Doing Denver is Delectable

I arrived in Denver by train, on the California Zephyr, which was running about three hours late. Apparently, this isn’t an uncommon thing.

My first view of Denver was of its lights in the distance and we descended from the Rockies. There was a blood moon in the sky, and it made Denver look very mystical.

After disembarking from the train I didn’t have far to go to reach my hotel. Just a few metres, in fact, as I was staying at the Crawford Hotel, which is part of the refurbished Union Station.

It was a great hotel, and I soon learnt to close the drapes when changing as my room overlooked the station concourse. I don’t know if commuters could see me, but I could certainly see them!

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Union Station has been transformed very well. As well the Crawford Hotel they have installed bars, restaurants, and a good shopping arcade. Union Station is now a hive of activity.

I had breakfast at Snooze AM Eatery inside the station and it was told that is was one of Denver’s breakfast places. The food was great, as was the ambience, and I was meeting up with a friend, so that was great too.

I only had one day in Denver before catching the train to Chicago, so made the most of it.

The Free MailRide is a tram which runs along 16^th Street in the heart of the city. You just hop on and off as you please.

I popped into the Tattered Cover Book Store LoDo, and could have browsed there for hours. I was particularly enamoured with the poet who sat outside the store, offering to write you a poem for a fee.

Wonderful Larimer Square

Larimer Square is said to be Denver’s most historic block. I can’t vouch for the veracity of that statement, but it was indeed an attractive place with plenty of fascinating shops to visit. As the Mile High City’s oldest and most historic block, its buildings tell vividly the story of the birth and early years of Denver. I like hats, and a visit to Goorin Brothers Hat Shop, which has operated there since 1895, was almost too exciting for me. I made a purchase, and wearing it reminds me of my great time in Denver.

Time for another trip on the Free MailRide, to its terminal near Civic Center Park.

This is the administrative heart of Denver, and I walked up to the Capitol Building, where the Mile High plague is attached to the exact spot that is a mile above sea level.

A short walk away was the Denver Art Museum, and I happily spent a couple of hours here, looking at the exhibits. I was really interested in both the Western and American Art and the Indigenous Arts of North America collections.

Denver is the craft beer capital of the West, so I had to make it my business to try out a brew or two.

I don’t know how, but by using public transport and doing a spot of walking, I wandered into the C Squared Ciders and Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Beer and cider are made in the same place. Wonderful! I also discovered that beer, cider and fries also go remarkably well together. Plus, the manager recognising my Australian accent helped me choose my brews. Since my visit, C Squared has moved their operation. I had some time to kill before having to head back to Union Station for the train, so spend the rest of the glorious afternoon quenching my thirst.

I made it back to Union Station in time to board the California Zephyr and bid farewell to Denver, which I was sorry to leave.