Denver
Museum of Nature & Science
One of the premier natural history museums in the country, this institution
was founded at the turn of the century to house the collection of Colorado
naturalist Edwin Carter. Museum scientists attracted international attention
following their 1926 discovery (near Folsom, New Mexico) of distinctive
spear points in association with bones of a bison species extinct for
10,000 years. The discovery proved the existence of humans in the New
World about 8000 years earlier than previously assumed. Visitors can
see dinosaur fossils like Stegosaurus stenops (the state fossil), a
small-headed, armor-plated vegetarian that roamed the state 150 million
years ago. Enormous remains of the Nebraska mammoth and long-jawed mastodon
are also on display.
The museum is located 3 miles (5km) east of downtown Denver in City
Park. Also housed in the complex is an IMAX Theater, a giant-screen
movie experience that wows audiences with - of all things - nature documentaries,
and the Gates Planetarium, which features a laser light show tour of
distant galaxies. Visitors on a hell-bent pace or with short attention
spans could also squeeze in a visit to the neighboring Denver Zoo on
the same day.
Larimer Square
If you're searching for a good sense of what makes Denver America's
poster-city for successful redevelopment, start your visit at Larimer
Square. Though the idea of festooning renovated turn of the century
buildings with strings of 'decorative' lights is questionable, the 1400
block of Larimer St presents a tasty array of distractions. This enclave
of stylish shops, restaurants and brewpubs is where the gathering spot
for the city's scenesters, running the spectrum from yuppie to punk.
If the square's hip clubs keep you going all night, never fear: its
cafes are sure to get you started in the morning. Larimer Square is
on the southwestern edge of the downtown grid.
Denver Art Museum
Resembling a modern high-rise jail, this mammoth museum houses one of
the largest Native American art collections in the world, with work
on display from tribes throughout the country. Pieces from thousands
of years ago to the present are arranged geographically, emphasizing
the connection between cultures. American Western artists are also featured,
as well as works from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. The museum
is on the southern fringe of the downtown grid, just south of the Civic
Center.
Black American Western Museum & Heritage
Center
'We tell it like it was' is the motto of the Black American Western
Museum & Heritage Center. Although a few notable African-American
pioneers arrived at the onset of Colorado's mining boom in the early
1860s, it was after the Civil War that most professional and working-class
black people made their mark in the state. Black cowboys were particularly
influential, making up almost a third of the Western range workers,
but the museum also showcases the contributions of black soldiers, miners,
lawyers and politicians. Dedicated to correcting versions of history,
the museum is housed in what was the home of Dr Justina Ford, Denver's
first black physician, who practiced in the state for half a century.
It's located north of downtown in the Five Points neighborhood; the
light rail stops right outside.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater
In the hills just west of Denver, this 600 acre (243ha) stunner
should not be missed - especially if you can attend a starlit performance,
nestled between the outdoor amphitheater's 70 million year old rock
formations. During the Great Depression, members of the Civilian Conservation
Corps built the 9000 seat amphitheater between 400ft (120m) red sandstone
rocks to take advantage of the splendid natural acoustics. Every summer,
Red Rocks hosts a variety of world class performers. The surrounding
parkland is open daily, except during show times. |
