When the Democratic National Convention (DNC) selected Denver as its host city, and some 50,000 delegates and visitors descended on the city last summer, many speculated that the seven-county metro area couldn’t carry it off. But the success of the pivotal four-day convention has helped put this old mining town back on travelers’ maps.
    Says Mayor John Hickenlooper, “Denver is the largest city in a 600-mile radius, so we have become the cultural, sports, shopping and nightlife capital for a vast region of the country. The DNC allowed us to showcase our great city.”
    Traditionally, travelers think of Denver as a winter destination, and they should—the majestic, snow-capped Rocky Mountains are less than an hour away. The landscape beckons even city slickers, but it’s more than a state filled with skiers and scenery. With 300 days of sunshine per year—that’s more than Miami or San Diego—Denver is a brighter place to visit year-round.
    The Mile High City’s mild climate is its best-kept secret, with low relative humidity and summertime averages at just 86 ˚F. Locals anticipate the summer almost as much as the snowpack. In fact, many transplants will say, “I moved here for the winter, but stayed for the summer.”
    Perhaps that’s why the streets of Denver bustle with a constant flow of business and jogging suits—the perfect blend of work and play. Hickenlooper notes that Denver “has the nation’s largest city park system, with more than 850 miles of paved, off-road bike trails to explore. It’s not surprising then, that Denver is continually named America’s thinnest and fittest city.”
    During the DNC, Denver joined a small group of progressive cities establishing bike-sharing programs in the United States. Over the course of the four-day convention, the bikes racked up some 26,000 miles, offering a healthy alternative to waiting in line for taxis.
    And, says Hickenlooper, “This summer, we will be unveiling a new bike program, with 500 bikes available for a small rental fee, at 30 downtown locations.”
    Weaving through the city streets, you’ll discover downtown Denver is jogger-friendly; and it’s not difficult to discover paths or parks with plenty of Rocky Mountain sunshine. If you prefer to venture out on your own, the least taxing paths are along Cherry Creek, which has several entry points along Speer Boulevard, between the downtown and Cherry Creek neighborhoods. Joggers can take many detours, as other routes wind their way out of downtown, off the beaten jogging path of Cherry Creek.
    In lower downtown, Confluence Park serves as another easy access point for jogging, hiking, and biking. Two pedestrian bridges cross the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, a short walk from most downtown locations, and bike paths follow the twisting river for more than 40 miles. Within Confluence Park, the eastern edge of the South Platte has been transformed into kayak and rafting chutes, immediately across from an REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) store.
    Travelers with a passion for the outdoors would be remiss in not stopping at REI’s flagship store in downtown Denver. The store is a complete outdoor resource, including an Outdoor Recreation Information Center (ORIC), staffed by a Forest Service ranger and dedicated volunteers. ORIC’s services include complimentary planning of outdoor activities. Located in the restored Denver Tramway Power Company building (est. 1901), this REI also has interactive features, including mountain bike trails and a 45-foot climbing wall—so be sure to bring your gear, or buy some here!
    For those with an urge to angle, the Denver metro area offers several freshly-stocked ponds and lakes for an enjoyable afternoon of trout fishing. Three ponds are drivable from downtown Denver: Englewood’s Centennial Park Lake, Main Reservoir in Lakewood, and Jim Baker Reservoir in Arvada.
    Pick a spot, and you can probably hike it in Colorado. However, the Boulder area, just 30 minutes from downtown, is especially popular, with a number of different routes. To the west of Boulder, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area offers a variety of well-marked and maintained trails, including several “fourteener” peak trails, to mountains over 14,000 feet in elevation. For an oxygen-rich experience, check out the Flatirons, Boulder’s signature geological formation, which is also close to town.
    Visitors are often surprised at the caliber of Denver’s arts and culture, probably even more so when they learn that the city had an opera before it had a school. The Denver Performing Arts Complex (often called “The Plex”) is the second-largest arts complex in the world (after New York’s Lincoln Center). The Plex is home to ten venues for theater, opera, ballet and the symphony.
    Denver’s thriving art scene can be enjoyed at dozens of public museums and local galleries. David Craig, general manager of Hotel Teatro says, “One of the most unique options is the monthly First Friday gatherings that happen in designated art districts throughout the city. For example, in the Santa Fe Art District, dozens of galleries stay open late, serve wine, and have bands and performance art sprinkled throughout for an amazing, cultural street party.”  
