Bears are my favorite animal, and blue is my favorite color. Who knew there would be such a bright…read moresight greeting us all at the convention center for our conference? The Big Blue Bear gets 5 stars from me! Fun for the whole family to take pictures with!

I love me some public art! This 40-foot blue bear is so cute and curious peering through the glass…read morewindows of the Colorado Convention Center. I wonder what the bear is looking for? :) https://yelp.to/JG18P-mkUp I probably only spent a total of 5-8 minutes looking at the sculpture but definitely worth the photo op while walking around Downtown Denver.

Fantastic light show - music choice is incredible !! The staff here is wonderful and so kind.read more

Do you want an afternoon to just chill? Do you NEED an afternoon to just chill? The International…read moreChurch of Cannabis is your place. First, it's not quite what you think - nothing is sold and nothing is used there. I wouldn't say it's exactly family friendly for every family but there were little kids there. We started with the meditation/laser show. The room, once the church sanctuary, is painted in the brightest colors imaginable. It's absolute eye candy. You sit (or lay) on church pews that are full of squishy pillows. The lights dim, the meditation starts and the lasers illuminate various parts of the room. Even with the rock music, it really was mellow and relaxing. I don't know if you're permitted to sit through it more than once but I know that I would have liked too. While the laser show and "brightness" may be the main draw, the arcade was the most fun for us. Everything is included, no quarters needed. I played ski-ball until my arm was tired. While my husband played Galaga, I was drawn to the lite-brite. Simple? Yes but I wasn't allowed to have one when I was little and this was an absolute thrill for me. We then went into another room where we played Mario Cart - the game was projected onto an entire wall. There were board games, more arcade games, crayons and markers...everything needed to unleash your inner child - my husband and I spent the entire afternoon doing just that. We're back home now. I'm looking at the clock thinking about what to make for dinner. You know what? Heck with it - I'm going to go color instead...

Strolled the Cole-Clayton Greenway thinking it'd be just another sidewalk--but nope, it's like…read moreDenver put on hiking boots and got a little artsy. There's a creek that's secretly a flood project (sneaky), random sculptures, and even a mini playground where kids were going full chaos mode. I saw a guy walking his cat. It's not long, but it's packed with character--like a park with a personality. Would 100% walk it again, preferably with snacks.

I really like how Denver repurposes land into areas for people to enjoy!…read more This is a 1 mile area with one end at Franklin St and the other at Steele St. I actually started at N. Williams St where I parked. I headed toward Steele St and walked to York St. Between N. Williams St & Clayton St. are four sculptures created by Walczak & Heiss. The first one is called "Flood". There was a catastrophic flood in Denver in 1965. 39th Avenue Greenway is collects and directs rainwater during a flood. The second one is called "Zephyr" that is shaped like a train track rounding a corner. It is about the Burlington Zephyr which set a speed record in 1934, running from Chicago to Denver, and it went right through this site. There are two railroad tracks on the greenway. Oh, this Zephyr sculpture is actually a sundial! The third one is called "whereami". It's a 16 ft tall sign with 37 places pointing in different directions with distances on them. This sculpture was made in collaboration with student at the Bruce Randolph School. Then I walked back to my car and drove to near Clayton St to see the fourth sculpture consisting of 2 metal horns named "Conversation". The two megaphones are across from each other and you can talk into them and your voice (even a whisper) will be amplified loud enough to be heard across the way! Afterwards, I drove to Steele St. to see the steel sculpture which spans Steele St. It is called "Eastgate" and looks like a huge ribbon! Reminds me of the old fashioned Christmas Ribbon Candy. Artist DeWitt Godfrey created this piece in 2021. There is a warning sign to climb to safety in case of a flash flood. So yeah, be alert if it has been raining! This is a great space for people to walk, ride bicycles, and also has a play area for children. The playground includes a cement slide and log climbing structures made of wood pieces handcrafted by Nature's Instruments. I've seen other play equipment by this company at another park. Although it's very pricy, it aesthetically blends in! There's also a small area filled with sand in another nearby section. The day I came to check it out (Oct. 5, 2024), there were families, couples, cyclists, and people walking quickly for exercise here. I mainly came to check out the sculptures. It was great to check those out and get a little exercise and some Vitamin D!

