Location Transport

Denver trip - Help me with my itenarary?

I want to cover the following places. Tell me the best way to do it. 1. Downtonw Denver( US mint, Pepsi place, 16th Street Mall, Six Flags amusement park) 2. Colorado Springs - Peaks Clog Railway and Royal Gorge Bridge and Park 3. What else is there to see around Denver..i dont want to keep driving for more then 2 hours. Which are the best hotels (safe) to stay in and around 30 miles of the International Airport. Is public transport available in Denver or is it very important for me to rent a car, can i take tours to the above locatoins

Public Comments

1. You should probably rent a car. The city is so spread out, and the Denver public transportation system is not very advanced. I sugguest staying downtown instead of near the airport, because DIA is about 30-40 minutes away from downtown, and it is not near anything. Really any hotel downtown should be good. I personally like the Magnolia hotel. While you are downtown, I would suggest going to the Art Museum. Unfortunately, I feel that there is not very much to see or do in Denver. In Colorado Springs you should visit Garden of the Gods, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which are relatively close in distance. You may want to go to Boulder. It is a college town about 30 minutes from Denver, and the Pearl Street Mall is a nice outdoor mall. Have fun!
2. The public transportation system in Denver has actually been ranked as one of the best in the nation! There are reliable buses that will get you all over the city, and it could save you the hassle of getting lost while driving - and avoiding expensive parking downtown. If you stay in a hotel downtown (which is less than 30 miles away from the airport) you can get to the mint, the pepsi center, the 16th street mall and six flags by walking or taking a short FREE shuttle ride which runs all day long up and down the 16th street mall. As far as downtown hotels, anything will be pretty reliable. The Mariott (at 18th and California), and The Westin (connected to a mall - the Tabor Center) are really nice or if you have a ton of money to spend, check out the Brown Palace (that's where the president and other high ranking people tend to stay when in the Mile High City). You can take a bus (the #20) from the middle of downtown to a stop that will get you to the natural history museum and awesome denver zoo in like a 20 minute ride. Those two attractions are on the outskirts of City Park which is home to my favorite view of the city (which you can see out the back side of the museum). It would probably be smart to rent a car for your trip down to colorado springs though. And if you do have time, head west up 1-70 into the mountains to hike or go river rafting! And if you have even more time, head up highway 36 which will get you to boulder, but if you keep going to can head into Estes Park, a beaufitul little mountain town with lots of shops that is right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park - hiking, wildlife, awesome. It is maybe an hour and a half drive from denver in good traffic, and totally worth it. Enjoy your trip! Denver is awesome. And since you'll be out here anyway, you have to get into the mountains too! :)
3. Yes RTD (The transportation system) is pretty good and will take you to all your downtown destinations, the residential areas, and the surrounding suburbs, but i would still rent a car for driving to the springs, places in the mountains, and stuff like that There are many good/safe hotels surrounding the airport the hotel shuttles will be out in passenger pickup area that will take you right to them. As far as stuff to do, that list sounds good, but here is some extra stuff. Stuff to do in Denver- Amusement parks: Waterworld on 88th and Pecos, Americas biggest and best Water park. Elitch Gardens on Speer and Elitch circle, The only Downtown Amusement park in the country Lakeside on 46th and Sheridan, Home of the oldest running rollercoaster in the state of Colorado, as well as one of the oldest in the country. The park itself is also The oldest in the state, opening in 1908. Other fun stuff: If one's available go to a concert at Red Rocks Ampitheatre on 2605 Red Rocks Park Rd in Morrison. Attend one of Denver's many Sporting events. The Denver Broncos play at Invesco field at mile high at 2755 W 17th Ave The Colorado Rockies play at Coors field at 2001 Blake Street The Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche Play at the Pepsi Center at 1000 Chopper Circle Explore Colorado's famous Rocky Mountains, some noted places close to the city are Buffalo Bills Grave, and Look Out Mountain, Just head west on I-70. Walk the 16th st. Mall. Shops. Restaurants, Music all in the middle of downtown. The Denver Skate park is always Fun at 2205 19th st.