meadow)
13410 W. Morrison Rd. Lakewood, CO (9.4 miles from City)
303-986-7888, http://www.golffoxhollow.com
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
9. Raccoon Creek Golf Course
7301 W. Bowles Ave. Littleton, CO (9.9 miles from City)
303-973-4653, http://www.raccooncreek.com
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
10. The Heritage Golf Course at Westmoor
10555 Westmoor Dr. Westminster, CO (11.5 miles from City)
303-469-2974, http://www.ci.westminster.co.us
Golf Digest Rating: 4.0 Stars
Activity Guide
Jogging
Cherry Creek Trail
The trail runs 10 miles, from downtown Denver to the Cherry Creek Reservoir. A lovely, woodsy trek through the heart of the city. The trailhead is at 15th Street, where it intersects with Cherry Creek (between Little Raven St. and Platte St.) Best bet: Take a cab.
Skiing
Loveland Ski Area
Georgetown, CO 80444 303-571-5580 or 800-736 3SKI
The best skiing within an hour of downtown Denver. Eighteen beginner, 37 intermediate, 21 advanced trails. The highest lift goes to 12,700 feet. The longest run is two miles. There's a comfy ski lodge, but no overnight accommodations.
Hiking
Herman Gulch Trail No. 98
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
You're in Denver, an hour from the Rockies. You've got to go. You'll climb 1,600 feet, to an altitude of12,000 feet, over the course of this intermediate-rated 3 ½ mile hike. Along the way you'll pass mountain streams and a cornucopia of mountain flowers. Toward the top you'll see Herman Lake.
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