The Articulated Wall is one of those pieces of public art that makes you stop, look up, and wonder…read more Towering high above the nearby industrial landscape, this bright yellow sculpture designed by Bauhaus artist Herbert Bayer stands out with its bold, geometric spiral form. You don't need to spend a lot of time here--this isn't a park or museum--but it's a striking visual landmark that rewards a quick visit or drive-by. It's especially photogenic on a blue-sky day, and it definitely adds a cool, modern vibe to this part of Denver. It won't be for everyone--some see it as just a big yellow tower--but if you appreciate public art, architecture, or hidden urban gems, it's worth checking out. Bonus: there's usually not a crowd, so you can enjoy it in peace.

My first thought was, "Jenga, anyone?" But then, they looked like somebody played with their…read morefood... stacking French Fries!! This is different sort of art form! The definition of "Articulation" in the dictionary is: "This describes how sculptural figures (and other forms) are jointed:, either how the differing parts of a body merge in a single form, or how separate sections come together." The top portion of this is very yellow sculpture is visible from I-25. I had it in my list of things to see in Denver. After passing by, we got off the freeway and found it outside of the Denver Design Center. This very wall, located here in Denver, is not an original. Herbert Bayer re-designed this 85 foot tall sculpture. He was commissioned to build his first one in Mexico City for the 1968 Summer Olympics. Too bad I didn't know about this when I went to Mexico City back in March of this year! The one in Mexico City is smaller, standing 60 ft tall. Bayer said he wanted this to be viewed while driving by rather than standing next to it. I did both! The sculpture is constructed of 32 pieces of pre-fabricated concrete elements each measuring 41′ x 5′-2″ x 2′-7″. A refueling mast taken from an aircraft carrier runs through the middle of the wall, holding the sculpture together. Two million pounds of concrete were used to create the 85-foot tall sculpture. This wall was dedicated in 1985. Bayer died the same year at the age of 85. This Articulated Wall belongs to the Denver Art Museum. Here, they have about 8,000 items of Bayer's works. They rotate his works. You can even see a miniature sculpture of this wall there. A nickname for this wall is "Fry Stack". Funny thing is that there was really a French Fry eating contest in front of the sculpture ... for art's sake! So, remember, seeing this while driving past it in your vehicle is the intended way to view this sculpture!

The Dancers sculpture in Denver's Sculpture Park feels like joy frozen in motion. Towering at 60…read morefeet, these white figures seem to swirl mid-leap, playful and bold against the skyline. At night, lights bring them to life, and if you're lucky, you'll hear faint music playing from speakers below. Some call it quirky, others call it kitschy--but standing beneath them, it's hard not to smile. They give the park energy, fun, and a sense of celebration that fits right in with the heart of Denver's arts district.

Love these two ginormous dancers! They are hard to miss! They are plain white and have no faces…read more They are found on the lawn of the Performing Arts Complex. I parked out on 14th Street where there are paid meters. I then walked through the Denver Performing Arts Complex out to Sculpture Park, where these Dancers are located. It's a good little walk! They are nearest the corner of Speer Blvd & Champa Street. It's free to view these dancers 24/7! They are out in Sculpture Park in an open area. Jonathan Borofsky designed & sculpted these two Dancers. They stand at 60 ft tall and are constructed of metal and fiberglass. It weighs 25 tons! Along the perimeter of the base are five speakers which play "Let's Dance" composed by the sculptor. However, I didn't hear any music when I visited on July 4, 2022. The cool thing about this Sculpture is that as you walk around and look at the Dancers, they seem to shift positions! Be sure to take a look at them from various angles! You can drive by and take a quick glance at them, but you get a greater feel and look if you park and walk right up to them!

