Denver, Colorado

Overview

Denver, Colorado, the Mile-High City of 720,000, hides an offbeat allure where quirky museums, secret art, and historic oddities draw adventurous travelers beyond the craft beer scene, attracting over 36 million visitors yearly. Founded in 1858 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, this urban hub sits 100 miles south of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and 340 miles west of Kansas City, cradled by the Rocky Mountains and South Platte River. Beyond Union Station, Denver offers eccentric gems like a museum of miniature art, a hidden speakeasy behind a pie shop, and vibrant murals in the RiNo arts district. It’s an offbeat mountain metropolis where gold rush grit, Chicano culture, and quirky creativity collide, perfect for those craving unique adventures over tourist staples.

Top Attractions (Miniatures, Murals & Speakeasies!)

Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys

Explore 5,000 tiny artworks, from Victorian dollhouses to micro-sculptures, in a historic 1899 mansion.

RiNo (River North) Art District Murals

Discover colorful street art where Chicano and urban vibes pulse on the walls of Larimer Street.

Clyfford Still Museum

See 3,200 abstract expressionist works—90% of Still’s entire artistic output—in a serene LoDo space.

The Buckhorn Exchange

Denver’s oldest restaurant (1893), famous for its extensive taxidermy and Wild West relics.

Williams & Graham

A LoDo speakeasy hidden behind a bookstore facade, serving classic Prohibition-style cocktails.

Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Home to 7,000 quirky pieces, including Vance Kirkland’s cosmic paintings, in a preserved 1911 studio.

Unique Stories & Facts (Taxidermy, Ghosts & Tiny Violins!)

• Miniature Marvels: The Museum of Miniatures holds a one-inch-long violin that is actually playable with a bow made of hair.
• Speakeasy Secret: The 1920s-style bar at Williams & Graham is hidden behind a fake bookshelf; reservations are essential.
• Wild West Grit: The Buckhorn Exchange, which once served Buffalo Bill, has over 500 taxidermy heads, including a two-headed calf.
• Ghostly Governor: Denver’s beautiful Cheesman Park was built over a former cemetery, and ghostly sightings of Governor Cheesman are a local legend.

Best Travel Seasons (When to Visit Denver!)

Popular Activities (Beyond the Slopes!)

• Miniature Touring: Explore the Museum of Miniatures, where tiny, intricate dollhouses and objects spark big awe.
• Mural Strolling: Wander through the RiNo Art District, especially along Larimer Street, where urban tales are told in vibrant color.
• Speakeasy Sipping: Slip into Williams & Graham by pulling a book from a shelf and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails.
• Taxidermy Gazing: Dine at The Buckhorn Exchange surrounded by over 500 animal mounts for a true Wild West vibe.
• Art Diving: Visit the Clyfford Still Museum to see 3,200 abstract works in a serene and focused LoDo space.
• Decorative Browse: Stroll through the Kirkland Museum to see quirky ceramics and Vance Kirkland's unique cosmic art.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles)

For a true mountain gaming experience, head to the historic gold rush town of Black Hawk (30 miles). There you'll find the **Ameristar Casino**, a major hub with 1,500 slots and 40 tables, and the **Monarch Casino**, with 1,100 slots and a modern vibe.

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - Denver's Quirky Side!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - Ghosts of the Mile High City!)

• Cheesman Park: This beautiful park was built over a historic cemetery, and ghostly figures are often said to roam the grounds at dusk.
• Brown Palace Hotel:** This 1892 landmark is famously haunted, with the ghosts of bellhops and other former residents reported in rooms like 904.
• Croke-Patterson Mansion (Capitol Hill):** Phantom cries are said to echo from a sealed-off basement area in this historic 1890s home.