Running enthusiasts can stay at Hotel Teatro, located in Denver’s Theater District, and participate in a daily, staff-led run. The chosen jogging path winds through the streets of downtown Denver, past the historic clock tower, State Capitol Building, Denver Art and Colorado History museums, and Denver’s eclectic 16th Street Mall.
    Whether jogging or riding the free shuttle through the picture-perfect 16th Street Mall, you’ll see why Popular Photography Magazine just selected Denver as the “Most Photo-Friendly City in America.” This pedestrian-only promenade of granite, lined with hundreds of trees and 50,000 flowers, hosts street performers who entertain shoppers and passersby. It is also home to 39 street vendors, casual and fine dining restaurants, 28 sidewalk cafés and plenty of shopping.
    Denver’s revitalized and walkable downtown is a hodgepodge of stretching skyscrapers and historic low-rises intertwined with scenic backdrops of soaring peaks. The 584,000-square-foot Colorado Convention Center and the adjacent Hyatt Regency Denver played a big role in putting Denver back on the map for meetings.
    The skyline keeps changing to meet demands, as eight new hotels and 1,200 more rooms join the city’s existing 8,000 downtown and 42,000 metro-wide room inventory. Its laid-back, Western hospitality will be enhanced with the anticipated debuts of the Four Seasons and W hotels.
    Last year, the city hit the ground running with the opening of the $88-million Ritz-Carlton and the $8-million renovation of the historic Brown Palace. The Grand Hyatt Denver recently completed a $3.9-million suite renovation, and $11 million and $70 million have been invested in refurbishments of The Westin Tabor Center and the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, respectively.
    The recent $7-million renovation of the Denver Magnolia Hotel revived its Old-World style, blending it with a funky sensibility. The hotel’s Harry’s Bar is a popular hangout for locals, primed for people watching. The nearby Hotel Monaco Denver is stylish, sophisticated and hip, with splashes of fun. The adjoining Italian restaurant, Panzano, showcases the wide array of local producers in Colorado, creating amazingly fresh, delicious and eco-friendly menus. Request a personalized dining experience by ordering the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which often includes a personal visit from executive chef Elise Wiggins.
    When executive chef Hosea Rosenberg, of Jax Fish House Boulder, became the winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” foodies took a second look at Denver’s culinary scene, which shines with a collection of restaurants garnering national recognition. For tasty suggestions, include stops for Champagne, caviar and seafood at Corridor 44, the city’s only Champagne bar, on Larimer Street; upscale dining at 1515 Restaurant; classic American bistro at Table 6; and Il Posto, located in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, one of the hottest restaurant rows in the city.
    One of Denver’s new restaurants, Root Down, is in the northwest Highland neighborhood. Justin Cucci, the former co-owner of Ye Waverly Inn, New York City’s celebrity-studded haute spot, opened the hip eatery. The 50 varieties of Mojito and memorable menu items, like veggie sliders and Long Farm pork chops, silence the buzz, but only to the last forkful. Fresh herbs and vegetables come courtesy of the rooftop and patio gardens.
    Affordability and convenient access is key to attracting travelers, says Visit Denver’s CEO and president, Richard Scharf. “While other airports are experiencing 20 to 25 percent reductions in the number of flights and seats, Denver International Airport (DIA), the fifth-busiest airport in the United States and 10th in the world, is one of only a few to actually see an increase; setting an all-time Denver aviation record with over 51 million travelers and more than 130 daily flights.”
    Hickenlooper says that trips here should include a sporting event. Denver is home to eight professional sports teams—more than any other city—including the Colorado Rapids, who play in the largest professional soccer complex in the world.
    “‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ is more dramatic while watching Colorado Rockies baseball at Coors Field, with the sunset over the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop,” says Hickenlooper. “Or, just west of downtown, see the biggest stars on and above the outdoor stage during a summer concert series at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater—perhaps the most beautiful concert venue in the nation.”
    According to Scharf, in today’s turbulent economy, it takes more than destination appeal to attract visitors. Cost-of-entry is critical to Denver’s appeal and, according to Business Travel News’ 2008 Corporate Travel Index, Denver’s ranks as the 36th least-expensive city for business travelers—and that seals the deal.
    Scharf insists, “A great deal at an awe-inspiring destination won’t keep visitors returning to Denver. Warm Western hospitality will—and that’s just the nature of Denver.”