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24 Hours In Denver

Denver(credit: CBS)

So you've got just 24 hours in Denver — what do you do? Whether you are here on a quick stop as you drive to a different location or you have a 24-hour layover, there are still plenty of ways to check out the must-see sites and sounds of the beautiful Mile High City. You could easily spend the whole day up in the mountains, driving the winding roads and checking out all the breathtaking scenery, but if you stay in town you can sample much more of this historic city. With lots of amazing culture, shopping, dining and more, Denver is tough to see in 24 hours, but with a little planning you can still get a good taste of the city on a short visit.

Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Ave Parkway
Denver, CO 80204
(720) 865-5000
www.denverartmuseum.org

This stunning building is worth visiting for the architecture alone. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the distinctive museum is home to a massive selection of Old West art, many contemporary masterpieces and lots of incredible touring exhibitions that travel around the world. Depending on when you visit, you'll probably find at least one or two must-see temporary exhibits, so plan your time accordingly. While you could easily get lost for the whole day, you should spend at least a few hours browsing the latest exhibit and checking out the contemporary art section. Then stop by the gift shop for a few souvenirs and Palettes Contemporary Cuisine for a delicious bite to eat before you set off for more Denver adventures.

Colorado State Capitol Building
200 E. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 866-2604
www.colorado.gov

A trip to Denver is not complete without a visit to the Colorado State Capitol Building. You can pose on the steps for a photo at exactly one mile above sea level before heading inside to enjoy one of the free tours offered year-round. Check out the iconic gold dome, refurbished with 65 ounces of 24-karat gold leaf in
originally made from 200 ounces of 24-karat gold leaf in 2014, and Colorado Rose Onyx, so rare that all of the known supplies of it is located within the Capitol building. The free tours are a great way to learn a little bit about Denver history while getting the insider information about the art, tapestries and other fascinating things you'll see on your walk through the building. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes, so it's the perfect Denver tour for a short visit in town.

Related: Top Historical Sites In Denver

Cherry Creek North
1st Avenue and Ellsworth Ave.
Denver, CO 80206
(303) 394-2904
www.cherrycreeknorth.com

Every trip deserves at least a little shopping, and if you only have a few hours to spend, a visit to the outdoor shopping at Cherry Creek North is a great place to spend some time (and some bucks). Cherry Creek North is the premier shopping district in town with a huge selection of boutiques and fine art galleries to peruse. There are more than 300 stores in this area making it the largest shopping district between St. Louis and San Francisco. If you get hungry, there are tons of high-end restaurants to enjoy while you shop, or you can just hop from store to store picking up lots of great gifts for your friends and family back home. From fashion to toys and from home furnishings to electronics, there are so many great stores to visit that you may need to plan your trip ahead of time so you make sure to hit your favorites.

The Source
3350 Brighton Blvd
Denver, CO 80216
(720) 443-1135
www.thesourcedenver.com

So it's time for dinner, and you want to find something unique while you are in the Mile High City. The Source is an artisan food market built inside a former 1880s foundry building in Denver's up-and-coming River North District (also known as the RiNo District). It's home to several restaurants including Acorn, a high-end cocktail bar and restaurant specializing in amazing small plates and artisan foods, Comida, a Mexican taqueria, and Babette's Artisan Breads, a traditional French bakery. You can also shop for some local spirits at The Proper Pour or stop off at Mondo Market for specialty cheese and spices. Parking nearby is easy and The Source is a wonderful place for an elegant meal to celebrate your quick stop in Denver.

Related: Top Literary Landmarks In Denver

Wynkoop Brewing Company
1634 18th St
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 595-3500
www.wynkoop.com

You can't visit Denver without enjoying a beer. After all, Denver is one of the largest producers of craft beer in the country. As Denver's first microbrewery, Wynkoop Brewing Company is the perfect brewery to visit, if you only get to visit one while you are in town. Wynkoop was started by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, and this brewery was one of the main businesses responsible for the massive revitalization of Denver's Lower Downtown neighborhood (or LoDo.) Stop in for a few beers to finish off your time in Denver and sample from the more than 40 small-batch beers. Or, if you get there a little earlier, you can take a free tour of the brewery to see how the beer is made while you stroll through the historic Mercantile building.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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