Lovely place to spend time in but skip the cafe; the food is dire and the employees can't make…read moreespresso drinks to save their lives. ;D Go there for the plants and nature; for the peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, to take pictures, to learn about plants, or just to relax in the most fantastic "park" in the city. Highly recommended... except for the cafe. ;)

I enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of walking through Botanical Gardens. We were in town for…read morespring break and I read that the Denver Botanic Gardens was amazing. We decided to check it out. We arrived to Denver Botanic Gardens on a Saturday morning. The gardens are located in a nice lush area in Denver. Free parking is accessible in the parking garage across. There's nothing better than starting your morning with a brisk walk through a natural setting of tranquility. I felt that with the Denver Botanic Gardens as soon as we started our journey. Besides the magnificent vast variety of curated plants and flowers, there was themed gardens, harmonious architecture, indoor conservatories, and cultural ponds. The Japanese gardens were my favorite. A cozy cafe is available for small bites and refreshments as well. The property is extensive and immense but just the right size to explore. There were plenty of benches everywhere to relax and rest. I found that to be a nice touch. Beautiful picture opportunities were boundless. Overall we enjoyed our experience at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The staff were all nice and accommodating. The atmosphere was welcoming and family friendly. Price point was fair. I would love to share the experience with other loved ones when we eventually come back into town.

A great historic museum showcases the famous Molly Brown, the history of Denver and the women's…read moresuffrage movement. Every holiday season, a holiday tea is put on. Tickets can be purchased online and since there are only a few dates for the tea, hop online to get your reservation. It is clear the museum staff takes great pride in keeping the unsinkable Molly Brown's history alive. After the tea, you get to take a self-guided tour around the house. Each room has a specific theme based on how the room was used when Brown resided here. The tea itself was nice. Served on the third floor of the house, there is one tea served- a blend of black and oolong- which happened to be one of Brown's favorites. Just a cube of sugar and a splash of cream is all you need. The tea is accompanied by some yummy nibbles too. The chicken salad tea sandwich was the clear winner. Thanks to the staff at the Molly Brown house for all their hard work to decorate the house for Christmas and putting on tea service. All year long they are the ones responsible for keeping Brown's legacy alive for future generations.

I went here for the first time yesterday and had a wonderful time! First off I was stoked that this…read moreplace was on the list of Denver/Colorado in general, list of museums that are heavily discounted if you present your SNAP card, so our tickets were only three dollars each!! What a bargain! And then the actually museum itself is just lovely, and the staff were incredibly warm and more than happy to answer any questions we had!

Any type of music, Makes sense to stop and see. any Local artists. Beautiful area. Love it!read more

My uncle wanted to see the guitarist Tab Benoit, so I offered to go with him. I was new to this…read morevenue so I gathered as much information as I could. THE VENUE The theater is small and everyone in the audience can see the performers. The acoustics were perfect for the performance without it being too loud. STAFF There were plenty of helpful and knowledgeable staff people (in black shirts) to help with any questions I had. DRINKS They have two bars. A large one as you enter the theater from the lobby and a smaller one on the very top of the balconies. If you plan on drinking bring an ID because everyone's age is checked before you enter. You will either get a drinking wristband or a big black "X" on your hand that says you can't. MECHANDISE SALES In the lobby of the theater there is a wide counter where people can purchase merchandise with the performer's name or slogans. BATHROOMS There is a stairway on either side of the lobby. The one on the right (north side of the building) goes up and to the right for the men's bathroom. The other stairway (south side of the lobby) goes up and to the left for the women's bathroom. There is also a men's and women's bathroom on either side of the little bar at the very top of the balconies. I'm not sure how wheelchair people use either of these. ADMISSION Doors opened at 7 for the 8PM performance. We got there at 6:30 and there was already about 30 people in line to get in. By about 7, that line had grown to about 50 people. According to Gothic Theatre's website, when you buy tickets you can purchase a Quick Pass. This doesn't get you into the theater any earlier, but it does allow you to skip standing in the long, general admission line so you can be one of the first to enter the theater when the doors open. METAL DETECTORS Just like the airport, everyone goes through metal detectors at the entrance. SEATING If you want to sit, rather than stand, you have two possible options. The first option is to enter the theater as it opens so you have your pick of the general admission seating available. There are balcony seats along the right and left sides of the theater that look down onto the stage. In the back the theater has three balconies that look down, directly at the stage. The best general admission seating, if you are on a date and want to be able to sit and talk and drink, are the seats at the top balcony in the little bar area. It's like a private seating area because you are at the top of the balconies with your own bar and bathrooms. The other seating option is accessible seating. These are small roped off areas on the back sides of the main floor where people who are physically challenged can sit. It accommodates wheelchairs and is ramp-accessible from the lobby. There is no additional charge to get the accessible designation on your tickets, but one of you has to be physically challenged to qualify. My uncle limps from a bad knee so I got him these tickets. Unfortunately there were so many people needing accessible seating that they didn't have seats for us. One of the staff said they usually only sell 4 'couples' accessible seating. They don't cram the accessible area so wheelchairs can move freely in and out. The staff set up another seat for my uncle and I just stood next to him on the main floor standing area. PARKING If you aren't timing your arrival so you can get great seats, you SHOULD time your arrival so you get great parking. The theater has NO designated parking. But if you get to the theater at least an hour and 1/2 before the show starts you should have two options available to you. PARKING - NORTH OF THE THEATER The next street, a half a block north of the theater is Eastman Ave. Saturdays and Sundays there are no time limits to how long you can park on that street. At 6:30 we easily got a spot to the west of Broadway on Eastman. If you are concerned about parking at night, park on Eastman Ave to the east of Broadway. Across the street from Gothic Theatre is a used car lot that is brightly lit up. It makes the east part of Eastman Ave look like it's daylight. I also saw people parking in the parking lot at a building that used to be an Advanced Auto Parts store (north east corner of the intercession of Broadway and Eastman). But I wouldn't chance that because it might be a private lot that tows cars. PARKING - SOUTH OF THE THEATER There is a private, PAY lot right next to the theater. When you park there you can pay using your phone and a QR code. When we got there at 6:30, this parking lot was already 80% full. FOOD The stress free way for see a show is to arrive around 1 1/2 to 2 hours early. Park your car and get dinner within a minute walk of the theater. There is Moe's Original Bar B Q, Whiskey Biscuit, The Crab House and Spicy Basil. We picked Spicy Basil and were delighted! All in all it's a great venue!

Unless you know the precise location of this sculpture, you can easily drive right past it! You…read morecan find it on Champa St. between 17th & 18th Streets. It is set next to the Hotel Registration sign leading to the Residence Inn. Drive by viewing! I couldn't find parking, so luckily, traffic came to a stop and I snapped a quick pic. This is definitely a whimsical piece! It's also a sort of abstract since there's basically only a pair of pants and an odd shaped abdomen with a belt in between. What might be perceived at first as arms are actually pistols. There's no face, arms, hands, nor feet. In summary, this is a cowboy with its guns drawn. Cowboy Pajamas is a solid work made from bronze, weighing three tons! It stands at over 20 feet tall. The sculptor is Sean O'Meallie. It was installed in 2008. Why is this sculpture in front of a hotel? This hotel, the Residence Inn at this address, hosts an Annual Pajama Party fundraiser. The fundraiser benefits and raises awareness for the homeless.

You will find this little nugget right outside of the Residence Inn, in a small alcove. It is the…read morework of Sean O'Meallie who did the sculpture in 2008. It is starting to show signs of wear and is a bit weathered. It also has some graffiti on it. It is 20 feet tall, weighs about 3,000 pounds, and is made from bronze and acrylic paint. It is rumored to have chosen the Residence Inn as the site of the sculpture because the hotel had hosted has a Pajama Party fundraiser benefiting Denver's Road Home program in the past. It is an interesting piece that depicts a cowboy holding up two side arms. The cowboy has heart shaped balloon hat and what looks like a magnet for legs. It is all on a platform. As I mentioned, it is abstract AF. You have to stare at it for a little while to decipher what it is, a cowboy in pajamas. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. Even though I passed it a few times since I was staying at the hotel next door. I recommend making this stop part of a larger itinerary or checking it out if you are in the area and/or on your way somewhere else, to maximize your time.

Exceptional help here…read more A brochure on the history of the building. Small but super efficient. I'm so glad I stopped here. Lot to easy access.

The absolute cutest library in town. A Carnegie project. It is an English cottage style with an…read moreemphasis on timber, making it a craftsman icon.